Rasa's chilling voice resonated through the vast Kazekage office. The assembled Sunagakure elite, their faces grim, listened to his report,
Rasa's chilling voice resonated through the vast Kazekage office.
The assembled Sunagakure elite, their faces grim, listened to his report, even Chiyo, the esteemed advisor, was visibly affected.
"S-rank, the immortal Kakuzu?"
Yashamaru, beside Baki, swallowed nervously, but a sharp glare from Baki quickly silenced him.
Rasa continued, "From Konoha, defected members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the S-rank rogue ninjas Kisame Hoshigaki, and Zabuza Momochi"
"From the Land of Hot Springs, the S-rank rogue ninja Hidan, follower of the Jashin cult."
"From Iwagakure, Ōnoki's prized student, considered a potential Tsuchikage, the S-rank rogue ninja, the explosive genius Deidara."
"And from Sunagakure, hailed as a hero, the S-rank rogue ninja Pakura, the master of Scorch Release. And finally, Advisor Chiyo, your grandson, the genius puppet master, the long-missing S-rank rogue ninja, Sasori!"
"According to our intelligence, this group, led by Uchiha Kai, has already assassinated the previous Third Mizukage, stolen the Three-Tails, and orchestrated the assassination of the Third Raikage in the Land of Earth."
"Furthermore, during their escape from Konoha, they killed Rōshi, the Four-Tails jinchuriki, who was pursuing Deidara. This means two of the nine tailed beasts are now in their possession."
"If left unchecked, this rogue ninja group, led by Uchiha Kai, will become an unstoppable force."
Rasa's words hung heavy in the air. Each name mentioned felt like a tightening vise around their hearts. The sheer number of S-rank rogue ninjas, each a prodigy in their field, shrouded Uchiha Kai in an aura of terrifying mystery.
This powerful group was, in their eyes, the most formidable collection of geniuses ever assembled.
"You're saying my precious grandson is working for someone else?" Chiyo suddenly burst out laughing. "That's preposterous!"
"Sasori, if he truly wanted to serve someone, he wouldn't have defected. And that Sharingan brat? I don't believe he has the power to gather such a group. This is just an excuse for your incompetent generation."
The Sunagakure shinobi, including Baki, could only offer a bitter smile.
While Chiyo had shown no mercy, compared to their predecessors who had lived through constant warfare, their generation's strength had indeed declined significantly.
Their only hope was Rasa.
"Advisor Chiyo, aside from Konoha, the other four Great Nations have only a vague understanding of Uchiha Kai's strength.
To ensure a favorable position at the Five Kage Summit, I need you to accompany me personally." Rasa, visibly agitated by Chiyo's criticism, abruptly changed the subject.
"Me?" Chiyo raised an eyebrow. "You've already sent my brother. If I also attend this summit, the village's defenses will be critically weakened. An attack would be disastrous."
In any village, besides the Kazekage, the advisors were the most powerful.
They were seasoned veterans from the previous generation, highly respected and possessing significant strength.
They could provide unexpected support in crucial moments. Of course, there were exceptions, like the useless Konoha council members who ignored Pain's attack.
"Advisor Chiyo, rest assured. This Five Kage Summit is based on a truce between the Five Great Nations.
Any betrayal will make that nation an enemy of the other four," Rasa explained calmly.
"Furthermore, I've ordered Bunpuku to return to the village to oversee security, and the clans will cooperate with the village's barrier. Even Uchiha Kai won't be able to infiltrate."
Bunpuku?
Chiyo paused, then heard slow footsteps in the corridor. The door opened, and an old monk with a wrinkled face entered. His benevolent smile drew many eyes.
"Who is that old monk?" Maki asked.
Baki glared at her. "That's Bunpuku, the One-Tail jinchuriki, residing in a special location."
"Jinchuriki?"
Tailed beasts were highly classified in every village. Sunagakure, using the flawed naptime seal, kept their jinchuriki confined in the deepest parts of the desert, only summoning them when absolutely necessary.
"Bunpuku, it's been a long time. I thought that Tanuki had killed you, but you look quite well," Chiyo said, assessing him.
"Advisor Chiyo, you flatter me," Bunpuku chuckled, twirling his prayer beads. "If I were dead, you'd have to reseal Shukaku, wouldn't you? You and Ebizo are the only ones in the village skilled enough."
Bunpuku looked around, a hint of regret in his voice. "I was hoping to catch up with old friends, but Ebizo's not here. Something serious must be happening in the village."
"Hmph, Bunpuku, don't be absurd, my brother is simply on a mission," Chiyo snapped. But, seeing her old friend, she unusually refrained from further scolding. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Old monk, tell me, how much longer do you have?"
The color drained from everyone's faces. A jinchuriki's life was crucial to a village. Their death would release the tailed beast, unleashing decades of pent-up rage.
Shukaku, the One-Tail, was particularly volatile. Its rampages had decimated Sunagakure's elite forces in the past.
With the Five Kage Summit and the end of the war approaching, any incident involving Bunpuku would be catastrophic.
The loss of a jinchuriki would be a devastating blow.
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