Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 228 No, I must save peace.

On the other side, as Sunagakure amassed troops and prepared to attack the Land of Rain, Hanzo of the Salamander reacted immediately, recalling the ninjas who were scattered in various cities serving as instructors.

At the same time, orders to mobilize troops were issued to all the lords and cities of the Rain Kingdom. This was a death order, and anyone who disobeyed would be executed on the spot.

Members of the Dragonfly Squad of the Grassland also emerged from the mountains. In just seven days, the New Rainland had mustered three thousand soldiers.

Although their overall combat strength is far inferior to that of Sunagakure, the presence of numerous Kage-level fighters such as Hanzo of the Salamander and Kusanagi Negishi means that the difference in strength is not significant.

Moreover, after spending so many years together, Hanzo and his companion had become quite familiar with the Seven-Tails and had signed a summoning contract, allowing them to summon the Seven-Tails to join the battle in crucial moments.

It can be said that their overall strength is comparable to, or even slightly superior to, that of Sunagakure.

In an instant, the shadow of war loomed over the entire nation of Rain.

Of course, this is just the opinion of Yahiko and others from the Akatsuki organization.

In reality, while the people of the Rain Kingdom living near the water were fearful of the impending war, their lives were not significantly affected. This was because the battlefield was designated within the former territory of the Rain Kingdom.

That desolate land only had a few thousand inhabitants near the capital and Amegakure, mostly elderly people with mobility issues or natives who were unwilling to migrate north.

Besides, the surrounding area is long deserted. The paddy fields have long been converted into fish ponds, raising loaches with a considerable yield, making it a decent aquatic product supply base.

Such a lucrative business naturally required Kakuzu to act as a go-between. After all, wherever there's money to be made, Kakuzu is there.

"Lord Yahiko, do you really have to leave today? Can't you avoid going to the battlefield?"

Following behind Yahiko and the other two carrying their packs, Nagato earnestly advised, "The situation in the war is still unclear. Even if you go, you won't be of much use."

Yahiko, of course, wouldn't listen to advice and remained as righteous and open-minded as ever.

"Changxin, we believe in peace and that people can understand each other."

"War has brought pain to too many people. Even though the people of the Rain Country have emerged from the shadows, we should not forget the past. I do not want our light to be dragged back into the quagmire of war, turning the Rain Country back into a land of constant weeping. Therefore, I must stop it."

"So how are you going to stop it?"

"I'm going to meet with both leaders and have a proper talk. I firmly believe that Lord Kakuzu is not the kind of person who kills innocent people indiscriminately, and I want to help them find the real killer who murdered the Third Kazekage."

"Lord Yahiko, what if it really was Lord Kakuzu who did it!" Nagatobu shouted from behind.

Yahiko, carrying his bundle, didn't turn around: "Then I'll advise Lord Kakuzu to apologize to them, and to persuade the ninjas of Sunagakure to let go of their hatred. Because war only brings harm, and even deeper harm."

Upon hearing this, Nagato and Konan simply followed quietly behind Yahiko. Only Konan, before leaving, reminded Nagato to take good care of their Dawn Castle.

Hearing this, Nagatoshi couldn't say anything more and could only wave goodbye to the three of them: "Lord Yahiko, I wish you success."

After the three walked away, Changxin was so excited that he almost lost control. He lifted his hair and grinned coldly.

"Your Dawn City? Heh, from this day forward, this will be my Dawn City."

Suddenly, a Root member appeared beside him: "Lord Nagatoshi, the messages you've been sending back lately are all trivial and irrelevant."

Lord Danzo asked me to remind you to think about your place. He also asked me to tell you that the former headmaster of the orphanage recently passed away due to illness, and your junior apprentice, Yakushi Nonou, has taken over the orphanage.

"Are you threatening me?" Changxin turned and looked down at him, a cruel smile on his face.

"Nonou? Who does she think she is? You think I care? She's just a woman. With my current status and position, do I need women?"

"Very well, Nagashino. Since you are going to betray Lord Danzo, you must bear the consequences of your betrayal. I will report this matter truthfully, and I hope you can bear the price."

"You're so long-winded!"

After issuing a warning without any expression, the Root ninja prepared to disappear into the shadows, but unexpectedly, Nagatoshi reached out and grabbed his head.

At this moment, the Root ninja formed hand seals, and several shadows appeared beneath his feet, directly locking onto Nagatomo's shadow. Those shadows continued to climb up his body, trying to strangle him.

Unexpectedly, another shadow appeared underground: a black and white pitcher plant with a human face.

At the same time, a vine emerged from the ground—Wood Release: Wood Splintering Technique!

It pierced through the Root ninja's body in an instant, then exploded inside him, tearing him to pieces.

Changxin, however, was unsurprised. He casually tossed the corpse aside, brushed the blood off his body, and sneered, "Heh, you said before that you were just an intelligence agent with no combat ability. What's with this sudden Wood Release technique?"

Hei Jue said, "This is not something you should be asking. Don't forget, I promised to help you remove the seal of the Root of Tongue Calamity, not so that you could occupy a city, become a king, and reap the benefits without lifting a finger."

"Don't worry, don't worry." Changxin waved his hand, a smile plastered on his face, "I will definitely do as you ask, and betray Yahiko again when he is at his most desperate, so that he will be completely desperate."

"But when will you give me what I want?"

"You think Body Tempering Pills are so easy to refine? Fortunately, our organization recently found an alchemist skilled in pills, and we've finally made some progress. Here you go."

Zetsu tossed out a bottle of white pills: "Although the effect is much weaker than the original, it can still gradually improve your physique. However, if you want to become a Kage-level powerhouse, you still need to rely on your own willpower to transform."

"Don't worry, I will definitely work hard to become a full member of your team."

"There's one more thing. Once my strength has greatly increased, I hope you can act as an intermediary and help me contact Danzo. I have a big deal to discuss with him."

"Danzo?" Nagatoshi frowned in surprise. "That old guy is still in jail and probably won't get out."

"Hehe, don't worry. Hiruzen Sarutobi will definitely release him when the time comes."

After Jue left, Changxin's smile vanished, and his gaze became fixed on the bottle of pills.

He first took out one pill and gave it to a trusted confidant. A few days later, seeing that his confidant's strength had greatly increased and that his body showed no abnormalities, he then consumed all the remaining pills.

Feeling the surge of power and chakra within his body, Changxin couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Finally, I finally have the means to establish myself in the ninja world!"

Then he created a clone that looked like Nono, and stroked it with a look of infatuation: "Nono, don't worry, I will definitely rescue you someday."