"Lord Fourth, don't rush."
"If I'm not mistaken, this was likely done by Kirigakure ninja."
Veigar's words reminded Minato of something: Rin's somewhat special constitution.
"Are you saying..."
Before Minato could finish his sentence, Veigar nodded and replied:
"That's right, leave this matter to me!"
Hiruzen and Fugaku had no idea what kind of charade Veigar and Minato were playing.
"Then, I'll entrust Rin's matter to you!"
Minato said with a heavy tone of trust.
Regarding his disciple, it would certainly be a lie to say Minato wasn't nervous.
Minutes later, after obtaining the information he needed from Fugaku, Veigar dissolved into a puff of smoke before the three of them, vanishing instantly.
After Veigar left, Fugaku also departed.
"Minato, what were you and Veigar just talking about?"
At this point, Hiruzen also voiced the question in his mind.
Minato didn't hide anything, but spoke with a grave expression:
"Veigar said that Rin possesses a special constitution, making her very suitable to become the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki."
Immediately, Hiruzen's eyes widened as well, a storm raging in his heart.
Regarding a devastating weapon of war like a Tailed Beast, even Hiruzen couldn't remain calm.
Just then, Kakashi, having learned of Rin's disappearance, also arrived at the Hokage Residence.
Minutes later, Kakashi, clutching the mission directive to support Veigar, set off in pursuit of Veigar's footsteps.
"Rin, wait for me!"
This time, Kakashi decided that he would save Rin, even if it cost him his life.
Outside Konohagakure.
Having received the shared memories from his Shadow Clone, Veigar was now 100% certain that Rin had been abducted by Kirigakure ninja.
His pace quickened by a third.
...
The four of them, led by Shou Mizushima, had traveled all night. Rin, whom Shou carried on his shoulder, was still unconscious. At their current speed, they would surely be out of the Land of Fire in a few more hours.
Just then, Shinya Etō, who was vaguely feeling that something was off with this mission, suddenly spoke:
"Do you think the Fourth Mizukage wants us to abduct this girl and bring her back to the village?"
Satoshi Matsuo glanced at Shinya and replied:
"I don't know. We just need to obey Lord Fourth's orders."
Shou and Taizan Shimazaki also nodded, agreeing with Satoshi.
However, they had no idea that the person who issued them this command was not the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, but a disguised White Zetsu.
They, too, would never return to Kirigakure.
Nearly three hours later, the four, led by Shou, arrived at the border of the Land of Fire. As long as they boarded the boat waiting to rendezvous with them, they could safely leave the Land of Fire and return to the Land of Water.
Just then, Madara and Black Zetsu appeared before them.
"Who's there?"
Shou, who was the first to spot Madara and Black Zetsu, immediately bellowed. His three subordinates also looked over simultaneously.
However, in just a single glance, all four fell into a genjutsu, standing rigidly in place.
At the same time, white figures emerged from their bodies.
White Zetsu.
At that very instant, Shou and the other three had their throats slit by White Zetsu, who then transformed into the likeness of the four.
"Madara-sama, we will now inform Kirigakure."
White Zetsu, transformed into Shou Mizushima, respectfully addressed Madara.
Madara, expressionless, said:
"Go."
"Black Zetsu."
Commanding the transformed White Zetsu to act, Madara also turned around, calling out to Black Zetsu.
"Understood, Madara-sama."
Black Zetsu replied, then lifted Rin from the ground and followed behind Madara.
Within the Land of Fire's interior, beneath the lake that led to the sea, ever since the previous Three-Tails Jinchūriki died, the Three-Tails, Isobu, had escaped Kirigakure and submerged deep into the ocean.
For years, Kirigakure had relentlessly pursued Isobu's whereabouts but consistently came up empty-handed.
However, no matter how deep Isobu hid, it could never escape Madara's grasp.
Indeed, Madara found it with ease.
Following the tracks left by Shou's four, Veigar found the location where they met their demise. Seeing the signs of their deaths, Veigar understood that these four were undoubtedly in grave danger.
Suddenly, Veigar sensed a massive chakra from the southeast and immediately rushed in that direction.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, was sealed inside Rin by Madara. At the same time, Madara left a sealing formula on Rin's heart.
Shortly after Madara departed, Rin on the lakeshore slowly opened her dazed eyes.
"How did I end up here?"
Suddenly, a new memory appeared in Rin's mind: a memory about Kirigakure sealing the Three-Tails, Isobu, inside her and planning to have her attack Konohagakure.
"How could this be..."
Immediately, Rin began to examine her body, discovering a sealing jutsu mark on her stomach.
"No, it's impossible!"
Rin simply couldn't accept becoming the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, let alone the fact that Rin Nohara "knew that Kirigakure planned to use the Three-Tails to attack Konohagakure."
Just then, White Zetsu, transformed into Shou Mizushima, led a Kirigakure squad of about fifty ninja to a spot not far from Rin.
"Everyone, quickly grab her."
"The Three-Tails is sealed inside her!"
White Zetsu (Shou Mizushima) pointed at Rin and yelled, as if afraid Rin wouldn't hear him.
His acting was barely passable.
Out of a hundred points, sixty points for passing.
While White Zetsu (Shou Mizushima's) acting wasn't great, he had teammates to back him up.
"Yes."
"Go, get her."
"Don't let her escape."
White Zetsu, also transformed into Satoshi Matsuo, Shinya Etō, and Taizan Shimazaki, echoed the shouts.
"Escape, I absolutely can't let them catch me."
Seeing dozens of Mist Ninja chasing her, Rin immediately turned and fled in a panic.
Meanwhile, back in the underground space, Madara brought in Obito, whose body was half-covered in white material.
Madara, already on the verge of death, had done so much to Rin to fully corrupt Obito, not only to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan but also to make Obito inherit his will, become the executor of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and serve as his puppet.
"Obito, Black Zetsu has relayed the information you wanted about Rin Nohara."
Hearing news of the person he cared for deeply, Obito immediately looked directly at Madara and asked:
"Rin, where is Rin?"
Madara said calmly:
"That little girl is in a bad situation right now, being pursued by Kirigakure ninja."
"If you want to go find her, you should leave quickly. White Zetsu will take you there."
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This fanfic has been fully translated!