Autumn in Konoha brought cooler weather. The soft sunlight, paired with the occasional autumn breeze, made the air feel crisp and comfortable.
Three days later, Kihana gave birth right on schedule.
The delivery went smoothly, and both mother and child were safe.
It was a girl.
They had already chosen a name—Kitahara Nanako.
After a warm bath, the doctor swaddled the newborn, revealing her soft, chubby cheeks and pure, delicate features.
Sakiya couldn't resist reaching out and giving those cheeks a gentle squeeze.
Once Kihana, exhausted from childbirth, spent a little time with Nanako, she quickly drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
And just like that, their family welcomed a new member.
—
Sakiya cradled Nanako in her arms, gently rocking her. The baby seemed to enjoy the movement, suddenly breaking into a bright, happy smile.
Looking at her sister's chubby, adorable face, Sakiya couldn't help but nuzzle her cheek against Nanako's.
The baby's skin was soft and warm, just as delicate as her own.
Sakiya whispered softly,
"Nanako, grow up quickly. When you do, I'll perform the awakening ceremony for you."
Kitahara Kira, who had been standing nearby, stiffened slightly. He kept a gentle smile on his face but hesitantly asked,
"Uh… Sakiya, what exactly is the awakening ceremony?"
Sakiya turned to him and tapped her blindfold seriously.
"It's the awakening of a powerful magic eye! A ritual that must be done!"
Kitahara Kira forced out a laugh, a drop of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"Uh-huh… And… does Nanako even have this talent?"
"Of course she does! And even if she doesn't, my Eye of Death will awaken it for her as a gift."
"Haha… haha… I see…"
Kitahara Kira felt helpless.
He could only pray that Nanako wouldn't grow up too strangely under the influence of her unusual older sister.
—
While Sakiya and her family enjoyed their peaceful moments, elsewhere in the ninja world, something big was happening.
Today was the scheduled negotiation day between Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Why had it been delayed for so long? Mainly because the Hidden Cloud had been reluctant to push for a Five Kage Summit. Unlike in the original timeline, their Jinchūriki, Killer B, had not been captured.
As for Akatsuki, they didn't see the organization as a significant threat.
That was until Iwagakure announced that Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure had already agreed to participate.
At that point, refusing to join would make Kumogakure seem isolated and outdated.
Even so, at today's meeting, Kumogakure still wanted to negotiate to ensure their participation came with concrete benefits.
With the Raikage busy handling other matters, he decided to send his trusted right-hand man, Darui, to represent the village.
Due to the tense relationship between the two sides, Kumogakure insisted that the meeting take place within the Land of Lightning.
Iwagakure reluctantly agreed.
The designated meeting point was a secluded island within the Land of Lightning.
---
"Ahh… what a pain. I can't believe the boss sent me for this. I don't feel confident at all," Darui sighed, adjusting the massive sword strapped to his back. His muscular frame and dark skin stood out under the bright sky.
The Cloud ninja beside him chuckled.
"Haha, come on, Darui. You're strong—you've got this."
Perched on a high reef, another Cloud ninja kept watch.
"Someone's coming! It's Iwa-nin!"
Darui straightened up.
"Finally. Looks like we're right on schedule."
The Iwagakure delegation consisted of only eight representatives.
Both sides exchanged verification codes and scrolls, confirming each other's identities before officially starting negotiations.
Iwagakure emphasized the growing danger of the Akatsuki and repeatedly stressed that the other Hidden Villages had already agreed to join the talks—subtly pressuring Kumogakure.
Their stance was clear: Join if you want, but if you don't, you'll be the only one left behind.
Darui, however, was more focused on gathering information. The Raikage was already considering joining, but from the intelligence gathered so far, there weren't any clear benefits for Kumogakure.
And just as the discussions were underway…
—
Not far from the meeting site, a strange, plant-like figure with a black-and-white, yin-yang face slowly emerged from the ground.
"They're definitely here," Zetsu muttered.
At that moment, the air around him distorted, warping unnaturally until a masked figure materialized beside him.
"Did you confirm it?" the masked man, Tobi, asked, his lone Sharingan peering through the opening of his mask, locking onto the two villages engaged in discussion.
Zetsu grinned.
"Yes. Looks like another tedious diplomatic exchange—arguing over every little detail."
Tobi let out a soft chuckle, his tone filled with quiet amusement.
"But it's that tediousness that gives me an opening, doesn't it?"
He turned toward the meeting.
"After all, we can't have the Five Great Nations uniting too quickly. It's time to shake things up a little."
Zetsu smirked.
"Then let's make a mess, shall we?"
Tobi's eye gleamed with anticipation.
"Let's cause some chaos."
