Simultaneous Time Travel: What Villain? I'm the Protagonist!

The snowstorm in the Iron City lasted for three whole days.

When the dawn broke through the thick clouds on the fourth day, the entire ninja world already knew the news—

The Feathered Immortal Sect declared war on the five great ninja villages. Seven days later, the decisive battle would take place on the border of the Bear Country.

The news swept through every corner like a storm, from the streets of Konoha to the deserts of Sunagakure, from the thundercloud valleys of Kumogakure to the rocky mountains of Iwagakure, from the misty depths of Kirigakure to the continuous rain in the Land of Rain.

Fear, anger, excitement, confusion... all sorts of emotions spread throughout the ninja world.

Konoha Village, Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked at the intelligence scroll in his hand. His three senior advisors, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura, sat on either side of him, each with a grim expression.

"Thirty thousand?" Mitokado Homura frowned. "According to our previous intelligence, the population of the Land of Bears is only about 500,000. How could they possibly muster 30,000 ninjas?"

"They're not ninjas, they're just ordinary people who've practiced visualization techniques," Danzo said coldly. "That secret technique allows anyone to refine chakra, and now the Feathered Immortal Sect has achieved a state where everyone is a soldier."

"That being said, the 30,000 ninjas that Hoshigakure has mobilized this time seem to be moving in a completely different direction than we expected," Koharu Utatane said, handing the information to the Third Hokage with a puzzled look on her face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his scroll, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and said, "Heading towards the Land of Water?" He flicked off the ash, covered his head with his left hand, and uttered a guess that even he himself couldn't believe:

"Do you think the purpose of the Bear Country's ninja army's deployment this time is simply to clear the battlefield, and that our only enemy is Shengren?"

"What did you say?" Even the three, who were always well-informed, were taken aback by this guess.

Shocked, Danzo, who had been in contact with Morihito, was somewhat convinced of this judgment. In his eyes, Morihito had always been an incredibly audacious person.

"What about the movements of the other ninja villages?" Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't dwell on this question for too long.

"Iwagakure has assembled 20,000 ninjas, led by Onoki himself," Koharu Utatane replied. "Kumogakure has also deployed its elite forces. Although the Fourth Raikage is injured, he insists on participating in the battle personally. As for Sunagakure, Rasa has brought 8,000 ninjas. Although they are the fewest in number, they are all elite."

"Where's Kirigakure?" Mitokado asked.

"The situation in Kirigakure is rather complicated," Danzo said. "Although Mei Terumi has declared her allegiance to the Yukasen Sect, there are still many rebellious forces within Kirigakure. According to intelligence, at least three thousand Kirigakure ninja have secretly gathered, preparing to join the Allied Forces, while the rest of the troops have not been mobilized."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

The combined forces of the four major ninja villages numbered over 60,000, and with the support of some vassal states, the total number could reach 80,000.

The Feathered Immortal Sect has only 30,000 members, or even just one.

In terms of troop strength, the coalition forces held an absolute advantage.

But everyone knows that the key to this war is not military strength, but a boy named Sheng Ren.

"How many can Konoha send out?" Hiruzen Sarutobi finally asked.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, and the latter spoke up: "If we were to send out all our forces, we could mobilize 25,000 people. But in that case, Konoha's defenses would be completely exposed."

"Leave 5,000 men to guard the village," Hiruzen Sarutobi decided. "Move 20,000. Also, notify all elite Jonin currently stationed outside to return to Konoha immediately and await orders."

"Hiruzen, this is too risky," Koharu Utatane said worriedly, "What if..."

"There's no 'what if'," Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted her. "If we lose this war, leaving behind more defenders won't make a difference."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the familiar Konoha Village: "This may be our last battle. If we win, the ninja world will remain the same; if we lose..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood.

If they lose, the ninja world will usher in a completely new era, an era that they cannot understand or control.

"Then it's settled," Danzo stood up. "Root will fully cooperate."

"Alright," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Pass down the word: the Konoha army will set off in three days."

