Capturing Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki

Deep within the dense primeval forest along the eastern border of the Land of Fire.

An escort team disguised as a merchant caravan moved cautiously through the woods. At the front, Genma Shiranui, a senbon clenched between his teeth, swept his sharp gaze over the surroundings. Behind him, Iwashi Tatami, Izumo Kamizuki, and Aoba Yamashiro formed a triangular guard formation, kunai tightly gripped in their hands.

At the center of the convoy, Might Guy walked alongside Asuma Sarutobi. For once, Guy was not loudly proclaiming "youth"; instead, he quietly stayed beside Fū, who was disguised as an ordinary girl. Behind him, Rock Lee, Shinan Hyuga—an outstanding Chunin from the Hyuga Branch Family who had joined after the village announced Neji Hyuga's defection—and Tenten of Team 3, along with Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi of Team 10, formed a double-layered defensive ring.

Fū's disguise was flawless. Her short blue hair had been dyed black and extended into long hair; she wore brown contacts and sunglasses, while a wide-brimmed hat concealed most of her face. Her clothes were ordinary. The two guards Takigakure had sent to protect her, meanwhile, wore no disguises at all and openly followed at the rear of the group.

"Thirty more kilometers to the coastline. The Shikkotsu Forest rendezvous point is there." Genma spoke quietly to Guy. "This journey has been too peaceful, Guy. What do you think?"

Guy was unusually serious. "Something is indeed wrong. There aren't even any bird calls in this forest. It's like something drove them away."

Shinan Hyuga kept his Byakugan active, his three-hundred-and-sixty-degree vision sweeping a two-kilometer radius. "No abnormal chakra for now, but the forest is too dense. There are blind spots I can't see through."

Shikamaru frowned deeply, spinning a shogi piece between his fingers. "Too quiet... quiet enough to make me uneasy. Genma-senpai, can you expand your sensing range?"

Genma nodded and formed hand seals. "Sensing: Chakra Network!" Invisible ripples spread outward.

At the same time, five kilometers from the convoy, half of Zetsu's body slowly emerged from the trunk of an ancient tree. His strange eyes stared fixedly at the two Takigakure guards at the rear of the group.

"Found them..." Zetsu's black half let out a cold laugh. "Konoha disguised the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki well, but those two Takigakure idiot guards are far too conspicuous. Compare them with the database."

His white half replied, "Database comparison complete. Left guard: Shibuki, a Takigakure Jonin skilled in Water Release, who participated in Chunin Ninja Exams security five years ago. Right guard: Demon Wolf, a Takigakure Special Jonin and distant relative of the Inuzuka clan, skilled in tracking. Both are permanent personal guards of Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Target confirmed." A glint flashed in Zetsu's eyes. "Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, has left the Land of Fire under the escort of Konoha's Team 3, Team 10, and four Special Jonin. Guard detail: four Jonin, including two from Takigakure; four Special Jonin; six Chunin."

Zetsu swiftly relayed the intelligence to Amegakure through a spore clone. This kind of real-time, ultra-long-distance intelligence transmission was his unique ability and was nearly impossible to intercept.

Amegakure, deep within its tower.

Beneath the shadow of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the light of the Phantom Projection Technique flickered to life one after another. The Deva Path of Pain appeared first, followed by Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, Tobi, Konan, and the recently summoned Sake.

"Emergency mission." Pain's voice was icy as his Rinnegan swept across the group. "Zetsu has confirmed the whereabouts of Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. She is leaving the Land of Fire under Konoha ninja escort, located in a forest along the eastern border of the Land of Fire."

Kakuzu's green eyes flickered. "The Land of Fire border? Hidan and I just completed a thirty-million-ryo bounty mission nearby. We haven't left yet."

Hidan excitedly licked the blade of his Three-Moon Scythe. "Guidance from the Evil God! These are offerings delivered right to us! Leader, leave it to us!"

Pain looked at the two of them. "The mission is yours. Kakuzu, Hidan, immediately intercept and capture her. To avoid failure..." He turned toward Itachi and Kisame, but Itachi's projection suddenly shook violently. Coughing could be heard, and even his projection became unstable.

"Itachi-san!" Kisame frowned. "Leader, Itachi-san's physical condition..."

Pain fell silent for a moment before turning to Neji. "Sake, where are you?"

