Tailed Beasts and Sealing Techniques (Part 1)

In mid-October of the 46th year of Konoha, the morale of Konoha's ninja was exceptionally high, bolstered by a massive influx of commissioned missions.

The upper echelons, however, did not relax; instead, they continued to stockpile food and ninja tools. Half of the Anbu and Root forces were deployed at this time, as intelligence gathering became increasingly critical.

Having spent the last two weeks in constant meetings, the busy Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, finally found a rare moment of relaxation. He looked at Tsunade, who had come to report, and said with a chuckle:

"It is thanks to you being in the village that these medicines can be put to such great use."

"Orochimaru has lacked enthusiasm for his work lately. When you have time, go talk to him; there are some things I find inconvenient to say."

Tsunade knew her teacher was referring to Orochimaru getting too close to Danzo. She had no interest in such matters and shook her head, responding simply:

"If there is a problem, just summon him here directly."

"Old Man, you know his personality. What Orochimaru pursues is not power."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Tsunade had yet to realize the shift in Orochimaru's character, and he did not wish to say more on the subject, choosing instead to change the topic:

"Jiraiya and his team should have already infiltrated the Land of Earth. We must confirm the progress our opponents have made in developing their Tailed Beasts."

"It is not just Iwagakure; the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure is a massive threat. Once they master this 'weapon,' the village must be prepared."

"Do you have any suggestions regarding the development of sealing techniques?"

After Uzushiogakure was destroyed by a coalition of nations, their sealing techniques were looted by all the major ninja villages. Konoha's inheritance remained relatively intact due to the presence of Mito.

Tsunade had inherited many precious formulas, but thinking of the Four-Symbols Seal used for Tailed Beasts, she said helplessly:

"Sealing techniques are a more advanced form of ninjutsu than summoning. You overestimate me, Teacher. I simply cannot resolve the issue of Tailed Beasts through formulas alone."

"When a Jinchuriki attempts to seize the Tailed Beast's chakra, the Tailed Beast is simultaneously draining the Jinchuriki's own."

"In such a state, one can only rely on the Jinchuriki's own strength."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Although he held the title of "The Professor," he had no particularly good methods for developing the power of Tailed Beasts.

He couldn't help but think of the previous Wood Release experiments, but Sarutobi Hiruzen ultimately pushed the thought to the back of his mind. Wood Release was powerful, but the cost was simply too high.

"When you have time, you might check on Kushina. The Anbu report that the child is constantly having nightmares; the power of the Nine-Tails is continuously affecting her."

Tsunade frowned slightly at her teacher's suggestion, though she ultimately refrained from mentioning the surveillance:

"At the very least, let her associate with Minato normally. Old Man, you are still too conservative regarding this matter."

Choosing not to argue with his disciple, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he needed to eliminate potential hazards; having no freedom was better than the Nine-Tails losing control. As he aged, he had inevitably become more conservative:

"Let's not talk about this. Since you are staying in the village, you might consider Jiraiya again. After all, you aren't getting any younger..."

"Old Man, what are you talking about!"

The documents on the desk jumped as Tsunade slammed her fist down, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen to offer only a bitter smile.

After Tsunade stormed out in a huff, Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, gazing at a group photo on his desk—one from back when his hairline hadn't yet receded:

"I really am getting old..."

The Jiraiya squad infiltrating the Land of Earth had been having a particularly difficult time lately. At night, the group continued to eat dry rations inside a cave carved into the rock face; the closer they got to their target, the more cautious they had to be.

The cave, excavated using Earth Release, was clean enough, but having gone half a month without a hot meal, Jiraiya had to speak up to reassure them:

"We have three more days of travel. Once we return to Konoha, I'll treat you all to a feast."

"Don't worry about safety. Once we reach the valley, just guard the markers well. If the situation turns dire, Minato can take everyone and leave immediately."

Minato Namikaze felt significant pressure seeing his teacher so confident, but he knew he had to shoulder the responsibility. He immediately flashed a sunny smile:

"Teacher is right. As long as the coordinates are protected, my Flying Thunder God technique can ensure everyone's safety."

"The Jinchuriki of Iwagakure may not have developed much power yet, so there is no need to worry too much about the mission."

The white-haired, dark-skinned man let out a long breath. If it weren't for Jiraiya leading the team, facing a Jinchuriki head-on would be suicide, but he trusted his teammates and immediately chimed in:

"Minato is right, there's no need to scare ourselves..."

"You're the only one worried. I, for one, have complete faith in Minato and Jiraiya-sensei!"

The man with long black hair and a delicate, feminine air made a casual jab, and the two began to bicker again. Minato could only scratch his head and laugh along.

The support members for Jiraiya's squad were composed of Anbu directly under the Hokage and Root ninja. Shu Furukawa, who had joined as a sensory and medical ninja, wore a mask and whispered a warning:

"There are ninja approaching our previous marker point."

A ninja from the Aburame Clan of the Root also added in a muffled voice:

"My Kikaichū are moving. The enemy has destroyed one of the markers."

Shu Furukawa's sensory range was nearly 10 kilometers, though he claimed it was around 6. In the squad, Minato Namikaze's sensory range was also immense. He touched the ground with his fingers and looked at Jiraiya:

"Sensei, should we eliminate these targets?"

Several Anbu also looked at Jiraiya. Everyone knew of Minato's strength and speed; the proposal was no empty boast.

"One marker remains, and that is enough. We will pick up the pace from here."

Feeling a sense of urgency, Jiraiya ultimately chose not to risk an engagement. Seeing the serious atmosphere in the team, he lightened the mood once more:

"Well done, Shu. A ninja must always remain vigilant!"

"Haha, as expected of the one chosen by the Toad Sage."

Minato's two teammates both let out long sighs; they had nearly been discovered just by approaching the valley where the Jinchuriki were held, and the situation was far from optimistic.

"Lord Jiraiya, we will be responsible for clearing out the guards outside the valley. Once we have placed the markers, Shu will notify you."

"After entering the valley, Iwagakure may dispatch a reaction force within ten minutes, so please be extra careful."

The Anbu captain wearing an animal mask gave a final reminder, and Jiraiya nodded with a solemn expression; they might have to face two Jinchuriki head-on, so they needed to conserve their strength.

Two days later, at an unnamed valley, the outer Iwagakure ninjas responsible for guarding the perimeter gradually fell silent.

At a high-altitude sentry point, Shu Furukawa silently withdrew his short blade from behind an Iwagakure ninja, and then the Kikaichū on the ground took over the body, keeping it in a standing position.

There were brief noises during the assassination process, but they were quickly quelled, and when the four-man squad regrouped, the Anbu captain nodded in satisfaction.

Shu Furukawa immediately formed hand seals to transmit the message via secret technique, and upon sensing that Jiraiya's squad had begun to move, he reported in a low voice:

"Lord Jiraiya and his team have begun their infiltration."

The Root ninja from the Aburame Clan had played a huge role in the operation; the enemy's sensory ninja this time had been dealt with by his special poisonous insects, and now, without waiting for the captain to speak, he suddenly interjected:

"I have another mission!"

Just as he was about to move, the Anbu captain immediately stepped in front of him, his hand gripping the hilt of the blade on his back, and reminded him in a cold voice:

"Do you wish to defy the Hokage's orders?"

Another Anbu member stood silently beside the Aburame Clan ninja. Shu Furukawa watched, speechless, and could only move to the Anbu captain's side to remind them once more:

"We haven't made contact with the targets yet, Senior; you wouldn't want the mission to fail, would you?"

"..."