Meanwhile, in the Bear Country, in the Star Ninja office, Natsumi Hoshino was filled with worry.

"Sect Master, isn't this too risky?" Xia Rixing brewed the tea and gently placed the cup filled with the aroma on Sheng Ren's table. "With us and Wuyin here, we can also help you share the burden."

Sheng Ren picked up the teacup, his nose twitched slightly, and the refreshing aroma of tea wafted over: "Sister Xing's tea-making skills are truly superb," ​​he said, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

"Sect Master," Xia Rixing said urgently upon seeing Sheng Ren's nonchalant attitude.

"My mind is made up, there's no need to persuade me anymore," Sheng Ren pulled up a chair and helped Xia Rixing sit down. "Over the years, I have never shown myself in public. Even though my statues are all over the ninja world, very few people know who I am."

Xia Rixing was a little puzzled as to why Sheng Ren suddenly brought this up, but fortunately, he didn't keep her in suspense and continued:

"It's because I've been on guard against two opponents. One of them is the mastermind behind Kirigakure's manipulation of Yagura, who has now been sealed away by me. As for the other one..." For the first time, Shengren's face showed a solemn expression, which made Xia Rixing, who was standing next to him, tense up as well.

"He is the person I fear most. Over the years, I have been secretly searching for his whereabouts. I have not even revealed a word to you, because I am afraid that you do not know his strength. If you are not careful, you will be injured or lose your lives."

"I thought I would keep searching until I found him, but after defeating Kirigakure this time, I suddenly realized that conspiracies and tricks can never achieve anything great. Black Zetsu planned for a thousand years and even manipulated someone like Madara Uchiha. But once his conspiracy was exposed, he instantly became my prisoner."

"Therefore, only strength determines success or failure. As long as I defeat the Allied Shinobi Forces and make them submit to me, I can then use my visualization technique to connect the shinobi world and use Otsutsuki Isshiki to destroy them with a flick of his wrist."

"Even if you decide to change your ways, you are still all alone in the end," Xia Rixing said, completely unaware of the name Sheng Ren mentioned. More than anything, she was worried about Sheng Ren's safety.

Sheng Ren looked at Xia Rixing and suddenly laughed: "If I can't defeat them all single-handedly this time, how can the world know the methods of my Feathered Immortal Sect? In the end, your strength has increased day by day over the years, but you have never seen my full strength, just like looking at the moon from the bottom of a well. This time, not only them, but you will also have to watch closely."

Meanwhile, in the distant Land of Rain, at the Akatsuki headquarters.

Nagato sat in a wheelchair, with Kakuzu, Sasori, Orochimaru, and Hidan sitting opposite him in that order, while Konan stood beside him.

"Everyone, the situation has changed," Nagato said slowly. "The Feathered Immortal Sect has declared war on the five great ninja villages and will hold a decisive battle in the Land of Bears in three days."

"Interesting," Orochimaru licked his lips.

Kakuzu said coldly, "This will seriously affect our capital accumulation plan."

Scorpion's voice came from Hiruko: "It doesn't matter, the materials for the human puppet can be updated."

"Alright!" Hidan brandished his blood-red three-month scythe. "I will offer everyone to the Jashin-sama!"

Konan remained silent, only looking at Nagato.

"He has been out of contact for a long time," Nagato continued. "According to the last intelligence, he may have been sealed away by Morihito in Kirigakure."

"Of course, that's not the point," Nagato said. "The point is that the outcome of this war will directly affect our plans."

He paused, then looked at everyone: "I've decided that Akatsuki will remain on the sidelines for now and not participate in this war. But we must be prepared to profit from whichever side gains the upper hand."

"Profit?" Kakuzu's eyes lit up. "What's the specific plan?"

"We'll help whoever loses," Nagato said. "It would be best if both sides were severely injured, then the dark ninja world would finally see the dawn of a new era."

"Heh?" Scorpion sneered. "That brat seems to be one of ours, isn't he?"

"He is the sect leader of the Feathered Immortal Sect," Nagato said calmly, "not one of Akatsuki's."

He looked out at the rain curtain: "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together!"