161-165

Chapter 161: Releasing Yagura  

No matter how much resentment or discontent they felt, in the face of absolute crisis, they had no choice but to prepare for battle. 

Kirigakure could not fall.  

"If I’ve calculated correctly… it should be happening soon."  

"Konoha and Kumogakure should be making their moves by now. Akatsuki… don’t disappoint me."  

Even for Yoru, stirring up such a storm wasn’t without its anxieties. 

Of course, he feared failure. He feared Kirigakure’s collapse. 

But there was no turning back—he hadn’t thought this far ahead when he first acted on impulse. Step by step, things had escalated, and now he was in too deep.  

All he could do now was pray that the intel Akatsuki had given him days ago was true. 

Otherwise… it’s over.  

The "moves" he referred to were twofold:  

• Konoha’s Uchiha clan was already plotting their rebellion. They were just waiting for the right moment to strike. 

• If the Uchiha didn’t revolt and tie down Konoha’s forces, Yoru would need at least half a month to gather 300,000 enhancement points—enough to reach Kage-level invincibility. 

• Only then could he single-handedly repel an entire shinobi village’s army—even if it meant a brutal, pyrrhic victory.  

• Akatsuki’s full force was to hold off Kumogakure’s army for three days. 

The 500 million ryō wasn’t just for capturing the Daimyō. The real mission was delaying Kumo’s retaliation. 

Yoru had anticipated the consequences of abducting the Daimyō—both good and bad. Reality had exceeded his expectations, but he wasn’t without contingencies. 

"After this, whether I succeed or fail… my name will be etched into history." 

But failure wasn’t an option.  

To prepare, he spent his newly acquired 30,000 enhancement points on two new jutsu:  

• B-Rank Suiton: Water Severing Wave  

• B-Rank Raiton: Lightning Beast 

These filled the gaps in his arsenal, compensating for his lack of wide-range attacks. 

Kirigakure’s Miracle 

As the village grumbled and prepared for war, two shocking reports arrived—first met with disbelief, then euphoria.  

• The Uchiha clan had rebelled! Konoha’s forces were tied down.  

• Akatsuki had attacked Kumogakure! Kumo couldn’t mobilize. 

"This… is a miracle! Heaven favors Kirigakure!" 

"Praise the heavens! Luck is on our side!"  

While some credited divine intervention, anyone with half a brain knew better. 

Konoha’s Uchiha rebellion might be coincidence… but Akatsuki’s timing? Impossible.  

"As expected of Yoru-sama… He planned this from the start. Now, I’m starting to believe."  

Yoru remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, he exhaled in relief.  

The Deal with Yagura 

Yoru returned to the dungeon to face the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. 

"It’s your turn now. You’ll help me… won’t you?"  

Though he’d already sealed Yagura to prevent失控 (loss of control), he still sought his cooperation. 

Better to have willing compliance than waste energy controlling him.  

Yagura smirked. "Oh? The great Yoru, begging for my help? Weren’t you so high and mighty before?"  

"I’m no god. Some problems are beyond even me," Yoru admitted, shrugging as he sat down.  

For a moment, they seemed less like enemies and more like old acquaintances.  

Yagura’s eyes gleamed with eerie calm. "I’ll fight… on one condition. After this battle, you restore my freedom. No restrictions, no interference. Do you have the guts to agree?"  

Silence. Even Kisame Hoshigaki, standing like a statue nearby, tensed. 

"Yoru-sama… this is no joke. Think carefully."  

The ANBU members paled. Releasing Yagura was playing with fire. 

What if he turned on them? What if his loyalists rallied behind him?  

Yoru’s mind raced, conflict flashing in his eyes. The air grew heavy.  

Finally— 

"You’ve cornered me with your timing. This reeks of coercion… but fine. I accept. Just keep your word."  

Yagura laughed. "Then we have a deal. You didn’t disappoint me."  

The ANBU nearly erupted in protest. This was madness! 

