Chapter 277: The Five Kage Summit!
The sun set, and darkness enveloped the land like a curtain.
In a cave within the Land of Rice, protected by a barrier.
The body of Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, slowly descended from the air. The extraction and sealing of the Seven-Tails had finally been completed.
"Disperse, and be wary of Konoha and the Cloud Ninja!"
Deva Path Pain said, then dispelled the summoning of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
"Deidara, hurry and escape! The people who came this time are no simple foes. You were instantly defeated just now!" Tobi mumbled.
Deidara, frustrated, retorted, "That was me being careless, and besides, that was only thirty percent of my chakra!"
"Hmph, don't let me encounter that woman again, or I'll definitely show her the art of explosion!"
Orochimaru chuckled, "Your chance has come."
"They've already found this place!"
As he spoke, he grabbed Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, from the ground and leaped outward. Uka followed closely behind.
They were a team now!
Outside the cave, in the dense forest.
Neji and Hinata, who were investigating with their Byakugan, locked onto Orochimaru and Uka almost simultaneously.
"They're over there!"
"It's Orochimaru and one of the Tenshin Group, along with the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki," Neji and Hinata exclaimed in unison.
Yūhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Shinya immediately ordered an interception, while also instructing Yamanaka Ino to relay a message to the Cloud Ninja still searching elsewhere.
Two squads pursued, only to be met by Edo Tensei users blocking their path.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the Third Kazekage, and the Fourth Kazekage.
"Leave them to me!"
Yūhi Kurenai immediately used Dream Space, pulling the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into a dream.
However, Orochimaru, being separated by a layer, did not fall into the dream.
But Orochimaru temporarily lost control of the Third and Fourth Kazekage, and the two Kazekage immediately regained their freedom.
"That bastard Orochimaru!" the Fourth Kazekage snorted. He glanced at Yūhi Kurenai and asked, "What's going on here?"
"It's a long story, I'm afraid," Yūhi Kurenai said briefly. "The Akatsuki Organization is collecting Tailed Beasts. Their objective is unclear, but they currently possess seven Tailed Beasts."
"Ambitious individuals raised by Konoha!" the Fourth Kazekage scoffed, then added, "Third, let's deal with that bastard Orochimaru first!"
The Third Kazekage nodded, and the two of them left.
Yūhi Kurenai frowned but didn't say anything.
Meanwhile.
Uchiha Itachi, along with Anbu ninja, intercepted Deidara and Tobi.
Kakuzu and Kisame were intercepted by Might Gai's squad and Cloud Ninja. Without any pleasantries, a fierce battle broke out.
Uchiha Itachi faced Deidara.
The Anbu ninja were toyed with by Tobi.
Might Gai and Rock Lee confronted Kisame, while Tenten, Neji, along with Darui and C, leading the Cloud Ninja, dealt with Kakuzu.
Kakuzu unleashed a large-scale ninjutsu barrage from the start, turning the dense forest into barren, scorched earth, causing Neji and the others to be in a rather sorry state for a time.
Mastering five types of ninjutsu, all at Kage-level, even holding back, he momentarily left Neji and the others helpless.
Especially since Tenten's flying swords had been used once before, Kakuzu was naturally on guard this time and wouldn't be instantly defeated, lest his holding back be too obvious.
However, Kakuzu's information had already been thoroughly gathered.
Neji's Byakugan control, Tenten's ninja tools, especially the surprise attacks from her spiritual tools, coupled with the assistance of many Cloud Ninja.
The mask monsters were gradually eliminated.
This was an encirclement and kill operation. For Kakuzu, it was also a good opportunity to retreat.
On the other side.
Even without Samehada, Kisame's strength remained formidable. He used Water Style to create terrain advantageous to him.
Unfortunately, he had run into his destined nemesis.
Might Gai, with his proud disciple Rock Lee, activated the Sixth Gate once more. With Morning Peacock, they shattered Kisame's ninjutsu, leaving him heavily wounded.