Neji's heart jolted, but his voice beneath the mask remained steady. "I'm in the Land of Rivers. At full speed, I'll need two hours."

"Get there as quickly as possible." Pain's Rinnegan fixed on him, invisible pressure filling the air. "The mission must succeed. The Seven-Tails is a critical part of the plan. Failure is unacceptable."

He did not say "otherwise," but the chilling implication made Neji understand—if this mission failed, his standing in the Akatsuki would become precarious, and his loyalty might even be questioned.

"Yes." Neji lowered his head. "Please provide the target's guard details and exact location."

Zetsu's projection appeared at the right moment. "The target's location has been shared to your ring. Guard detail: Konoha has two Jonin, Might Guy and Asuma Sarutobi; four Special Jonin, Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, Izumo Kamizuki, and Aoba Yamashiro; and six Chunin from Team 3 and Team 10. Takigakure has two Jonin guards. Fourteen in total."

When he heard "Might Guy," "Team 3," and "Team 10," Neji's body stiffened almost imperceptibly beneath his mask. Guy-sensei, Tenten, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, Ino, Choji... After two and a half years, they were going to meet with weapons drawn under circumstances like these.

"Understood." Neji forced himself to remain calm. "I'll get there as soon as possible."

"Remember," Pain emphasized one last time, "Kakuzu, Hidan, go ahead first, but do not expose yourselves before Sake arrives. Wait until reinforcements are in place before acting. Ensure nothing goes wrong."

Hidan impatiently waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah! We'll wait!"

The Phantom Projection Technique faded. At a temporary hideout in the Land of Rivers, Neji's real body opened his eyes, his expression complicated. He quickly gathered his equipment and raced toward the Land of Fire at full speed.

However, Kakuzu and Hidan did not wait.

"Hmph, wait for that newcomer?" Hidan carried his Three-Moon Scythe as he leaped between treetops. "Old man Kakuzu, the two of us are enough! It's only Konoha. Do we really need to be this careful?"

Kakuzu followed coldly, Earth Grudge Fear tendrils writhing behind him. "We just earned thirty million ryo from a bounty mission. The reward for capturing a Tailed Beast will be at least double that. But the Leader's order was to wait for reinforcements."

"Wait for what?" Hidan laughed wildly. "By the time we catch the Jinchuriki, that newcomer will just be arriving. Perfect—we can let him see what his seniors are capable of! The Evil God is already impatient to enjoy these offerings!"

Kakuzu fell silent for a moment, weighing risks against rewards. According to Zetsu's intelligence, the Konoha team included Might Guy. That taijutsu monster was indeed troublesome. But he and Hidan had worked together for years; with an immortal body and five lives, they might not be unable to win. The advantage was on their side. And if they waited for the newcomer, they would have to share the credit...

"End it quickly." Kakuzu finally made his decision. "Find a suitable ambush point. Strike once, succeed, and withdraw."

"Hahaha! Now that's more like it!" Hidan accelerated excitedly.

Using the map provided by Zetsu, the two accurately determined the route the Konoha team was most likely to take—a narrow canyon passage flanked by steep rock walls. It was easy to defend and difficult to attack, the perfect place for an ambush.

"Here." Kakuzu landed and pressed both hands to the ground. "Earth Release: Hiding in Rock Technique." His body slowly sank into the rock wall, merging with stone as his presence vanished completely.

Hidan leaped into the canopy on the opposite cliff, his Three-Moon Scythe laid across his knees, crimson eyes fixed on the canyon entrance.

They did not wait for Neji. The ambush was about to begin.

Half an hour later, the Konoha escort team entered the canyon.

Shikamaru was the first to raise a hand. "Stop."

The entire group halted instantly. Asuma and Guy quickly moved closer.

"What is it?" Asuma asked in a low voice, his fingers already gripping his chakra blades.

Shikamaru crouched and grabbed a handful of dirt. "Something's wrong. This is a canyon passage. There should be weathered gravel and moss, but it's too clean here. Like someone swept it."

Shinan Hyuga immediately activated his Byakugan, his vision piercing through the cliff walls and trees. Three seconds later, his expression changed drastically. "There's a chakra signature inside the left rock wall! It's concealed incredibly well, almost fused with the stone! There's another in the canopy on the right—its chakra reeks of blood and evil!"

