On the other side, Nagato's collection of materials for the Impure World Reincarnation had gone very smoothly.
After all, in the ninja world, almost no one had mastered this technique.
So Nagato was able to gather a large number of specimens with ease.
However… there was still no news about Uchiha Madara's grave.
Most likely, before his death, Madara had specifically instructed Black Zetsu to conceal his burial site.
But since Yakushi Kabuto was eventually able to obtain Madara's sample…
it proved that the grave wasn't hidden in some alternate dimension.
Standing atop a high platform in the center of the Hidden Rain Village, Ning Feng looked down over the now thriving settlement.
Unexpectedly, after he announced the expansion plan, nearly twenty thousand shinobi from surrounding villages had joined the Hidden Rain.
Though their strength wasn't particularly impressive and their loyalty still required evaluation, seeing that his forces had grown to over eighty thousand shinobi filled Ning Feng with bold ambition.
A strong village attracts more shinobi.
And with more shinobi, the village becomes even stronger.
A perfect cycle.
At the same time, the territory of the Hidden Rain Village had expanded outward significantly.
The village's area alone had nearly increased by half.
They had also taken on many mission commissions from Konoha. In return, Ning Feng arranged for his shinobi to handle some of Konoha's more difficult tasks.
The quality of Hidden Rain's shinobi was no longer what it once was.
"Report to Lord Amekage! Lord Nagato has been attacked in the Hidden Mist Village!"
Just as Ning Feng was envisioning the future, an ANBU operative suddenly appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee as he delivered the report.
"Attacked in the Hidden Mist Village?"
Ning Feng narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
Recently, due to the rapid development of the Hidden Rain, he had allowed Nagato to fully commit to grave excavation.
Efficiency above all—any traces could simply be erased.
Even if other nations discovered that it was the Hidden Rain's doing, they would only dare to be angry without taking action.
But now… he had actually been attacked by Kirigakure?
Ning Feng waved his hand, dismissing the ANBU.
He decided to personally head to the Hidden Mist Village.
Coincidentally, among the Five Great Nations, only the Land of Water had yet to be suppressed.
…
"Ha… ha…"
Nagato, his clothes tattered, hid inside a cave along the border of the Land of Water.
He hadn't expected such a major mishap this time.
Of course, part of it was due to Kirigakure's strong protection over their graves.
But part of it was also his own carelessness.
That was how he ended up being ambushed.
After only a few exchanges, he clearly felt that the shinobi of Kirigakure were like emotionless killing machines.
They only knew how to execute orders.
At all other times, their expressions remained cold and solemn.
Nagato clutched his injured shoulder.
Fortunately, his unique abilities had allowed him to escape danger multiple times.
But under the pursuit of four assassination squads from Kirigakure, he couldn't hold out much longer.
"Surrender."
A cold voice suddenly echoed from outside the cave.
Then came the synchronized sound of footsteps.
Nagato's heart sank.
This was bad—the shinobi of Kirigakure were highly trained.
In such a short time, they had already seen through the disguises and traps he had set along the way and caught up to him.
What he didn't know was that ever since Uchiha Obito took control of Yagura, the Hidden Mist Village had implemented the "Bloody Mist" policy.
While that policy had buried many elites, it had also forged a new generation of exceptional shinobi through bloodshed.
Those who survived were all the best of the best.
"Damn it…"
Feeling his chakra nearly depleted, Nagato trembled slightly as he stood and formed hand seals, preparing for a desperate last stand—
But suddenly, the footsteps outside stopped.
Then came the sound of blades being drawn—so fast that Nagato wondered if he had imagined it!
The sound of blood splattering!
The dying groans of shinobi!
"Sorry, I'm late."
A figure holding a blade slowly walked into the cave.
Nagato let out a breath of relief, slumping against the rock wall as he weakly said,
"Lord Feng… your timing is perfect."
"Heh, it's not your fault you ended up like this. Those shinobi outside were indeed no ordinary opponents."
The one who arrived was Uchiha Feng. He casually flicked aside the katana he had taken from another ninja and strode in.
In the earlier fight, he hadn't even used chakra. To minimize any disturbance, he had relied purely on taijutsu to take them all down in an instant.
"There seems to be some secret within the Hidden Mist Village… I can sense they're hiding something…"
Nagato propped himself up against the wall, speaking with difficulty.
"A secret…"
Ning Feng stroked his chin, deep in thought.
He wasn't entirely sure what secret Kirigakure held.
But at present, the biggest secret was that Yagura was being controlled by Uchiha Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Wait…
Could this attack be a warning from Obito?
Recalling their confrontation during the Night of the Nine-Tails, Ning Feng's thoughts aligned.
"That explains everything… Obito must have learned through Black Zetsu that I'm collecting the corpses of powerful shinobi…"
"Even if he doesn't know why, there's no way he'd just hand them over to me."
"Looks like it's time to meet Uchiha Obito…"
A cold smile formed on Ning Feng's lips as he sat down beside Nagato.
"You focus on healing. Once you're better, do you want to head back—or come with me to take revenge on the Hidden Mist Village?"
"Revenge?"
Nagato's Rinnegan widened in shock as he stared at Ning Feng.
"That's right."
Ning Feng replied with a smile, though a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
"Just… the two of us?"
Nagato asked, stunned, his face pale.
Ning Feng nodded and casually leaned back against the stone wall.
Nagato stared at him in disbelief, realizing he wasn't joking.
Though he himself was strong, his Rinnegan hadn't been fully developed. Facing a few elite jonin was already a struggle.
As for Ning Feng…
While his strength was undeniable, Nagato didn't believe he could take on an entire major village alone!
Especially one like Kirigakure, with such highly trained shinobi!
"Relax. There aren't many in the Hidden Mist Village worth worrying about."
Seeing Nagato still uneasy, Ning Feng waved his hand casually.
"But you should hurry and recover."
"Otherwise, if word gets out and the Mizukage becomes alert, taking revenge will take more effort."
Black Zetsu's intelligence network was extremely formidable.
There was a good chance Obito had already received news of his arrival.
I wonder… will you stand before me this time, Obito?
Ning Feng brushed his hand over the Uchiha Gunbai strapped to his back, a cold smile playing on his lips.
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