Deep within a forest, Takuno looked down at the mass of dark green chakra imprisoned by a sealing formula in his hand—the Six-Tails, Saiken.
At this moment, his face was shrouded in an indescribable silence.
Everything that had transpired happened far more smoothly than he had imagined.
Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, had always been easygoing by nature, disliking conflict and acting quite "sensibly."
But Takuno never expected that the other party could be "sensible" to such an inconceivable degree!
Utakata had not only believed his promise that "you won't die after the Tailed Beast is extracted," but he had accepted it without reservation.
Takuno's gaze shifted back and forth between the Tailed Beast chakra in his hand and Utakata.
This was like an surreal joke.
One must know that in the long history of the Shinobi World, it was almost unheard of for a Jinchuriki to survive after having their Tailed Beast forcibly extracted.
Even though Kushina had already broken this precedent, the information had long been thoroughly suppressed and remained unknown to the public.
It could only be said that this Utakata was indeed an "interesting" fellow.
Meanwhile, Utakata's heart was filled with a clear, tranquil peace.
His thoughts were simple: resist? Given the overwhelming strength the opponent displayed, he wouldn't escape death even if he fought to the end; in fact, he might die even faster and more painfully.
And if he didn't resist? Choosing to believe in that unknown promise at least offered a slim hope of survival. What if the other person was telling the truth?
On the scales of life and death, there was no need for much hesitation in making this choice.
Using the simplest and most direct logic, he gambled on a chance to live.
And so, right now, he was still alive!
"I really am no longer... a Jinchuriki!" This realization caused an unprecedented surge of excitement in Utakata's heart.
Leave! Leave this dark forest, leave this endless hiding!
He wanted to see the vast mountains and rivers of the Shinobi World like a truly free man, to experience the life that had been stripped away by his status as a "Jinchuriki"!
However, his movements stiffened slightly when he met Takuno's complex gaze.
Takuno spoke slowly, "Utakata, don't celebrate too early. There's one thing you seem to have forgotten: no one on the outside knows you are no longer the Six-Tails Jinchuriki."
"..."
In an instant, Utakata's recently relaxed brow furrowed tightly, and his body went rigid.
That's right!
In the eyes of the world, he, Utakata, was still that "weapon" carrying the Six-Tails!
Those greedy hidden villages, the ambitious men coveting the power of the Tailed Beasts, and the endless stream of bounty hunters...
They wouldn't disappear; their pursuit would only become more frenzied because they were certain of their target.
And what about him? He had lost the greatest trump card he relied on for self-preservation—the power of the Six-Tails.
Current him was nothing more than an ordinary Shinobi with greatly diminished strength.
"Heh... So that's how it is." A bitter smile touched the corner of Utakata's mouth, leaving only deep, bottomless exhaustion and self-mockery in his eyes.
At this moment, he understood that cruel maxim with profound clarity.
"When everyone believes you are a Jinchuriki, you'd better actually be one."
Because when you are no longer one, yet no one knows, you become the most fragile and delectable prey.
An existence that has lost its fangs and claws, yet is still viewed as a treasure by everyone.
"I understand." Utakata's voice was dry and calm, carrying a sense of resignation. "I will... continue to stay here."
If he didn't want to die, he could only continue to stay here and remain in seclusion.
Afterward, Takuno left with the Six-Tails.
He didn't tell the other man that it probably wouldn't be long before he could leave—at the very least, he could return to the Hidden Mist Village.
Because soon, the various hidden villages would learn that the Six-Tails had been captured by the Akatsuki.
The situation in the Shinobi World, just as Nagato had predicted, finally reached a new turning point after experiencing a series of upheavals.
The Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Ōnoki, awoke from his coma.
This battle-hardened elder realized that Akatsuki's actions in capturing the Tailed Beasts posed an unprecedented common threat to the Five Great Nations.
Without a moment to lose, he decisively sent out emergency communications to the Hidden Sand, Cloud, Mist, and Leaf villages.
Under his strong advocacy, the Five Great Nations decided to set aside past disputes to jointly face the crisis at hand; a Five Kage Summit to decide the future direction of the Shinobi World was officially put on the agenda.
The news spread rapidly.
Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Hidden Mist, and Konoha, upon receiving Ōnoki's proposal, all clearly recognized the gravity of the situation and responded one after another, agreeing to participate in the summit.