"Enemy attack! Defensive formation!" Guy shouted, instantly entering combat mode.

The Konoha ninja reacted swiftly. Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, Izumo Kamizuki, and Aoba Yamashiro surrounded Fū at the center. Team 3 and Team 10 formed the outer defensive ring. Guy and Asuma stood at the front, Guy guarding the left side against the rock wall while Asuma guarded the right against the canopy.

But the ambushers struck faster.

"Hahaha! You noticed? Too late!" Hidan laughed madly as he leaped from the canopy, his Three-Moon Scythe cleaving straight toward Asuma with a shriek through the air!

Asuma crossed his twin chakra blades to block. With a thunderous clang, sparks flew everywhere. He was driven back a step, shock flashing in his eyes—such tremendous strength!

At the same time, Kakuzu "seeped" out of the rock wall, Earth Grudge Fear tendrils shooting toward Fū in the center of the defensive ring like venomous serpents!

"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!" Guy instantly appeared before Fū and shattered several tendrils with a kick. But more tendrils came from different angles.

"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Shinan Hyuga flashed over to support him, dense palm strikes knocking the tendrils back.

Tenten unfurled a scroll. "Ninja Tool: Tool Manipulation: Heavenly Lock Disaster!" Countless chains and kunai shot toward Kakuzu. A wind-attribute mask emerged from Kakuzu's back. "Wind Release: Pressure Damage!" A high-pressure wind sphere blasted away every ninja tool.

Rock Lee opened the Gate of Opening. "First Gate, Gate of Opening, open!" His speed surged as he kicked toward Kakuzu's head. Kakuzu's water-attribute mask spat out a water blade, forcing Lee back.

"Composite Ninjutsu: Wind-Fire Wildfire!" Kakuzu's wind and fire masks combined, the fire riding the wind and forming a sweeping flame storm!

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, and Izumo Kamizuki joined forces to raise three layers of earthen walls. Aoba Yamashiro's Water Release cooled them, barely managing to block the firestorm.

The battle reached a fever pitch in an instant.

Shikamaru's mind raced. "Two enemies... the Undying Duo! From the intelligence report! Hidan is immortal and needs blood for his curse; Kakuzu has five hearts and comprehensive ninjutsu..."

Recalling every detail of that top-secret intelligence report, he shouted, "Everyone, be careful! Don't let that scythe wielder get your blood! He's an Evil God cultist. Once he has blood, he can kill remotely through a curse ritual!"

But Hidan had already set his sights on Asuma. They clashed at close range. Asuma's twin chakra blades moved with masterful skill, Fire Release combined with taijutsu temporarily suppressing Hidan. But Hidan fought with no regard for his own life, trading wounds for wounds and even deliberately taking a blade through the shoulder just to graze Asuma with his scythe.

"Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!" Asuma spewed scorching ash, his twin blades slashing with flames.

Hidan did not dodge. He let the blades cut into his left shoulder, blood spraying everywhere. Yet he laughed wildly as his Three-Moon Scythe swept past Asuma's left arm at an odd angle, drawing a trail of blood!

"Got it!" Hidan jumped back, licked the blood from his scythe, then quickly used his foot to draw an Evil God Ritual Circle on the ground.

"Asuma-sensei!" Ino screamed.

Asuma's expression changed drastically. He tried to stop him, but Kakuzu's Lightning Release mask fired lightning, forcing him back.

"The ritual is complete!" Hidan stood inside the circle, reversed his Three-Moon Scythe, and aimed it at his own abdomen. "Feel the grace of the Evil God!"

He drove it down viciously!

"Squelch—" Hidan's abdomen was pierced, blood gushing out. At the same moment, Asuma's body shook violently in the distance as an identical piercing wound appeared in his left abdomen out of nowhere! Blood erupted!

"Asuma!!!" Guy's eyes went wide with fury. He tried to rush over, but Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear tendrils bound him tightly.

"Haha... hahahaha!" Hidan pulled out his scythe. His own wound rapidly healed while Asuma's worsened continuously. "The first offering! Is the Evil God pleased?"

"You bastard!!!" Choji flew into a rage, his body expanding. "Partial Expansion Technique: Fist!" A gigantic fist smashed toward Hidan.

Hidan easily dodged, his scythe slicing Choji's arm and obtaining another sample of blood. "Second one!"

