Keep Living

After returning to the village, Shinji first used Naobi to contact Yakumo. That night, he slipped into the Main Family mansion of the Kurama Clan and made his way to Yakumo's room.

Yakumo, who had been waiting for him for a long time, hurried over to greet him. "My lord!"

"Mm!"

Shinji nodded and stepped into Yakumo's bedroom.

"My lord, members of Dark Dawn attacked Iwagakure and abducted two of its Jinchuriki. I followed the village's shinobi forces to support them and fought Dark Dawn several times. I was afraid my identity would be exposed, so I couldn't rescue the two Jinchuriki from Iwagakure. Please punish me!"

With an apologetic expression, Yakumo reported to Shinji about Konoha's earlier mission to rescue Iwagakure.

"This wasn't your fault," Shinji said.

Yakumo hurriedly asked, "My lord, when will we strike back and take the Four-Tails and Five-Tails from Dark Dawn?"

"We won't be making a move for now."

Shinji shook his head.

He had considered taking the Tailed Beasts, but after weighing the matter carefully, he decided there was no need to get involved.

First, Nagato had the Ten-Tails' husk, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Second, taking the Tailed Beasts would inevitably mean fighting the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

So instead of fighting the Five Great Shinobi Villages for the Nine Tailed Beasts and the Akatsuki Organization for the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, it was better to sit back and watch the two sides fight, leaving the thankless task to the Akatsuki Organization.

Shinji's answer left Yakumo baffled. "My lord, are we really going to stand by and watch Dark Dawn gather the Tailed Beasts?"

After hesitating for a moment, Shinji laid his cards on the table. "Yes."

Yakumo looked utterly confused. "Why?!"

Shinji looked straight into Yakumo's eyes.