Have Any of You Considered the Three-Tails' Opinion?

'Ding-dong—'

The doorbell rang softly. Hinata stood at the door with her arms crossed and waited for a moment. The wooden door was pushed open from the inside, and Naruto appeared with a messy head of hair, sleepy eyes, and a steaming bowl of instant noodles in his hands.

"Hi--"

"Hey you! Why are you eating this as soon as you wake up?"

"Hinata, didn't we have no mission today? Why are you here so early... Is something the matter?"

"... It's already noon!"

Two days have passed since Naruto mastered the Rasenshuriken. The new technique is very powerful, but for Naruto, whose Chakra control is not strong, the Rasenshuriken is still a forbidden technique.

The Rasenshuriken, which cannot be thrown, is like the Seven-Injury Fist, which can injure the enemy but also the user.

Hinata, standing on tiptoe with a hint of displeasure on her face, said, "Let's not talk about this now. Go wash your face and change your clothes. I'll wait for you here."

Naruto, somewhat excited upon hearing this, blurted out, "Huh? Is it a date?"

"Fool!"

Hinata angrily retorted, "It's Lady Tsunade wants to see us!"

The Hokage Building.

"So slow!"

Tsunade stood by the window, arms crossed, Jiraiya to complain, "Why are you so slow! What's going on!"

'Squeak--'

The office door opened, and Hinata and Naruto walked in side by side. "Eh? The Pervy Sage is here too?"

Jiraiya and said, "It's been a while, Naruto."

Hinata exhaled and asked in confusion, "Uh, did you call us here for some kind of mission?"

"Yes!"

Tsunade turned around, her tone grave, and said, "According to our latest intelligence, the location of the Three-Tails has been found, and..."

"This time, it wasn't just Akatsuki that took action; someone also saw Sasuke in that area."

Naruto paused for a moment upon hearing this, then murmured, "Sasuke..."

Jiraiya chimed in, "No doubt about it, this time the intelligence source is very reliable!"

Tsunade continued, "Sasuke's goal is to take revenge on Itachi Uchiha. If Sasuke is there, it means that Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki are the ones behind this Akatsuki operation!"

"Why?"

Hinata scratched her head, feeling like something was off.

In fact, Hinata knew this information earlier than Tsunade; Akatsuki had sent Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki to capture the Three-Tails. Sasuke also received Itachi's information and appeared near the area where the Three-Tails was active.

The Akatsuki is determined to obtain the Tailed Beasts.

Based on a comparison of their apparent strength, the Akatsuki has a very low probability of obtaining the Three-Tails. Especially since the Three-Tails -Three-Tails is still in its wild state, taking it away will not be easy.

Furthermore, Hinata has already informed Black Zetsu, and Konoha has been investigating the Three-Tails' whereabouts, so they may also participate in the battle for the Three-Tails.

Konoha's participation in the war means Hinata's participation; with only Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki... they'd be more likely to die.

"What's wrong, Hinata?"

Seeing Hinata seemingly lost in thought, Tsunade asked curiously, "What are you thinking about?"

"No"

Hinata shook her head, then asked, "What should we do with the Three-Tails?"

"Although the Three-Tails was originally the Tailed Beasts of Kirigakure, and the Jinchuriki can increase the village's fighting strength, Kirigakure should have a hard time protecting the Three-Tails, right?"

"Unless..."

From Konoha's perspective, since the Three-Tails currently in a wild state, the best way to deal with it is to kill Three-Tails.

If the Three-Tails dies, Akatsuki's plans will be delayed for at least a decade.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, and Tsunade said in a serious tone, "I know what you mean. That was our original plan too..."

"However, Kirigakure does not agree with this."

Hinata asked in surprise, "Is Kirigakure also going to participate in the battle for the Three-Tails?"

"Kindness!"

Tsunade nodded and said, "The Kirigakure shares the same goal as us, both regarding Akatsuki as a formidable enemy. As for information about Akatsuki... we are currently sharing it!"

After a pause, Tsunade frowned and said, "For a ninja village, many things cannot be decided by a single Kage."

"Some ninja within Kirigakure believe that in this chaotic world, the Three-Tails can increase the Kirigakure's strength and better protect it..."

Hinata pouted. "Fine!"

If that's the case, then it's certain that the Three-Tails will fall into the hands of the Akatsuki.

The situation in Kirigakure is only slightly better than that in Sunagakure, with Mei Terumi Mei Terumi only ninja capable of holding the line. Kirigakure also suffered some losses in last year's 'Impure World Reincarnation' battle, and even Ao died at Orochimaru's hands.

After thinking for a moment, Hinata continued, "What about Konoha? Will we assist Kirigakure in capturing the Three-Tails?"

Tsunade nodded and said, "In order to stabilize the international situation, Konoha has no choice but to assist Kirigakure."

Have you considered the Three-Tails' opinion?

Hinata felt much more at ease after hearing Tsunade's words.

Now that the Three-Tails is fine, the most important thing for Hinata right now is to help Sasuke awaken the Mangekyo.

"I understand. When do we leave?" Hinata asked.

Tsunade said loudly, "There's no time to lose. Go back and prepare immediately. Meet at the Konoha Gate in an hour."

Hinata hesitated, "Uh... just Naruto and me?"

"Me too!"

Jiraiya coughed lightly and said, "This matter is of great importance. The Akatsuki's operation may not be so simple, so I will go with you."

"Very good!"

Naruto clenched his fists and said excitedly, "With the Pervy Sage by my side, this mission will definitely be a success!"

Back at the Hyuga residence, Hinata packed her ninja equipment, activated her Tenseigan, and connected to the Artificial Satellite's visual sharing to locate Itachi Uchiha.

Kisame wasn't beside her, Hinata quickly said, "Brother Itachi, Konoha has sent me, Jiraiya, and Naruto to assist Kirigakure in capturing the Three-Tails. What does your Akatsuki to do?"

"Is that so?"

Itachi Uchiha calmly said, "Akatsuki only sent me and Kisame..."

After a pause, Itachi Uchiha asked with some suspicion, "But Akatsuki already knew that Konoha was investigating the Three-Tails... and once Konoha discovered the Three-Tails' whereabouts, Konoha would definitely send you to take action!"

"It is absolutely unwise to try to seize Tailed Beasts head-on!"

Hinata hesitated for a moment, then guessed, "Brother Itachi, I just heard the Fifth Hokage say that Kirigakure plans to reseal the Three-Tails... That masked guy once used the Sharingan to control the Fourth Mizukage, so perhaps he still has some influence left in Kirigakure."

Upon hearing this, Itachi Uchiha said in a deep voice, "That's possible!"

"Moreover, given the current international situation, Konoha simply cannot refuse Kirigakure's proposal."

Hinata felt slightly relieved upon hearing this, and then said, "There's one more thing... Itachi-nii, I heard that Sasuke also appeared near the Three-Tails. Are you... ready?"