Reborn in the Shinobi World with an Arceus Inside

For his journey, Kaito chose a practical outfit. On the inside, he wore a black, form-fitting short-sleeved shirt, thin as a cicada's wing. Over it, he wore an orange waistcoat. His lower half was clad in loose, comfortable black trousers.

He fastened the two swords at his left hip: Clear Spring, the blade gifted to him by Captain Okihira, and the longsword from Tetsuren, which he had named Autumn's Feeling. With a small knapsack containing clothes and money slung over his back, Kaito stepped out of his room.

Outside, Ruri and the others had been waiting for some time.

Seeing Kaito emerge with his gear in order, Ryunosuke and Jinta were the first to rush forward.

"Big Brother Kaito, I'll miss you at every meal!"

"Are you going to miss me, or are you going to miss my cooking?" Kaito scolded with a laugh, ruffling their hair. "You two remember to study hard and improve every day."

"We will!"

Next was Kaori. She gently straightened Kaito's collar and said, "Big Brother Kaito, I'll cook with all my heart and take good care of the 'First Tower Under Heaven's' reputation."

"I'm not worried about your cooking; you've already got eighty percent of my skill. It's your training you need to work harder on." Kaito patted her head. "After I'm gone, you'll be the second-strongest person in our family. Take care of your younger brother and sister."

"I will!"

Kaori stepped aside, revealing Kushina, who was standing behind her. Her hands were clasped behind her back, the toe of her shoe scuffing restlessly at the ground.

"What's wrong, Kushina? The old you would have thrown yourself into my arms by now," Kaito said with a smile.

"I'm not a little kid anymore," Kushina retorted, pouting.

"Hah, so awkward. And you say you're not a kid." Kaito gently pinched her cheeks and gave them a little tug. "Train hard. When you can finally beat Big Sis Ruri, I'll take you out to travel the ninja world."

"I don't want to!" Kushina turned her face away and hid, but in her heart, she secretly made a new resolve.

"I guess it's finally my turn." Ruri walked up to Kaito with a smile, handing him a black wok and a small package. "Here, this is for you. It's oil, salt, and spices. Remember to eat well on the road, okay?"

"Ha, Big Sis Ruri, you get me." Kaito took the wok and the package, slinging them onto his back.

Ruri raised a hand, measuring their heights, and sighed. "I still remember when I first met you, you only came up to my chest. Now, you're almost taller than me."

Kaito, having "flourished" to a height of one meter seventy, flashed a proud grin. "Of course! I'll have to trouble you with things at home, but I'll be back soon to relieve you of your duties."

"Alright. I'll be waiting for you to come back."

"Oh, and I'm leaving Team Rocket in your hands, Musashi."

"...Stop giving me weird code names, you idiot," Ruri said, exasperated.

Reaching the gate, Kaito didn't turn around. He simply raised his right hand and shouted, "I'm heading out!"

Behind him, a chorus of voices called back, "Be careful on your journey!"

With a final wave, Kaito climbed into a horse-drawn carriage that was waiting for him, not once looking back. Inside, a middle-aged man was already seated. He was Kaito's culinary apprentice, and he would accompany Kaito to the capital of the Land of Rivers to open a new branch of the "First Tower Under Heaven."

This was the first step in expanding their influence.

"Old Liu, let's go."

"Yes, Teacher!"

Ruri and the others stood at the gate, watching the carriage depart, and remained there for a long, long time.

Naxi Village, Land of Fire

Naxi Village was a small, peaceful settlement on the border of the Land of Fire, adjacent to the Land of Rain. But today, it had been transformed into a living hell.

The entire village population of over one hundred people lay in pools of their own blood.

The village chief, clinging to his last shred of consciousness, stared fixedly at the forehead protector worn by the killer—at the four vertical bars etched into the metal—before finally passing out.

He did not see that after the killer left the village, he transformed into a bizarre, entirely white creature.

The Village Hidden in the Leaves, Land of Fire. The Konoha Council convenes.

"This is unforgivable!"

Danzo slammed his hand on the table, his face livid with rage. "Rain ninja have invaded our borders and massacred three villages in a row! In the face of such an atrocity, can you still remain silent, Hiruzen?!"

"This course of action brings the Land of Rain no benefit, aside from angering us. Perhaps there is a conspiracy at play," the Third Hokage said, his fingers drumming on the table. His voice was grave. "Someone wants the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain to fight so they can reap the rewards."

"That possibility certainly exists," Homura Mitokado said. "However, we cannot rule out the chance that the Land of Rain truly intends to start a war. We must prepare for that possibility."

"Indeed. It's not just the Land of Rain that has grown increasingly arrogant. The Land of Wind and the Land of Earth are openly acquiring food and weapons, their intentions all too clear. And while the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water have been quiet, our spies report that they are plotting something internally. War is imminent, Hiruzen," Koharu Utatane said with grim seriousness.

"Hmph. Very well." The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes. He straightened his back, his presence suddenly filling the room. He spoke in a clear, ringing voice. "On one hand, I will demand that the Land of Rain punish the culprits and provide compensation. On the other, we will begin preparing for war on a scale capable of facing three of the great nations simultaneously."

"Danzo, I'm leaving matters with the Daimyo to you. You must secure sufficient funds and provisions."

"Rest assured," Danzo said with a slight smile.

"Tomorrow, we will convene a meeting of all jonin and inform them of the current situation."

"Understood!"

The Village Hidden in the Rain, Land of Rain.

Hanzo of the Salamander glanced at the letter in his hand, gave a cold laugh, and tore it to shreds.

"Are petty tricks like this all the great nations are capable of? When have the Rain ninja ever gone to cause trouble in the Land of Fire?"

"Lord Hanzo, it seems our rapid growth has become a thorn in the great nations' side," his subordinate, Shintatsu, said. "If I'm not mistaken, they will launch an attack on us very soon."

"The Land of Rain has never feared war." Hanzo stood up, gazing out at the torrential downpour. "The Land of Rain will be reborn from the ashes of this war and become the sixth great nation!"

"My lord, how should we respond to Konoha?"

"Tell them, if they want a war, they'll get one!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Hah. If we want a war, we'll get one, is it?" The Third Hokage exhaled a cloud of smoke. He looked out at the jonin filling the room before him and felt a sense of deep satisfaction.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Sakumo Hatake, Dan Kato, the Uchiha clan, the Hyuga clan, the Shimura clan, the Sarutobi clan…

After twenty years of peace and recovery, Konoha had returned to its peak.

With such an abundance of talent, the Third was confident that Konoha could defeat any other nation in the ninja world. They were the source of his confidence.

"We in Konoha have always aimed for peace, but that does not mean we are weak and can be bullied. To defend our territory and protect our home, we will fear no sacrifice! The Land of Rain has violated our borders. This is unforgivable. Effective immediately, Konoha declares war on the Village Hidden in the Rain!"

The Village Hidden in the Rocks, Land of Earth.

"Heh, that Sarutobi kid has some nerve," the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, chuckled before his voice turned cold. "Well, we can't afford to fall behind."

That same day, the Land of Earth declared war on the Land of Wind, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Fire.

The Land of Wind quickly followed, declaring war on the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain.

Not to be outdone, the Land of Rain declared war on the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth simultaneously.

The Second Great Ninja War had officially begun.

Beneath the Land of Grass.

A man hiding in the shadows revealed a grim smile.

"Heh. A little push was all it took to detonate the powder keg. Let them fight. Let them fight. War is the fastest way to breed hatred, and the fastest way to force growth. Nagato, you had better not disappoint me."