Chapter 309: Standing Against a Nation, Akatsuki’s Invitation!

Chapter 309: Standing Against a Nation, Akatsuki's Invitation!

The convoy, laden with massive beams and bricks, rumbled across the vast plains.

The overloaded wheels crushed the rocky ground beneath them, their continuous grinding producing a deep, thunderous roar.

"That's the convoy transporting construction materials for rebuilding the Tenshukaku."

"There are only five days left. The Land of Lightning has mobilized various forces to reconstruct an entirely new Tenshukaku from the ruins before the Five Nations Conference begins in Yunming City."

"It will serve as the venue for the conference."

Standing on the platform of an abandoned barbican, Yahiko pointed toward the convoy heading for the ruins and explained its purpose in detail.

Uchiha Ci's eyes flickered with understanding—so that was the source of the massive commotion he had heard upon waking up.

"Building a Tenshukaku in just… five days? Is that even possible?"

He frowned slightly.

Despite the word 'kaku' in its name, the Tenshukaku was no mere pavilion—it was an enormous fortress, designed for observation, command, and defense!

Hearing Uchiha Ci's question, Yahiko's expression grew solemn. He raised his hand and gestured toward the inner city in the distance.

"That's why the Land of Lightning has deployed ninja forces this time."

At that moment, the once-imposing walls of Yunming's inner city no longer retained their former grandeur. The entire area seemed to have been sliced cleanly away.

From afar, one could see figures soaring up and down the walls.

Under the efforts of these superhuman beings, the shattered and disorderly walls were being swiftly restored at a pace visible to the naked eye. Bricks were stacked and repaired in rhythm, and as the Earth Release techniques of the ninja took effect, the fortress walls rose once more.

"To counter the assassination threat you issued yesterday and ensure the Five Nations Conference proceeds as scheduled…"

"Kumogakure has practically mobilized its entire force!"

"The Cloud forces stationed in the Land of Frost have already reached Yunming City after a day and night of marching."

Yahiko stared at the heavily fortified city, his brows furrowed.

"Compared to yesterday, everything has completely changed!"

At that moment, the usually silent Sasori suddenly spoke up:

"That's not all. The Chakra Cannon originally stationed in Kumogakure—the one that repelled Orochimaru—has also been transported here."

"Although this Chakra Cannon is still a prototype, its power is already comparable to the Thunder Blade Beam Cannon you fired yesterday."

"Moreover…"

"Based on my analysis of its schematics, with the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki supplying chakra, its power can be further amplified."

"…You said, Chakra Cannon?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci was momentarily stunned. He turned to Sasori, who had somehow ended up here.

Though they had been temporary teammates for a day, he still didn't fully grasp the changes Sasori had undergone.

Now, judging by his words, it seemed like he had been involved in Orochimaru's attack on Kumogakure? And that he had taken advantage of the chaos to steal the schematics of the Chakra Cannon?

So that's the reason behind his sudden shift in demeanor?

In the original story, Kumogakure had secretly developed this Chakra Cannon, which, in later years, was capable of blasting apart the moon in a single strike. Even with just two barrels active, it could shoot into outer space and perfectly intercept a meteor shower beyond the atmosphere.

The whole thing looked as if they had ripped the main cannon off the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars.

Now, twenty years earlier, in this era, Uchiha Ci hadn't expected Kumogakure to have already begun developing such a sci-fi-like weapon—and to have made significant progress at that.

"Mm." Sasori responded with a dull hum.

Uchiha Ci stroked his chin in thought.

If that cannon had been able to repel Orochimaru, who wielded the Eight Branches Technique, then it should pose a significant threat to Susanoo as well.

Granted, such a weapon couldn't move and was stuck in a fixed position, which meant there were many ways for a ninja to destroy it before it could fire.

However…

With the Third Raikage—someone he had fought before—providing cover, it would be nearly impossible for him to take out the cannon in time.

That made things tricky.

The Third Raikage was simply too fast—fast enough to evade visual-based dōjutsu. His defense was nearly impervious to all non-countering attacks, and his raw stats were absurdly high.

He had only fallen in their last battle because he had committed to close combat with a killing intent and was ultimately forced into a fatal mistake.

If they fought again, with the Raikage now aware of his tactics, Uchiha Ci wasn't confident he could take him down under these circumstances.

And yet…

The challenge of assassinating the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning wasn't just about that.

At this moment, Mei Terumi, who had been standing alongside them on the barbican platform, spoke up:

"Ci…"

"Do you truly understand the magnitude of what you are about to do?"

"The moment you declared your intent to assassinate a Daimyō of one of the great nations…"

"You made an enemy not just of the Land of Lightning."

"Under the joint decree of the Five Daimyō, the nature of this conference has changed. The ninja representing the Five Great Nations at this summit, acting under the orders of their Daimyō, will undoubtedly stand in your way."

"What you face now… is the Five Great Nations. It is the entire ninja world hunting you down!"

"In other words…"

Mei Terumi fixed her emerald-green eyes on Uchiha Ci, her expression filled with gravity.

"You will be standing against an entire nation!"

Faced with this pointed questioning, Uchiha Ci fell into silence.

He had mentally prepared himself for this, fully aware of the weight of his actions.

But now, as he stood before the overwhelming obstacles laid out before him, he couldn't help but feel a moment of hesitation.

"Listen—"

"Uchiha Ci, you need allies!"

Yahiko turned around, facing Uchiha Ci and the others, his expression solemn as he declared:

"We traveled all the way from the Land of Rain to help you!"

"An era that will overturn the entire ninja world has been born because of you!"

"No matter whether the Daimyō dies or not, nations ruled by ninja—like the Land of Rain—will soon spring up like mushrooms after the rain."

"When that happens, the scale of war will surpass even the Third Great Ninja War, bringing about an era of unprecedented carnage!"

"In such a world, if we wish to end war and erase all conflict…"

"We need a weapon!"

"A weapon that can intimidate the Five Great Nations! A weapon that can suppress every war-hungry tyrant! A weapon that will enforce pain upon them, forcing them to understand each other and usher in a new era!"

"For that reason…"

Yahiko solemnly pulled out two objects from his cloak.

One was the red cloud cloak of the Akatsuki, which he had never had the chance to gift Uchiha Ci back in the Land of Rain.

The other was a ring—engraved with the kanji for 'Zero.'

"I invite you once more—"

"Join Akatsuki!"

"This time, as our leader—Zero of the Akatsuki!"

"In five days…"

"Let the entire ninja world witness the birth of a god!"

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