In this world, though not quite multiplying like locusts or hiding under every rock, ninja numbers are still huge. More importantly, different ninja villages kept each other under surveillance; so if one village tried to pull off something big, there was a very high chance that others would catch on.
At any moment, wild ninjas and rogue spies might jump out from behind every bush.
Therefore, maintaining secrecy was always difficult to guarantee, especially when manipulating something as massive as the Nine-Tails.
Is releasing the Nine-Tails in Konoha really feasible? This is about executing the plan.
Firstly, with so many people around, if such a grand operation were conducted within the village, the entire world would know about Konoha's successful splitting of the Nine-Tails within days.
Secondly, nobody could afford the catastrophic consequences of the Nine-Tails going berserk. Handling a nuclear bomb like polishing and disassembling it in your own backyard—even with steady hands—would still scare everyone half to death. So even with someone as reliable as Mito Uzumaki present, the Third Hokage's heart could never be strong enough to handle such pressure.
Overall, for the sake of secrecy, finding a sealed "operating room" for the Nine-Tails Splitting Plan was crucial. As far as Haseo was concerned, there was practically only one suitable place—the Shikkotsu Forest.
Hidden away in a remote corner of the world, the Shikkotsu Forest was a hidden realm where Katsuyu was the sole intelligent lifeform. Surrounded by vast natural landscapes, its concealment factor left no room for doubt.
Besides, no need to worry much about destruction caused by the Nine-Tails. What kind of damage could stepping on a few trees do anyway?
Sure, even Katsuyu can't take repeated Tailed Beast Ball hits, but here's the catch—if both Mito Uzumaki and the Third Hokage were present, how could the Nine-Tails ever release such a devastating attack in the first place? They were all seasoned warriors, not mere decorations. The moment the Nine-Tails started charging up a big move, they would stop it immediately.
Moreover, taking action inside the Shikkotsu Forest, with the Nine-Tails' combat capabilities significantly limited beforehand, Katsuyu could play an enormous role when necessary. After all, the Shikkotsu Forest was her home—her massive physical form resided there… In terms of sheer biological size, the Nine-Tails wasn't even in the same league.
So as long as the Nine-Tails doesn't go firing off Tailed Beast Balls, to Katsuyu it's just a little fox—good for blowing bubbles, maybe? Cuteness won't save it.
Thus, the decision was made to carry out the operation in the Shikkotsu Forest. Although strictly speaking, the Third Hokage shouldn't leave the village lightly, this situation called for bending the rules.
Although the scale and impact of this event were extraordinary, if everything proceeded smoothly, the whole process wouldn't take longer than a single day.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the time had finally come to execute the plan.
To exaggerate slightly, this incredible feat—on par with the Sage of Six Paths' legend—comes down to a single make-or-break moment.
In the underground base of Kagenami, Haseo, Mito Uzumaki, the Third Hokage, and eight other members of the Uzumaki clan—including the clan leader—had gathered here. Also present was Uzumaki Shikou, who would remain behind to guard this space and handle certain secondary operations.
The Third Hokage was already prepared for battle, most notably carrying a massive scroll on his back containing the formula for the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
Everyone was taking every precaution in preparing to confront the Nine-Tails. Except for Mito Uzumaki, who stood with empty hands and an air of calm. Everyone else—including Haseo—was visibly serious.
Haseo carried the enormous Samehada across his back, while the Uzumaki clan leader had the crucial "Shinigami Mask" hanging from his waist.
"Shikou, once you receive the signal, you'll lead those seven prisoners into Shikkotsu Forest as the second team," Haseo finally instructed. "Although the latter part of our plan won't involve any combat, its importance cannot be overstated."
At this moment, a small Katsuyu perched on Haseo's shoulder, and one rested on Shikou's too.
"I understand completely, Lord Haseo. You don't need to worry about things here," Shikou replied.
Haseo nodded. The barrier defenses around the Kagenami base were extremely tight—it was nearly impossible for an attack to occur precisely at this time. Then, Haseo began drawing a large-scale technique pattern onto the floor of the room. This was not a complex sealing technique, but rather an expression of the Summoning Jutsu.
After all, these eleven people would soon be reverse-summoned to Shikkotsu Forest. However, aside from Haseo himself, the others were all prominent figures and respected individuals. They couldn't simply be swallowed like rotten vegetables, only to be messily spat out upon arrival.
If it were only the Third Hokage involved, Haseo wouldn't mind witnessing such an amusing contrast. But since someone like Lady Mito Uzumaki—a senior figure—was present, such unseemly methods definitely wouldn't do.
Therefore, although inconvenient, Haseo obediently continued setting up the technique formation on the ground.
Besides, this summoning technique would also be used later by Shikou and the prisoners.
"Lady Mito, Lord Hokage, everyone, we're ready to depart now," Haseo quickly finished drawing the formation before gesturing for them all to step toward its center.
Without hesitation, the others walked into this "teleportation array." As chakra flared from the slugs, the group instantly vanished from sight.
"Lady Mito…Lord Haseo…Clan Leader…may you all fare well…"
After witnessing their disappearance, Uzumaki Shikou murmured softly, then quietly stepped out of the room. After firmly closing the door behind her, she stood upright there, guarding the place alone.
Her silhouette appeared resolute yet sorrowful. As someone intimately familiar with this operation, she knew that regardless of the plan's outcome, only Lady Mito Uzumaki would return to Konoha—none of the Uzumaki clan elders, not even the clan leader, would make it back alive.
Sacrifice extends beyond the person making it—it burdens those closest to them just as deeply.
That day, something strange happened in the Hidden Leaf Village—the Third Hokage had vanished out of nowhere. A Hokage must never leave the village, yet everyone searched every corner of the village thoroughly, including all the places the Third frequently visited—even the female baths in Hot Spring Town had been carefully checked—but there was no trace of the Village Headman.
In response to the sudden disappearance of the Hokage, the Konoha Anbu acted swiftly, and soon chaos erupted throughout the village.
...
At the same time the figures vanished from Konoha, they reappeared within the humid jungle of Shikkotsu Forest—a place rarely spoken of outside ancient records.
Whether or not this was everyone's first experience with [Retrograde Summoning]—a rare and unpredictable technique that brings one back instead of forward—nobody showed as much distress as Haseo did during his first encounter...
"Lord Mito..."
Aside from Haseo, theoretically this was the first time others had arrived in Shikkotsu Forest. However, as they arrived, Mito Uzumaki dazed out for a moment, a nostalgic look on her face.
Hearing Haseo's voice, Mito finally snapped back to reality. She smiled and said, "Nothing really... It just feels like it's been ages."
For her, indeed, everything and every moment here felt long overdue.
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