467. Welcoming the Liberation Army

Obito's words left everyone in silence.

They knew that with Danzō's cunning and methods, if he truly wanted to hide some trump cards, it would be impossible for a mere missing-nin like Obito to uncover them—even with his rare space-time ninjutsu.

In other words, Konoha indeed possessed more than fifteen Kage-level fighters.

This was undoubtedly terrible news for the Allied Forces.

Thus, they had no choice but to consider cooperating with this mysterious missing-nin.

---

While the Four Kage Summit was successfully underway, turmoil was brewing within the Land of Water.

With the arrest of Zabuza, the leader of the pro-Konoha faction, large-scale protests broke out among the populace, with many well-known shinobi joining in.

Although these protests were quickly suppressed by Mangetsu Hōzuki's forces, the unrest left the capital in chaos, with an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

For days, Mangetsu's face was filled with irritation, devoid of any smile.

Seeing him like this, Ao, the Mizukage's assistant, couldn't help but express concern.

"What's wrong? Weren't the protests already suppressed?"

Mangetsu shook his head. "It's nothing. I just feel inexplicably restless today."

Ao smiled, closing the file in his hands and offering some reassurance.

"Don't worry. Once Lady Mizukage returns from the Four Kage Summit and secures cooperation with the other nations, we can start purging the pro-Konoha faction within the country."

"By then, all those who betrayed the Land of Water will die!"

As he spoke, a hint of madness flashed in Ao's eyes.

Clearly, he had long harbored resentment toward the pro-Konoha faction.

Seeing this, Mangetsu could only suppress his unease and sigh.

"I hope so."

Ao patted his shoulder and smiled.

"Relax. There's a new restaurant nearby that's supposed to be good. Want to check it out?"

Just as Mangetsu was about to decline, citing his busy schedule, a commotion erupted outside.

He quickly stood up and rushed to the window.

Outside, the citizens were pointing upward, their faces filled with fear and awe.

Mangetsu followed their gaze and saw something he would never forget for the rest of his life.

Several massive steel warships were slowly tearing through the clouds above Kirigakure, revealing enormous cannons with a metallic sheen and the emblem of the Konoha Liberation and Reform Alliance.

"Konoha..."

"Konoha is here!!"

Shouts erupted within Kirigakure.

Some were terrified, while others were overjoyed.

The former were undoubtedly the aristocratic factions aligned with Mei Terumī.

The latter, the pro-Konoha faction nurtured by Konoha, welcomed their "liberators" with cheers.

"Dammit, how did they get here?!"

The two high-ranking officials in the Mizukage's office cursed in unison.

But the next moment, beams of laser energy gathered at the cannons and...

"Boom!!!"

With a deafening roar, a massive chakra laser engulfed the Mizukage's office.

In an instant, the building symbolizing the supreme authority and dignity of the Land of Water was reduced to rubble!

Immediately after, countless Konoha shinobi descended from the sky using the latest flight tools.

"Overthrow Mei Terumī! Liberate the Land of Water!" they shouted as they rained down like meteors, sending the citizens of Kirigakure fleeing in all directions.

"Damn Konoha! Who do they think we are?!"

Mangetsu emerged from the rubble.

Though covered in dust, he hadn't lost his will to fight.

No matter what, he had to hold Kirigakure until Mei returned!

Drawing the twin swords from his back, he unleashed a surge of chakra, his presence imposing.

As the "Prodigy Beloved by the Seven Swords," Mangetsu's strength was indeed formidable.

Unfortunately, his chakra had already been locked onto by Hyūga Hizashi's Byakugan.

Moreover, Konoha had specifically sent an old acquaintance to deal with him.

"Scorch Release: Overwhelming Heat Wave!!"

The moment Mangetsu revealed himself, several orange-red fireballs surrounded him.

After a violent explosion, Mangetsu glared at his opponent, looking disheveled.

"You're still alive, Pakura?!"

His face was filled with shock. This woman should have died in that godforsaken Land of Wind. Why was she here?

Pakura smiled.

"Sorry, but my name isn't Pakura anymore. It's..."

"Shimura Koyou!"

With that, her smile vanished, replaced by an icy, murderous intent.

She would reclaim every bit of the hatred she had endured, piece by piece.

---

As chaos engulfed Kirigakure, the pro-Konoha shinobi also sprang into action.

Armed with weapons and tools, they swiftly dealt with the prison guards. "Dealt with" might not be the right term, as many guards surrendered upon seeing Konoha's banners.

The pro-Konoha shinobi encountered little resistance as they rescued their leader, Zabuza.

Looking at the chaos around him, Zabuza showed no surprise.

From the moment he was captured, he knew this day would come.

"Now, let me guide the Land of Water back to the right path!"

With this thought, Zabuza gripped the Executioner's Blade he had confiscated from Biwa Juzo and led his troops into battle.

---

Meanwhile, the Kirigakure forces stationed at the outer military district quickly mobilized upon detecting the enemy's invasion, preparing to support the village.

After all, this unit had been personally established by Mei Terumī and was one of the few forces the Kirigakure leadership could absolutely trust.

Unfortunately, the moment they stepped out of their camp, they encountered a single individual.

This person had pale purple eyes with concentric black rings, exuding an aura of terrifying authority.

Just as they prepared to attack, the figure slowly rose into the air, spread his arms, and muttered something about "pain."

The next moment, an invisible force radiated from him.

The sheer power distorted the surrounding space.

In an instant, the entire force of three thousand shinobi vanished.

All that remained was a bottomless crater.