Ten-Tails Fragment

"We must recover the village's treasure!"

The Third Hoshikage told the Anbu under his command.

He knew that Natsuhiboshi and Hotarubi had stolen the meteorite, and he understood their good intentions. So he had gone after them himself, planning to talk things through.

"Lord Third, we've spotted them!"

An Anbu pointed at a figure that had just flashed into view ahead.

"After them!"

The Third Hoshikage spoke in a low voice. He felt conflicted. On one hand, he hoped the two would take the meteorite away; on the other, he didn't want to lose this treasure.

As the first Star Ninja to master the Mysterious Peacock Method, the Third Hoshikage knew all too well how harmful the meteorite was. He, too, supported sealing away this evil object.

But Hoshikage Village was very weak. To survive surrounded by powerful nations, they needed strength.

And this meteorite was their only source of support.

He planned to seal it away for now, then let future generations unseal it once they found a way to deal with it.

After the figures had left,

Red-Eyed Ranmaru appeared from behind a tree.

"Lord Mangetsu, they've gone far away."

He spoke excitedly.

Hōzuki Mangetsu also emerged from the shadows of the tree. Natsuhiboshi and Hotarubi, the pair who had stolen the meteorite, lay before him.

Taking them by surprise, he had captured the couple and obtained the fragment.

He had also used the Mirage Illusionary Technique to lure away the Third Hoshikage and his Anbu, who had come to intercept them.

Hōzuki Mangetsu had no desire to start a war right now.

"Is this the meteorite from Hoshigakure? It's beautiful!"

Ranmaru looked at the box in Hōzuki Mangetsu's hand, his face bright with delight.

A smile appeared on Hōzuki Mangetsu's lips, too.

He could already sense the tremendous power contained in the Ten-Tails fragment. It was wild and violent.

It was a waste to leave such powerful energy in Hoshikage Village.

Perhaps only someone with a Sage Body could withstand this power.

At the thought, Hōzuki Mangetsu once again considered obtaining First Hashirama Senju's cells.

If he had Hashirama's cells and fused them with Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan, he would become the fourth Sage of Six Paths.

That was the ultimate existence in the Naruto World.

"Sealing Jutsu!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu formed several hand seals, sealing away the Ten-Tails fragment. He had learned this Sealing Jutsu from Natsuhiboshi.

The couple had decided to seal the Ten-Tails fragment, so they had naturally made some preparations.

"Let's go back!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said to Ranmaru.

"But!"

Ranmaru glanced at Natsuhiboshi and Hotarubi, who lay on the ground. "What should we do about them?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at the two with regret. They were both strong, and they were two of Hoshikage Village's jōnin. If he could recruit them, they would make a fine addition to his fighting force.

But...

A bitter smile crossed his lips.

The two would never betray their village. And right now, Hōzuki Mangetsu couldn't use Shisui's eyes. He had no effective way to bring them over to his side, so he could only abandon them for strategic reasons.

Still, by taking the village's meteorite, he had helped them in a way. At least without the meteorite's influence, Natsuhiboshi wouldn't die tragically in front of her son.

To help the couple escape their fate, Hōzuki Mangetsu had also disguised himself as a Konoha Anbu and appeared in the village several times. Once he had attracted Hoshikage Village's attention, he used the Giant Clam's reverse space-time summoning to leave without a sound.

"Konoha Ninja have invaded and stolen our Star!"

The news soon spread throughout Hoshikage Village.

A high-level meeting was underway in the Hokage's office at Konoha Ninja Village!

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held his pipe and stared coldly at Danzo Shimura, who sat opposite him. Senior advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat on either side of him.

Behind the Hokage's seat stood Nara Shikaku, a jōnin advisor, and the captain of the Hokage's personal Anbu unit.

Uchiha Fugaku, captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, would normally have been entitled to attend this meeting, but the leadership hadn't invited him.

After the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago, the village had grown suspicious of the Uchiha Clan and had gradually marginalized them.

This had also caused discontent within the Uchiha Clan.

"Danzo, explain what happened."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed a scroll onto the table in front of him.

Uchiha Shisui's squad had been wiped out on the border between Konoha and the Land of Water, and Shisui himself was missing.

On their way back from a mission, a squad from the Hokage's personal forces had witnessed Shisui being swallowed by a giant snake. They had also heard him say that Root and Orochimaru were responsible.

When the Anbu reported this to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third was furious and immediately called a meeting of the village leadership.

Because of the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago, the village and the Uchiha Clan had long since stopped trusting each other. Now that Shisui had been assassinated, the Third had to stay on guard and prepare for any sudden developments.

"This?"

Danzo half-lidded one dull, fish-like eye and replied nonchalantly, "I believe it's a rumor spread by the enemy, or perhaps they used an Illusionary Technique. Their goal is to stir up internal conflict in the village so they can take advantage of the chaos."

He really hadn't done it. He had wanted to take Shisui's eyes, but Shisui was too strong, and Root's men were no match for him.

"Is that so?"

The Third gave a cold laugh. "Send them in!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Four Anbu appeared in the Hokage's meeting room. They were the four shinobi who had been at the scene that day.

One of them spoke quietly. "Lord Third, while the four of us were returning as ordered, we discovered the site where Uchiha Shisui had fought. We saw Shisui swallowed by a giant snake with our own eyes..."

"Silence!"

Danzo snapped, "Are you certain you heard Uchiha Shisui say that Root and Orochimaru were responsible? Are you certain it wasn't an Illusionary Technique used by the enemy? Are you certain this is true? Do you understand what the consequences will be if you're wrong?"

Everyone else frowned at Danzo's rebuke but said nothing.

This matter was too serious.

If it was true, then Root was targeting the Uchiha. If word got out, it would inevitably trigger an all-out confrontation between the Uchiha and the village.

The Anbu removed his mask, revealing a young face.

Kakashi, the Copy Ninja!

Those present stirred slightly.

Kakashi was currently a squad leader in the Hokage's Anbu assassination unit.

"Lord Danzo, I'm certain it wasn't an Illusionary Technique. My eyes can identify Shisui's Chakra. A member of the Hyuga Clan was with us, too. He can confirm that the person we saw was Uchiha Shisui!"

Kakashi spoke without fear or deference.

Another Anbu removed his mask, revealing the Byakugan unique to the Hyuga Clan. "I confirmed it with my Byakugan. That was indeed Uchiha Shisui's Chakra!"