And almost simultaneously.
On the other side, Kakuzu was pierced through his final heart by Tenten's sword, completely taken out of the fight.
With no time to clean up, Might Duy and the others immediately split into two groups. One group went to support Uchiha Itachi.
The battle there was fierce, with constant rumbling.
The other group pursued the direction Orochimaru had fled, as the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki was still in his possession.
After Might Gai and the others departed, Kakuzu, who had appeared to be dead, suddenly opened his eyes.
The wound on his chest rapidly healed.
"These brats really know how to hit hard," Kakuzu chuckled, then got up and went to Kisame's side.
He wasn't completely dead yet.
After slightly healing Kisame's injuries, Kakuzu grabbed him, and they vanished.
On the other side.
With the arrival of reinforcements, Tobi and Deidara retreated.
As for Orochimaru.
The Third Kazekage and Fourth Kazekage caught up to Orochimaru, but in the blink of an eye, Orochimaru regained control of them.
Without Kurenai Yūhi's genjutsu, Shinya Sarutobi couldn't do anything about the Impure World Reincarnation.
He could only watch Orochimaru retreat.
However, before Orochimaru could celebrate, he was struck from behind by Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki, who took the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki Fu.
By the time Kurenai Yūhi and the others arrived after sealing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Orochimaru had already fled and disappeared without a trace.
The great battle thus concluded.
On the Akatsuki Organization's side, Kakuzu and Kisame were taken out, and Orochimaru lost the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Konoha suffered no damage.
Two Cloud Ninja died when facing Kakuzu.
As for the Stone Ninja, Mist Ninja, and Sand Ninja, they hadn't had a chance to participate in this battle.
Asuma Sarutobi wasn't paying attention to this battle, and unusually, without his wife and child to keep him company, he was at the experimental base with his clones and Senju Tobirama, researching the Seven-Tails' chakra.
At this moment.
He had already gathered the power of the Nine Great Tailed Beasts.
In fact, the other Tailed Beasts had been largely researched and analyzed.
The clone of the Ten-Tails was brought before him.
...
And with the failure to protect the Seven-Tails, communication between the Five Great Shinobi Villages became more frequent, but the entire Ninja World suddenly seemed rather peaceful.
The Feudal Lord's Mansion in the Land of Fire.
The Daimyo's Palace.
"Sage!"
Kakashi suddenly appeared beside Rin Nohara. "There's a new order from the village, telling you to return immediately."
"Huh?"
Rin Nohara was taken aback and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Kakashi replied, "We don't know yet, but the Seven-Tails has been captured by the Akatsuki Organization. Currently, only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails remain. The war should begin soon!"
"I understand, I'll leave right away!"
Rin Nohara nodded, but after taking a few steps, she paused and said, "Kakashi, be careful!"
Kakashi nodded slightly. "Yes, you too."
Upon hearing this, Rin Nohara immediately leaped away, quickly disappearing from Kakashi's sight.
After a long while, Kōta Uchiha suddenly appeared beside Kakashi. "Hey, she's gone!"
Kakashi snapped back to attention and casually asked, "How's the training going?"
Kōta Uchiha replied, "Good!"
"Many of them already possess chakra, and Asuma's disciple is incredibly powerful. Those samurai have been completely conquered by him."
Kakashi nodded. "Maintain vigilance. War could break out at any moment!"
Upon hearing this, Kōta Uchiha's eyes immediately lit up with fervor. "Is it finally going to start?"
In Konoha year 61, December 8th, the Five Great Shinobi Villages officially decided to hold the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron, with the date set for three days later.
Pulled from the experimental base, Sarutobi Asuma couldn't help but shake his head after hearing the various news, muttering, "This is too slow!"
"It's because everyone's heart isn't in the same place."
Namikaze Minato, however, was quite satisfied. "But ultimately, we've reached this point," he said. "Asuma, you'll come with me."
