Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!
Chapter 472: Akatsuki Shinobi vs. Kiri Ninja Again

Chapter 472 - 472: Akatsuki Shinobi vs. Kiri Ninja Again

Knock, knock, knock.

"Enter."

Yagura Karatachi's voice echoed through the room.

"Lord Mizukage, we have news about Akatsuki."

A Kiri-nin stepped inside, followed closely by a disheveled young man.

"Speak."

Yagura fixed his gaze on the young scout. If he remembered correctly, this was one of the operatives sent to the Land of Rice Fields.

"We searched for days but found no trace of Akatsuki."

"I was beginning to think they had retreated."

"But today, out of nowhere, a whole swarm of Akatsuki struck."

"They killed anyone who so much as spotted them."

Fear filled the young Kiri-nin's eyes as he spoke, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"And then?"

Yagura's brows furrowed, and the air in the room seemed to turn colder.

"Then... I ran for my life."

"I saw corpses everywhere along the way."

"I'm afraid almost all of our men have been wiped out."

"Lord Mizukage, you must avenge them!"

Tears streamed down the young Kiri-nin's face as he dropped to his knees, repeatedly bowing in desperation.

"So, according to you,"

"Akatsuki launched a large-scale purge of our forces in the Land of Rice Fields?"

Yagura showed no reaction to the scout's plea for vengeance. To him, casualties were an unavoidable part of war.

"Yes."

The young man nodded from his kneeling position.

"I see. You may leave."

Yagura knew he wouldn't get any more useful information from him, so he dismissed him.

"Akatsuki stayed hidden in the Land of Rice Fields for so long, only to suddenly strike now..."

"Something about this doesn't add up."

His voice was quiet, almost as if he was speaking to himself.

"They were lying low before because they didn't think they could take us on."

"But if they're moving now, it must mean reinforcements have arrived."

One of the Kiri-nin remaining in the room hesitated before speaking. Though unsure of himself, he didn't dare stay silent.

He took a risk by voicing his guess, but at least he wasn't completely clueless.

"Is that so?"

Yagura's frown deepened.

"It's just my speculation, my lord..."

The Kiri-nin was already sweating, afraid that his words might mislead Yagura's judgment.

"Heh. You're not half bad."

"And you're probably right."

"Summon the senior officials for a meeting."

Yagura's expression eased slightly as he issued the order.

"Yes, Lord Mizukage."

The Kiri-nin quickly turned and left, only exhaling in relief once he was outside.

...

Before long, the senior officials of Kirigakure had gathered in Yagura's chambers.

"Based on Akatsuki's actions, what do you all make of this?"

After relaying the intel from the scout, Yagura posed his question.

His sharp gaze swept across the room, the weight of his presence so suffocating that no one dared to breathe too loudly.

"If nothing unexpected happened, then Akatsuki must have received reinforcements."

"They must believe they can defeat us now."

"This is as good as a declaration of war."

These officials weren't fools. It didn't take them long to figure out the obvious.

"Could it be Nagato from Akatsuki?"

"But isn't he supposed to be in the Land of Earth?"

A middle-aged man scratched his head, wondering if Akatsuki's retreat from the Land of Earth meant they were afraid of offending Kumo.

"Even if they managed to take the Land of Earth, do you really think Akatsuki would get much out of it?"

"When it comes to profit, it's no surprise that they'd be willing to burn bridges with Kumo."

Another man snorted, finding the first one's naivety almost amusing.

"It doesn't matter whether Nagato himself is here or not."

"But one thing is certain—whoever it is, they're strong."

"Otherwise, Akatsuki wouldn't have stayed hidden for so many days, only to suddenly reveal themselves so openly."

"They're probably just waiting for us to make the first move."

"This only means one thing—they're launching a counterattack."

A high-ranking Kiri official summed up the situation, hitting the core of the issue.

"You're right."

"They're preparing to fight back."

"And even if we don't attack them, they'll come for us."

"Get ready—this is going to be a tough battle."

"If we win, we all celebrate."

"If we lose... we won't be making it home."

Yagura's expression turned grim, though there was an undeniable glint of excitement in his eyes.

A battle worth looking forward to.

"Yes, sir!"

The assembled Kiri leaders responded in unison.

"Tomorrow, you'll fight alongside me."

"Dismissed."

With a wave of Yagura's hand, the room emptied in moments, leaving him alone.

At this point, caution was no longer an option. There was only one path forward—battle.

...

At dawn, as the sky barely began to lighten, the Kiri forces had already assembled.

"Move out."

With Yagura's command, the Kiri-nin swiftly advanced toward the Land of Rice Fields.

...

"They're here."

Not far from the border, Nagato spoke calmly.

Beside him stood Yahiko and the others, while behind them, Akatsuki's forces stood ready.

"Tsk, tsk... That absurd sensory ability."

Yahiko's tone carried a hint of envy, though he seemed unfazed by the approaching Kiri-nin.

To him, the outcome of this battle had already been decided.

What did Kiri have that could possibly defeat them?

"Nothing special, really. Just top three in the shinobi world."

Nagato played along, flicking his crimson bangs with exaggerated arrogance.

But it wasn't an empty boast—he was the one who pinpointed Kabuto's location and passed the information to Itachi in the original events.

Without him, the Edo Tensei army wouldn't have been dealt with so easily.

His sensory abilities were truly terrifying.

"Listen to this guy."

Nonō was the only one who ever called him out, while Konan barely batted an eye.

Long-range sensory abilities? That was just another tool in Nagato's arsenal.

"Impressive, no doubt," Kakuzu muttered.

If not for his fear of Nagato's abilities, he would have bolted long ago.

Despite the looming battle, there wasn't a trace of nervousness among them.

Their ease and confidence only fueled the morale of the Akatsuki forces behind them.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Wait for them to come to us, or should we just go over and handle it?"

Yahiko glanced at his companions, his words carrying a distinct edge.

"Let's go greet them."

"I want to see just how tough this so-called 'big turtle' Konan keeps talking about really is."

Nagato smirked in disdain.

At this point, people still struggled against Tailed Beasts?

"Advance."

Hearing Nagato's decision, Yahiko raised his voice and gave the signal.

"Full assault!"

With Akatsuki charging toward the Land of Hot Water, the distance between them and Kiri rapidly closed.

The moment both sides came into view, the battlefield erupted.

Perhaps it was coincidence, or perhaps it was deliberate.

Both armies launched their attacks simultaneously, clashing right at the border.

...

"Nagato?"

That shock of crimson hair stood out instantly.

Yagura immediately recognized the formidable enemy before him.

As expected, Nagato had abandoned his so-called allies in Kumo and chosen to reinforce his own people instead.

"I'm honored that the Mizukage knows my name."

Nagato slowly floated into the air, making Yagura's already small stature seem even smaller in his eyes.

"Hmph... A backstabbing traitor."

Displeasure flashed across Yagura's face.

He glared up at Nagato as his body began to surge with Tailed Beast chakra.