Naruto: Starting from the time when the Six Paths of Pain was Kira Yoshikage

As we all know, smiles don't disappear, they just move on.

While Nagato's three Six Paths clones were all training (Deva Path Yamcha trained Crane Sage Style martial arts under Tao Pai Pai, Animal Path Yoshikage Kira trained Ripple Qi Gong under Joseph, and Human Path Toro Kasikage trained Nen under Netero), the days of the two ninja villages were not so easy as Nagato's body gradually improved and became stronger.

Hidden Mist Village

The high-ranking members of the Mist Ninja gathered together.

"All thirty elite Mist Ninja were killed without exception. The cause of death... Lightning Release. Judging from the examination results, they were all killed in one blow..."

"Furthermore, the Jonin leading the team, Hozuki Zangetsu, had his heart ripped out and his head severed..."

Listening to the medical ninjas' report, Suigetsu Hozuki, the leader of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and the only remaining first-generation Seven Swordsman of the entire Mist Village, had an extremely gloomy expression. He gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "As expected of Ebizo, the Sand Ninja really knows how to play a good game. They take our things and kill our people."

Upon hearing this, many Mist Ninja showed angry expressions, wishing they could immediately lead their men to attack Sunagakure.

When the high-ranking officials of Kirigakure and Sunagakure negotiated, they used Pakura as a bargaining chip, exchanging a hero from Sunagakure for a large amount of supplies, thus achieving a win-win situation.

The Mist Ninja thought that even if the Sand Ninja sent Pakura to her death, the Sand Ninja would not surrender easily. Therefore, the Mist Ninja specially arranged for a strong elite squad to ambush her.

Despite the poisoning and the sneak attack, what they received was not the news of Yekura's death, but the complete annihilation of their squad.

How can they accept this?

From the perspective of most Kirigakure ninja, it was clear that the Sand Ninja had taken their benefits, not only failing to fulfill their promises but also killing their people.

"Master Yuan has arrived."

The crowd gradually parted to make way, and a bald old man with a trembling hand holding a snake-shaped wooden cane stepped out. He first carefully examined the bloodied corpse of Hozuki, then looked around at the crowd before slowly saying, "It may not be them."

Not all the ninja in the Mist are brainless idiots; there are quite a few who are clear-headed, like the old man who just spoke.

The oldest ninja in Kirigakure, who outlived three Mizukage, and whose status was second only to the Mizukage—the elder of Kirigakure, Genshi.

Incidentally, he and Kakuno are ninjas of the same generation in terms of age.

Upon hearing his words, many Mist Ninja asked in surprise, "Master, you don't think it was done by Sand Ninja? How is that possible?"

"I know Ebizo and Chiyo, those two kids. They wouldn't do something so stupid."

The only person who could call the sixty-something-year-old Chiyo and Ebizo "little guy" was this Genji.

"Provoking us will do them no good. The Sand Ninja are no longer capable of fighting."

At this time, although Master Yuan was old, he could still move around normally with difficulty. He was not like he would be more than ten years later, when he could not even walk or talk properly and seemed to be about to collapse.

"Regardless of whether they did it or not, all I know is that if we don't react at all, wouldn't we become a laughingstock among the other ninja villages?"

The speaker was very burly, with a unique middle-part hairstyle and two red dots painted on his forehead with special pigment.

Kaguya Madtaro, the leader of the Kaguya clan.

His tone was extremely impolite, showing no respect whatsoever to Master Yuan, an elder of Kirigakure.

However, this is also in line with the characteristics of the Kaguya clan. The ninjas of this clan are very martial and are known for their barbaric, warlike, primitive, and violent fighting style and ancient values. In particular, Kaguya Madtaro, the clan leader, is a complete battle maniac.

This clan is known for their stubbornness and single-mindedness. They don't care about your status, age, or rank. Gaining their respect is simple: just be strong enough.

Incidentally, the Kaguya clan's character design is quite similar to that of a certain warrior race, only without the Kaguya clan having such severe power-ups.

"I only know one thing! Those who killed us will pay the price! Blood for blood!"

Kaguya Madtaro's words clearly resonated with many Kirigakure ninja.

"Please calm down, everyone..."

At this moment, an incredibly beautiful woman stepped out and calmed everyone present with a few words, but then she changed the subject.

"Let's hear what Master Yuan has to say."

This is the Yuki clan of Kirigakure, who are skilled in Ice Release ninjutsu.

Incidentally, this so-called "stunningly beautiful woman" is actually a man.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Master Yuan sighed inwardly.

The Sand Village lacked the ability to continue fighting, and so did the Mist Village. However, unlike the external threats of the other four great ninja villages, the Mist Village's troubles lay in its internal problems.

Although Kirigakure did not experience much of the Fourth Shinobi World War, its internal factional struggles have become increasingly severe, to the point that even Kirigakure itself is struggling to maintain control.

For example, the Yuki clan and Kaguya clan, who are skilled in using ice release techniques, often hang out together. Despite the Kaguya clan being notoriously brainless, they somehow manage to listen to the Yuki clan. One is skilled in close combat, while the other is skilled in long-range ice release techniques, making them both offensive and defensive. It is said that many members of smaller ninja clans have already joined them, forming a considerable force.

Besides this pair, there are many other forces, large and small, making the factions in the entire Hidden Mist Village intricate and complex.

"Acting rashly will only allow the real criminals to succeed."

The crowd parted again to make way for a 'boy' who looked about 14 or 5 years old, carrying a huge hook-shaped weapon on his back and wearing a light green scarf around his neck.

This boy, who looks to be fourteen or fifteen years old, is actually old enough to be a father.

This is exactly the opposite of someone in the Hunter x Hunter world who looks like a middle-aged person but is actually only 18 years old.

It was none other than the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure—Yagura Karatachi.

"What do you mean?"

Upon seeing the newcomers, Kaguya Madtaro, unusually, was not as arrogant as he had been when facing Master Yuan. Instead, he became much more restrained, and even the leader of the Snow Clan put away his fake smile.

Yagura pointed to the charred bodies of the Kirigakure ninja who had clearly died from Lightning Release ninjutsu and said, "Clan Chief Mad Taro, do you really think anyone in Sunagakure could use such powerful Lightning Release ninjutsu?"

This is a very simple principle.

Not to mention that the Sand Ninja are best at Wind Release, and their bloodline limits are only Magnet Release and Scorch Release, I've never heard of any Sand Ninja being good at Lightning Release.

Moreover, judging from the extent of the destruction on the battlefield, his mastery of Lightning Release alone is definitely no less than that of Pakura's Scorching Release. If Sunagakure had such a powerful weapon, how could they not have deployed it on the battlefield? Why did they keep it hidden for so long just to ambush the Mist Ninja?

Are the Sunagakure village leaders out of their minds?

After speaking, Yagura looked around at everyone and asked, "Or do you all think so too?"