Black Zetsu's gaze remained fixed on Chiyo, his mind running through countless calculations. There was more than one way to bring someone back to life. And Chiyo was a piece on his board—one he had no intention of revealing to Muren Uchiha, just a backup kept in reserve. Of course, he could use this piece if necessary. Muren Uchiha was a powerful asset in his own right; keeping him alive wasn't a bad option.
"If only Nagato were still around..."
"Enough, Kabuto. Keep working."
"I'm leaving."
...
Several days later, Konohagakure.
Reconstruction after the battle was in full swing.
"Damn it! Fugaku, get to work!"
"The Hokage himself is supervising you today! If you don't fix this street properly, the Uchiha clan's next quarter of funding is gone! Gone!"
Hokage Minato Namikaze was personally overseeing things, pushing the Uchiha clan head to repair the destroyed buildings. Fugaku, however, showed no displeasure. He had taken the lead in the recent battle within the village, cutting down four of the enemy's inhuman fighters. He hadn't managed to retrieve the eyes, but the slaughter had eased much of the anger burning in his heart. The damaged buildings deserved to be rebuilt, so he had no complaints.
"Minato, neither you nor Kazuyama managed to take down their leader?"
"That Uchiha... was he really Madara Uchiha?"
While hammering away, Fugaku finally voiced his doubts. The man's identity—whether he truly was Uchiha Madara—was something he had been desperate to confirm.
Minato shook his head. "No idea. Kazuyama fought him first but couldn't get his mask off. I fought him with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and we weren't able to either."
"His dōjutsu manipulates distance. He can stretch or shrink the space between you and him. Even I couldn't get close."
"I know what you're thinking. Next time, if you run into him, go fight him. Give it a shot."
He wasn't teasing—he genuinely meant it. Distance wasn't inherently strong, but it was incredibly troublesome. Especially for someone like him who relied on close-quarters combat.
"I was planning on it anyway!"
"Someone who slaughters members of their own clan doesn't deserve to be called an Uchiha!"
"Enough. I'm getting back to work."
Fugaku, who had been in a decent mood, flared up again after just a few lines. Minato could only shake his head. The man was great in many ways—except for that explosive temper. Three sentences were enough to set him off.
Watching Fugaku throw himself back into the repairs, Minato stopped supervising and headed for his office.
The team bound for Kirigakure was already decided. Team Kakashi would handle the alliance negotiations. This was something Kazuyama had specifically asked him to arrange. What choice did he have? It was Terumi, after all—she talked about Kakashi every day. As his sensei, he had to help.
Besides, Obito Uchiha and Rin were already practically in a honeymoon phase. Kakashi was the only one still drifting around alone. Even Uchiha Itachi had Uchiha Izumi by his side now. High intelligence, no emotional sense—Kakashi was hopeless.
Back at the office, Minato summoned a number of people before finally calling in Kazuyama.
"Kazuyama, how should I arrange things for Kushina and Gaara?"
"You called me just for that???"
Kazuyama had been comfortably relaxing at home—no classes, no training, nothing. He'd wondered what Minato wanted from him, and it turned out to be this???
"What else? The Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts are the enemy's targets. We have to protect them."
"I've decided that besides Kakashi's team heading to the Mist, I'll send people to Takigakure as well. We can't let anything happen to the Seven-Tails."
"As for Iwa and Kumo... ah, that's the real headache."
Seeing Minato's tightly furrowed brows, Kazuyama almost laughed. Going to Takigakure? The Seven-Tails hadn't been there in years. Takigakure was now under his control—and he himself was the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki.
Still, Minato was right. The One-Tails and Nine-Tails definitely needed protection, especially the One-Tails—it was the first step needed to start breaking the seals.
"The Sand siblings are staying at my place. I've set up barriers all around, so they're perfectly safe."
"It's the Five Kage Summit you need to worry about. Ōnoki and that muscle-headed brute are trouble."
For Kazuyama, things were still relatively stable. Of the nine Tailed Beasts, more than half were with him. If the enemy wanted to capture any, they'd have to go after the remaining few.
Wait. The remaining few...
Kazuyama suddenly realized something, and his expression changed instantly. Minato noticed right away.
"Kazuyama, what did you think of?"
"Your face changed in a heartbeat."
He had indeed thought of something. Kazuyama immediately said:
"Minato, we might only need to worry about Ōnoki."
"That Kumo brute's younger brother, Bee, is a Jinchuriki. If they fail to capture the One-Tails and the other Tailed Beasts..."
"then they'll go after the ones whose locations are obvious."
"The Eight-Tails is one of them—and the clearest target of all."
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki, was famous across the entire shinobi world. Controlling the Eight-Tails, second only to the Nine-Tails in power, spoke volumes about his strength.
He was guaranteed to be targeted—he stood out far too much. Even more than the other Jinchuriki.
Laying a hand on him meant provoking all of Kumogakure. The Fourth Raikage would explode with rage, and one of the toughest problems at the Five Kage Summit would be taken care of on its own.
Minato nodded. The "A–Bee duo" referred to the Fourth Raikage and Bee. The two were brothers in all but blood—if one was hurt, the other would snap.
"That's true. I've fought them before. They're extremely strong, and their bond runs deep."
"But Kazuyama, how can you be sure they'll go after the Eight-Tails?"
Kazuyama shrugged. How was he sure? He just was. There weren't many Jinchuriki left they could go after now.
And frankly, he hoped they'd make their move soon. Once they did, they'd have no choice but to crawl out of the shadows.