In early May of Konoha Year 54, in Dodai of the Land of Lightning Kumogakure, who had just returned to the village, was forced to convene another Jonin meeting.
The war seems to be spiraling out of control, fueling more hatred and leading to a flourishing of militant factions in the village.
A few days ago, the Fourth Raikage had planned to compromise and stop the fighting, but several Jonin jointly submitted a proposal, which allowed the war to continue.
With the Tailed Beast involved in the battle, Kumogakure performed the best, but casualties continued to rise, and the Tailed Beast were captured again. Shidai hoped to gain the village's support to bring the battle back to the negotiating table.
Inside the Raikage Building, Dodai discreetly expressed his stance. Some of the summoned Jonin all indicated their willingness to cease hostilities, until a dark-skinned, middle-aged Jonin spoke up, "Lord Dodai, if we sign a ceasefire agreement now, what will happen to the Land of Land of Hot Water, besides reclaiming the Land of Frost?"
" The Konoha Ninja are clearly at a disadvantage. We've already broken their Flying Thunder God, so why should we compromise?"
" The Kumogakure Ninja fear no death!"
Dodai noticed the color of the speaker's lips and immediately knew that the person was related to the Raikage's lineage. He wanted to say a few more words of persuasion, but more and more people stood up and spoke up, "We will not back down! Unless the Konoha Ninja are willing to give up the Land of Hot Water."
"The commission market also needs to be redefined; we are the victors!"
" Lord Raikage will not compromise. We are willing to continue the war until true victory arrives."
Dodai was so angry he almost smashed his hat on the spot. The way the information about Flying Thunder God was obtained was suspicious, and he had suspected it back then.
Although Perfect Jinchuriki can easily use the Tailed Beast Bomb, according to his observation, the Eight-Tails also has a resistance to pure killing.
"Quiet!"
Hearing Dodai's loud reminder, the room quieted down. The Jonin Division had split into two factions, with the fighting faction still holding the upper hand.
" Lord Raikage will naturally be fine, but Killer B has been using the power of the Tailed Beast frequently for over two years, and his body has reached its limit."
"If we want to continue fighting, we may face a situation where we have no Tailed Beast support."
"So it really was the Yugito Nii that dragged us down?"
" Dodai, what should we do about the Two-Tails Jinchuriki? Will the Konoha Ninja really extract the Tailed Beast?"
"If a ceasefire agreement is signed, are the Konoha Ninja willing to return the Tailed Beast?"
Another group of Jonin seized the Dodai, loudly asking questions. Tsuchida, witnessing this, sighed helplessly and then reminded them again, "Your problems can only be resolved at the negotiating table."
" Lord Raikage also does not wish for casualties to continue to increase."
Even if some of the Kumogakure's Jonin wanted to agree to a ceasefire at this point, it was too late. The majority of voices advocated continuing the fight so that Kumogakure could become the victorious nation.
Besides hatred, the Kumogakure have always been envious of the treatment the Konoha Ninja receive. If they could defeat Konoha, their reputation would skyrocket, and just thinking about it is exciting.
The Jonin Division meeting ended with the replenishment of combat power. Dodai thought about the situation on the front lines and felt increasingly exhausted. As he went to the window, two girls pushed open the door and entered.
Samui, who Chunin only recently been promoted to Chunin, remained calm, quietly waiting to the side with the documents in her arms. Behind her, Mabui hesitated for a moment, then put down the documents and softly asked, "Lord Dodai, is there a problem at the front?"
"If we need more reinforcements, should we inform the magistrate? The village's budget for the second half of the year needs to be submitted."
Although both were 15 years old, the blond Samui was a bit overweight and had exceptionally fair skin. Hearing his companion's question, he immediately spoke up to remind him, " Dodai has his own decision to make; this is not something we should concern ourselves with."
" Mabui, just focus on doing your job well."
Looking nervous, Mabui immediately lowered her head. This was indeed not something a newly Chunin should be involved in. Dodai glanced at the two of them but didn't blame the enthusiastic girl. Instead, he sighed, "It's alright, Samui. The village needs a managerial ninja more."
"Since we've chosen to develop industry and Kekkei Genkai, we shouldn't let power cloud our judgment."
"If you ever have the opportunity to work alongside Lord Raikage, you must constantly remind Lord Raikage that every decision he makes has a huge impact, and you must think it through carefully."
"I'll handle the budget. Don't let your guard down even after becoming Chunin."
The two girls immediately bowed and responded loudly. Dodai, recalling the wavering Fourth Raikage and the "strange" battle situation, sat down behind the table and frowned as he flipped through the documents. "Compile the information related to the Land of Water and the Land of Rivers."
"I need an accurate figure summarizing the hiring costs we've incurred over the past two years."
"Yes, Dodai!"
Samui and Mabui responded and immediately got to work, while Dodai flipped through the intelligence scroll sent by Konoha, finally stroking his chin and muttering to himself, " The Land of Rain seems to be developing too fast. Is it because of the support from Kirigakure?"
