Short, light purple hair, a red robe with auspicious cloud patterns, and paper scraps fluttering with her movements...
These characteristics became a shadow in the hearts of all Taki Shinobu.
The first group of ninja from Konan killed their Jonin leader. However, Takigakure quickly assembled a second group to challenge them, but Konan killed their leader as well, and the group scattered and fled.
Then came the third and fourth batches... Perhaps Konan's method of only beheading the enemy was too 'gentle,' or perhaps the will of Takigakure was too firm, until the eighth batch of Takigakure ninja collapsed and fled back to Takigakure, the area near the World of Flowering Trees gradually quieted down.
The process of sealing the Seven-Tails was smoother and faster than Naoki Senju had imagined. Having witnessed the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and especially the Eight-Tails within Naoki Senju's body, the Seven-Tails offered almost no fierce resistance.
The brothers in misfortune remained silently within their own seals, preserving the last shred of dignity for each other. Since they were all sealed away anyway, no one dared to mock anyone else. Even the most talkative Shukaku remained silent.
After becoming the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Naoki Senju finally gained the flight ability he had always dreamed of!
Three pairs of transparent elytra appeared behind Naoki Senju. The vibrating elytra propelled Senju off the ground, breaking free from the constraints of gravity and soaring into the unbound sky.
Konan's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she watched Naoki Senju seal the Tailed Beast in just three hours. One-Tail, Three-Tails, Eight-Tails, and now Seven-Tails —almost half of the Tailed Beast have been sealed by Naoki Senju!
Even the Masked Man couldn't possibly be a match for Naoki Senju now, right?
"What are you staring at? Do you still want to stay here?"
Although the environment in the World of Flowering Trees isn't terrible, it's definitely not suitable for long-term residence, not to mention that it's within the territory of Takigakure, and they'd drive you crazy Tenten.
"... Are you going to capture other Tailed Beast next?"
Konan simply ignored Naoki Senju's teasing; she figured she'd get used to it after spending more time with him.
"No need. The Masked Man can't possibly gather all Nine Tailed Beasts. If he wants to gather Nine Tailed Beasts, he'll have to fight me. Let him gather the other Tailed Beast for me."
Naoki Senju smiled indifferently. Apart from capturing the Seven-Tails Tailed Beast itself, there was almost no way to obtain the Seven-Tails 'Chakra, unlike other Tailed Beast that could use Impure World Reincarnation their former Jinchūriki or other methods.
The only Takigakure, which is too secluded from the world, making it impossible for outsiders to know the successive candidates for the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, thus making the Impure World Reincarnation impossible.
Obito Uchiha, this is a classic case of luring someone into a trap.
Iwagakure.
Ōnoki irritably pushed the heavy stack of intelligence aside, making it part of the small hill. It contained recent information about the Akatsuki, Konoha, Naoki Senju, Hashirama Senju, and Kirigakure and Sunagakure.
Ōnoki is a little confused about the recent situation in the Shinobi World; it's just too... calm...
Not long ago, Kirigakure had planned an attack on Konoha, which stirred up the entire Shinobi World.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, was killed by Orochimaru; the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi in battle; the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, was captured; and the Fourth Raikage A, and Killer B were captured...
Furthermore, the Akatsuki, which usually operates in the shadows, dared to attack Kumogakure and even injured the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito, exposing Kumogakure's weakness.
One major event after another, rarely seen in ordinary times, occurred, yet the Shinobi World remained eerily calm despite all these events. It was understandable that Sunagakure, having lost its Kazekage, continued to operate as usual, given that Chiyo was still in charge of the village.
But can anyone tell him why Kirigakure can still function normally even after losing the Mizukage and most of its elite ninja?
And then there's the Kumogakure, severely damaged and no longer what it used to be...
Looking at the weakened Sunagakure Kumogakure Ōnoki actually drooling with envy, but because of the Tsuchikage's responsibilities, he had to suppress the pro-war faction in the village.
Judging from Ōnoki's extensive experience in scheming, the current calm in the Shinobi World is definitely not right. Beneath the calm surface lies what is likely the most ruthless conspiracy. Iwagakure must not act rashly!
" Lord Tsuchikage! Lord Tsuchikage!"
The anxious shouts of the Iwagakure Ninja outside the door interrupted Ōnoki's thoughts, which greatly annoyed the Ōnoki. His face darkened as he said:
"Come in."
The Iwagakure Ninja pushed open the office door the moment he received permission, but his eagerness vanished instantly upon seeing Ōnoki's gloomy face.
" Lord Tsuchikage, I have important information..."
"Save time, get straight to the information!" Ōnoki tapped the table with his cigarette butt, emphasizing the importance of efficiency.
"Yes! Sunagakure has confirmed that the Fifth Kazekage is the Fourth Kazekage's daughter, Temari. At the same time, the Sunagakure Elder Council was attacked by the Akatsuki, resulting in the deaths of puppeteer Chiyo Ebizo." The Iwagakure Ninja relayed the intelligence with the most focused attention and the loudest voice he had ever used.
" Sunagakure... Akatsuki, and Temari who returned to Sunagakure from Konoha, heh, they've really taken action..."
Ōnoki chuckled. By eliminating the opposition in Sunagakure through Akatsuki and then supporting Temari to take control of the Sunagakure, the schemes were simple yet effective. The fact that even the cunning old fox Chiyo couldn't react in Chiyo showed that Naoki Senju's plan was flawless and had been meticulously designed long ago.
But... that doesn't make sense. That little fox, Naoki Senju, went to all that trouble just for Sunagakure? It's not worth it. It should at least be Kirigakure or Kumogakure, right? What value does Sunagakure have?
" Lord Tsuchikage, there's one more piece of information." Seeing Ōnoki smiling so happily, the Iwagakure Ninja wondered what terrible consequences would result from interrupting the Lord Tsuchikage at this moment.
"Speak." Although he was very annoyed that his subordinate hadn't told him all the information at once, Ōnoki was happy now, which relieved a lot of his pressure, so he didn't pursue the matter further.
" Amegakure has been destroyed. According to the intelligence ninja, Amegakure appears to have been completely leveled by a powerful Ninjutsu, leaving not a single building behind. This is a drawing from the intelligence ninja; please take a look Lord Tsuchikage."
The Iwagakure Ninja presented a rough sketch of Amegakure. Although it wasn't very detailed, it was enough to show the current state of Amegakure's desolation.
Ōnoki's hand holding the pipe trembled. Even his Dust Release couldn't have destroyed a ninja village like this.
Amegakure... the headquarters of the Akatsuki is located in Amegakure...
As Akatsuki's biggest partner, it's normal for him to know some of the details. But it's precisely because he knows the details that Ōnoki doesn't believe Akatsuki would let their home base be destroyed. They must have other plans!
Moreover, this Ninjutsu is powerful enough to destroy an entire village...
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes, the joy that had just risen vanished, replaced by a sense of crisis.
"Recall all Special Jōnin and Jonin, and stop accepting A and S-rank missions. Put Iwagakure on high alert. At the same time, activate the spies planted in other ninja villages. For the next period of time, I need to know all the activities of the other ninja villages!"
"Yes!"