All three Tailed-Beast Jinchuriki from the major villages had been captured, and all within the same time frame. Without a doubt, it was the work of the same group.
The Two-Tails and Eight-Tails from the Hidden Cloud were still perfect Jinchuriki, and Killer B was the Raikage's own brother. Ay held back his fury with difficulty. If he found the culprits, he would likely abandon the war entirely just to smash that group into pieces.
A while later, Nara Shikaku returned. He had informed the proctors of the second exam through messenger hawks and asked them to investigate the Jinchuriki's movements. But the Land of Fire was vast—they could only search from the last known departure points of Fu, Naruto Uzumaki, and Gaara. It would take time before any updates came back.
Tsunade knew Hyuga Mirai couldn't be responsible. Aside from him, the only other force capable of this was the Land of the Rain. But she couldn't say that out loud. Otherwise, the Raikage and Tsuchikage would demand the source of that intelligence.
The transfer of the Allied Forces continued, but because of the loss of multiple Jinchuriki, Ōnoki, the Raikage, and Terumi Mei were all in a foul mood. As for Konoha, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had long been lost through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mishandling. That couldn't be hidden, so Konoha had informed the other Kage beforehand. However, they still kept Naruto's identity as the Fourth Hokage's son tightly secret.
Half a day passed before the exam proctors returned with a report. "Lord Shikaku, Lady Hokage, intel from the testing grounds."
Akatsuki.
Their operation had been incredibly fast. In half a month, they had captured six Tailed Beasts—two-thirds of the Eye of the Moon plan completed in one sweep.
Inside the Illusion Lantern space, Nagato controlled Deva Path Pain and said, "You have all done well. We'll begin extracting the Tailed Beasts. Two at a time, then rest a day before continuing."
Extracting Tailed Beasts required time. Even two beasts needed at least six days. During this period they also had to maintain constant chakra output. Except for Nagato and Kisame, the others—including Konan—would not last without rest.
"Tch, how annoying. So long without making offerings to Lord Jashin. Leader, keep disrespecting the god like this and you'll end up as a sacrifice yourself."
Hidan began cursing the moment he heard they'd have to endure twenty days. The Akatsuki members were all unruly. Some had been recruited by Pain, but they didn't respect him much. Especially Hidan—immortal and afraid of no one. Threatening to turn Pain into a sacrifice wasn't even new for him.
"Endure it. After this run, the plan is almost complete."
Pain spoke without emotion, then used Summoning Jutsu to bring out the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to begin sealing the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Kakuzu asked, "Since the Nine-Tails and One-Tails are also in the Land of Fire, why not take them as well?"
"Because sealing Tailed Beasts takes time. And we still have no trace of the Three-Tails."
As Pain said this, everyone looked at Zetsu.
Leaving the One-Tails and Nine-Tails untouched was to frame the Sand Federation. Even without evidence, if every other village lost their Jinchuriki while the Sand Federation's remained unharmed, that alone was incriminating. And if they captured all Jinchuriki, the Five Nations might sense something and halt the war to hunt for the beasts.
That would leave Akatsuki passive. If the Five Nations worked together, they would uncover Akatsuki's secrets quickly. The target of the Fifth Great Ninja War might even shift to the Land of the Rain.
Tobi understood this too, which was why he didn't touch Naruto Uzumaki or Gaara.
"Is this intel gatherer even useful? Why not kill him and sell him for bounty? Someone might pay for such a weird-looking guy."
Kakuzu suggested with clear irritation toward Zetsu. Previously, he had tried to save money on intel by asking Zetsu to gather information on a deeply hidden bounty target. Zetsu refused, saying he was busy searching for the Three-Tails. Kakuzu had paid a high intel fee afterward, and ever since then he had been unable to tolerate Zetsu's presence.
Pain replied, "Zetsu's information-gathering ability is useful. We'll discuss it later."
Later? Nagato, what do you mean by that?
White Zetsu glanced at Nagato but said nothing. His standing in Akatsuki was low—members scolded him, Nagato scolded him, even Tobi and Black Zetsu scolded him. If the Three-Tails hid deep under the sea, even two hundred thousand White Zetsu wouldn't find it. Was that his fault?
He could only swallow his grievances, even losing his chatterbox nature.
"Begin the sealing."
