The surroundings were completely silent.
At this moment, Ryoho Kyohiko's shout of "You are too powerful" seemed to still echo in their ears. But the current scene was—Shukaku was lying on the ground, as docile as a sleeping tanuki. Or perhaps, it really was asleep.
However, no one would think that Shukaku was sleeping because it was good-natured or not aggressive, but because it had been directly suppressed by Kyohiko's ninjutsu. It was no match for Kyohiko in a single exchange!
It was an unbelievable scene.
Before this, they understood Konoha's strength and also knew Kyohiko's reputation—the person most likely to become the next Senju Hashirama! It seemed like an ordinary statement, but it was actually the highest praise. Besides this person… who else could become the next Senju Hashirama? No one! Even Namikaze Minato, who was hailed as Konoha's Yellow Flash, was actually just closer to Senju Tobirama in terms of speed and ninjutsu.
Reputation was one thing, but previously, many of the Suna ninjas here had never truly seen Kyohiko in action, or rather… had never seen what his strength was like now! Now, they had.
Baki's eyes were wide with disbelief.
"Elder, can we really defeat such a person?"
He had maintained this expression for several seconds, but the shock and despair in his heart had not yet dissipated. What kind of ninjutsu is this? There's no comparison! At this moment, in his mind, Kyohiko… this guy who was about the same age as him, was already an invincible powerhouse.
Elder Naito was silent. He also didn't know how to comfort or guide them. In the face of absolute power, any words seemed pale and powerless. Compared to Rasa struggling with Shukaku and needing to slowly seal it with gold sand, the other's power was more terrifying, more direct, and cleaner.
One strike! This was the difference between the two sides. Seeing this scene, they could almost imagine the scene of a duel between Kyohiko and Rasa—although it might not be possible to suppress him with one strike combined with another ninjutsu like with Shukaku, it certainly wouldn't be too much trouble. The gap in strength could no longer be covered up by lies.
After a long while, he said in a low voice.
"We will. As long as we can survive, as long as we can pass down the village from generation to generation, we will eventually have hope!"
Back then, our predecessors came through like this, he thought to himself. Betting on the next generation, and the generation after that. A shameful and helpless approach. Because they really couldn't defeat the terrifying enemy before them!
At this moment, both Elder Naito and Rasa understood one thing—why did Ryoho Kyohiko agree to act? Because… the other party wanted to establish his authority! This person from Konoha wanted them to clearly recognize the gap between them, to properly play the role of "ally," and not to cause them trouble. It looked like help, but in fact, it was also an extremely terrifying warning!
Ryoho Kyohiko was indeed thinking this way. If it were just to suppress Shukaku, he had many simpler methods. For example, the Gate of the Great God. But the size, power, and impact of the Wood Human Technique were far more shocking than the Gate of the Great God, and the shock caused by this one blow would also make these people remember the scene before them. This would become a deep memory for this generation of Sunagakure!
Ryoho Kyohiko walked up to Shukaku. Then, he looked at Rasa.
"Kazekage-sama, this commission, I might as well help you to the end. Who is it to be sealed into? Bring him over."
"Alright."
Rasa answered. He too had just woken up from his shock and despair.
Now was not the time for despair. As the Kazekage, he had to pull himself together and find a suitable direction for Sunagakure. Facing Kyohiko and Konoha, it was clear that he had only one choice. Cooperation and alliance!
A shadow clone arrived with a body flicker, bringing Temari. Temari looked at her father, and then, she looked at Ryoho Kyohiko in the distance.
"I'll go over by myself!"
Temari refused Rasa's gesture to send her over. She walked, step by step, towards that terrifying Tailed Beast, as if walking towards a desperate future. Only when she was in front of Kyohiko did she take a deep breath.
"Come on! I won't be afraid!"
She closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling, her face pale. Obviously, Temari's heart was not as strong as she said. She was very scared! Especially since Rasa had said that she might have to go to Konoha in the future. And such a "future" might not be too long… At only two or three years old, on this day, she had suddenly grown up. She understood—she was going to be sacrificed!
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled.
"The Tailed Beast isn't actually that scary. As long as you train diligently and make friends with it, you will find that their thinking is very simple…"
Temari opened her eyes, a trace of disbelief in them. You… are you comforting me? She didn't speak, but her expression and eyes seemed to be speaking.
Ryoho Kyohiko nodded lightly.
"You can think of it as me comforting you, or you can think that I hope you can understand how great and strong your predecessor was."
