Outpost Eight lay just beyond Outpost Seven. At that moment, several figures darted swiftly through the forest, slipping past the barrier of Outpost Seven in the instant it shifted.
"Big Brother, we've already crossed Konoha's sensory barrier."
The Fourth Raikage gave a curt nod and instructed, "Our goal is to capture the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and use her to force Konoha into trading Byakugan and Sharingan. Remember, she's the Fourth Hokage's wife. Do not kill her."
Yugito, walking alongside, said calmly, "B and I are both perfect jinchūriki. Two against one, it won't be a problem."
Killer Bee shook his head slightly. "No. Gyuki told me not to underestimate the Nine-Tails' power. Although Gyuki never admits that tailed beasts' strength is determined by the number of tails, the Nine-Tails is truly formidable."
The Fourth Raikage's expression turned grave. "Even though you are both perfect jinchuriki, you must not let your guard down."
With that warning, the group raced through the forest.
As for Atsui, who had begged to be brought along earlier, how could they possibly let someone of his level join this battlefield? He'd be used elsewhere, in the diversion attacks against three of Konoha's other outposts.
At Outpost Eight, Kushina, who had maintained vigilance for these past eight months, rose to her feet with a small smile.
She turned to the messenger toad beside her. "Please inform Minato. The Cloud's plan to target me has begun. It's time to close the net."
"Understood!"
The toad flashed an "OK" hand sign before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Through reverse summoning, less than ten breaths later, Minato appeared with Uchiha Yun, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and Jiraiya at his side.
"Kushina, so the Cloud finally made their move?"
Kushina nodded with a faint grin. "With my sensory abilities, the moment their presence crossed Outpost Seven, I could feel it."
Minato's gaze was steady. "I originally thought they'd break within a month, but because Konoha withdrew many ninja, the Cloud mirrored that move. That in turn made the other three Great Villages hold back their ambitions, dragging the war out this long. But… it seems they couldn't wait any longer."
Jiraiya, looking toward the distant forest, said, "Minato, two perfect jinchuriki and the Fourth Raikage, should we try to capture all of them?"
He then glanced at the three Uchiha present. With the power of their three Mangekyō Sharingan, overwhelming the three incoming Kumogakure elites wouldn't be a problem.
But what would happen afterward?
With Konoha's current strength, they could indeed push all the way to Kumogakure. Once the Raikage and the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchuriki fell into their trap, Kumogakure's remaining forces would be no match.
However... if Konoha's power proved overwhelming, the destruction of Kumogakure would mark the beginning of Konoha being besieged by the other villages.
Minato understood the implication behind Jiraiya's words. After a moment's thought, he said, "The Fourth Raikage is incredibly fast. It's been years since we last met, and he may be even faster now. We might not be able to capture all of them."
"But to make Kumogakure suffer enough to surrender! Among the three who entered the trap, we'll let one escape."
Shisui thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps Yun and I can handle the Raikage. My genjutsu and Yun's unique abilities could counter him effectively."
"If the Fourth Raikage dies and one person escapes to report Konoha's strength to Kumogakure, they will have no choice but to but to concede if they wish to survive."
Jiraiya nodded, then turned to Minato. "Before coming, I already ordered Shikaku and the others to hold the diversionary attacks. What happens next… depends on us."
As he finished speaking, Kushina looked toward the distant forest. "They're here! And they're fast!"
Minato nodded.
"Scatter."
In an instant, the five of them dispersed and concealed themselves in the surroundings.
Three figures soon arrived. Inside B's mind, Gyūki's voice rumbled urgently: "B. Something's wrong."
B looked toward the outpost. The barrier at Outpost Eight had already Bn triggered, they needed to end this quickly. "What do you sense?"
"Chakra. Cold, sinister chakra. The same as that Uchiha brat's. I can feel it here."
B looked at the Raikage. "Big Brother, Uchiha Yun might be here."
The Fourth Raikage scoffed. "That Uchiha brat? If he's here, we'll eliminate him. The Nine-Tails jinchuriki must be captured alive."
"Yes!"
B and Yugito answered as the outline of Outpost Eight came into view.
"B!"
At the Raikage's shout, B instantly cloaked himself in a tailed-beast shroud. A Tailed Beast Bomb formed and blasted toward the traps surrounding the outpost.
Boom!
The deafening explosion obliterated every trap in the area. Kushina, who had Bn alone, stepped out calmly.
"So it seems the Cloud has no intention of stopping this war."
The Raikage stepped forward. "Kumogakure's demand has always been the same: hand over Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Yun, the ones who killed our ninjas. If you surrender them, the war will end."
Kushina frowned and shook her head. "You know very well how it all started. There's no point in arguing. But Kumogakure's provocations will only lead to your own destruction."
Seeing Kushina's complete lack of concern, the Raikage frowned. "Where is that Uchiha Yun brat? Bee sensed him earlier. Is he your reliance?"
"Heh heh..."
A sudden chuckle broke out.
Yun emerged from the forest, landing with a swift Body Flicker. "I'm honored to be remembered by the Fourth Raikage. But starting today, Kumogakure might need to begin preparations for selecting the Fifth Raikage."
The mocking words stoked the Raikage's fury, but even he sensed something wrong.
The surrounding forest… shadows lingered. 'Were there more Konoha shinobi hidden here?'
Just then, a tentacle silently crept from the ground and coiled around the Raikage.
The two brothers exchanged a look, and in each other's eyes, they both saw caution.
In B's mind, Gyūki roared frantically: "B! Run! That Uchiha brat's eyes, they've grown beyond what they were before! And my senses tell me, we're already surrounded!"
"Run, B!"
B adjusted his sunglasses and answered calmly in thought, "In this situation, even if I use a tentacle to escape, only I'd make it back. You already know what my choice is."
The eight tails voice faded into silence, and B raised his guard, chakra flaring, wary of the shadows pressing in from every side.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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