**Akatsuki's Lair**

White Zetsu reported, "All clones are ready."

Obito commanded, "Go... gather outside Konoha and wait for my signal."

"Understood!"

The White Zetsus burrowed into the ground, leaving the lair empty.

Obito turned to Sasuke, who sat deep in thought, his gaze dark and intense. Team Taka members surrounded him, with Jugo's previously broken arms now replaced by White Zetsu's limbs.

Obito asked, "Are you ready?"

"..." Sasuke remained silent.

"Sasuke..." Karin's expression was pained, hoping Sasuke would reconsider and not fall deeper into his quest for revenge.

Sasuke addressed Karin, Jugo, and Suigetsu, "This is my revenge. You can choose to follow me if you wish."

Karin, though saddened, resolutely said, "I'll go with Sasuke! My abilities will be useful!"

Jugo added, "I'll go too. You are Kimimaro's embodiment; your actions are his will!"

"Uh, can I... not go? Honestly, attacking a major ninja village like Konoha, my presence won't make much difference," Suigetsu thought but didn't say. Instead, he slung his Executioner's Blade over his shoulder, "I'll go too. I'll handle the small fry in Konoha, but don't expect me to lead the charge..."

Thus, Team Taka decided to move out together.

Sasuke stood up slowly, his gaze filled with murderous intent, "Let's go! Ignite the flames of Uchiha's revenge!"

**Swish!**

In a swirl of space-time, Obito transported Sasuke and Team Taka to the forest outside Konoha.

**Rustle, rustle, rustle...!**

The White Zetsus emerged from the ground.

Black Zetsu, leading them, said, "There are no Konoha patrols nearby. Something's off..."

"No patrols mean all forces are gathered in the village," Obito's gaze darkened. "Recently, many White Zetsu individuals have gone missing. Though this happens occasionally, it's been notably frequent in the past half month..."

"So, they haven't been completely fooled?"

"No matter, it doesn't change the plan. I intended to inform Naruto at the start of the attack anyway, so this saves us some unnecessary steps..."

Obito turned to Sasuke, "Sasuke, lead the main force of the White Zetsu army to attack Konoha. They are forewarned, so their defense will be more intense than expected. Don't underestimate them..."

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"Hmph." Sasuke coldly replied, "No matter what formation Konoha sets up, under the power of the Uchiha, they will crumble like tofu!"

Obito withdrew his gaze, "It's good to have confidence. Go, march straight to Konoha. I'll handle everything else... including Naruto!"

**Swish!**

With a flourish of his cloak, Uchiha Sasuke strode forward, followed by Team Taka and the White Zetsu army, heading towards Konoha.

As they neared the village gates, Sasuke's eyes flashed, and he suddenly dashed forward...!

White Zetsu shouted, "Hey, Sasuke!! What are you doing!!"

"You surround the village from the outside. Team Taka will act from within!"

**Swish! Swish!** Leaving these words behind, Sasuke sped through Konoha's barrier, disappearing beyond the high walls!

Team Taka members followed closely.

The White Zetsus were annoyed, "These guys never follow the plan! This will increase our casualties!"

**Rustle, rustle, rustle...!**

A large number of Konoha ninjas gathered at the village entrance.

Shikaku Nara, observing the White Zetsu army, calmly said, "Just as our informant told us, the main force of the enemy is a large number of White Zetsus..."

"The mysterious informant also detailed the abilities of the White Zetsus. Thanks to that, we could call for reinforcements in time. It's a relief you could come, Lord Kazekage."

Gaara, standing beside Shikaku, calmly replied, "It's only right. The Sand Village owes Konoha too much. This is just a small repayment..."

—**Sand Waterfall Flow!**

**Rustle, rustle...!**

The sand gathered, surging forward with Gaara's outstretched hand!

White Zetsu: "That ability... it's the Kazekage of the Sand Village. How is he in Konoha? We didn't detect any movement from the Sand Village...!!"

Gaara explained, "Of course not. To avoid alerting you, I left the village secretly with Temari and Kankuro."

**Boom!!**

The battle between the White Zetsu army and Konoha, with Sand Village reinforcements, began!

...

Sasuke stood at the highest point in Konoha, overlooking the village.

Before launching the full assault, he wanted to confirm his resolve once more.

Back when Orochimaru attacked Konoha, he had a similar moment of reflection.

Konoha had been rebuilt, looking more imposing than ever.

The Hokage Rock of the Sixth Hokage, Danzo, was completed, its chiseled face particularly striking and glaring.

"..." Sasuke coldly withdrew his gaze, looking towards the village's edge.

Konoha had been rebuilt, but there was no place for the Uchiha.

"They never considered it! They tried to erase the history of the Uchiha and the blood debt Konoha created, as if it never existed!"

"This is the village Itachi sacrificed his life to protect..."

Uchiha Sasuke closed his eyes.

**Swish! Swish! Swish!**

Several white-clad Anbu landed on the surrounding rooftops, reporting through earpieces, "Intruders detected, matching the number sensed by the barrier. The leader is Uchiha Sasuke."

On the other end, Kakashi Hatake's gaze darkened: Has this day finally come?

Kakashi Hatake closed his eyes.

Beside him, Might Guy looked at his friend's profile and said solemnly, "Kakashi, we are ninjas..."

"Yeah... I understand."

Uchiha Sasuke and Kakashi Hatake opened their eyes.

"Destroy Konoha!"

"Defeat Uchiha Sasuke!"

**Swish...!**

**Outside Konoha Village**

**Swish!** Naruto and Konan appeared together.

"Yo... Uzumaki Naruto, I've been waiting for you. If you want to see Sasuke, you'll have to get past me first."

Obito's eerie voice came from behind his mask.

"You could use the Flying Thunder God Technique to go straight into the village, but I'll follow you, and things won't be so simple then~."

Naruto's eyes glinted beneath his mask, "You went to great lengths to set up this confrontation. You didn't need to; even if you came to the Rain Village, I wouldn't avoid you..."

Obito's gaze darkened, "That won't do. My Rinnegan is in your hands, and fighting on your turf is too risky for me..."

"As expected, your actions are as inscrutable as the patterns on your mask..."

Uzumaki Naruto smiled, his gaze turning sharp, "But that's not your 'Rinnegan,' Uchiha Obito!"

"!?!" Uchiha Obito's pupils contracted!