Deep within the Mountains' Graveyard
Black Zetsu moved silently through the cave's winding tunnels. Behind him, White Zetsu followed quietly, still recovering from his injuries.
After a long descent, they reached the cavern's heart. Flickering torchlight painted the jagged walls in shifting patterns, and droplets of moisture fell from the stalactites above, echoing like a slow, rhythmic heartbeat.
Madara sat waiting, his frail body tethered to a network of tubes. His eyes opened as the two approached.
"It seems our plan needs to be set in motion without the tailed beasts," Black Zetsu began.
"Why is that?" Madara asked with suspicion.
"Danzo has been eliminated," White Zetsu reported. "And those strange shadow creatures have started wiping out our puppets. We're losing ground everywhere."
Madara's expression hardened. "Did you discover who's behind this?"
"Yes," White Zetsu replied with a nod. "He goes by the name Kuro Nara. Rumor has it he's connected to the Shadow Sovereign."
At that name, a faint tremor ran through Madara's body. For a moment, silence filled the cave. Then he exhaled slowly, regaining his composure.
"This Kuro Nara… do you think you can eliminate him?"
White Zetsu shakes his head. "Unfortunately, it seems he is too strong. He is the one who got Black almost killed. Although it was a surprise attack, the pressure I felt from him was far greater than yours, Hashirama's, or the Shadow Sovereign when you all were at your peak strength."
Madara's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. "Then reaching the girl with the Nine-Tails is impossible."
Both Zetsu nodded grimly.
"Very well," Madara said after a moment of silence. "Begin Plan B."
Both Zetsu bowed their heads. They knew exactly what Plan B implied. Since targeting the Tailed Beasts had become nearly impossible, they needed to substitute it with something else.
They would need blood.
Enough blood to fill an ocean.
…
Inside the Mizukage resident
White Zetsu emerged soundlessly beside the dazed Third Mizukage. Looking at his puppet, White Zetsu felt nothing.
"It seems that collecting blood in case of emergency was the correct choice." White Zetsu thought, recalling the chaos he puppeteered. The era that came to be known as the "Bloody Mist" in the Land of Water.
Once more, he regarded the dazed Third Mizukage. "Start a war with the Land of Fire and the Leaf Village. I don't care what pretext you use."
The Mizukage's vacant eyes flickered, nodding mechanically. White Zetsu's silhouette dissolved into the shadows as his command took hold.
…
Kuro, unaware of the war brewing in the distance, returned after annihilating the Root and Danzo.
Kirama leapt onto his head, tail flicking with amusement.
"It seems your little excursion went well," she said.
Kuro smirked, lifting Kirama down from his head.
"Extremely well," he replied.
As Kuro made his way toward the living room, the rich aroma of freshly cooked food drifted through the air, washing away the stench of blood and the memories of carnage from only hours before.
Kuro followed the smell and stepped into the kitchen. The table was neatly set, steam rising from the dishes.
"Look who's back," Kisara said, stepping out of the kitchen in a simple apron.
Kuro froze. It was as if lightning had struck him. His mind scrambled, crashing and rebooting under the shock of seeing her in an apron.
"What are you standing there for? Get out of the way!" His father's voice rang from behind him. "I want to eat my daughter-in-law's cooking!"
Kigan pushed Kuro aside as he made his way toward the seats.
"Look at what your dad has become," Kokomi sighed as she too made her way toward the seat beside Kigan.
Kuro can only shake his head as he watches his parents' antics. He, too, made his way to a seat.
…
Hokage's Office
A shadow flickered across the room as an ANBU silently delivered a scroll to the Hokage.
Hiruzen set aside the papers he had been working on and unrolled the scroll, scanning its contents.
However, his expression darkened with each line.
'There has been massive movement within Root… and a significant military buildup in the Land of Water.'
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he studied the message.
"Send word to the ANBU captains," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I want surveillance on all Root operatives immediately. And alert those patrolling borders near the Land of Water. We cannot afford to be caught off guard."
The ANBU nodded and vanished as silently as they had arrived.
Hiruzen's gaze drifted to the window, where the village bustled below. Normal life continued, oblivious to the storm gathering beyond the borders. He clenched his jaw.
Similar reports reached the Kage of the other villages.
Each of them paused, reading the intelligence with growing unease.
"Another war… is it starting again?"
…
Rain Village
Hanzo scanned the report, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"What fantastic news!" he exclaimed, slamming his leg against the floor with delight. "Just when I am feeling bored. Who would have thought the Third Mizukage was a warmonger?"
"Finally, some real action," he murmured. "The Land of Water stirring, Root in motion… It's the perfect opportunity."
He glanced at his subordinates, who waited silently, knowing better than to interrupt.
"Prepare the forces," he commanded. "I want our scouts monitoring every move across the borders. And send word. The time to act is coming."
A ripple of excitement passed through the room. Where others saw danger, Hanzo saw advantage. For him, war was not a tragedy; it was an opportunity.
…
Sand Village
Inside the Kazekage's chamber, Chiyo and Ebizo sat across from the Third Kazekage, their eyes fixed on the report before them.
"It seems another war is inevitable," Chiyo said, shaking her head.
"But it is also an opportunity for us," Ebizo muttered.
The Third Kazekage remained silent for a moment, absorbing their words.
"True," Chiyo nodded thoughtfully. "It's unlikely that the Mist Village would target us. Their real focus is probably the Land of Fire."
The Third Kazekage leaned forward, fingers steepled, a calculating gleam in his eyes.
"If the Land of Fire is their primary target," he said, "then we should take advantage and seize as many resources as possible from the Land of Rivers. I doubt the Leaf Village will divert its forces for us."
Chiyo's brow furrowed, concern etched on her face. "Exploiting a war for gain… It's dangerous. The Land of Rivers may be weak, but such actions could draw unwanted attention and retaliation."
Ebizo, however, leaned back with a sly smile. "Chiyo, caution has its place, but opportunity rarely waits. If the Leaf Village is truly preoccupied, striking now could solve the Sand Village problems for years to come."
The Third Kazekage's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. We must act decisively, but with subtlety."
Chiyo exhaled slowly, resigned. "Very well… we prepare, but carefully. We cannot afford to be embroiled in the war."
The room fell silent as the three strategists contemplated the precarious balance between risk and reward, each aware that the world was tilting toward chaos.
Ark 3 END