Kisame licked his lips. "You’re sure? This is a double-edged sword."  

A village couldn’t have two rulers. Yagura’s presence might demoralize their own forces.  

But Yoru was resolute. "We need every fighter we can get. I’ll handle Yagura."  

With that, he unchained the former Mizukage.  

Chapter 162: The Past is Gone—Yagura is Released  

Yoru spoke calmly: "Let’s go. Only one piece remains."  

"We’ll see if the Rogue Ninja Village joins us or not."  

"Their numbers may be small, but every bit of strength counts. They could ease our burden."  

Since Yoru had made up his mind, Kisame Hoshigaki had no objections. He simply nodded.  

But when Yagura appeared before the villagers, panic erupted.  

"Why is he out?! What’s happening?!" 

"Did the prison break?!" 

"Impossible! Yoru-sama’s seals are unbreakable, and Kisame guards it personally!" 

"Someone alert the Mizukage!"  

People scrambled away, their faces pale with fear.  

Watching their reactions, Yagura couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.  

Less than a month ago, Kirigakure was his domain.  

Now, it belonged to Mei Terumī.  

His name had nearly been erased from the village’s memory.  

"Shunshin!"  

In an instant, ANBU operatives surrounded him, weapons drawn, eyes sharp with suspicion—and something else.  

Conflicted loyalty.  

After all, this was the man they’d once served.  

Yagura chuckled dryly. "Relax. I didn’t escape."  

"Your precious Yoru-sama let me out."  

"But if you’re itching for a fight, I don’t mind humoring you."  

The ANBU hesitated.  

Then—  

"He’s telling the truth."  

Yoru’s voice cut through the tension as he and Kisame stepped forward.  

"Stand down."  

"But Yoru-sama, why—?"  

"The war demands it. I’ll explain to the Mizukage."  

With that, the ANBU retreated. Yoru led Yagura toward the Mizukage’s office, leaving bewildered whispers in their wake.  

What game was Yoru playing, freeing Yagura now?  

Inside the office, Mei’s voice rang out warmly:  

"Thank you for your aid. This alliance means everything."  

Hamaguro, leader of the Rogue Ninja Village, bowed slightly. "Kirigakure’s fight is ours. Survival depends on standing together."  

Yoru pushed the door open. "A wise choice, Hamaguro."  

Mei turned—then froze.  

Her eyes locked onto Yagura, her posture tensing like a coiled spring.  

"Don’t look so tense, Mei," Yagura drawled, slumping into a chair by the window. "I’m not here as your enemy. Your brother requested my help."  

"Is this true, Yoru?" Mei’s voice was sharp.  

"Yes. We need his strength," Yoru replied. "We have an agreement."  

"And if he betrays us?"  

"Then I’ll kill him myself."  

Mei exhaled, her gaze never leaving Yagura. "Forgive my distrust… but I’ll be watching you."  

"For Kirigakure’s sake—and Yoru’s."  

Yagura smirked. "Ah, Mei. You’re even better at guilt-tripping than your brother."  

"Why should I care about your ‘suffering’? Who cared about mine when I rotted in that cell?"  

"Now that Kirigakure’s in trouble, you expect me to play hero? How convenient."  

ANBU flickered into place around him, hands on blades.  

Yoru ignored the outburst. "Done venting? Good. Let’s discuss strategy."  

Yagura scoffed but leaned back. "...Time is cruel."  

"A month ago, this office was mine. You were all outsiders."  

"Now? I’m the intruder." He smirked, but his voice held a rare honesty. "I was a failure as Mizukage. You’ve done better, Mei."  

Mei inclined her head. "I’ll take that as praise."  

With a wave, she dismissed the ANBU and turned to the map.  

"Yoru. How do we face Sunagakure and Iwagakure?"  

"And Konoha—once they crush the Uchiha rebellion—will march here too."  

"As for Kumogakure… the Akatsuki’s interference was your doing, wasn’t it?"  

