Doujin Artist: Pfft! Burning *Icha Icha Paradise* for Aizen? Hahaha, Kakashi is a real genius!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: The best part is that Aizen saw it all through the surveillance feed. His face must look pretty bad right now, huh?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Not really. He looks pretty calm.
After sending the message, Konan glanced at Aizen beside her. His expression was completely unreadable, as if he didn't care about what was happening at all.
Doujin Artist: Just because he *looks* calm doesn't mean he *is* calm. Don't forget, this guy is the king of deception! There's no way he'd let his real thoughts show.
Curly-haired Guy: Exactly! I bet he's just pretending like nothing happened, but deep down, he's already added Kakashi to his hit list. Kakashi, watch out!
Shark-Faced Guy: Hmm… I think Gin has a point. What do you think, oh great group leader?
Kisame had been in the group chat for a while now and had learned the same reckless habits as the other members. Mostly because Aizen really didn't seem to mind their jokes and always acted like he was above it all.
This is an Actor: Group members aren't allowed to harm each other, but the group leader *does* have the power to kick people out. In other words, if someone gets kicked, the no-harming rule no longer applies.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: ?
Doujin Artist: Whoa, that's actually a thing? We can't hurt each other in this group?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Aris, don't tell me you've never read the group rules? It's written clearly in there!
Amegakure Village's Angel: This is the first I'm hearing of it.
Curly-haired Guy: Tch! So you're bringing this up now just to flex your special privileges? Well, even so, I won't be intimidated by your authority! But in the spirit of group harmony, I *will* admit I was a little jealous of you before. Please forgive me!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Pfft!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Wow, Gin actually backed down.
Doujin Artist: What happened to "I won't be intimidated by authority"?
Curly-haired Guy: Shut up! This isn't bowing to authority! I'm just admitting my mistakes!
This is an Actor: Relax, I was just pointing something out.
Shark-Faced Guy: My apologies, group leader. I spoke out of line!
Kisame immediately backed down, even breaking into a cold sweat. Others might not have noticed, but he did—Aizen's words were a warning, a subtle way of telling him not to get too full of himself.
This is an Actor: What's wrong? You were about to ask something, weren't you?
Shark-Faced Guy: No, nothing at all.
Kisame's mouth twitched as he thought to himself: *This guy is seriously shady!*
This is an Actor: If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share them in the group chat. Just don't go talking behind my back, okay? Don't worry, I'm very democratic.
*Democratic, my ass!*
Kisame had no idea how to even respond anymore. How could he say something so blatantly threatening and then claim to be "democratic"? Where did he get the nerve?!
Doujin Artist: To be fair, Anzen-san does seem open to feedback.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: A pretty good group leader, huh?
Shark-Faced Guy: ...
Kisame had nothing left to say. He was just exhausted.
Amegakure Village's Angel: The invasion of Konohagakure has begun.
Konan's message made everyone in the chat pause at the same time. They all stopped whatever they were doing.
Konohagakure, near the Memorial Stone.
Shisui and Kakashi were still standing in front of Aizen's gravestone, watching as the pages of Icha Icha Paradise slowly turned to ash. The rising smoke drifted into the air, carrying the feelings of the living toward the distance.
*Boom!*
Just then, a massive explosion erupted from the western walls of Konohagakure.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The blaring of alarm bells echoed across the entire village.
"They're here…" Shisui's face darkened as he turned toward the source of the explosion. A deep red glow from the flames lit up the sky.
"Yeah."
Kakashi nodded slightly, his usually dull, lifeless eyes flashing with sharpness. "Everything is just as Aizen predicted in his intel. That guy is truly something else. Once this war is over, we should pay him a visit."
"Yeah, it's settled then." Shisui gave a small nod before vanishing on the spot.
"Well then, I should get to my mission too." Kakashi let out a breath and turned in the opposite direction.
Konohagakure, western perimeter.
The Fourth Raikage smashed his fist into the barrier surrounding the village, shattering it. With a powerful kick, he sent the wooden fence flying and stepped into the village, his guards following closely behind. "Where is he?! That bastard Aizen Sosuke, where is he?!"
Swish, swish, swish.
Several figures appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
Leading them was Sarutobi Hiruzen, clad in his battle gear. "Fourth Raikage? Leave now, and there may still be a chance to ease tensions between our villages."
"Hah, ease tensions?" The Fourth Raikage let out a sneer and, like a bolt of blue lightning, shot straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Raising his fist crackling with electricity, he growled, "I didn't come here to make friends with Konohagakure!"
Lariat!
Boom!
His fist clashed against an iron staff, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Blue lightning crackled wildly around them.
"So there's no room for negotiation?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, his expression turning cold. "What a shame." His grip tightened on his staff, veins bulging on the back of his hand, as he thrust it toward the Raikage.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Heavy blows echoed through the air as the two clashed, their movements blurring as they exchanged attacks.
Their battle seemed to signal the start of the war, as the ANBU under Sarutobi Hiruzen's command engaged in fierce combat with the Raikage's guards.
Meanwhile, at Konohagakure's main gate...
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust!"
A deafening explosion erupted as golden sand surged forward like a tidal wave, swallowing several Konohagakure guards in an instant.
Thud. Thud.
Through the swirling dust, a group of figures emerged, all wearing forehead protectors bearing the mark of Sunagakure. Dressed in gray-brown flak jackets, they were led by a red-haired man—Rasa.
"Is this all the defense Konohagakure has at its gates?"
Rasa gazed ahead. The once-bustling streets of Konohagakure were now eerily empty. It was clear that the civilians had already been evacuated to a safe location.
"Looks like we were right. Konohagakure was prepared for our attack," said an elderly woman standing beside him. Her wrinkled face bore a grim expression—it was Chiyo, a senior advisor of Sunagakure. "But I still don't understand why that brat Sasori sent us this invitation in the first place."
"That doesn't matter."
Rasa waved a hand dismissively. "Invitation or not, I wouldn't miss this chance. Konohagakure's main forces are occupied with us and Kumogakure. As long as Raikage and I crush their headquarters with overwhelming strength, this war is ours to win!"
His tone was full of confidence, as if Konohagakure was already doomed.
"Konohagakure Whirlwind!"
Before Rasa could finish speaking, a green blur suddenly shot forward, aiming a fierce kick straight at his head.
---
Read 30 advanced chapters on my patreon
patreon.com/GustinaKamiya
---