All Parts Are Moving

Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village.

"What?!" The Third Raikage's voice resonated in his office.

"Luo Lei single-handedly annihilated over 2,000 Iwagakure ninjas?"

A harsh laugh escaped his lips. "Hahaha, old Ōnoki must be on the brink of death now, isn't he?"

Crumpling the report in his hands, his expression oscillated between doubt and a smile of malicious satisfaction.

"How refreshing! Seeing the neighbor's house burn from the comfort of your own... it's truly comforting!"

However, his glee was marred by two realities: Konoha had suffered few losses, and Luo Lei's power seemed to have reached unimaginable levels.

His expression turned serious. While he considered himself capable of facing a thousand or even two thousand enemies, the idea of defeating Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, and the commander-in-chief of Iwagakure's ANBU... that was something not even he could guarantee.

"Capable of killing even tailed beasts... what a monster," he muttered, a shiver running down his spine.

Dodai, who had remained silent, intervened: "Konoha's strength is overwhelming. Hiruzen and the others haven't even had to intervene. Luo Lei alone has defeated Sunagakure and Iwagakure. If we don't join forces, Kumogakure could be the next to fall in one blow."

"Do you think the stubborn Ōnoki will agree to cooperate with Kumogakure now?" The Raikage, with a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes, asked.

"He certainly will," Dodai nodded. "Konoha represents a threat to all villages, and Luo Lei has proven to be an unstoppable force."

"Exactly," the Raikage smiled coldly. "Kirigakure will also feel threatened and will contact us."

Traditionally, cooperation between the five great ninja villages was unthinkable. Even in temporary alliances, distrust, conspiracies, and betrayals were commonplace.

But now, with Luo Lei demonstrating the power to end the war on his own, even the most foolish would understand the need to unite against Konoha.

"We will also contact Rasa of Sunagakure and Hanzō of Amegakure," he added. "The more power we gather, the more trouble we'll cause Konoha. And Kumogakure will have the best chance of laughing last."

"Agreed," Dodai nodded, a smile of approval on his face.

It was evident that the Third Raikage's strategy was cunning. Many considered him an impulsive man, but that was just a facade. The real Third Raikage was a brilliant politician, capable of seeing beyond the immediate board of war.

_____

In the imposing Kirigakure Mansion, silence reigned.

The Third Mizukage remained in absolute silence after learning the details of the battle in the Land of Grass. However, beneath that facade of boredom, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

The mere thought of Luo Lei, the man who had annihilated his Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and now decimated the army of Iwagakure, sent a shiver down his spine.

The irony of the situation was not lost on him. In a fit of rage after the fall of the Seven Swordsmen, he had declared war on Konoha. Now, the events in the Land of Grass acted as a cold shower, forcing him to reconsider his position.

Konoha's strength, evidently, far exceeded his initial estimates.

"Mizukage-sama," Yagura's voice broke the heavy silence. "We have managed to surround a significant contingent of ninjas from the Uchiha clan."

The Third Mizukage sketched a sardonic smile at the news. "How ironic that Konoha's high leadership has served us a clan specializing in the Fire Style on a silver platter to face our Kirigakure."

"Ha, ha!" Yagura's cold laugh echoed in the room. "It seems that the tensions between Konoha's high command and the Uchiha clan are deeper than we imagined."

The Mizukage, after a moment of reflection, as if he had reached a decision, ordered: "The Second Hokage's animosity towards the Uchiha clan was an open secret throughout the shinobi world. Send emissaries to establish contact with Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Now that Konoha seems to be internally divided, it's the propitious moment for a... strategic collaboration."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama," Yagura responded, his eyes shining with anticipation as he promptly withdrew from the office.

Once alone, the Third Mizukage muttered to himself, his voice laden with coldness: "Although we're hunting tigers, Kirigakure will not retreat... The Uchiha clan, we'll leave them trapped in the Land of Waves, offering them as a significant 'gift' to the Village of Konoha."

This time, he himself would lead the offensive from the battle front.

___

The shinobi world trembled under the impact of recent events.

The annihilation of Iwagakure's army at the hands of Luo Lei had unleashed a storm that continued to roar with force. Konoha's power had reached its zenith, projecting a threatening shadow over the other four major ninja villages. The final victory in this war seemed to lean towards Konoha.

