Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

These cunning fellows clearly didn't want their true locations locked. Each of them had three to five shadow clones distributed in different locations throughout Amegakure, and they were constantly moving. Even Shisui, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, couldn't kill these guys quickly.

As for the two young men, Deidara and Hidan...

It's not easy to fight someone riding a big bird flying in the air.

One is immortal and cannot be killed.

In addition, there are those other cunning old foxes guarding the area. If they really focus on fighting these two young men, it would be quite troublesome.

"Tsk! They're really troublesome... but not unexpected."

After listening to Hyuga Himon's explanation, Zongxian's expression didn't change much. He simply raised his head, opened his scarlet eyes wide, and gazed at the strange and ugly bird circling in the sky. He said, "Shisui, Elder Fugaku, proceed according to plan D."

Option D,

If this name isn't just a deliberate gimmick to fool people.

In other words, at least four action plans were prepared. However, most of the team members, including Jiraiya, were completely clueless and did not understand what Plan D was. Only Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Fugaku knew the meaning of Plan D.

"clear."

Zhi decisively agreed.

Then he turned around and called out by name: "Feng, Tori, Tenzo, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Hana, you come with me."

Having said that,

Shisui charged down the hill first, followed closely by three masked members of the Anbu. Hyuga Hinata paused for a second, then, seeing that the Hokage had no intention of speaking, realized that Plan D had been implemented and hurriedly chased after him.

And the talented woman of the Inuzuka clan,

Leading three ninja dogs, Inuzuka Hana immediately followed Shisui out, her speed not much slower than that of the three ANBU members.

the other side,

"Shiguro, Itachi, Kimimaro, Santen, and Iroha, I'll trouble you to come with me." Fugaku Uchiha said in a kind tone. This was not to say that the [Fierce Eye] had lost its ruthlessness over the years, but the murderous aura that had seeped into its bones was not so easily stripped away.

His politeness

It's aimed at Aburame Shiho.

Unlike the other younger generation, Shiro Aburame, the strongest poison insect user of the Aburame clan, is not only of the same generation as him, but also possesses strength worthy of his respect.

not to mention,

They were going to rescue his son!

Regardless of whether this was official village business or not, in order to get Shiro Aburame and the others to give their all, he was bound to owe them a favor, so it was only natural that he had to be polite.

then,

In a blink of an eye,

The number of people on the hill became sparse.

Only Sogen, Jiraiya, Kabuto Yakushi, and Chihaya Uchiha, who was maintaining the [Shinatohiko] technique, remained.

"Zong Xian."

Jiraiya watched as the two armies, each led by Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Fugaku, advanced in the same general direction yet remained distinct from each other. Realizing the true nature of Plan D, he frowned deeply. "Are you planning to disperse your forces to rescue Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously? Isn't that a bit too reckless? Don't forget that those eyes might be right here."

Speaking of last,

He subconsciously lowered his voice.

Hyuga Himon just reported that among the noteworthy targets he saw were not only Orochimaru, but also several other powerful targets that were not much easier to deal with than Orochimaru. And don't forget that this is Amegakure, a village with a considerable number of Amegakure ninja.

the most important is,

Jiraiya knew that Nagato was likely hiding in this village, and that he had managed to keep it from Hyuga Himon and the others, but it wasn't surprising that the Rinnegan possessed such power.

What truly surprised him was that Uchiha Sogen, knowing that Amegakure might possess the Rinnegan, still chose a split-force tactic instead of clenching his fist and punching out.

"I've said it before, I will definitely save them, whether it's Naruto or Sasuke. I won't abandon either of them. This has nothing to do with the fact that they are the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki or my clansmen, but because as Hokage, I have a responsibility I must fulfill."

Zongxian answered calmly.

"The reason we've gathered such a large force today isn't because of their special identities, but simply because the enemy we face requires us to make such preparations. And Jiraiya-senpai, I basically know what you know, and I also know what you don't know."

"So, there's no need for unnecessary worries. I have a plan for this operation... Now, it's time for us to act. Although the master of Amegakure is unwilling to personally greet us, as guests, we cannot be impolite. I think it's still necessary to meet him."

Chapter 366 The Number One Ninja in the World: The Flame Demon

The master of Amegakure, in the past, referred to Hanzo of the Salamander, who was known as a 'demigod'. He was a powerful figure who once had the ambition to make Amegakure the sixth greatest ninja village in the ninja world. In the era in which he was active, this 'demigod' was undoubtedly the top figure.

Otherwise

And where did they get the audacity to think of turning the ninja world from the Five Great Ninja Villages into the Six Great Ninja Villages?

Although he ultimately failed, it is undeniable that Hanzo of the Salamander left a significant mark on the history of the ninja world. During the Second Shinobi World War, Amegakure, under Hanzo's leadership, declared war on the samurai of the Land of Iron, Konoha, and Sunagakure, which was incredibly powerful!

unfortunately,

This formidable figure withstood Konoha's counterattack and repelled the Sand Village's retaliation, but he could not escape the cold and merciless blade of time. The sharp blade of time relentlessly eroded his physical strength, his energy, and his ambition, turning the once-powerful 'demigod' into a 'tyrant' who only wanted to close the door and rule the Land of Rain.