Ino threw herself beside Asuma, pouring out medical chakra with all her strength. But the organ-piercing wound was too severe; she could only barely delay his death. Asuma's face was pale as he grabbed Shikamaru's hand, his voice weak. "Shikamaru... command... don't panic..."

"Asuma-sensei..." Shikamaru's entire body trembled, but he forced himself to calm down. He looked over the battlefield. Guy was entangled by Kakuzu and unable to break free for the moment. Hidan was preparing a second ritual. Fū was frantic inside the defensive ring.

A decision had to be made.

Just then, a figure raced in from the canyon entrance—Neji had finally arrived! Seeing the situation, his heart sank. He was still too late!

"Petrifying Touch: Earth Spikes!" Neji pressed both hands to the ground, and dozens of sharp stone spikes burst from the earth, forcing back Hidan just as he was about to continue the ritual.

He landed beside Kakuzu, his masked voice calm but carrying a trace of urgency. "The Leader ordered the Jinchuriki's capture to take priority! Why didn't you wait for me?"

Kakuzu snorted coldly. "Wait? If we waited any longer, the target would have escaped! Stop talking and help!"

Neji gritted his teeth, but he had no choice but to join the battle. He looked at the Konoha ninja, especially Ino and Shikamaru kneeling beside Asuma. His heart twisted in pain, yet his expression remained cold.

At that moment, Fū saw Asuma gravely wounded and near death, and determination flashed in her eyes.

"Chomei... help me!" Fū growled. The seal inside her loosened, a blue chakra cloak appearing around her body as translucent insect wings unfolded from her back—the power of Chomei, the Seven-Tails!

"She's going to fly away!" Kakuzu's eyes sharpened as Earth Grudge Fear tendrils shot out at full force, winding around Fū's ankle.

Fū had already taken to the air, her wings vibrating at tremendous speed. But Kakuzu's tendrils were faster, tightly wrapping around her left leg.

"Got her!" Kakuzu yanked hard, dragging Fū down from the sky before violently hurling her toward Neji. "Sake! Catch her! Seal her!"

Neji leaped up and caught Fū precisely. At the same time, his hands rapidly formed seals and pressed against the back of her neck. "Sealing Technique: Five Elements Seal!" The temporary sealing technique improved by Orochimaru activated, temporarily suppressing the Tailed Beast chakra and rendering her unconscious.

Surprise flashed in Fū's eyes—she could sense that the sealing formula was exceptionally intricate and that its caster's technique was highly practiced. Then darkness took her vision, and she lost consciousness.

Neji swiftly sealed the unconscious Fū into a special scroll and shouted, "Zetsu!"

Zetsu emerged from the ground, took the scroll, and said, "Mission complete." He sank underground again, vanishing with the scroll—transporting directly to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in Amegakure.

The entire process took less than five seconds.

"Fū—!!!" Tenten screamed, trying to chase after him, but Kakuzu's ninjutsu swept over her.

"Mission complete. Withdraw," Kakuzu said coldly.

"My ritual isn't finished!" Hidan complained. He still wanted to kill all these offerings.

Asuma used the last of his strength to grab Shikamaru's hand, his voice faint. "Shikamaru... you... you must... stay calm..."

After saying that, his hand fell limp, and the breath of life left him.

"Asuma-sensei... no... no!!!" Ino broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shikamaru knelt beside Asuma's corpse, shaking all over. But he forced himself to look up at the enemies: Hidan, Kakuzu, and that Sake.

Top-secret intelligence... Hidan was immortal, but he needed a ritual... Kakuzu had five hearts... that Sake possessed a Rock Transformation Kekkei Genkai...

His mind ran beyond its limits through the grief. In three seconds, Shikamaru made a decision.

He leaned close to Ino's ear and spoke as quickly as possible in the lowest voice. "Listen, Ino. Use the Mind Body Switch Technique to relay my plan to the others. We need to separate the enemies first. Guy-sensei and Shinan Hyuga will tie down Kakuzu. Tenten will attack from range. I'll use the Shadow Imitation Technique to hold Hidan for an instant, and Rock Lee will kick off his head. Genma-senpai and the others will send it away with the Flying Raijin Formation. Everyone else keeps Sake occupied."

Ino's eyes were blurred with tears, but she nodded firmly.