To ensure the fairness and safety of the summit, all parties agreed to set the meeting location in the permanently neutral country, the Land of Iron.
Soon, the Five Kage representing the highest authority in the Shinobi World set out on their journey to the Land of Iron with their respective guards.
The Akatsuki, which had been closely monitoring the movements of the Five Great Nations, saw through the intentions of the Five Kage Summit with piercing clarity.
They knew that the core agenda of this meeting was undoubtedly how to unite to defend against Akatsuki.
"Nagato," the voice of Obito, wearing his swirl-patterned mask, rang out in the dim space, carrying a hint of imperceptible urgency.
"Now is the perfect opportunity. Minato has left for the Land of Iron; Konoha's defensive strength is bound to be at its weakest right now."
He paused, the single Sharingan behind the mask's eyehole seemingly glinting with sharp light.
"We should take this chance to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in one fell swoop!"
Nagato's purple Rinnegan turned calmly toward Obito, his gaze profound as if it could pierce through that mask.
He understood Obito's calculation: to use the gap in Konoha's defenses to forcibly seize the Nine-Tails.
However, a fact that Obito was not yet aware of caused a flicker of mockery to rise within Nagato.
The Nine-Tails had long since fallen into the hands of that "Collector."
Nagato's pale face showed no ripples, maintaining the dignity of a leader, but an imperceptible trace of ridicule flashed deep in his eyes.
His tone was flat yet carried an unquestionable air. "There is no need for you to worry about the Nine-Tails. I have my own ways to ensure it falls into our hands."
He raised his hand slightly, shifting the topic to the real problem at hand.
"The key obstacle currently hindering us is not Konoha's Nine-Tails, but the Eight-Tails of Kumogakure."
Hearing this, Obito's brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Nagato's certain confidence filled him with suspicion. Minato possessed extraordinary strength, Konoha had deep foundations, and the Nine-Tails was the strongest of the Tailed Beasts; what exactly did Nagato mean by "having his own ways"?
However, to maintain his identity and dignity as "Uchiha Madara," he could not show too much doubt or press for answers, as that would damage the carefully crafted image.
"Oh?" Obito suppressed the doubt in his heart and responded in a low voice, "I hope... your plan goes as smoothly as you say."
After Obito finished speaking, he turned to leave, but Nagato's low voice came from behind him.
"Wait."
Obito paused and turned slightly to look at Nagato, who sat deep in the shadows, his Sharingan carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny.
"Is there something else?"
His voice, muffled by the mask, sounded somewhat heavy.
Nagato slowly raised his head, those eyes possessing the power of the Rinnegan glinting with an eerie light in the dimness, his tone brook no argument.
"The upcoming operation requires your strength."
This was not a request, but a declaration.
"Oh?" Obito's brow beneath the mask quirked slightly, letting out a meaningful sound of inquiry.
He was curious about what could make the leader of the Akatsuki so solemn.
Nagato looked directly at Obito, his words ringing with conviction: "The convening of the Five Kage Summit is a foregone conclusion.
Once the dust settles, the Five Great Hidden Villages will inevitably form a tighter alliance, treating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki as common property to be strictly guarded.
At that time, if Akatsuki wants to capture the Eight-Tails, it will be no different from challenging the entire Shinobi World Alliance, and the difficulty will increase several times over."
Hearing this, Obito's body stiffened slightly, and then, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, he instantly understood the shocking intention behind Nagato's words.
He turned abruptly, an uncontrollable low cry of surprise coming from beneath the mask: "Don't tell me you plan to...?!"
Under Obito's astonished gaze, Nagato nodded steadily, confirming his suspicion.
His voice was not loud, yet it carried a determination that burned all bridges.
"Correct. The only chance now is to seize the Eight-Tails at the site of the Five Kage Summit—the Land of Iron!"
Nagato further elaborated on his seemingly crazy yet actually well-thought-out plan:
Konoha has deep reserves; even without Minato, Shisui is still there, so the Nine-Tails remaining there is safe for the time being.
But Kumogakure is different! As a main participant, the Fourth Raikage Ay will certainly go to the Land of Iron himself, leaving the village's top combat power vacant.
He would never leave the Eight-Tails alone in a weakened Kumogakure; that would be too risky.
So, where is the 'safest' place right now?
Without a doubt, it is the Land of Iron, where the highest combat powers of the Five Great Nations are gathered!