" The Akatsuki, hired by Iwagakure, is growing larger and larger, and the village is being affected without us even realizing it."
The Kumogakure Amegakure, who is known as the "Angel." He seems to be completely subservient to Konoha and has also established good relations with Kirigakure.
Dodai felt that something was wrong. The biggest winner of this war seemed to be the Small Nations that had been developing quietly, while the casualties of the major countries' ninjas far exceeded those of the last Shinobi World War.
Silently estimating the current losses of the village, Dodai frowned, his right eye fixed on a casualty report from the past month, subconsciously muttering to himself, "Could it be that the Konoha Ninja weren't lying?"
The reason why most of the Cloud Kumogakure are so confident is mainly due to the change in the form of warfare.
The future lies in Jinchuriki "turrets." In the past, everyone feared Killer B Killer B, but now he is a hero of the village!
Shu Furukawa's spirit has been controlling the body of White Zetsu Jinchuriki, infiltrating a village covered by a sea of clouds for almost a week. He has personally experienced the changes that the Fourth Shinobi World War brought to Jinchuriki.
If nothing unexpected happens, after the war ends, the major ninja villages will devote all their efforts to researching how to use the Tailed Beast.
Ordinary ninjas are useless against "cannons," and future wars are destined to be a clash of Tailed Beast. The Kumogakure, which has mastered the Perfect Jinchuriki training, is already at the forefront.
In the dead of night, the White Zetsu Jinchuriki, wearing a mask and a black robe, emerged from the ground using the Mayfly Technique. Furukawa Kawashu's spirit had completed the exploration of the map.
We also learned the general information about the remaining barrier areas. The location of the Amber Purifying Pot was not well-defended, and since it didn't need to seal the Eight-Tails, it seemed to have been vacant for many years.
"You wicked brat, are you trying to transfer me into the Old Man's artifact?"
"You secretly instigated the war; the Old Man must have remembered you! He's been secretly protecting this world all along."
"You'd better release me, then I can put in a good word for you."
With the Sharingan no longer suppressing the Nine-Tails during the Eight Trigrams Seal, it started bragging every day again. The Great Fox has also become a bit arrogant in the past two years, frequently boasting about its experiences alongside the Sage of Six Paths.
Furukawa Kawashu's spirit manipulated his body to observe the location. After confirming the direction, he continued his journey while still buried in the earth. Hearing Nine-Tails's complaint, he casually replied, "Without your Yang Release Chakra, my body wouldn't have transformed so quickly. Don't worry, I won't put you in a bottle."
"As for the idea that the Sage of Six Paths protects the world, even a child wouldn't believe it. He's probably like a creation such as ' Death God,' becoming a kind of mechanism."
"I can sense that space; if I had powerful Space-Time Ninjutsu, opening up that space wouldn't be a problem."
"If you want to speak for me, you'll have to awaken the Sage of Six Paths, Great Fox. Can you do that?"
The Nine-Tails curled up silently in the sealed space, having almost inadvertently revealed important information. Instead of answering Shu Furukawa's question, it replied to itself, "You are indeed very powerful, but you are definitely no match for the Old Man."
" The Sage of Six Paths cannot die. He created us, so naturally he is constantly observing this world."
"Once the prophesied scenario comes true, the world will be completely changed, and humans and Tailed Beast will finally understand each other. These are all things the Old Man said."
"No matter how much power you possess, you cannot change the prophecy. It is a cause and effect, an inevitable event."
"Since you haven't made things difficult for me, if you let me go, the Old Man might forgive your evil deeds."
Shu Furukawa's spirit chuckled and appeared in the sealed space, looking at the dozing giant fox and teasingly saying, "Big fox, you should be glad this body doesn't have Sharingan!"
"I hope that when you return to Shikkotsu Forest, you will repeat these words: If the Sage of Six Paths was truly that powerful, he shouldn't have died."
"To escape this planet, to roam the universe, to enter different dimensions, and to pursue eternity in different worlds—that is what a true strong person should do."
"Ninja? It's just a job to make a living. We've reached our target location, time to get to work!"
Nine-Tails complained a few more times after hearing Shu Furukawa's reminder, saying " The Old Man is invincible," before quickly sitting up straight and absorbing Natural Energy with all its might.
Under the pitch-black night sky, deep within the Kumogakure's main peak, Valley of Clouds and Lightning, the Kumogakure on guard duty had just been relieved.
Although this underground chamber has not been used for many years, guarding the artifact that can seal the Tailed Beast is still of paramount importance, and the Kumogakure in the shadows are all on high alert.
The body of the White Zetsu Jinchuriki, controlled by Furukawa Kawashu, had now transformed into a human form. After activating both Nine-Tails Mode and Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave, his eyes turned into vertical pupils, and his perception range covered the entire village.
"Four squads on the outer perimeter? And four more squads inside."
