At Kiri borders,

The Kaguya clan members continue to slaughter the Kiri shinobis. ​​

"KILL them!... Haha… We Kaguya clan members are the most powerful clan of the shinobi world. Haha…"

They relentlessly kill one Kiri shinobi after the other.

"Captain! We are sorry... We can't hold for long. These Kaguya clan members are way too powerful."

Kiri members desperately block one attack after another while maintaining their formation.

The remaining Kiri shinobis gather around the Captain.

"BLOOD… Let us see some blood. Haha…"

Kaguya clan members surround them while Kiri members are barely holding to their life.

The Kaguya clan leader walks towards them.

Crack… crack… snap…

He dislocates his shoulder and pulls out the arm bone from his shoulder. The arm bone turns into a bone sword and he swings the sword at them. The rest of the Kaguya clan members raise their arms and launch multiple bone spear at Kiri Ninjas.

"Time to die! Kiri Weaklings!"

Slash…

He slashes the bone sword at the Kiri Captain.

'Looks like this is the end for me.'

The Kiri Captain closes his eyes, waiting for the death.

'Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique'

A corrosive cloud of mist appears in front of the Kiri Ninjas and blocks the bone spears. The acidic Mist melts the bones.

Swoosh… Swoosh…

Multiple ninjas clad in Kiri outfits surround Kaguya clan members.

Sigh…

'Looks like we are saved.'

The Kiri Captain heaves a sigh of relief. Multiple medic-nin starts to assist the injured and provide first-aid treatment.

Phew...

"We made it on time." Mei heaves a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?"

She walks towards the Kiri Captain. Kiri Captain notices her and nods his head.

"It was thanks to you... Miss Mei. If not for your timely arrival... we would have died by now."

One of the medic ninja tends to him.

"All units in formation. The enemy is quite troublesome. Avoid engaging in close range with them. Use ninjutsu to push them back." Mei orders her team as she surveys the situation.

'These Kaguya clan members are skilled in Taijutsu. Paired with their Kekkei Genkai... they are almost unstoppable.'

Mei looks at the large number of Kaguya clan members and frowns.

'The intel from the village is incorrect. With our numbers... we will be barely able to hold against these many Kaguya clan members.'

Kaguya clan members silently look at the Kiri Ninjas. There is excitement on their face as they look at the reinforcement of Kiri.

Slick…

The Kaguya clan leader licks his lips in excitement.

"More Kiri fodder has arrived. I can't wait to bathe in their blood."

There is no sign of fear on Kaguya clan member's faces despite surrounded by multiple enemies.

"Show them the true ferocity of the Kaguya clan members. Haha…"

-------------------------------

In a meeting room in Kirigakure,

Multiple elders clad in luxurious clothes are seated around a round table. One of the elders places a scroll in the middle of the table as he addresses other elders.

"All of you must be already aware of the attack on borders by the Kaguya clan."

All of them nods to him.

"We are aware of this attack. It is nothing but a futile attempt by those mentally unstable maniacs of the Kaguya clan. It was because of the blood-shedding tendencies that we have to station them away from the village." One of the elder remarks.

"But to think that they will attack the village directly. They have completely lost their sanity this time." Another elder frowns and looks at the report.

"Don't you think it is an opportunity for our High-Class Noble Faction…" The elder in the middle cunningly looks at the rest of the elder.

"What do you mean, Akifumi? State it clearly." One of the older council members frowns.

Haha… haha…

Akifumi slowly stands from his seat and calmly looks at the rest of the elders.

"… All of you must be aware of the power of the Terumi and its ally clan." Akifumi smirks.

Other elders frown and enter in deep contemplation.

"Terumi clan might be part of the Middle class in the Kiri village... but their strength can't be denied. Most of them possess powerful Kekkei Genkais." One of the elder remarks.

"During the Second Shinobi War, Kiri came on top of the other villages mostly due to the power of these Kekkei Genkais." Another elder agrees with him.

"But haven't their ambition on the rise lately." An older elder frowns.

"Terumi clan is vying for more power in the elder council. We might not be a match if Terumi clan attacked us with all of its ally clans." The older elder continues.