In response to this unprecedented crisis, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure, aware of their individual vulnerability, initiated secret negotiations. They exchanged vital intelligence and forged alliances that would have been unthinkable before.

The result of these clandestine deliberations was an unprecedented order, jointly issued by Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, the defeated Sunagakure, and even Amegakure, which until now had remained on the sidelines of the conflict:

"Regardless of the ongoing mission, upon encountering Luo Lei, immediate withdrawal is ordered. Abandoning the mission and fleeing is imperative."

This directive, once made public, elevated Luo Lei's name to new heights of notoriety and fear. His reputation reached mythical proportions, turning him into an almost supernatural figure in the shinobi imagination.

However, beneath the surface of this apparent unity, hidden movements were brewing.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, while appearing to cooperate with the alliance, was secretly mobilizing an army of over 8,000 ninjas towards the battlefield of the Land of Yuno.

The World War, far from simplifying, was becoming increasingly intricate and volatile.

The storm, far from subsiding, was just beginning to show its true strength.

____

Simultaneously, in a forgotten corner of the world...

The Cemetery Mountain loomed imposingly. In its bowels, a hidden cave harbored a legendary figure.

Madara Uchiha, the once-powerful leader of the Uchiha clan, was deep in reflection. His mind, reviewed Luo Lei's feats over and over, each more impressive than the last.

First, the crushing defeat of Sunagakure's army.

Then, the annihilation of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, living symbols of Kirigakure's power.

And now, the massacre of more than 2,000 Iwagakure ninjas, including the fall of the Four and Five-Tails Jinchūriki.

Faced with such news, he didn't know whether to laugh at the irony or cry from frustration. This Luo Lei seemed to operate outside all logic or limitation.

"Ah...," Madara sighed with regret. "I, Madara, who have been given up for dead, should proclaim you as the strongest..."

After a long silence, the emaciated Uchiha continued, "How wonderful it is to be young. If it weren't for my deteriorating health, I would be tempted by the idea of entering the scene and shaking the world once more."

Black Zetsu, a silent witness to Madara's soliloquies, remained motionless, not daring to interrupt his thoughts.

"The era of the Sengoku Period belonged to Hashirama and me," Madara reflected, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "This new era, undoubtedly, belongs to Luo Lei."

Although admitting it caused him some regret, he couldn't help but give a soft sigh of recognition. "It's been a long time since such an extraordinary individual emerged. Unfortunately... I am destined to be forgotten. I no longer have the chance to mold his mind according to my designs."

"Madara-sama, aren't you concerned about this situation?"

Black Zetsu's voice broke the silence. "Luo Lei's power has reached terrifying levels. I fear he may interfere with our plans."

Upon hearing this, a proud smile drew on Madara's wrinkled face. "Under the Path of the Six Realms, all are mere ants," he declared with conviction.

"As long as our plan follows its course, it doesn't matter what Kekkei Genkai Luo Lei awakens. There is nothing to fear."

Abruptly changing the subject, he asked: "By the way, how is Obito?"

Zetsu hesitated for a moment before responding: "Originally, he planned to execute a strategy at the Kannabi Bridge, but Luo Lei's crushing victory over Iwagakure's army thwarted our plans."

"Now we are left with only one alternative," he continued. "With the death of the Four and Five-Tails Jinchūriki, we must determine where they will be resurrected."

Zetsu paused, his voice acquiring a tone of concern. "Obito... seems to have changed. Before he was kind, dreamy, innocent, and somewhat naive. Now... it's difficult to decipher his nature. It doesn't seem to be direct influence from Luo Lei, but he has become more reserved, and sometimes shows a cold look that he didn't have before."

Madara was momentarily stunned, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.

"Is it possible that the darkness in Obito's heart has begun to emerge without the catalyst of suffering...?" he muttered.

"Continue to watch Obito," he ordered firmly. "And make sure to keep him away from Luo Lei."

Zetsu nodded silently before disappearing into the ground.

"Ah...," Madara sighed once alone. "I hope you don't force me to intervene. Otherwise, I'll have to make you dance."

________

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