Under the influence of Senjutsu Chakra, black eyeshadow gradually appeared, followed by horns Nine-Tails from its head. Sensing that Kurama was trying to "suffocate" itself by desperately absorbing Natural Energy, Shu Furukawa's spirit chuckled, "Don't underestimate the fruits of my technology, mere Natural Energy."
As soon as he finished speaking, the White Zetsu Jinchuriki, who had fully entered Sage Mode, was enveloped in golden and green light. He quickly jumped down from the mountain wall, formed a hand Hand Seals in mid-air, and a giant hand and wings immediately appeared on his back.
"Call!"
With a flap of its wings, the White Zetsu Jinchuriki transformed into an arrow, instantly arriving at the entrance to the secret chamber at the bottom. As it landed silently, Taiseki spikes emerged from it.
The assembled Kumogakure Squad hurriedly dodged, and with a thought from Shu Furukawa's spirit body, he clasped his hands together, and thick tree branches imbued with life force immediately burst forth from the ground beneath his feet.
"Well."
Under the double attack, the Kumogakure squad was instantly strung together, the thick, sharp branches twisting silently, as if delighted with the flesh and blood.
The Nine-Tails, seated cross-legged within the sealed space, was still frantically channeling Natural Energy into the Sealing Jutsu. However, upon sensing what was happening outside, the great fox felt a chill run down its spine. "How could your Wood Release be like this?"
"As long as it works, that's fine! The Kumogakure ninjas really did notice."
After responding, Furukawa Kawashu entered the underground stone chamber. The huge room was made of granite, and the walls were covered with sealing runes.
A simple, enormous bottle sits atop a high stone pedestal in front, the Amber Purifying Pot bound by chains.
The Kumogakure guarding the area were now pierced by sharp stone spikes, and some of them still wore expressions of shock and confusion, unable to understand why the ground and ceiling had suddenly come to "come alive."
Sensing that more and more Kumogakure were rushing in this direction, Furukawa Kawashu activated Senjutsu Mode, and the golden Nine-Tails Chakra transformed into Giant Snake that lunged straight at Amber Purifying Pot.
Runes appeared on the chains, which were then bitten by the Chakra Giant Snake, accompanied by a rattling sound.
Before the binding chains could tighten, a large golden Chakra hand suddenly appeared on the abdomen of the White Zetsu Jinchuriki.
"Defense is so simple!"
As Furukawa Kawashu's spirit looked at the divine artifact that had been grabbed by the Nine-Tails Chakra hand, he smiled and sighed. After severing the connection with the Giant Snake Chakra snake, the stone chamber quickly fell silent.
The White Zetsu Jinchuriki suddenly opened its massive maw and swallowed the Amber Purifying Pot. Furukawa Kawashu's spirit carefully sensed the situation but didn't detect anything amiss, so it immediately used Summoning Jutsu.
"As expected of Lord Xiu, it seems he has succeeded."
The Katsuyu sensed its surroundings and responded joyfully. Shu Furukawa's spirit stroked his chin, and suddenly two giant arms Nine-Tails Chakra appeared behind him.
The hissing sound of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken rang out, and as Senjutsu Chakra was continuously poured in, the Rasenshuriken in the Chakra arm grew larger and larger.
"This location is perfect for destroying the entire building. Hopefully, the Kumogakure will have an interesting reaction."
"Huoyu, prepare the Reverse Summoning Jutsu. I'm going back now."
"Yes, Lord Xiu."
As the living person disappeared, Furukawa Kawashu casually threw out two giant Rasenshuriken, unleashing a full burst of Wind Senjutsu Chakra. The secret chamber was instantly destroyed, and the building above immediately collapsed.
"Boom!"
A loud bang suddenly came from the middle of the night. The Kumogakure who had reached the mountainside immediately turned back. As the collapsing building stirred up a violent airflow, people fell to the ground one after another, and screams of pain followed.
" Lava Release - Protective Barrier!"
Rushing to the nearby Dodai, they hurriedly protected the Kumogakure in front of them. The elastic Protective Membrane demonstrated its strong resilience, successfully blocking the flying Taiseki.
Mabui and Samui followed behind Dodai. The two had just finished work and were stunned to see the entire hill turned into a pile of rubble.
Just as the two were about to ask a question, they suddenly felt a pain in their ankles. The small green snake disappeared immediately after being infused with the Senjutsu Chakra carrying the spirit of Furukawa Kawashu.
The two girls initially looked bewildered, then looked at each other and felt an inexplicable sense of closeness.
" Mabui, Samui, the Medical Corps will be here soon. Stay here to tally the wounded."
"Yes, Lord Shidai!"
On the front lines of the Land of Frost, in the Konoha camp, Furukawa Shu Furukawa, on night watch, suddenly opened his eyes, sensing information from Kumogakure. He was quite satisfied. "Unable to deal with determined old guys, managing rookies can play a crucial role."