What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

The three siblings were ordered to pursue

That was after that mission.

She, Kankuro, and Gaara met that man...

That man, whose aura was unfathomable, was named Di Yan.

She was somewhat hazy about the specific content of the conversation.

All I remember is that the man always had an unsettling smile on his face, a smile that seemed to see right through people.

He seems...particularly interested in Gaara.

And from that day onwards.

Temari had a vague feeling about it.

Gaara has undergone some subtle changes.

He became more silent than before.

Occasionally, he would be lost in thought by himself, his eyes seemingly concealing something indescribable.

Even after that.

Gaara being able to control the One-Tailed Beast is simply unbelievable...

Until recently.

Gaara suddenly defied all opposition.

They resolutely launched this war.

A terrible thought uncontrollably crept into Temari's mind:

Gaara's unusual decision...

Could it be related to that Emperor Yan?

The thought made her shudder.

If that's the case.

So, Sunagakure's "victory" at this moment.

This is probably just the beginning of a much larger conspiracy that has been manipulated by someone!

She looked towards Konoha, her heart filled with conflict and anxiety.

She hoped that Sunagakure would win.

They were also terrified of the terrible price that might be hidden behind this victory.

"Gaara... what... is wrong with you?"

Temari gripped the three-star fan in her hand tightly and murmured softly.

Her voice was drowned out by the clamor of the battlefield.

All that remains is endless worry.

……

the other side.

The eastern part of the Land of Fire, a rugged coastline rarely visited by humans.

The salty sea breeze carries a distinctive fishy smell.

The wind constantly blows against the steep cliffs and black reefs.

Layers of white waves rolled up, crashing against the shore in an endless cycle.

It emitted a dull and perpetual roar.

On this desolate yet magnificent coastline, two figures stand silently atop two massive rocks.

They were all wearing black trench coats embroidered with red clouds.

Those distinctive features marked them as belonging to that feared organization... "Akatsuki".

One of them had a ferocious face, like a shark.

He carried a huge, bizarre weapon wrapped in bandages on his back.

It was Kisame Hoshigaki, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure.

He grinned, revealing sharp teeth.

Seemingly unable to bear the long silence any longer, he spoke in a muffled voice:

"Mr. Itachi, we've been stuck on this godforsaken beach for almost half a month now, haven't we?"

"This isn't on the to-do list. What are we waiting for?"

"Enjoying the sea view? I'm already tired of seeing that in Kirigakure."

Standing slightly in front of him was a young man with a slightly thin build and a calm, expressionless face.

He had short, jet-black hair and equally deep-set eyes.

The deep nasolabial folds on his cheeks made him look exceptionally mature and composed.

It was Itachi Uchiha.

Hearing Kisame's complaints, Itachi Uchiha's gaze remained calm as he stared at the boundless ocean stretching to the horizon.

After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke in his characteristically calm tone, devoid of any discernible emotion:

"Because across this sea lies the Land of Water, and the Hidden Mist Village."

Upon hearing this, Kisame's shark-like face showed an even more puzzled expression, and he asked gruffly:

"So? What happened to Kirigakure?"

"Isn't the organization's main target the Tailed Beasts? What does it have to do with this run-down village?"

"Is Payne planning to recruit new people again?"

Itachi Uchiha slowly shook his head.

The sea breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead.

"I don't know." His answer was so concise it was almost frustrating. "It's just... there's a voice in my head telling me to stay here."

He frowned slightly, seemingly unable to fully understand this inexplicable impulse himself, and added:

"Perhaps... he's guarding Kirigakure."

"To prevent something... or some people, from coming from the sea."

His tone carried a subtle hint of etherealness and uncertainty.

It was as if this did not originate from explicit instructions or intelligence.

Rather, it was some kind of deeper, almost intuitive premonition.

Kisame Hoshigaki tilted his head and looked at Itachi's eternally unchanging icy face, then curled his lip in disapproval.

Although he was bloodthirsty and had a direct way of thinking.

But I also know that this partner has a deep and unfathomable mind.

There is often a reason for doing things, even if that reason sounds mysterious.

"Tsk, I really don't understand you."

Kisame shrugged Samehada on his back. "Never mind, the organization doesn't have any urgent missions lately anyway."

"It seems like Grandpa Sasori and Deidara's group are busy with something else."

"Hidan and Kakuzu have probably run off to some corner to make some money. Let them stay put, it's good to have some peace and quiet."

He didn't ask any more questions, and like Itachi, he crossed his arms.

Turn your gaze to that vast and unknown ocean.

But what flickered in his small eyes was more boredom and anticipation of killing.

Rather than the deep contemplation in Itachi's eyes.

The waves continued to pound tirelessly against the shore.

Uchiha Itachi stood silently, as if he had become part of the reef.

His Sharingan eyes could see through countless illusions and conspiracies.

At this moment, it seems to pierce through the distant sea.

His decision to stay here was based on an inexplicable sense of crisis.

But in a daze, I seemed to see a man's figure flash by...

……

Back to Konoha.

Di Yan looked down at Kakashi, who was in disbelief and despair due to his severe injuries and betrayal.

He then looked around and scanned his surroundings.

0 ·Requesting flowers···· ·······

The Konoha members were terrified, but dared not act rashly because of Might Guy's defection and Kakashi's instant defeat.

This includes Tsunade, whose face was deathly pale.

He seemed to find the struggle and despair before him rather amusing, and said to Kakashi in a condescending tone:

"Kakashi Hatake, known as the greatest technician in Konoha, Sharingan Kakashi... that's quite interesting."

"So, are you interested in following Kai's example, submitting to me, and serving me?"

"I can give you a future that is more promising than Konoha."

Kakashi lay on the ground, the intense pain and chaotic chakra making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Fresh blood kept gushing from the wound in his abdomen and from his mouth.

He didn't answer, he just breathed heavily.

The eyes of the dead fish that were exposed gleamed with an extremely complex light.

Pain, anger, resentment, and...

A final, desperate act!

Just when Di Yan thought he had given up resisting.

Or perhaps it's the very moment they're considering surrendering.

Kakashi's left eye, which had been covered by his headband, suddenly opened!

The eyes in the eye sockets are not ordinary eyes.

Instead, it is a Mangekyou Sharingan that is equally scarlet, but with a unique three-scythe pattern!

"It's now!"

Kakashi used up his last bit of strength and willpower.

He frantically activated the Sharingan that had been given to him.

Their target is the Emperor's Flame, which is within easy reach!

He never even considered surrendering.