The morning light streamed into Amegakure, but something about it felt different. The atmosphere inside the Akatsuki had changed.
What once felt like a warm light around the organization now seemed dimmed, overcast by unseen tension. Life among the Akatsuki had brought a strange kind of peace one born not of comfort, but of mutual understanding between hardened warriors. And now, that peace was at risk.
They all felt it. Somewhere deep within, each member hoped that Akatsuki could win not just the war, but the chance to keep living in this fragile calm.
In many ways, the Akatsuki had become the sun for Amegakure, pushing away the long years of storm and shadow.
Still, Nagato wasn't taking any chances. He created a few clones and left them behind in the base.
You never know with people like Black Zetsu or Danzō, he thought. Those two are like broken lamps—always flickering, never helpful when you actually need light.
He walked into the main hall, where Sakumo and Tsunade were already waiting. The strategy meeting was about to begin.
"How's the preparation?" Nagato asked.
Sakumo gave a small nod. "I've got a hundred students interested in joining," he reported. "But only fifty are over fifteen. Most are still Genin. Only a handful have reached Chuunin level."
He paused before adding, "I'd like to make an exception for Kakashi. His skill already exceeds most Chuunin. He deserves experience on the battlefield."
Nagato considered it for a moment.
"Let him use the Transformation Jutsu. I don't want to break the rule."
"Sure," Sakumo agreed with a faint smile.
Nagato turned to Tsunade. "What about Nawaki? He's fifteen now, right?"
She gave a soft nod. "Yeah. Yesterday was his birthday. Can he stay back from the front lines?"
"It's fine," Nagato replied, voice calm. "I'm not asking everyone to be cannon fodder."
He looked around at the gathered leaders.
"Now we have me, Tsunade, Sakumo, and Pakura. From the fifty students, divide them among yourselves. Form your squads. Plan your strategies based on your style and strengths."
He let the words sink in before continuing.
"I'll take on Hanzo alone. You don't need to worry about his poison. Just focus on your groups."
Tsunade looked at him, concern flashing in her eyes, but she didn't object. She trusted him.
Nagato went on.
"There's no one besides Hanzo who poses a real threat. If the enemy outnumbers you, retreat. Don't throw your lives away. Once I defeat Hanzo, the rest will surrender."
After the briefing, he left the building, walking out into the misty air to inspect the surroundings. This was war. But Amegakure couldn't afford to lose more of its shinobi. Every life mattered.
He needed to see the enemy strength for himself. He needed to understand Hanzo's current forces.
But then, as he extended his sensory perception… something strange flickered at the edge of his awareness.
His expression sharpened.
"White Zetsu?"
He concentrated further.
"No… five of them. Why would Madara send so many?"
He frowned, though not in alarm. Instead, a small smirk appeared on his lips.
Heh. I thought I'd never get the chance to use Distinguish Heavenly God again… but this might be the perfect time. Let's try it on the Zetsu.
He formed a hand seal. "Wooden Clone Jutsu."
Five wooden clones appeared beside him, all perfectly still. He infused each with chakra, carefully calibrating the balance.
He still had one remaining use of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan technique Distinguish Heavenly God, a genjutsu powerful enough to take control without eye contact.
Unlike traditional illusions, this technique only needed proximity and chakra perception. If he could lock on to a target's chakra signature, he could ensnare their minds. And White Zetsu were the perfect targets. Their souls were weak and unstable barely more than puppets.
This should work easily, he thought.
Last time he fought the White Zetsu, they never dared to approach him directly. They only spied on other Akatsuki members like Tsunade or Konan. That was a clear sign they feared him. And that made it easier for him to sneak up on them. Their thinking was basic, linear, and lacking creativity. Obito only used them because of their underground movement abilities and their network a communication web as fast and connected as a mobile phone system.
Once Nagato and his clones moved close enough, he signaled the attack.
Without a sound, all five clones released the genjutsu simultaneously.
For an instant, the air shimmered. The five White Zetsu froze. Their movements stopped completely.
Then, their eyes flickered.
Their breathing fell into rhythm.
Nagato could feel it through the chakra threads now tying them to him. They were under control.
Completely.
"With this," Nagato murmured under his breath, "I've gained the strongest networking tool. And Madara won't even know that these Zetsu are no longer his."
He turned away as the clones melted into the forest, each Zetsu now wired into his command system.
This wasn't just a victory in a small skirmish. This was strategic leverage. Madara's information network had just sprung a leak.
And he didn't even know it.
Nagato walked back toward the camp, the mist parting for him as if recognizing his power.
The drizzle returned with a subtle rhythm, as if the sky itself were taking a breath before the storm. Nagato stepped through the city's narrowing alleys, his pace steady, his thoughts heavier with every step.
He passed by children helping elders board up windows, shinobi repairing old seal lines, and whispers rising like smoke around him. The people sensed it too—something was ending.
Inside the war room, his allies continued preparing. Tsunade handed out ration scrolls, her posture rigid. Sakumo worked with a squad leader to map fallback positions. Nagato didn't interrupt. Their tasks were vital but his path now lay outside this building.
He nodded once and moved on.
Through the inner compound, through the twisted steel walkways of old Amegakure's industrial heart, and finally into silence.
He entered a small shrine left behind from the days of the Second War. Its roof had collapsed, but the floor remained dry. There, he sat and meditated.
The Zetsu clones had done their job. Hanzo had no reinforcements. His allies what few remained were scattered or hesitant. Konoha's backing came only through whispers and covert interference.
This was the moment.
Nagato stepped out from the shrine and into the storm. The street before him curved gently, then split toward the reservoir.
He walked forward.