The predecessor…
Temari looked into the distance. There was a corpse buried under the yellow sand. That was their village's Jinchuriki, but no one knew his name. Her father and others all called him "Shukaku." Will I become like that? She was silent.
The next second, Ryoho Kyohiko created a shadow clone, then formed hand seals. Then, a vine grew, and a wisp of Shukaku's chakra was drawn over and quickly sealed into Temari's body. With the first wisp as a seed… soon, with the vine as a network, chakra continuously poured into her body.
A look of pain appeared on Temari's face. She wanted to cry, to call for help. But looking back, what she saw was Rasa, the one who had brought her here and personally delivered her here!
Temari smiled silently. Her smile was uglier than crying, but she gritted her teeth and held on, not making a sound.
Shukaku was sleeping quietly. But as the chakra slowly poured into her body, a violent, indescribable hatred surged from within her. Kill! Kill! Kill all the people who made her a Jinchuriki!
A look of madness and pain appeared on Temari's face. But Ryoho Kyohiko placed one hand on her forehead. Under the effect of a genjutsu, her negative emotions were gradually guided and dispelled. In the end, she became extremely calm.
A few minutes passed, and all of Shukaku's chakra was finally completely sealed into her body. The next moment, the shadow clone's hand seals were also successfully completed. With Temari as the center, one jutsu formula after another spread out in the surroundings, forming a huge pattern. Then, a palm pressed on Temari's abdomen. All the jutsu formulas rapidly contracted towards Temari, and finally covered her abdomen. Four Symbols Seal!
The Tailed Beast chakra in her body was gradually sealed into the core area, and there were no more unusual movements. Temari fainted.
Rasa walked over, his face filled with guilt and sadness. If he had a choice, he also didn't want to place a seal on his daughter. But the current situation had reached a point where there was no choice. He could only sacrifice Temari!
After a few seconds of silence, he said in a low voice.
"Thank you."
Although Kyohiko had other schemes and ideas, at least he had made Temari's sealing very smooth and without too much pain. For his daughter, this was the greatest mercy. Rasa sighed softly.
"It's nothing. But I think you should think carefully about whether to let her stay in the village until she is five."
Ryoho Kyohiko said.
Obviously, in front of Obito and the others, Sunagakure did not have the ability to protect Shukaku.
Ryoho Kyohiko said seriously.
"Obito is still a bit naive, but if it were Kakuzu and Kurosuki Raiga coming together, or that half-black, half-white guy…"
"They certainly wouldn't be so indecisive."
The current Obito, due to different developments and situations, seemed to still retain a large degree of "kindness." However, under the influence and design of Madara and Black Zetsu, this kindness would eventually slowly die out. In the end, what Uchiha Obito would become, only heaven knew.
Rasa nodded lightly and said in a low voice.
"I will consider it seriously. Please stay in the village for a while…"
Ryoho Kyohiko answered.
"I can't stay here for a long time. Please come up with a plan as soon as possible."
Rasa expressed his understanding. Although Konoha's Hokage was Tsunade, who didn't know the relationship between Tsunade and Kyohiko? What's more, in Konoha, Kyohiko was still the captain of the Anbu and an important force in Konoha. As a village that possessed the Nine-Tails and was viewed with hostility by other ninja villages, Konoha also faced a not-so-small crisis. To be able to stay here for a period of time was already a big concession.
He understood. He had to make a decision quickly in a short time and convince the elders in the village. Fortunately, such a decision should not be too difficult… after all. Rasa looked at the terrifying large pit. That was where Shukaku had been before, but it was also smashed out by a single blow from Kyohiko's ninjutsu. Such terrifying power, who in the current Sunagakure can resist?
***
In another place, Obito emerged from space. He covered his eyes, his mood very low.
Suddenly.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
He angrily kicked a stone in front of him.
At this time.
"Endless complaining is useless."
Behind him, White Zetsu emerged from the ground. "If you had taken him away directly at that time, the situation would definitely not be like this!"
Obito shouted angrily.
"How could it be so easy? He is a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. As long as he doesn't want to be taken away by me, even I can't quickly suck him into the space!"
He still couldn't figure it out. Why is Bunpuku so foolish? If Bunpuku had been willing to go with him, this plan would have been very smooth. However, the other party insisted on resisting and even transformed into a Tailed Beast to fight him, forcing him to use stronger power.
A slight smile touched White Zetsu's lips, and he then said in a low voice.