-------
Suddenly, several jagged, sharp wooden spikes shot out from the darkness, flying toward the negotiators from both villages.
At the center of the talks were two representatives—one from Iwagakure, one from Kumogakure—alongside Darui. In total, there were five key figures, with the rest serving as guards.
The moment the spikes appeared, the guards reacted first.
"Enemy attack! Stay alert!"
Both Iwa-nin and Kumo-nin immediately took defensive stances, watching each other warily.
One of the sentries spotted the incoming projectiles and swiftly drew a kunai, slashing through the wooden spikes in midair. But not everyone was so lucky.
One Iwa-nin was hit.
The moment the sharp wood pierced his body, it expanded grotesquely—bursting into blooming, jagged branches that impaled him from the inside out.
His death was instant and horrifying.
Tension flared.
The Iwa-nin turned on the Kumo-nin, eyes blazing with fury.
"You dishonorable scum! You set us up! We had an agreement!"
Caught off guard, the Kumo-nin hesitated, some shifting into defensive stances.
Darui, however, quickly pieced things together.
"No! This isn't us!" he shouted. "There's a third party—they're trying to sabotage the meeting!"
The Iwa-nin hesitated, exchanging wary glances.
Then, another wave of sharp wooden spikes flew in from the side.
Everyone scattered.
"Don't let them hit you! Those spikes are deadly!" someone warned.
But by now, they didn't need the reminder—the brutal display from earlier was enough.
While the chaos unfolded, deep in the shadows, Tobi used the distraction to his advantage.
Silently, he emerged behind an unsuspecting Iwa-nin.
A single slash—quick, clean—cut the man's throat.
But his presence didn't go unnoticed.
"There! The enemy's here!"
An Iwa-nin lunged at him with a kunai, aiming for his chest.
The blade passed through him like he was a phantom.
The attacker froze in confusion.
Before he could react, Tobi whipped out a long chain, spinning it with expert precision. In an instant, the chain coiled around the Iwa-nin's neck.
A sharp yank.
The man gasped, his windpipe crushed. His face turned red, then purple.
A sickening crack.
Then—silence.
After taking down another Iwa-nin, Tobi scratched his head with mock embarrassment and chuckled.
"Oh? Oops, looks like I got a little carried away."
The remaining three Iwa-nin glared at him, fists clenched in rage.
"You bastard! Who the hell are you?!"
That's when the negotiators, both from Iwagakure and Kumogakure, finally put the pieces together.
"A black cloak with red clouds… Akatsuki!"
Tobi glanced down at his robe, feigning surprise.
"Oh, right! I forgot to change."
Then, looking at the shinobi in front of him, he grinned.
"Well, now that you know my secret, I can't let you leave."
Darui's expression hardened.
"This guy's dangerous. Stay sharp."
The Iwa-nin snarled in fury.
"There's only one of him! Kill him!"
"Don't be reckless!"
But before anyone could move, Tobi waved a hand casually.
"Careful now… I'm coming through."
A swirling vortex of space distorted around him—and in an instant, he vanished.
The shinobi stood frozen for a moment.
Then—
Slash! Slash! Slash!
"Argh!"
Three agonized screams rang out.
Darui spun around in horror.
"Yujie! Zongzhu! Garuru!"
Behind them, Tobi had silently reappeared, impaling three shinobi with sharp wooden spikes.
The spikes absorbed their chakra, feeding off their life force. Their bodies convulsed violently as more jagged branches erupted from inside them, tearing through flesh and bone.
The screams faded. Silence followed.
Darui's eyes burned with fury as he rapidly formed hand seals.
"Lightning Release—Black Panther!"
A black, panther-shaped surge of lightning roared from his body, streaking toward Tobi.
The attack hit him head-on—
But passed right through, as if he were made of mist.
Darui's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the hell?! How did that not hit?!"
The other shinobi were just as stunned.
"What kind of jutsu is that!?"
Tobi smirked and casually twirled a long wooden spike in his hand.
"You're next, Darui."
Before he could react, the Kumogakure shinobi leaped in front of him.
One of them turned to Darui, his voice urgent.
"Darui! Listen! If we all die here, Iwagakure and Kumogakure will go to war! You must make it out alive! You have to get this intel to the Raikage!"
Darui clenched his fists.
"What the hell are you saying?! I can't just—"
But before he could finish, Tobi moved.
And the bloodbath began.
The battlefield erupted into chaos.
"He's coming!"
"Fall back!"
"Lightning Release—Go!"
"Lightning Release—Lariat!"
"Earth Release—Earth Rend Palm!"
Explosions thundered across the island. Blades clashed, sparks flying. Smoke and dust filled the air.
For a brief moment, the island roared with battle.
Then—
Silence.
________
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