Then, under the manipulation of the mastermind behind the scenes,

The once-renowned demigod became a stepping stone for others, and a new ruler reigned over Amegakure, suppressing all injustice with the divine power of the "Eye of Life and Death."

"Chihaya, can we walk?"

Zongxian asked.

"Not yet."

Uchiha Chihaya replied softly, "Unless I temporarily release [Shina Hiko], it will be difficult for me to move freely. Although the names of the eye techniques in my left and right eyes are the same and there is no difference in essence, the way they are controlled is too different. I cannot maintain a storm of this scale while moving at high speed."

"Then let's remove it!"

"Is everything alright?"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.

“What problem could there be? We already know where Naruto and Sasuke are, and Shisui and Elder Fugaku each have more than one sensory ninja with them. Even if the rain comes down again, as long as we get closer, we don’t have to worry about not being able to track down Naruto and the others.”

“Besides, the rain clouds around here have been blown away. It’s not something that can be gathered back to the size of the previous rain clouds so easily. Besides… we’re not dead!” Zong Xian’s aura began to surge. If at the beginning he gave people the feeling of a dormant volcano, his tall and majestic figure would make people look up to him, but would not make people feel afraid.

Then,

right now,

The dormant volcano has become active.

Although it hasn't yet erupted its full force of lava and ash, the intense heat and pulsating pulse of the volcano signal an impending danger. An invisible fear has already settled in the hearts of everyone near the volcano, as all living things in the vicinity feel the terror.

And in an instant,

The deep crimson Susanoo appeared only briefly. The blade, seemingly capable of cleaving the heavens, swept across the sky, crushing the strange-looking bird with its long, metallic beak. Yes, crushing, not slicing. The massive blade, with unimaginable speed and power, pulverized the strange bird into a hazy mist of blood, which was then dispersed by the waning demonic wind.

“Jiraiya-senpai, if you want to participate in the operation to rescue Naruto, you can go after Shisui and the others.”

He casually crushed the unsightly trash in the sky.

Zongxian lifted his foot and headed towards Amegakure, while also telling Jiraiya that he was free to move around.

This operation,

He devised several plans to deal with different situations, but none of them specified what Jiraiya should do. This powerful senior... he never intended to instruct the other party to act according to his own wishes.

He's a senior, after all; we should at least give him some face.

Furthermore, he doesn't lack such combat power.

"Save Naruto... Since Shisui and the others have gone, it doesn't matter whether I'm here or not." Jiraiya followed Sogen's footsteps. "Besides, to be honest, I'm also very concerned about what's going on here. What exactly happened that led things to this point?"

obviously,

They are such gentle children.

What exactly happened that led them to go in a direction completely opposite to their expectations?

Just as he cherished Naruto, he had never truly let go of those children. He always remembered that not-so-short, but exceptionally beautiful and warm period of time, which was his most cherished memory in the Land of Rain.

Therefore,

He decided to go and see what had happened.

Deep down, perhaps they still harbor a sliver of hope that they can persuade the children who have made mistakes to turn back from their misguided ways.

"It's all right."

Zongxian answered casually.

Jiraiya's choice is irrelevant, and even the success or failure of Shisui and the others' actions no longer concerns him. Now, all he cares about is Nagato, who has hidden his true form and left Pain to operate outside, and of course, he cannot ignore the old Zetsu.

As for Uchiha Obito

On the contrary, there is no need to care too much; as for a mere Kamui, he doesn't care at all now.

Uchiha Chihaya, standing nearby, completely stopped outputting her eye power and let out a long sigh of relief. Her right hand gripped the hilt of Samehada tightly. Fortunately, Samehada was there to help her; otherwise, even if she wasn't completely drained of her eye power and unable to use genjutsu, she would most likely be unable to compete with experts of the same level.

And now,

Samehada is continuously replenishing her chakra to make up for her losses. She only needs to spare a little attention to refine the abundant chakra into eye power.

Kabuto Yakushi didn't utter a single word from beginning to end. He knew exactly what his role was; he was a pawn placed by the Hokage to target specific individuals. In other words, he would only act when needed, and otherwise, he would simply observe from the sidelines.

Uchiha Chihaya and Yakushi Kabuto followed closely behind Sogen on either side.

Jiraiya hung at the very end of the line.

The four of them formed a typical ninja mobile formation and moved towards Amegakure at a leisurely pace.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the center of Amegakure Village,

The top of the tower.

"Zetsu, inform Kakuzu and Orochimaru that the Konoha ninja are splitting up. Let them choose their own opponents. I don't expect them to annihilate the invaders, but... they can't return empty-handed." Pain, standing on that long, crimson tongue, said softly.

Just as he finished speaking,

From the shadows behind, the pitcher plant with its two-toned face peeked out.

"Is this a good idea? If we concentrate our forces, we can wipe out a portion of the Konoha ninjas directly," Black Zetsu suggested in a hoarse voice.