Yoru nodded. "Akatsuki stalls Kumo for three days."  

"Konoha’s Uchiha uprising buys us one, maybe two."  

"That means we have two days to crush Suna and Iwa—before Konoha and Kumo join the fray."  

"Our window is slim."  

"So we split forces."  

"I’ll lead 500 elites—plus Yagura and Yukito—to hold Suna."  

"Sister, you command Kirigakure and the Rogue Ninja forces against Iwa."  

Chapter 163: "Lord, That’s Far-Fetched!"  

"Of course, since all four Great Shinobi Villages are mobilizing simultaneously, each will leave a portion of their forces behind to defend their own lands. That means their attacking numbers will be smaller than during the Third Shinobi World War."  

"Still, even so—we can’t afford to let our guard down."  

——  

"My plan is to swiftly defeat Sunagakure’s forces, then reinforce you, Sister [Mei], against Iwagakure."  

"After that, depending on the situation, we’ll either consolidate our remaining troops or resort to guerrilla tactics against Konoha and Kumogakure’s armies."  

The moment Yoru laid out his plan, everyone in the room wore expressions that screamed, "Are you joking?"  

Swiftly defeat Sunagakure? 

Was that even possible?  

"Yoru-chan, this plan’s feasibility is… questionable."  

"Putting aside everything else, even if our entire Kirigakure force attacked together, there’s no guarantee we could defeat Sunagakure in two days."  

"And you’re saying just 500 elite shinobi, plus two Jinchūriki, can pull it off?"  

Terumī Mei’s voice dripped with skepticism. If anyone other than Yoru had proposed this, she might’ve outright cursed.  

What kind of reckless plan is this?!  

"I also think this is far too idealistic—borderline delusional."  

"Lord Yoru, this plan simply isn’t feasible."  

Ao, standing beside Mei, spoke cautiously, careful not to overstep given Yoru’s status.  

Seeking to diffuse the tension—or perhaps to steer the discussion toward a more practical strategy—Mei turned to Yagura.  

"Lord Yagura, what’s your take? You have the most experience. We’d value your insight."  

Yagura rested his chin on his hands, amused.  

"Personally? I think it might work."  

"After all, Yoru specializes in pulling off miracles, doesn’t he?"  

"Of course, that’s just a possibility. My actual opinion aligns with yours—it sounds unrealistic."  

"But sometimes, what’s theoretically impossible becomes practically achievable."  

"Maybe you should give it a shot. It’s not like you have a better alternative, right?"  

"Yoru’s proposal allows us to engage multiple fronts while preserving our forces. Concentrating our strength against one enemy at a time reduces pressure on the alliance."  

"Perhaps you’re all underestimating him. Who knows? He might still have a trump card up his sleeve."  

"Frankly, I don’t think he’s ever shown his true strength."  

A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone digested Yagura’s words.  

Mei locked eyes with Yoru.  

"Yoru-chan. Be honest with me. What are the actual odds of this working?"  

Yoru paused.  

"Thirty-five percent."  

Then, after a beat:  

"But with 500 elite troops, plus Yagura and Yugito’s coordination? Maybe fifty-five percent."  

"Fifty-five percent…?" Mei’s eyes narrowed. For a gamble like this, that was alarmingly high.  

Yagura smirked.  

"I knew you were holding back when you fought me."  

"To earn the Three-Tails’ praise as a ‘dangerous man’ is no small feat."  

"And yet, you think you can take on an entire village alone with a thirty-five percent chance? Just how strong are you?"  

Yoru simply smiled.  

"You’ll see when the time comes."  

Then, addressing the room:  

"If no one has objections, the strategy against Sunagakure is settled."  

"Now—what about Iwagakure? Unlike Kumogakure, this will be a war of attrition. Our tactics must adapt."  

——  

Ao was the first to speak.  

"My suggestion is to fortify the floating islands around the Land of Water."  