Sarutobi Asuma considered it, then shook his head and refused. "I'll pass. The research has reached a critical juncture, and it's important for me, and for the entire Ninja World."
Namikaze Minato said helplessly, "Alright then, I'll bring Shisui."
That day.
Namikaze Minato, accompanied by Uchiha Shisui, Shiranui Genma, Namashi Raidō, and Tada Iwashii as guards, departed for the Land of Iron.
Almost simultaneously.
The Kage from the other four Great Shinobi Villages also set off for the Land of Iron.
In the Land of Rain, within a tall tower.
The remaining members of the Akatsuki Organization gathered via projection.
"The Five Kage have departed for the Land of Iron. This is the best opportunity to capture the Eight-Tails!" Zetsu said.
The Deva Path Pain turned to Uka. "Uka, you and Deidara will be responsible for the Eight-Tails!"
"There's no problem with that, of course," Uka nodded.
Deidara pouted. "Why isn't Tobi with me?"
"Even though Tobi is quite useless."
Tobi quickly protested, "Hey, hey, Deidara, if you say that, I'll be very sad!"
The Deva Path Pain raised his hand. "Tobi has another mission!"
Uka and Deidara disappeared.
The Deva Path Pain looked at Orochimaru. "From now on, focus all efforts on cultivating White Zetsu!"
"There's no problem with that," Orochimaru said with a light laugh.
Afterward, Orochimaru went offline.
Finally, the Deva Path Pain looked at Uchiha Obito. "Madara, we can declare war on the Five Great Shinobi Villages!"
Uchiha Obito asked, "When do you plan to make a move on the Nine-Tails?"
The Deva Path Pain replied calmly, "Sarutobi Asuma didn't leave Konoha as we envisioned. Even I'm not confident I can take the Nine-Tails from him."
"The best way is after the great war has begun!"
"Besides, we have a backup plan, don't we?"
Uchiha Obito nodded slightly, then went offline with Zetsu.
In the Land of Fire.
Above the Valley of the End.
Uchiha Obito finished his conversation with Nagato. Zetsu, standing beside him, opened his mouth. "It seems Nagato doesn't intend to personally capture the Nine-Tails!"
"Moreover, he has never fully trusted us."
Uchiha Obito stated, "Even if we can't get the Nine-Tails for now, reviving Uchiha Madara won't be a problem."
"But clearly, Nagato won't do that."
Zetsu smiled. "Madara certainly wouldn't leave without a contingency. By then, he might not have a choice."
Uchiha Obito nodded slightly. "That's for the best!"
...
Two days later.
Uka and Deidara arrived outside Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning.
Deidara stayed high in the sky, while Uka easily infiltrated Kumogakure and obtained the location of the Eight-Tails.
Cloudy Thunder Gorge!
When the two arrived, Killer B happened to be emerging from his seclusion, walking with a swagger.
"Hm?"
"An Akatsuki member!"
Killer B recognized them at a glance.
After all, that outfit was too conspicuous.
"To think you found this place, you idiots from the Akatsuki Organization, I really have to hand it to you!"
Killer B sang as he stepped forward.
"This guy... is he really a monster?!"
Deidara's face twitched upon hearing Killer B's strange singing.
"Hey, you two, get out of here before I get angry, you idiots, you jerks!"
Killer B stopped and pointed at the two in the air.
"What an awful voice!"
Deidara retorted, "Also, we're here to capture you. If you know what's good for you, you'll surrender immediately!"
"You should have heard of our reputation. We've already dealt with the previous seven Jinchuriki."
Killer B got angry, "I am the number one rapper in the Ninja World! You jerks who don't understand art are idiots!"
"And I'm not just any Jinchuriki. You'd best be prepared to die, you idiots, you jerks!"
Art?
Was this bizarre thing considered art?
Deidara felt insulted. He reached into his pouch, and two clay birds shot out as he spread his palms. "Explosions are art, you jerk!"
On the ground, Killer B's gaze sharpened as he watched the two white birds shoot towards him like arrows from a bow.
