The concrete intelligence the Vanguard Team brought back about the overseas "pseudo-Tailed Beasts," along with the news that Naruto had passed his trial on Turtle Island and achieved a breakthrough in his relationship with the Nine-Tails, swept through Allied headquarters like two whirlwinds, different in nature but equally powerful. Hope and danger coexisted, and the urgency left everyone barely able to breathe.
An emergency meeting of the Five Kage convened once again, its atmosphere grimmer than ever.
"Three, possibly more, monsters approaching the level of true Tailed Beasts!" Raikage A's voice rumbled like barely contained thunder. "We can't sit back any longer! We have to destroy them overseas before they fully mature, or before that 'Madara Uchiha' deploys them on the battlefield!"
This time, even the ever-cautious Ōnoki did not immediately object. The existence of the pseudo-Tailed Beasts had already pushed the conflict beyond conventional warfare. If they reached the mainland, the destruction would be incalculable.
"I agree that we should strike first," Mei Terumi declared. "But our objective should be destruction, not occupation. Assemble our strongest surprise assault force, with destroying the pseudo-Tailed Beast cultivation base and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as its primary objectives. Capturing or killing Madara Uchiha would be even better."
"Agreed," Gaara said succinctly.
Tsunade turned to Shikaku Nara. "Shikaku, draw up a plan."
Shikaku Nara already had a plan in mind. He walked over to the enormous nautical chart. "According to the Vanguard Team's intelligence, the enemy's main forces are concentrated on the Main Island. I suggest that the bulk of our army stage a feint from the front to draw their attention. Meanwhile, we'll form two elite strike teams."
"The first will be the frontal assault team. Led personally by the Fourth Raikage and the Fifth Hokage, it will bring