"Use the terrain to stretch their supply lines and disrupt their coordination."  

"Since we’re near the ocean, we can amplify our Suiton techniques—even trigger tsunamis to thin their numbers without exhausting our own forces."  

Nods of approval circled the table. It was a solid plan.  

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned.  

"If we’re leveraging the sea, why not form a marine division?"  

"Plenty of our shinobi excel in underwater combat. We could ambush them from below."  

"With your permission, Lord Mizukage, I’ll lead this unit myself."  

Yoru nodded immediately.  

"Agreed. That’s an excellent idea."  

Kisame in the water? Even Yoru wouldn’t claim an easy victory against him.  

With Samehada in hand, the man was practically untouchable.  

Ao chimed in, impressed.  

"No one in the village surpasses Kisame in aquatic combat. He and Samehada are a match made in history."  

Yagura chuckled.  

"So, Yoru, you really did unearth a gem."  

"Shame on me for leaving him under the likes of Fuguki Suikazan all these years."  

Kisame shrugged modestly.  

"I wasn’t much back then. Samehada’s the one who elevated me."  

——  

With the marine unit settled, the debate raged for another half-hour before Yoru stood.  

"Then it’s decided. We’ll refine the details at the Jōnin Council. Time is short."  

But when Yoru presented his plan to the assembled jōnin?  

Stunned silence.  

Then—disbelief.  

"Five hundred men against a Great Village?!" 

"Is he insane?!"  

Sunagakure might’ve been the "weakest" of the Five, but weak was relative.  

Any village that stood among the Great Five was anything but feeble.  

—— 

Chapter 164: A Measure of Last Resort  

No matter how strong Yoru was—even with Yagura, Yugito, and 500 elite soldiers—taking on Sunagakure single-handedly was still borderline unrealistic!  

After all, Sunagakure had its own jinchūriki, not to mention Chiyo, the puppeteer who was even more troublesome than a tailed beast host. And let’s not forget the Fourth Kazekage himself, a formidable warrior in his own right.  

Even fighting at sea, Yoru’s odds of victory seemed slim.  

Since when could a few hundred soldiers stand against an entire hidden village? 

Only legends like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha could pull that off! 

Even the Third Hokage, hailed as the strongest of his era, relied on sheer numbers in battle.  

No one in their right mind would claim that 500 soldiers plus two jinchūriki could take on a whole village! 

Could Yoru really do it?  

Doubt and concern spread among the ranks. 

It wasn’t that they distrusted Yoru’s strength—it was just too far-fetched!  

"For now, let’s take the gamble. We won’t know unless we try!" 

"If Yoru proposed this, he must have a plan. Let’s trust him to work another miracle."  

Mei Terumī forcefully steered the discussion forward. 

The next topics—Ao’s tactical suggestions and Kisame Hoshigaki’s special assault squad—were quickly approved, with specialists refining both strategies.  

Efficient as ever, they moved on to troop deployment, reorganization, supplies, and logistics. 

Thankfully, their previous joint operations provided a framework to build on.  

…  

Four hours flew by in the blink of an eye. 

"Now, only one issue remains unresolved."  

The elephant in the room: Yoru’s plan. 

Was sending 500 soldiers and two jinchūriki—including the unpredictable Yagura—against Sunagakure really viable?  

"I think it’s feasible. Don’t underestimate jinchūriki," Yagura interjected unexpectedly. 

"The reason I lost so easily to Yoru wasn’t because I was weak—it’s because he’s just that strong." 

"It skewed your perception of a jinchūriki’s true power. If we were that weak, villages wouldn’t fight so hard to control us."  

—  

"Right now, Yoru’s plan might be our best option." 

"Kirigakure is caught between two fronts. Concentrating our forces or splitting them evenly would both be disastrous." 

"If we focus on one enemy, the other will strike our undefended flank." 

"And dividing our forces? With our current numbers, we’d be too weak on both fronts—just wasting lives for nothing." 