Taking the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki along to the venue and letting the power of the Five Kage become his temporary 'shield'—that is the Raikage's most likely choice.
Therefore, the Eight-Tails must already be on its way to the Land of Iron!
"As expected... it's like this..." Obito stared blankly at Nagato, his heart in a state of turmoil.
He never expected Nagato would dare to take such a risky path, targeting the Eight-Tails right under the noses of the Five Kage; this plan was bold to the point of insanity!
But he had to admit, what Nagato said... was right!
The problem was, besides the Eight-Tails, the Nine-Tails also needed to be obtained.
Even if they successfully captured the Eight-Tails at the Five Kage Summit, it would be useless without the Nine-Tails, wouldn't it?
But combined with Nagato's previous words, an uncontrollable feeling surfaced in his heart.
Nagato caught Obito's momentary hesitation, his Rinnegan locking onto the other man as the corner of his mouth seemed to curl into a provocative arc.
He spoke, "What? Has the legendary 'Uchiha Madara,' who stood on equal footing with the God of Shinobi, also begun to feel fear when facing these so-called 'Kage' of the later generations?"
In the cold room, the air seemed to freeze.
Obito's crimson Sharingan glinted with sharp light behind the mask's eyehole; he stared at Nagato, his voice low but carrying an undeniable challenge.
"There's no need to use words to provoke me. I admit your words have merit. However," he shifted the conversation, the sarcasm in his tone clearly audible.
"Even if we exhaust our efforts to capture the Eight-Tails your way, so what? The final Nine-Tails is still firmly grasped in Konoha's hands."
Nagato remained silent, his purple Rinnegan like a deep pool, reflecting no emotional fluctuations.
He knew that if this knot Obito threw out wasn't untied, any discussion would just go in circles.
A moment later, he finally raised his eyes, his voice as calm as if he were stating an inconsequential fact:
"How can you be so certain that the Nine-Tails is definitely still in Konoha's hands?"
These words were like a sudden thunderclap!
"Wha... What?!" Obito's body shook violently, his pupils instantly contracting into pinpricks as his Sharingan locked onto Nagato, trying to dig out any trace of a joke from that expression as calm as still water.
A massive shock seized him, "Those words... what do they mean?!"
The corner of Nagato's mouth twitched upward ever so slightly, forming a half-smile.
He met Obito's gaze, which was filled with disbelief, without evasion, the oppressive pressure of the Rinnegan silently spreading.
"Exactly what I said."
Obito felt as if he had been struck by an invisible heavy hammer, falling into a deathly silence.
The light in his eyes flickered violently as shock, suspicion, confusion, and a strong premonition that things had spiraled completely out of control wildly intertwined in his heart.
After a long time, he finally spoke again with difficulty, testing the waters:
"As far as I know... the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina, is clearly still in Konoha right now!
And... and not long ago, she even gave birth to a second son."
Nagato just gave him a faint glance, his eyes carrying a hint of pity that seemed to see through everything.
"Then, you tell me," his voice carried a trace of mockery.
"After experiencing the 'Nine-Tails Riot,' why would Uzumaki Kushina, as a Jinchuriki, choose to have another child at this critical juncture? Why not earlier, why not later, but specifically now?"
"..." Obito was completely stunned.
Nagato's question was like a key, instantly piercing through the barriers of his understanding.
He forced himself to be calm, but his voice still leaked emotions like surging waves.
"Are you saying Uzumaki Kushina is no longer the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? And the Nine-Tails is already in Akatsuki's hands?!"
This inference seemed absolutely absurd even to himself, but Nagato's hint was so direct.
"You can understand it that way." Nagato's answer was concise and powerful, without any extra explanation.
"Absurd! Impossible!" Obito retorted almost instinctively, his face beneath the mask twisting with agitation.
"If Uzumaki Kushina lost the Nine-Tails, how could she possibly still be alive? Once a Tailed Beast is extracted from a Jinchuriki, they will surely die!"
At that moment, the subtle smile that had been lingering on Nagato's face suddenly became clear.
That smile carried a nearly mocking intent, and his eyes glinted with an indescribable brilliance, looking very much like Takuno.
Nagato leaned forward slightly, mysterious light flowing in his Rinnegan as he asked the core question that overturned common sense word by word:
"Why... are you so certain that a Jinchuriki 'will surely' die after losing their Tailed Beast?"