Pain ordered everyone to their positions to start sealing the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Six days of constant chakra output exhausted even Akatsuki members. But it gave them time to stir up chaos across the shinobi world.
"I knew it! This has to be the Sand Federation's doing! We should retaliate immediately and capture the One-Tails and Nine-Tails!"
The Raikage smashed a table the moment he heard the intel, making Tsunade's temple twitch.
"Raikage brat, don't speak nonsense. That reasoning proves nothing. And should we abandon our entire plan?"
Ōnoki had always looked down on the reckless Cloud shinobi. In his opinion, they only developed so fast because their daimyo poured unlimited funds into them. If Iwa had that money, they would be far superior.
"Exactly, Lord Raikage. Acting like this will make the Hokage very unhappy." Terumi Mei added. Thankfully they had not put the Raikage in charge of anything besides the joint command center. Otherwise, the Allied Forces would be doomed under his leadership.
Mabui stepped forward. "My apologies. I will apologize on behalf of Lord Raikage."
"Mabui…"
The Raikage was furious, but he still understood politics. With all three against him, acting rashly would only bring criticism from the other Kage and their daimyos. But he worried deeply for his brother, so he could only seethe quietly.
"Lord Raikage, there's no need to panic. Relocating a Jinchuriki can't be done in just a few days. And with so many disappearing at once, it's still uncertain whether the Sand Federation is responsible. Our priority is following the plan."
Nara Shikaku spoke calmly. After thinking it through, he felt the Sand Federation was unlikely. If they were responsible, why would they send their own Jinchuriki to participate in the Chunin Exams?
Still, with every other village's Jinchuriki missing, and only the Sand Federation's safe, suspicion was inevitable.
Tsunade had no interest in this meeting. What she wanted most was to go back and question Hyuga Mirai about the missing Jinchuriki of each nation.
But she feared Hyuga Mirai might bring up their previous marriage arrangement. If that blue-eyed brat mentioned it first, would she have to explain everything?
Damn it. What am I even hesitating about? This should've been addressed from the start. How did I let it drag out this long?
Tsunade felt tangled and frustrated. She had been so distracted lately that she overlooked many things. If Kabuto hadn't reminded her, she would have forgotten all about hosting the other Kage.
Her troubled expression was noticed by Terumi Mei and the others, who assumed she was worried about the lost Jinchuriki.
Seeing her like this, Terumi Mei tried to comfort her. "Lady Hokage, don't worry. As long as we win this war, the Jinchuriki issue will resolve itself." Tsunade had already strained herself managing the Allied Forces, while they kept arguing—Mei felt embarrassed.
"Raikage brat, when it comes to resolve, you've got nothing on the Slug Princess."
Ōnoki mocked from the side. The Raikage almost exploded again, but Mabui held him back. Now was not the time. Though Killer B was his brother, the unity of the Four Nations came first. A shinobi must be prepared to sacrifice.
"Eighteen, I need an artificial human cultivated from Hashirama Cells. It only needs to look like a normal woman. No combat requirements."
Hyuga Mirai spoke calmly. His Yin-Yang Release training had progressed rapidly, and he would soon be able to expel Kaguya's consciousness from his body. He needed a vessel.
"Sir, you're close to marriage. I believe this kind of request can be avoided. If you truly need someone, I can—"
"Eighteen. If you keep imagining nonsense, I'll cut your access to every network and run a full system purge every three years."
"…My apologies, sir. A female artificial human will take fourteen days to cultivate."
After saying that, No. 18 cut the connection.
Hyuga Mirai chuckled softly and left the room. Kaguya's consciousness had been sealed inside a Truth-Seeking Ball, and he had fully awakened the power of Kekkei Mōra. He now possessed immortality.
Letting the power flow through him again, he felt the horn on his forehead was bothersome and retracted it. He tightened the sash on his sage-style robe and concealed the magatama Rinnegan. But the Yomotsu Hirasaka technique remained usable.
With a thought, a black spatial rift opened before him, and he stepped inside.
"Ayaka, are you—hmm?"
Using Yomotsu Hirasaka, Hyuga Mirai arrived near Ayaka Uzumaki, just in time to see her wearing a black-and-white maid outfit. The fabric was extremely minimal, revealing generous curves and long, shapely legs. She was practicing lines in front of a mirror.
(End of chapter)