"Yoru’s strategy, risky as it is, might be the least terrible choice we have."  

—  

To everyone’s surprise, Yagura openly supported Yoru, raising eyebrows across the room. 

Yagura’s presence alone was already a concern—could his endorsement truly be for Kirigakure’s sake?  

Many doubted it. 

This was the same Yondaime Mizukage who had enforced the bloody "Mist Village" policies for years. Could his judgment be trusted? 

Did he have ulterior motives?  

"Well? What do you all think?" Yagura’s gaze swept the room. Silence followed.  

Yoru’s importance was undeniable—no one wanted him walking into danger. 

But their options were slim:  

• Yoru’s plan (high-risk, high-reward).  

• Full-force assault on one enemy (leave the other front vulnerable).  

• Split forces evenly (weaken both fronts, risking total collapse). 

"I vote for concentrating our forces!" One voice broke the silence, rejecting Yoru’s approach. Others quickly agreed.  

But supporters chimed in too: 

"I back Yoru-sama’s plan!" 

"...Same here. It’s bold, but Yagura has a point."  

In the end, Yoru’s side won by a narrow two-vote margin. 

He exhaled in relief—but Mei and the dissenters wore grim expressions. Something felt off.  

Yet the decision was final.  

"Then prepare yourselves. War… begins now."  

At Mei’s command, Kirigakure mobilized entirely. 

Civilians were evacuated to underground shelters, forbidden to emerge until the conflict ended.  

Aside from the elders, a handful of ANBU, and genin maintaining order, every able-bodied shinobi was deployed. 

This would be Kirigakure’s largest war in history—a true all-or-nothing battle.  

If they lost, the village’s downfall would follow. 

Every resource, every stockpiled weapon, every ounce of strength was committed.  

"Victory is the only option."  

Yoru handpicked his 500 elites, meeting their unwavering trust and admiration with a surge of responsibility. 

He swore to himself: No more recklessness.  

If only he’d waited half a month—if he’d grinded for those 300,000 enhancement points to reach "Kage-level invincibility"—he wouldn’t be sweating this fight. 

With Yagura and Yugito, he’d have real confidence against Sunagakure.  

But now? The pressure was crushing.  

Chapter 165: One of the Seven Ninja Swords—Longsword: Sewing Needle  

"Move out!"  

Without any drawn-out motivational speeches, Yoru’s order was all it took for over five hundred shinobi to resolutely set off on their campaign.  

Their destination? The Daimyō’s Castle in the Land of Water.  

If Sunagakure or Iwagakure were to attack, this would be their only viable route.  

Other paths were not only longer but also far more treacherous to navigate.  

The ocean currents around the Land of Water flowed in different directions—only the route to the Daimyō’s Castle had favorable currents. Every other path would force them against the tide, directly opposing the natural flow toward Iwagakure and Sunagakure.  

No sane commander would choose such a disadvantage.  

After all, these villages were marching from afar—they couldn’t afford to leave their homelands vulnerable for long. Delaying their arrival risked another village seizing the opportunity first. Not to mention, maintaining supply lines would be a nightmare.  

Daimyō’s Castle 

Upon arrival, Yoru immediately began war preparations.  

"Sir, I… I’ve failed you."  

Kimimaro knelt before Yoru, his voice thick with guilt.  

"I could only recruit five hundred rogue ninja. I’m useless."  

Before departing with the Daimyō days prior, Yoru had tasked Kimimaro with gathering as many mercenaries as possible. He’d worked tirelessly—yet in the end, only five hundred answered the call. To him, it was a disgrace to Yoru’s trust.  

"Five hundred…?"  

Yoru’s gaze swept over the motley crew of rogue shinobi behind Kimimaro—all eyeing him with curiosity.  

Then, to Kimimaro’s surprise, Yoru clasped his shoulder gratefully.  

"You’ve done well. Five hundred exceeds my expectations."  

