Although Iwagakure's search and rescue team caught up with Nagato, they were no match for him.
They suffered heavy losses, and even the Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki was seriously injured and almost died.
After capturing the Four-Tails Jinchūriki Shiraishi and extracting the Tailed Beast, the Akatsuki organization began its next hunt.
This time, the duo consisting of Hidan and Shennong took action, and the person captured was the Two-Tails Jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud Village, Yugito.
Upon hearing the news, the Fourth Raikage was furious and pursued them alongside the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer Bee.
However, they were blocked by other members of the Akatsuki organization and ended in failure.
After the Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki Utakata, who had defected from the Hidden Mist Village, was attacked.
When the Hidden Mist Village learned the news, too much time had passed, and they had to give up the search and rescue.
...
One after another, Jinchūriki were attacked and captured by the Akatsuki organization. The various forces in the ninja world finally realized the wolfish ambitions of this group and designated Akatsuki as a high-level threat.
Some senior officials of major ninja villages who had previously traded with the group in secret began to regret their decisions.
In the dim underground chamber, the shadows of the full Akatsuki members appeared on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.
Nagato asked,
"Have you found the trace of the Five-Tails?"
"There are some clues. There's an abnormal steam eruption in a forest within the Land of Hot Water. I suspect the Five-Tails is hiding there," Zetsu replied.
"Hidan and Shennong, your next mission is to investigate this forest and confirm if the Five-Tails is hiding there. If confirmed, capture it," Nagato commanded.
"Understood," Shennong, an old man with a calm expression, nodded.
"What? Tailed Beasts can't be sacrificed to the Evil God. No, I won't take this mission," Hidan grumbled.
A devout follower of the Jashin cult, Hidan enjoyed sacrificing his enemies to the Evil God during missions. This mission targeted the Tailed Beast rather than a Jinchūriki, making it unfit for his ritual.
"You're from the Land of Hot Water and know the terrain best. That's why you're going," Nagato said, staring at Hidan with his concentric Rinnegan eyes.
"Konoha is also investigating this Tailed Beast. You might run into their shinobi. You can sacrifice them," he added.
"Fine," Hidan reluctantly agreed.
Though immortal, he still feared Nagato, who could extract and imprison souls—something even immortality couldn't resist.
With Hidan compliant, Nagato looked at the others.
"Other than the Five-Tails, the One-Tail, Three-Tails, Seven-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remain. I plan to capture the One, Three, and Seven first."
"The One-Tail is in Sunagakure—Deidara and the Hidden Tails team will handle that. The Seven-Tails is in Takigakure—Zetsu and Tobi will handle that. The Three-Tails is in Kirigakure—I'll go myself."
"Understood," Deidara and the Hidden Tails team replied.
"Okay," Uchiha Obito, disguised as Tobi, nodded at Zetsu.
"Meeting adjourned," Nagato concluded.
One by one, the chakra shadows faded, until even Nagato's own disappeared.
Nagato's consciousness returned to the top of a tall tower in Amegakure. Konan, beside him, also reawakened.
"According to intel, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is with Jiraiya-sensei. When we attempt to capture the Nine-Tails, we may have to fight him," Konan said with concern.
"Resurrecting the Ten-Tails and realizing our dream of a peaceful world is worth any price. Even if Jiraiya-sensei stands against us, I will show no mercy," Nagato responded resolutely.
"I'll stand with you," Konan said seriously.
This dream wasn't just Nagato's—it was hers and Yahiko's. For it, they were prepared to become enemies of their former teacher.
...
Konoha.
"Hokage-sama, in the Land of Hot Water, a forest has begun erupting steam. It's suspected that the resurrected Five-Tails is hiding there," Uzuki Yugao reported.
"Steam eruptions? That matches the Five-Tails' abilities."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, agreeing with the hypothesis. The Five-Tails could control steam, so this anomaly was highly suspicious.
He ordered,
"Check if Shisui, Ruri, or Kakashi are available."
Knowing Akatsuki sought Tailed Beasts, he intended to intercept them.
He had previously killed the Five-Tails Jinchūriki to prevent Akatsuki from capturing the Tailed Beast. Dead Tailed Beasts took time to resurrect, giving Konoha a temporary edge.
"Yes," Uzuki Yugao said and left, returning shortly after.
"Hokage-sama, Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui are both on missions. Only Ruri is in the village."
"Only Ruri..." Fugaku drummed his fingers on the desk.
Capturing the Five-Tails was a dangerous task, and sending only the second spore clone disguised as Ruri wasn't safe.
"Hokage-sama, should we recall Shisui or Kakashi?"
Uzuki Yugao suggested.
"No, I'll go myself," Fugaku decided.
"Hokage-sama yourself?"
Uzuki Yugao was surprised.
"Yes. Missions assigned to Shisui and Kakashi must be critical. Recalling them might damage Konoha's reputation. Also, Ruri alone isn't enough—it's safer if I go personally."
"I'll leave a spore clone behind. You must help me maintain appearances here."
"Understood, Lord Hokage. I'll cover for you."
After informing Mikoto, Fugaku left a clone and departed quietly.
A day later, he reached the Land of Hot Water—a peaceful nation known for its beautiful scenery and small, weak Yu Ninja Village.
Although it would be nice to tour the country, he pressed on toward the suspicious forest.
"Found it."
He entered a vast forest, his perception sharpened to detect the Five-Tails.
Soon, several trees caught his eye. They had turned yellow, as if diseased—odd among the lush greenery.
Next to them were holes about fist-sized, emitting steam. The trees and leaves nearby were yellowed by the steam's heat.
"Mayfly Technique!"
He slipped underground and followed the source of the steam. Dozens of meters deep, he found an underground water vein.
The steam came from here. The water was boiling—not natural for a cold stream.
"Something's heating this water... Possibly the Five-Tails. But I can't rule out natural causes like magma."
He followed the water vein underground, searching for the source.
Hours later, he emerged to rest and eat.
The underground veins twisted like a web. Still, he hadn't found the exact heating source.
"Hmm...?"
His eyes narrowed. He sensed two strong chakra sources nearby.
Abandoning his meal, he crept toward the signatures.
Soon, he saw them—one with short, silver hair slicked back, a massive scythe slung on his back.
The other was an old man with white hair but vibrant energy, looking more middle-aged than elderly.
Recognizing the silver-haired man, Fugaku's gaze sharpened.
Hidan.
And both wore the red cloud cloaks of Akatsuki.
(End of Chapter)
***
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