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Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Shukaku and Gaara, The Invasion Begins

Chapter 216: Shukaku and Gaara, The Invasion Begins

Karura was taken aback by Shukaku's sudden shift in demeanor, but Gaara was instantly captivated by the small, arrogant sand tanuki. The terror he had once associated with the beast vanished in an instant.

"Lord Genichi said you would be my teacher," Gaara said, looking at the creature on his shoulder. "Can you teach me how to beat him?"

Shukaku leaped to the floor, crossed its front paws, and puffed out its chest. "Kid, do you have any idea how strong that 'Lord Genichi' of yours is?"

"My mother says he's the strongest shinobi in the world."

"As much as I hate to admit it," Shukaku huffed, "Lord Genichi could take on nine of me at once! And I'm the strongest of the nine Tailed Beasts! I can teach you to be strong, kid. But the strongest isn't something you can be taught. You have to earn it yourself. So, you still want me to teach you?"

"Yes," Gaara said with a firm nod. "I think you're right."

"Good answer," Shukaku said, pleased. He then turned to Karura. "Alright, woman, you can go now. Class is in session."

Seeing that the Tailed Beast was no longer a terrifying monster, Karura felt a wave of relief. "Then I leave Gaara in your care, Lord Shukaku," she said with a respectful bow.

The honorific pleased Shukaku immensely, and in a moment of magnanimity, he permitted her to stay and observe.

Hokage's Office

"Fools! All of them!" Tsunade fumed, slamming the stack of replies from the other villages onto her desk. "Short-sighted fools, only concerned with their own immediate interests!"

And so the great powers fall, Genichi thought with a private, cynical smile. "There's no need to be angry," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "We expected this, didn't we?"

"If we were in their position, it would be a difficult decision for us as well," Shizune added gently. "We've provided intelligence, but from their perspective, it's all highly suspect."

"As the saying goes," Genichi chimed in, "'You can't make a man cry until he sees his own coffin.'"

"It seems we'll be facing Madara on our own for the foreseeable future," Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"After they fail to capture the Nine-Tails, they will shift their focus," Genichi predicted. "The other villages will regret today's decision. To be honest, I'm almost looking forward to seeing Nagato unleash an Almighty Push on the Hidden Stone, Cloud, and Mist."

"But if they succeed in capturing the other Tailed Beasts, it will be a disaster for us," Tsunade said, her brow furrowed with worry.

"There's nothing we can do to stop them without starting a war ourselves," Genichi pointed out. "Don't trouble yourselves with a future you can't control. The present is what matters. As long as we protect the One-Tails and the Nine-Tails, they cannot complete their plan." He had his own reasons for allowing this to play out. He needed Black Zetsu to succeed in reviving Kaguya, but on his own terms, when he was ready.

"I suppose you're right," Tsunade conceded.

The next morning, the Suna protection squad for the jinchuriki arrived in Konoha. By two in the afternoon, the moment they had all been dreading arrived.

Ina burst into the office. "Lady Hokage! The Sensory Unit has detected Uchiha Tekka's chakra on the border of the Land of Fire!"

Tsunade shot to her feet. "Initiate the plan! Notify everyone!"

The village moved with practiced efficiency. The entire civilian population, along with the genin and most of the chunin, were calmly and orderly evacuated to the underground shelters. On rooftops and telephone poles, the jonin of Konoha took their positions, a silent, grim-faced army.

On the roof of the Hokage Tower, Tsunade, Hiruzen, Minato, Sakumo, and Jiraiya stood ready. Tsunade summoned Katsuyu, who divided herself into countless smaller slugs, spreading out to each jonin squad to act as a communication and healing network.

"The rest is in your hands," Tsunade said to the four men. Minato gave the signal, and in a yellow flash, they were gone, teleporting to their designated positions at the village's perimeter.

And high above them all, on the very peak of the Hokage Tower, Genichi stood alone, drawing the natural energy of the world into his body, preparing for the storm to come.

"They're here," he said, opening his eyes.

West of Konoha

Madara and his forces came to a halt as Genichi appeared before them.

"Only you?" Madara asked, an amused glint in his eye.

"Am I not the one you're after, Madara?" Genichi replied coolly.

"Our goal also includes the One-Tails," Nagato stated. "I assume he's in your shelters?"

Genichi looked at Nagato. The years had been kind to him; the Hashirama cells had kept him from becoming the emaciated figure he might have been. "So, Nagato, you've made your decision."

"I have," Nagato confirmed. "I will not hold back."

"Good," Genichi said with a nod. "Once you choose a path, you must walk it to the end. I support you in that. But I won't show you any mercy when I kill you."

"You seem rather confident," Madara commented.

"I am," Genichi said with a smile. "I hope you're stronger than the last time we met. Otherwise, I'll be very disappointed."

"We'll see if you're still smiling later," Madara retorted.

Genichi then turned back to Nagato. "By the way, Nagato, did you know? The Rinnegan you possess originally belonged to Madara."

"Kinoshita Genichi!" Tekka snarled. "Stop trying to sow discord with your pathetic mind games. What could you possibly know of the Rinnegan's secrets? You may have the Flying Thunder God Technique, but Konoha will be erased from the map today. You will watch as your family and friends die—a fitting punishment for your defiance of the Uchiha!"

Genichi just laughed. "Tekka, let me ask you something. You know that Danzō has been collecting Sharingan from your clansmen. You've had the Mangekyō and the First's cells for years. You've had the power to kill him a hundred times over. So why haven't you?"

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