Kimimaro had been Yoru’s contingency plan for the Daimyō’s Castle. He’d hoped for maybe two hundred recruits—yet Kimimaro had delivered more than double. A welcome surprise.  

A quick assessment revealed most were genin to chūnin-level, with a dozen or so at special jōnin strength. Not elite, but a solid force nonetheless.  

Combined with Kimimaro’s existing pirate crew and the five hundred elite soldiers Yoru had brought, their total forces now exceeded a thousand.  

Their odds had just improved—if only slightly. At the very least, they now had enough manpower for fortifications.  

"You’ll command your pirate unit personally. I’ll assign two strategists to assist you."  

Yoru locked eyes with Kimimaro.  

"The war begins in two days. Our enemy is Sunagakure. Are you ready?"  

"With you leading us, Lord Yoru, I fear nothing."  

Kimimaro’s voice was steady, his expression unshaken—as always. Only when he looked at Yoru did a flicker of fervor surface.  

"Oh, and Haku—I brought you a gift."  

Yoru turned to the androgynous kunoichi, Haku, and produced a scroll marked with the kanji for "Sew."  

"This is…?"  

Haku’s breath hitched. He already suspected what lay inside.  

With a poof, Yoru unsealed it—revealing a massive, needle-like blade glinting coldly in the light.  

"Longsword: Sewing Needle. Can you wield it?"  

Yoru extended the legendary weapon toward Haku, his gaze intense.  

"T-This is too generous, Lord Yoru! Truly… for me?"  

Haku’s hands trembled as he reached out, voice quivering with disbelief.  

"Of course."  

Yoru’s reply left no room for doubt. "I expect it to sharpen your skills—and our chances. Can you master it in two days?"  

Under Yoru’s unwavering trust, Haku clenched his fists and bowed deeply.  

"I won’t fail you."  

"Good. Then for these next two days, I’ll personally train you both."  

Yoru’s tone brooked no argument. "Settle your affairs today. Understood?"  

Both nodded, eyes alight with determination—especially Haku.  

Receiving one of the Seven Ninja Swords wasn’t just an honor—it meant induction into the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.  

(Latest updates at 6-9-shu-ba!)  

"I swear, Lord Yoru… I’ll prove worthy of this blade."  

Haku’s resolve burned silently as he and Kimimaro dispersed to delegate their duties. Meanwhile, Yoru coordinated with the council elders, clearing his schedule to focus on training the two.  

This was their final chance to grow stronger before war erupted.  

The Next Day 

Yoru’s water clones drilled Kimimaro relentlessly while he personally guided Haku in mastering Sewing Needle.  

If Kimimaro felt a twinge of envy, he hid it well.  

The Seven Ninja Swords were legendary—yet they didn’t suit his fighting style. The Kaguya clan’s bones were weapons enough.  

"Don’t worry, Kimimaro. You’ll receive your own gift soon."  

Yoru had noticed, of course. He’d never play favorites—not as a leader.  

"Thank you, my lord!"  

Kimimaro’s eyes brightened instantly, anticipation replacing any lingering jealousy.  

Training resumed with renewed vigor.  

"It’s only been a month since the Kirigakure coup, yet you’ve grown significantly stronger. Impressive, Kimimaro."  

Yoru couldn’t help but praise him. Last time, Kimimaro had barely crossed into jōnin level—now, he could defeat seasoned jōnin with ease.  

The Kaguya’s battle instincts were terrifying.  

"Your eye for talent is unreal," Yagura mused beside Yoru’s main body, watching Haku and Kimimaro train.  

"The last survivors of the Yuki and Kaguya clans—both under your command. No wonder I lost to you."  

Yoru’s true self was nearby, swinging his sword to accumulate enhancement points.  

He chuckled.  

"Guess I’m just the protagonist’s luck."  

Meanwhile, his ANBU units whipped the five hundred rogue ninja into something resembling proper Kirigakure shinobi.