Shikamaru stood, his gaze as cold as iron. "Move!"

At that moment, Ino transmitted Shikamaru's plan to everyone. They displayed astonishing discipline. Despite their grief, they immediately acted.

Hidan was still annoyed that he had not completed all his rituals, but when he saw the Konoha ninja charging at him instead, he was delighted. "Good! Come on! Become offerings, all of you!"

He swung his Three-Moon Scythe and charged into the enemy formation. But this time, Konoha's tactics were completely different.

Rock Lee opened five gates. "Gate of Limit, open!" Green vapor erupted from him, his speed reaching sonic levels as he instantly appeared at Hidan's side.

Tenten unleashed binding chains. Hidan roared and swept his scythe sideways, forcing everyone back, but Shikamaru's shadow had already silently extended beneath his feet.

"Shadow Imitation Technique: Two Hands!"

Hidan's movements stalled. It lasted only 0.3 seconds, but for Rock Lee, that was enough.

"Reverse Lotus!" Rock Lee appeared behind Hidan and kicked him in the back of the neck with all his strength!

"Crack—" The sound of breaking vertebrae was clear. Hidan's head twisted at an unnatural angle, yet he still did not die, cursing through gritted teeth. "Bastards! You dare—"

"Now!" Shikamaru shouted.

Rock Lee grabbed Hidan's broken neck and pulled with all his might! He tore Hidan's head clean off!

The head flew into the air, Hidan's eyes wide open.

"Flying Raijin Formation!" Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, and Izumo Kamizuki formed seals simultaneously as spatial fluctuations enveloped Hidan's head.

"No—!!!" Hidan's head let out one final howl before vanishing, transported to a sealed chamber specially prepared by Konoha's sealing unit.

The headless body crashed to the ground. Though it continued to writhe, it was no longer a threat.

Seeing this, Kakuzu's eyes flashed with shock and fury. "Hidan!" Their relationship had not been particularly good, but they had worked together for years. Seeing his companion dealt with this way still stunned him.

What shocked him even more was Konoha's tactical execution. Only two minutes had passed since Asuma's death, yet they had already devised and carried out such a precise hunting plan.

"You're next." Guy turned toward Kakuzu, blazing fury burning in his eyes. "Sixth Gate, Gate of View, open!"

Green vapor exploded as Guy's fists struck the air at terrifying speed. "Morning Peacock!"

Flaming shockwaves spread over Kakuzu like a peacock's fanned tail!

Kakuzu defended with everything he had, but Shinan Hyuga's Byakugan had already locked onto the locations of the five hearts in his body. "Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!" Palm strikes rained down upon Kakuzu, every blow precisely striking chakra points around his hearts.

Under the sealing power of the Gentle Fist and the impact of Morning Peacock, two hearts could no longer endure and shattered at the same time!

"Three left..." Kakuzu coughed blood, knowing that today he might truly fall here.

At the moment Guy used Morning Peacock, Neji made a decision.

He observed that the Konoha ninja were fully focused on Kakuzu and himself; Hidan had been dealt with; Asuma was dead; Fū had been captured; his mission was already complete; and Might Guy had unleashed his power. If he did not leave now, he would have to expose his hidden cards to escape.

If he did not leave now, when would he?

Neji formed hand seals and pressed a hand to the ground. "Earth Release: Rock Lodging Collapse!" The canyon floor shook violently as large sections of rock strata collapsed! This was not an attack, but a way to create chaos.

At the same time, he shouted, "Kakuzu-senpai, the mission is complete! Withdraw!"

Before his words had faded, Neji activated the Earth Release: Hiding in Rock Technique. His body merged into the cliff wall, rapidly fleeing toward the outside of the canyon.

"Trying to run?!" Guy smashed the rock wall with one punch, but Neji had already tunneled deep underground.

Shinan Hyuga's Byakugan pursued him. "Fifteen meters underground, fleeing east!"

But Shikamaru raised a hand to stop him. "Don't chase! Guy-sensei, deal with Kakuzu first! Let that man escape if he wants. Our first priority is avenging Asuma-sensei. And Fū has already been taken—chasing him won't change anything!"

Guy gritted his teeth, looking in the direction Neji had fled, then at Kakuzu. In the end, he roared and turned toward Kakuzu. "Seventh Gate, Gate of Wonder, open!"

