Nagato sat in stillness, eyes closed in thought.

Surprisingly… the plan actually made sense.

If he could take this opportunity to defeat or better yet, capture the Allied Commander Hiruzen Sarutobi, the coalition would fall apart.

At that point, regardless of demands, Konoha would have no choice but to negotiate.

But sending Kakuzu to do the job? Out of the question. Though capable, expecting him to take down the Hokage was laughable.

He had underestimated the Akatsuki.

For too long, he'd seen them as little more than elite enforcers, wasting their potential corrupted and misled by traitors like Obito and Black Zetsu.

Nagato's voice rang out, calm and decisive.

"Kakuzu's plan is solid. We'll proceed with it."

"I'll handle the strike on Konoha's command center personally. Now… who's going to serve as the decoy and distract the Allied Forces?"

Kakuzu exhaled quietly in relief. He'd done his part as the brain time to let the muscle handle the actual fighting.

Then Hidan spoke up, flashing a toothy grin.

"Leader's obviously number one in the organization. But if you ask me, the guy who fought the First Hokage to a standstill Kakuzu he's clearly number two."

He turned to Kakuzu.

"Right?"

Kakuzu straightened, putting on a grave expression.

"The most dangerous place... leave it to me."

Seeing someone volunteer, Nagato tapped the armrest of his wheelchair thoughtfully and nodded.

"Very well. Kakuzu will lead the front-line assault. Deidara, Hidan you'll flank and support him."

As for Sasori…

"Sasori, starting today, you'll help fortify Rain Village's defenses."

After all, Sasori, like Orochimaru, was a master of technical genius indispensable when it came to large-scale construction and siege preparations.

From there, the meeting shifted into logistics and strategic planning.

Once the details were settled, the Akatsuki members dispersed, heading out on their assigned missions.

Only Nagato and Konan remained.

As everyone had rallied without hesitation, Konan felt a familiar warmth something she hadn't felt since the days of Yahiko. She smiled softly.

"Seems like they're not all cold-blooded monsters after all. Nothing like the traitors and schemers we used to deal with."

Nagato gave a quiet nod.

He slowly stood from his wheelchair and spoke gently.

"For now, it seems we misjudged them."

In the original plan, once the Tailed Beasts had been gathered, Pain was to personally eliminate these "dangerous variables."

But now… he realized how extreme that thinking had been.

After absorbing the Tailed Beasts' chakra, a wave of Yang energy had surged within him pushing back against the suppressive force of the Rinnegan. Though he hadn't achieved full balance between Yin and Yang, the result was clear:

His emotions had stabilized.

Looking at Nagato's softened features, Konan found herself drifting into the past. She couldn't help but say,

"Nagato… this time, we'll succeed."

He walked to the window.

Outside, rain streaked down the glass, thunder rumbling softly in the distance.

Lightning flashed, illuminating his gaunt face.

"Yes, Konan."

Then Konan tilted her head in mild confusion.

"But if your legs are healed… why are you still using the wheelchair?"

Nagato smiled faintly, voice calm.

"A god shouldn't show weakness. But a man… must."

Konan blinked. She clearly didn't get the cryptic tone but let it go.

Allied Forces Main Camp — Konoha Division Tent

A small fire crackled at the center of the tent. Sanma fish skewered on sticks sizzled over the coals.

Kakashi, Might Guy, and Yamato sat around a short table, steam rising from their cups of tea.

No alcohol it was war, after all. But the tea served its purpose.

"This whole campaign feels… off," Guy muttered after a sip.

"Not a single real battle so far."

Despite his usual lack of subtlety, Guy had fought his way from genin to jonin. He'd seen battle and this silence was unnatural.

Stranger still: the Hokage had brought only elites. No regular shinobi. Aside from the ANBU, every operative here had a name and reputation.

This wasn't a standard war front.

It looked more like a coordinated assassination mission.

But the other four villages? They'd shown up with full military rosters: upper, middle, and lower ranks all represented.

Traditional.

Kakashi refilled his cup, speaking calmly.

"That's because of Pain's display in the Hidden Cloud."

He continued, ever the tactician.

"Against an unconventional threat, the Hokage can't afford to go all in. He's pacing himself. If you're confused, take a look at the Cloud incident report."

Yamato leaned back, clearly exhausted.

"One more day of rest, and our odds in the next fight go up."

No one disputed it Yamato had worked nonstop to help build this massive joint encampment.

Guy gave his comrade a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Well done, Yamato."

Yamato waved it off.

"Let's not talk construction anymore. I've got something else intel straight from Lord Jiraiya. Seems there's been a fallout inside Akatsuki."

Kakashi and Guy both looked over sharply.

Yamato continued.

"Obito. Looks like he's been kicked out."

"Huh?" Guy blinked. "Didn't he call himself the puppet master behind Akatsuki?"

He scratched his chin, unimpressed. "Big words for the class clown."

Kakashi knowing far more than he let on poured fresh tea for them both.

"Probably got tired of him. Obito plays the villain, but he's sloppy."

With the real threat off the battlefield, Kakashi lost some of his strategic drive.

Let Yamato pick the targets.

Guy didn't mind either an enemy was an enemy.

He pulled a grilled fish from the fire, tore off the head, and yanked out the bones with a practiced motion.

Yamato pulled out a scroll and unrolled it on the table. He pointed at a portrait near the top.

"During the last joint council, Elder Chiyo from the Sand and the Tsuchikage Ōnoki both labeled this man as extremely dangerous."

"Supposedly… he once fought the First Hokage to a standstill."

"That's my new target."

Kakashi and Guy exchanged a look.

Both nodded.

"Understood."

Allied Command Tent

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, scrolling casually through a livestream of dancing girls on his laptop.

Beside him stood a masked ANBU operative Uchiha Itachi.

"Relax, Itachi," the Third said. "Let's give Nagato and his crew time to prepare."

So far, no real fighting.

That alone confirmed Sarutobi's guess: Rain was Nagato's soft spot.

The situation was better than expected, and he was thoroughly enjoying the calm before the storm.

"When the fighting starts, let the Hidden Cloud take the first hit. If they fall, we've still got the Mizukage and Chiyo. And if they fall, Ōnoki can clean up."

It wasn't exactly noble but such thoughts were reserved for close advisors only.

Every Dragon needs a Phoenix.

And in the game of alliances, attrition was the best strategy.

If the supply lines stayed stable, he was already ahead of the curve.

Phoenix Itachi, silent and sharp, paced the room, circling the detailed war map in the center.

He moved a few colored kunai around the markers his eyes narrow with thought.

At last, he drove a black-bladed kunai into the Allied command position.

"Lord Hokage," he said without turning, "assuming Nagato truly wishes to preserve Rain Village and win this war, there's only one tactic that fits: strike the heart."

"Take out the Allied HQ."

Cut off the head and the body dies.

"I recommend bringing two Hyuga clan members to this camp for added protection."

Watching the Hokage drift off mid-meeting, Itachi couldn't help but voice the concern.

But Hiruzen only laughed.

"I am the Third Hokage."

He leaned back, eyes gleaming with pride.

Trained by the God of Shinobi, mentored by Tobirama Senju the master of forbidden techniques.

He'd stood center stage in every generation's great photo.

Gifted in all five chakra natures, wielding the Adamantine Staff…

Who dared claim he was easy prey?

Even so

"You've made a good point, Itachi," he said with a nod.

"No wonder they call you the Phoenix of Konoha."

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