"You messed things up. The lord will definitely punish us when we get back. We should think of a remedial measure now."
Obito was silent for a few seconds, then said.
"You're right. But now, how should we remedy it? Shukaku has fallen into Kyohiko's hands. I'm no match for him at all!"
"Then what about the Nine-Tails?"
"The Nine-Tails?"
Obito was silent for a few seconds, then said, "The Nine-Tails… Although Konoha is without Ryoho Kyohiko, Namikaze Minato is still in Konoha and hasn't left. And…"
"That can't be helped. Ryoho Kyohiko suddenly came to support. Even we couldn't have predicted that, let alone the woman in the shadows!"
White Zetsu sneered. "Perhaps we can kill her first!"
A sharp glint flashed in Obito's eyes.
"That one, indeed!"
If not for that woman meddling, he would have had a chance to take away Shukaku. And during this time, it was not the first time he had discovered that woman's tracks.
"She should be Sunagakure's Pakura, but I don't know why she's still alive…"
Obito frowned, lost in thought. Just then, he suddenly felt a great sense of crisis. This is… He instantly activated his Sharingan.
The next second, as White Zetsu lunged at his neck, the position of his neck became intangible. "White Zetsu's" head grazed past him.
Obito was furious. He flickered to dodge and looked at "White Zetsu."
"You are Orochimaru?!!"
"Foolish child, I came to help you. Why did you refuse my gift?"
"White Zetsu" quickly transformed. Finally, Orochimaru appeared before him.
Orochimaru was a little surprised. According to his calculations, this blow would definitely succeed. He hadn't expected Obito to be able to partially "dematerialize," allowing his neck to dodge the attack. He looked at the other's eyes and couldn't help but lick his lips.
"The Sharingan, what an interesting eye!"
Obito was angry and ashamed.
"Orochimaru, I will kill you sooner or later!"
If not for the power of the Sharingan, he would have been bitten by the other party at this moment. It was unimaginable what the consequences would have been.
Orochimaru chuckled in a low voice.
"You can kill me now."
Suddenly, one snake after another extended from his hand. From his other hand, a huge snake quickly pounced out, its speed reaching the extreme.
Multiple Shadow Snake Hands!
But Obito directly escaped into another dimension, disappearing without a trace.
"What a pity."
Orochimaru frowned.
Although he had obtained a White Zetsu's corpse, the most important Uchiha Obito was not caught. This operation was still a failure. Fortunately, the basic goal had already been helped to be completed by Kyohiko.
"I wonder if Kyohiko can bring Shukaku back to the village directly. I hope Rasa is sensible!"
This strange ability of Obito's, even he didn't dare to say he could steadily take him down. Rasa… needless to say. Besides, it's not the thief you're afraid of, but the thief who's always thinking about you. The current Sunagakure did not have the ability to protect a Tailed Beast!
***
In Konoha, Tsunade paced back and forth. She looked at Minato.
"Did Jiraiya really say that?"
Namikaze Minato said.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. Also, sensei's meaning is that Amegakure is also a very important force for Konoha. If we can win them over, we definitely should…"
Tsunade nodded repeatedly.
"I know, of course I understand!"
She took a deep breath. How could she not know the importance of Amegakure? As the buffer zone between the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Wind, Amegakure was the central buffer zone for the three great nations, but at the same time, it was also each other's gateway. This place was too important! It was precisely because of this that she felt Jiraiya's current actions were too radical and might have been influenced by those three children.
Of course, the more crucial thing was—what exactly was the situation with Kyohiko now? There was still no feedback from him to the village. What was the situation on Sunagakure's side? Tsunade couldn't calm down.
But Minato's thoughts were exceptionally calm.
"Hokage-sama, with Kyohiko on Shukaku's side, there will definitely be no problem. What we need to do is to look after Kushina and ensure that there are no problems internally."
"Mm, but Takigakure's side also needs a response."
Tsunade had a splitting headache.
They had officially received feedback—the leader of Takigakure had been killed. Kakuzu and Kurosuki Raiga had left Takigakure with the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. Regardless of whether those two were injured, the enemy's strength had indeed been greatly enhanced. Now, Nara Shikaku was in the distant Land of Snow. For Takigakure's request for help… originally, Jiraiya would have been the most suitable, but now it was clearly impossible.
"Send an elite squad to assist in the protection and construction of Takigakure. List Kakuzu and Kurosuki Raiga as Konoha's wanted criminals…"