Blue vapor erupted. His hair stood on end, his skin reddened, and a terrifying wave of air swept through the canyon.

"Daytime Tiger!" Guy threw a punch, compressed air forming a white tiger that tore across the ground and pounced directly at Kakuzu!

Kakuzu gave everything he had, using all the chakra of his remaining three hearts to defend. "Earth Release: Earth Spear Hardening! Water Release: Water Wall! Lightning Release: False Darkness! Composite defense!"

But the power of Daytime Tiger surpassed everything. The earth wall shattered, the water barrier evaporated, lightning scattered, and Kakuzu's hardened body was struck head-on by the white tiger!

"Arghhh—" Kakuzu screamed as his body was torn apart like rags, his final three hearts completely annihilated by the impact.

Kakuzu of the Undying Duo was dead.

The battle ended, leaving the canyon in ruins.

The Konoha ninja gathered around Asuma's body. Ino was still crying. Shikamaru knelt silently. Choji clenched his fists. Tenten supported the exhausted Rock Lee. Shinan Hyuga inspected Hidan's headless body—it was still faintly writhing.

Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami, and Izumo Kamizuki sat on the ground in exhaustion. Using the Flying Raijin Formation together had consumed tremendous energy. Aoba Yamashiro was rapidly writing the battle report.

Then Shinan Hyuga kept his Byakugan trained on the surroundings, confirming that no other enemies remained. "It's safe. That man has already escaped more than ten miles away and shows no sign of turning back."

Might Guy closed the Eight Gates, steam rising from his entire body. He walked to Asuma's side and dropped to one knee. "Asuma..." His fists clenched, tears welling in his eyes.

Shikamaru took a deep breath and forced himself to give orders calmly. "Aoba-senpai, report to the Hokage immediately: Fū has been captured, Asuma-sensei has fallen in the line of duty, one of Akatsuki's Undying Duo is dead and the other captured, while their other member, Sake, escaped."

"Genma-senpai, can you still move?"

Genma Shiranui forced himself to his feet. "Yes, but I need half an hour of rest."

"Good." Shikamaru nodded. "We'll rest here for half an hour, then return to the village with Asuma-sensei's body, as well as Kakuzu and Hidan's 'corpses.' Hidan's body is still moving despite being headless, so it must be sealed strictly."

He looked at everyone, his voice hoarse but resolute. "This mission... we failed. Fū was captured, and Asuma-sensei was sacrificed. But we also made Akatsuki pay the price—the Undying Duo has been destroyed. Now isn't the time to grieve. We have to bring the intelligence and spoils back to the village and prepare for what comes next."

Ino wiped away her tears and began helping seal Hidan's body. Choji and Tenten dealt with Kakuzu's remains. Rock Lee stood watch.

Half an hour later, the team regrouped. Asuma's body was carefully wrapped and carried personally by Might Guy. Kakuzu's remains and Hidan's headless body were stored within multiple sealing scrolls. The team silently began its journey home, the atmosphere heavy.

Before leaving, Shikamaru cast one last look in the direction Neji had fled, his brow tightly furrowed. That Sake gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity. But how could that be?

He shook his head and cast aside those stray thoughts. What he needed to face now was how to report to the Hokage, how to face Kurenai-sensei, and how... to lead Team 10 forward after losing their teacher.

Meanwhile, only after confirming that he had completely shaken off his pursuers did Neji emerge from underground.

He leaned against a large tree, gasping for breath, his eyes filled with conflict.

Asuma... still died. Even though I passed on the intelligence, even though Konoha was prepared... as long as fate brought them together, the original Naruto plot would correct itself back onto its original track in its own way.

Neji looked toward Amegakure. The mission was complete, the Seven-Tails had been captured, and his position within Akatsuki should now be secure. But the price paid... was far too heavy.

"I have to grow stronger faster..." Neji murmured, vanishing into the depths of the forest.

In the distance, toward Konoha, the setting sun was red as blood, shining upon the team on its way home.

The storm in the Shinobi World grew even fiercer and more unpredictable because of this brutal ambush. Akatsuki had gained the Seven-Tails, Konoha had lost an important Jonin and its allied Jinchuriki, and the destruction of the Undying Duo had also cost Akatsuki two core members.

The balance seemed to have been broken, yet the Naruto World had returned to its original track.