"What did Kakashi say about it?" Tengen asked Minato.
"I spoke with him." Minato replied. "During their mission, they encountered Kiri-nin. Nohara Rin was captured but managed to escape. Ultimately, she died by Kakashi's hand."
"She died by his hand?" Tengen said, stunned.
"According to Kakashi, the Kiri-nin sealed the Three-Tails inside her and placed a cursed seal on her heart, intending to use her as a weapon against Konoha." Minato explained, shaking his head. "Why was Rin so reckless?"
If Rin had reached their camp, Minato and the others could have devised a plan. At the very least, they could have kept her away from Konoha. With Tengen's ability to suppress tailed beasts, even if the Three-Tails emerged, it wouldn't have been an issue.
"What about the Three-Tails?" Tengen's eyes narrowed, a suspicion forming. This could be Uchiha Madara's scheme to drive Uchiha Obito into despair, aligning him with Madara's goals.
"We examined Rin's body. The Three-Tails is gone." Minato said with a sigh. "It likely left her body after her death."
This made sense, when a jinchūriki dies, the tailed beast typically escapes, returning to a wild state.
"Alright, Minato, get some rest. You're exhausted." Tengen said, noting Minato's weary expression.
Minato wasn't just fighting alongside Tengen on this battlefield; he had also lost two students in this Shinobi World War, a heavy blow. Yet, having witnessed countless deaths, Minato suppressed his grief.
He knew that failing to defeat the other ninja villages would lead to even greater losses and sorrow.
Ending this war was paramount.
"I'll head back, Tengen." Minato said, bidding farewell and leaving the tent to rest. It was still the middle of the night.
"Uchiha Madara." Tengen murmured, his gaze thoughtful. He suspected Madara might be manipulating Kirigakure as well.
"Perhaps it's time to complete my mission." Tengen said, looking into the distance. The task to destroy Kirigakure within ten days was fast approaching.
…
The next day, Tengen planned to destroy Kirigakure, but something unexpected occurred: his system received a signal, an ultra-HD signal pinpointed at the Land of Fire's border, likely near the Kiri-nin's encampment.
"An ultra-HD video? It's real." Tengen said, a smile spreading across his face. This was why he hadn't rushed to destroy Kirigakure, something intriguing had emerged.
When Tengen informed Minato and the others, he didn't mention the signal, only that he had business to attend to outside.
Minato and the others nodded understandingly. As a key leader on this battlefield, Tengen had some autonomy.
They urged him to return quickly, warning that a sudden Kirigakure attack without him would strain Konoha's forces.
Such an attack seemed unlikely, however. The Kiri-nin had been limited to small-scale probes, avoiding major moves.
Using the Sky Dance Technique, Tengen soared toward the signal's location.
As he drew closer, his ability to sense ki detected a familiar presence, one he had encountered not long ago.
"Madara, don't disappoint me." Tengen said, chuckling softly.
At the Land of Fire's border, near the sea, a short voyage from Kirigakure, stood a Kiri-nin encampment.
"No issues. The Three-Tails is sealed within you. Familiarize yourself with it." Uchiha Madara said to the Fourth Mizukage.
"Thank you, Madara-sama." Yagura replied, smiling. With the Three-Tails' power, his strength would grow, making it easier to challenge the Land of Fire.
"I'll take my leave." Madara said, departing with White Zetsu.
Some time later, at Konoha's border:
"Zetsu, everything is complete. It's time to go." Madara said, exhaling. His final piece was in place, and nothing had gone wrong.
"I have a feeling I'll be busy." White Zetsu grumbled.
As Madara prepared to leave, his expression shifted. "An old friend is here."
"Old friend?" White Zetsu said, puzzled.
"Long time no see, Uchiha Madara." A cheerful voice called as Tengen descended from the sky.
"Tengen." Madara said, taking a deep breath. He knew Tengen's fearsome reputation.
"Tengen." White Zetsu echoed, eyeing him curiously. He had heard of Tengen's prowess from Madara, a ninja with the Rinnegan and Senju Hashirama's Wood Release.
"How did you find me?" Madara asked, wary of Tengen, who shared the Uchiha bloodline.
"How? Quite simply." Tengen said, grinning. "But, Madara, you look awfully young. This isn't your real body, is it?"
"So what if it isn't?" Madara replied coolly.
This body was a clone, distinct from a shadow clone, crafted by Madara.
"So, Tengen, now that you've found me, what's your plan?" Madara asked coldly.
"My plan?" Tengen smiled. "To kill you."
His words were as casual as a morning greeting.
***
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