"If Fox uses the Flying Thunder God to shuttle between different battlefields?"
Ōnoki thought to himself that this was indeed his greatest concern.
The worst-case scenario he envisioned was Fox not engaging him and the Raikage directly at all, but instead using Wood Release to slaughter the forces on other fronts on a massive scale.
In that case, the only thing he and the Raikage could do was charge recklessly towards Konoha, forcing Fox to fight them by threatening to destroy the village.
Back in the day, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, also mastered the Flying Thunder God. Yet, to protect six young men, he couldn't retreat and died at the hands of the Gold and Silver Brothers' unit.
By forcing Fox into a situation he couldn't abandon, the speed advantage of the Flying Thunder God could be neutralized.
He can run, but Konoha Village can't be moved. He'll have no choice but to stand before the village.
As if guessing Ōnoki's thoughts, Deva Path Pain said:
"Do not overestimate Fox's morality.
If you and the Raikage drive deep into the heart of the Land of Fire, right to Konoha's gates, it's highly likely Fox will not return to the village."
"Huh?" Ōnoki was somewhat surprised, unsure why the Akatsuki leader would make such a judgment.
Then his eyelids twitched as he immediately thought of a possibility.
"You mean... Fox might deliberately not return to Konoha, letting Sarutobi Hiruzen deal with you and the Raikage?"
Upon further thought, it was indeed a possibility.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Ōnoki's back. He murmured:
"Can't judge Fox's actions by normal moral standards.
If I were Fox, and if my relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't good... wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity?
Sarutobi Hiruzen fights desperately for Konoha, and Fox can use your and the Raikage's hands to eliminate Hiruzen.
As for Konoha's safety... for someone like Fox, who rose from the Anbu and endured brutal struggles in the darkness, it might not matter much.
To be honest, the deaths of the last two consecutive Anbu Heads, Danzo and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, were both somewhat suspicious.
Who would believe that Fox, the Anbu's top enforcer, their 'first double-flower red staff,' bears not a shred of responsibility..."
Ōnoki realized his tactical plan contained such a massive flaw.
He had considered almost every scenario, except the one where Fox simply didn't care about Konoha.
Perhaps Fox would instead eagerly anticipate him and the Raikage driving straight to Konoha, fighting Sarutobi Hiruzen to the death.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength was not to be underestimated.
In Taijutsu, he could hold his own against the Third Raikage for a time.
In Ninjutsu, his Five Elements Unrivalled Attack could delay Dust Release.
In secret techniques... Hiruzen's secret techniques were even more fearsome. Having diligently studied all of Konoha's secret arts, who knew what trump cards he had hidden.
It was possible Sarutobi Hiruzen had the capability to take either him or the Raikage down with him.
In that scenario, Fox, having just wreaked havoc on another battlefield, would return to Konoha in the role of savior to clean up Hiruzen's mess.
Fox would be the big winner once again.
Pain continued, "Ōnoki, your anti-Konoha alliance's war preparations can hardly be called covert.
Why has Fox shown no significant action?
Is he afraid of you? Why hasn't he come to assassinate the leadership of Iwagakure and Kumogakure?"
Ōnoki's head lowered slightly.
Right. Perhaps Fox anticipated this war even more than they did.
If the Third Great Shinobi War could help Fox eliminate Sarutobi Hiruzen, then Fox could dominate Konoha with absolute authority.
Gendo interjected, "The war hasn't started yet. Even if Fox is strong, if he kept assassinating our people, wouldn't he become the instigator who started the war?"
Pain glanced at Gendo. This man of mediocre ability rose to the position of Iwagakure Elder based on loyalty alone. Aside from loyalty, he's utterly useless. He said,
"Do you think Fox cares about a bad reputation like 'instigator of the Third Great Shinobi War'?
Moreover, your anti-Konoha alliance has already secretly completed its pact. War is inevitable. Whether you strike first or Fox does makes no difference."
Ōnoki gave a bitter smile. "Pain, thanks for reminding me. I anticipated every scenario except the one where Fox simply doesn't care about Konoha.
Konoha truly lives up to its reputation as the number one village for internal strife.
This possibility is enough to destroy all the arrangements of the anti-Konoha alliance."
If Yōkō were here, he'd surely say... Slander! I'll sue you for slander!
Avoiding the Third Tsuchikage and the Raikage, letting these two fight Sarutobi Hiruzen to the death... how could such a thing even happen?
You see? It was stopped, wasn't it?
Pain said, "To deal with this extreme scenario, my Akatsuki organization possesses a special ability that can help you solve the problem."
Hearing this, Ōnoki looked up. "What special ability do you have?"
Pain looked at Obito.
Obito was very displeased inside.
His space-time Mangekyō dōjutsu was his trump card, and he didn't want to expose it to anyone.
However, facing the immense pressure from Fox, Uchiha Obito had no choice but to reveal his ace.
Fox's strength was too great—so great that even if Lord Madara were resurrected, he couldn't claim certain victory against Fox.
Uchiha Obito stepped forward, raised his hand, and said, "Tsuchikage, relax. Let me touch your shoulder."
Hearing this, Ōnoki allowed Uchiha Obito to place a hand on his shoulder.
In the next instant, a spatial vortex appeared in Uchiha Obito's eyes.
The spatial vortex swirled, taking both Obito and Ōnoki with it.
Gendo watched in horror as their Tsuchikage vanished!
Roshi and Han instantly reacted, their bodies surging with Tailed Beast chakra.
Han even directly entered his Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak Mode.
Pain glanced at the two Jinchūriki, thinking to himself, Once Konoha is destroyed, we'll deal with you beasts.
Two seconds later, spatial vortex distortion appeared again.
Two people had vanished; three people returned.
Ōnoki, the Third Raikage, and Uchiha Obito reappeared.
The Third Raikage looked around in confusion at the two groups on his left and right.
"Ōnoki, what are you doing?"
Ōnoki stared at Uchiha Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan and said:
"Our ally performed a small demonstration, helping us patch a weakness in our tactics.
This way, we no longer have to fear the scenario where Fox intentionally ignores us, intentionally lets us drive deep into Konoha to attack the village, intentionally lets us fight Sarutobi Hiruzen to the death."
The Raikage was taken aback. That's a possibility?
Thinking it over, the Raikage said, "Only you could think of such a possibility. A powerful ninja deliberately letting enemies attack his own village?
If you can think of it, it's not surprising that Fox might have such thoughts."
Ignoring the Raikage's sarcasm, Ōnoki said to Pain:
"Akatsuki, I acknowledge your strength.
In that case, in the upcoming war, let us destroy Konoha together."
Watching Uchiha Obito take the Raikage and Advisor Besshō away, Ōnoki frowned.
After destroying Konoha, this powerful and mysterious Akatsuki organization would become their new major concern.
While destroying Konoha, they must also gather intelligence on Akatsuki and formulate a targeted battle plan.
They had to be on guard.
***
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(End of Chapter)