"Wasn't this the very reason we orchestrated a scheme and annihilated the Yuki clan? That move dealt a deadly blow to Middle-Class Faction, greatly decreasing their power and influence." Akifumi has a sly smile on his face.

"So… so you mean to say that, we can use this as an opportunity and further weaken them." The older elder smile and strokes his beard.

"But what about Mizukage-sama? Will he agree with our decision?" Another elder frowns and questions them.

"That Mizukage brat is still too young. He doesn't have much influence on the politics of the village. It was us who made him the Mizukage, so he won't interfere with this matter." Akifumi chuckles and returns to his seat.

"Then, let us proceed with our plan. Prepare a team of skilled ninjas. When the Terumi clan members return from the fight with the Kaguya clan; ambush them and finish them off.

With this, we will be able to deal a heavy blow to the Terumi clan." The old elder suggests.

"Then, we will send some of our elite shinobis for the mission." All the elders agree with him.

The meeting continues as they discuss various matters.

---------------------

Later, after the meeting,

Akifumi walks out of the building and warily looks around. After making sure nobody was following him, he flickers towards the forest.

After reaching near a waterfall, he makes some hand signs and taps on the water-screen.

Whizz…

A sealing formula appears on the waterfall and the water screen parts away, revealing a secret cavern.

Akifumi surveys his surroundings and enters inside the cavern.

The water screen closes behind him. He reaches the center of the cavern. There is a pedestal with some seals at the center.

Akifumi bites his thumb and makes some hand signs. A small summoning formula appears on the ground.

A greenish-blue apparition with a one-eyed orange mask appears in front of him.

Akifumi bows his head and greets the figure.

"Madara-sama! I have fulfilled your order."

Akifumi eyes have a Mangekyo pattern inside them.

"Well done!" A raspy, hoarse voice greets him.

"Thank you for your praise, Madara-sama." Akifumi bows his head and waits for further order.

"For your next task, I want you to manipulate the elders of the Village Council and spark a revolt in Kirigakure." The voice continues.

"Yes, Madara-sama." Akifumi nods his head and walks out of the cavern.

Kuku…

The masked figure laughs wickedly.

"Why do I only need to control the Mizukage when I can make the entire Kiri dance on my whims? I won't spare any elder of Kiri council."

Crack…

The figure tightly clenches his fist.

"Ten years!... It has been ten years since Rin was captured by these Kiri shinobis. The Kiri village elders ordered her capture and turned her into a jinchuruki to rampage in Konoha."

The memories of the incident flashes in his mind as his right eye turns into a Mangekyo Sharingan.

"They will pay for their crimes. I don't want them to be a part of my Ideal World."

Swish… Fwish…

The projection fades away, leaving the empty cavern.

---------------

Inside an underground hideout,

Tobi turns towards Zetsu and orders.

"It's time for the next phase of the Eye of the Moon Plan. Akatsuki has already recruited ten members. I will monitor the progress from shadows and look over other members."

"Then what you want us to do next?" White Zetsu questions him.

"For now, keep an eye on Orochimaru. He is a snake in disguise, I don't want any unstable factor to interfere with our plans."

Swirl….

Tobi disappears in a swirling portal.

"I wonder what will be his reaction when he learns about the truth of that incident." White Zetsu mutters to himself.

"Remember, we are the product of Madara-Sama's experiment. His command is our will. Don't even think about uttering these words again." Black Zetsu warns White Zetsu.

Swoosh…

Zetsu enters into the ground.

--------------------

In a small mansion in Kiri,

An elderly man with a bald head walks inside a room. The elder wears a brown Kimono with a yellow scarf draped over his shoulders. There is a wooden staff in his hand. The pommel of the staff has a carving resembling a demon-like creature with red-eyes and a mouth with sharp teeth.

The elder slowly crawls into the room. Fuji opens his eyes and welcomes him.

"Elder Genji! How is the situation? Have you investigated it?"

Fuji politely bows to Genji.

"Hmm... I secretly ordered some of my trusted personal anbus to follow the Mei girl. They would report soon."

Genji slowly crawls to mat and sits on it.