He instinctively felt danger.
Clang!
Suddenly, Killer B drew his sword and bisected the two white birds.
But the two halved birds transformed into four, and Killer B immediately retreated.
In the air, Deidara smiled. "Ka!"
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The four birds exploded, kicking up dust and smoke.
Killer B emerged from the smoke somewhat disheveled and landed. He looked up at Deidara in the air and thought, Explosion Release, this guy is that rogue disciple of the Third Tsuchikage!
At that moment, Deidara attacked again.
"Hmph, you underestimate me too much, you jerk, you idiot!"
Killer B moved his right hand, and with a swish, electricity appeared.
He was a ninja skilled in Lightning Style, and Lightning Style happened to be the counter to Earth Style!
Then, amidst a brilliant flash, arcs of electricity shot outwards.
The incoming clay birds were immediately pierced by the lightning, losing their explosive capability.
On the large white bird, Uka chuckled and asked, "Deidara, do you need my help?"
Deidara snorted, "No!"
"I want to show this clueless guy the art of explosion!"
Uka nodded slightly. "In that case, I'll step aside and not get in your way!"
With that, he leaped off the large bird and went to watch from the side.
Deidara stared at Killer B below, contemplating a countermeasure.
A Lightning Style ninja was precisely the counter to his abilities.
However, even if he was countered, he wasn't without options.
A smile spread across Deidara's face, and he created a mass of clay grasshoppers, scattering them around Killer B.
These grasshoppers were small, incredibly bouncy, and extremely agile. With their sheer numbers, he believed they could entangle Killer B.
After this move, he then created a giant dragon.
The dragon spewed explosive clay from the air, trapping Killer B from both above and below, leaving him with no escape.
However.
Before the giant dragon created by Deidara could even act, Killer B below flicked a pencil, piercing the dragon.
But this pencil was no ordinary object; it was imbued with extremely powerful Lightning Chakra. The moment it pierced the dragon, the electricity rendered the dragon completely unable to explode.
All the explosive clay it spat out became duds.
On the ground, Killer B drew his seven swords, lightning covering his entire body. With exquisite and high-speed sword techniques, he dealt with each grasshopper one by one.
In the air, Deidara's expression turned grim. He then took a lump of explosive tag clay, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and spat it out, revealing a puppet identical to himself.
This puppet fell from the air and rapidly expanded.
"Bee, the situation is not good!"
Inside Killer B, the Eight-Tails reminded him.
"Got it!"
Killer B raised his hand, about to throw the sword he was holding.
But the falling puppet exploded with a boom first!
Instantly, the platform Killer B was on was blown to pieces, rocks flying into the water.
In the air, Deidara looked at the billowing dust below, his expression excited.
He knew he hadn't killed Killer B with that last explosion, but that explosion wasn't the killing blow.
As expected.
As the dust cleared, Deidara saw Killer B emerge from the water.
In the water, Killer B looked up at Deidara and thought, This guy is really troublesome. Fine, no need to waste time with them here.
Just as he was about to escape from the water, the Eight-Tails inside him suddenly shouted, "Bee, don't breathe!"
Killer B froze.
The Eight-Tails quickly explained, "That explosion just now was just a setup. That puppet had a large number of extremely small explosive spiders that are invisible to the naked eye. After spreading through the air, they entered your body when you breathed."
Hearing this, Killer B broke out in a cold sweat.
He hadn't felt anything at all.
If it weren't for the Eight-Tails inside him…
In the air, Deidara held up one hand, "You're dead this time, ka!"
However.
The explosion he expected didn't happen.
Deidara's expression changed, "How is this possible?"
"Did that guy see through it?"
And at that moment, Killer B in the water revealed the Eight-Tails' true form.
"I'm going to finish you off in one go, idiot, jerk!"
Shouting loudly, Killer B opened his mouth, and his chakra began to converge at high speed, forming a Tailed Beast Bomb rapidly.
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