"Gyūki!"
"Beep~ Beep~ Beep~"
The once lively chatroom now fell into an eerie silence. With a heavy face, Gyūki cut off his connection with Matatabi and turned to Kurama, whose face was dark enough to drip water.
"Matatabi is also out of contact."
"Gyūki, we're gonna be okay, right? Our real bodies are deep in the ocean. We'll be fine... right?"
Isobu shrank his head back into his shell and blinked his single eye nervously, asking softly.
"We're sealed up tight, bro. The sea's our domain. Totally safe!"
Though Gyūki didn't look too good, hearing his neighbor's worried voice gave him the strength to slap his strong chest in reassurance.
"Chōmei, you're still holed up in that tiny ravine, right?"
On the other side, the only remaining land-based duo, Kurama narrowed his eyes, breathing out thin wisps of flame as he asked the large white cocoon.
"Yes."
Chōmei's voice came from within. Ever since entering his metamorphosis phase, he'd been cocooned up in a secluded ravine surrounded by waterfalls. The last time he surfaced was decades ago.
After confirming Chōmei's location, Kurama's eyes gleamed faintly. He turned toward the two aquatic tailed beasts and ordered,
"You two better regroup. If something happens, at least one of you might get a message to the rest of us."
"Hmph! Mere rodents. You think I, the great Gyūki, would be scared?"
Fuming at Kurama's implication, Gyūki struck a philosophical pose before yelling,
"Isobu, let's go! Meet at the usual spot~"
Kurama tried to stop him, but before he could speak, Gyūki had already logged off in a huff—though his parting words to Isobu echoed clearly in the chatroom.
"…"
"Kurama, I'm logging off too. Take care, 'kay~"
Dragging his heavy shell, Isobu scurried away like he was light as a feather.
"I'll find out who's behind this mystery of disappearing tailed beasts… no matter what."
With his mind made up, Kurama bared his fangs, and one by one, his fellow tailed beasts disappeared from the chat.
"I'm just gonna keep hiding~"
Chōmei whispered weakly before logging off too.
"Hmph."
Kurama flipped the switch, shutting off the chatroom lights and returning offline to search for clues.
"Oi! Damn fox, what the hell you turning the lights off for?! I'm still here!"
Ironically, Shukaku—still locked up in a cell—was probably the safest of them all.
In the forest not far from Konoha, the one not yet named the Forest of Death, a thunderous boom erupted.
Even the villagers in Konoha felt the earth shake underfoot.
"Was that… an earthquake?"
Peeking out from their homes, they looked around curiously. The Land of Fire, being on flatlands, rarely had tremors.
But deep within the dense forest, unseen by the villagers, an unbelievable scene unfolded.
Senju Tobirama, the one assigned to assist, stood atop a massive tree tens of meters high.
"What the hell is this…"
Even the famously cool-headed Tobirama couldn't help but gape, crimson eyes wide, brain short-circuiting at the sight before him.
"Haha! Tobirama, this is number two~"
The long-haired man sitting cross-legged atop his wooden Buddha statue grinned ear to ear. Behind him trailed a massive grey slug, unconscious and dripping with unknown corrosive mucus that melted rock and tree alike.
Yet Hashirama, ever nonchalant, casually tossed the comatose Matatabi into a wooden cell formed by Mokuton: Shichūrō (Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison). The cage glowed blue as it absorbed chakra from the tailed beast to reinforce itself.
"This one… compared to the five-tailed one… feels like a completely different creature. Incredible. How were they even born?"
Snapping out of his daze, Tobirama's curiosity exploded. He leapt over to inspect the cage, eyes glinting with fascination.
"Tobirama, there's plenty of time to research later. Any word from Madara?"
Hashirama stood atop the Buddha, radiating confidence after capturing two tailed beasts. He wondered how Madara was doing—if he'd managed to catch even one yet.
"Hmph, not a single update. Probably running around like a headless chicken~"
Arms crossed, Tobirama smirked in satisfaction. His big brother had bagged two already. Surely, that crybaby Madara was sulking in some corner right now.
"Everything went so smoothly... Looks like that intel was worth every ryo."
Watching the two unconscious beasts, Tobirama winced at the memory of how much he'd spent on the info. He'd practically emptied his secret stash to buy accurate intelligence from a shady source. Otherwise, how could Hashirama have found the Five-Tails and Six-Tails so easily?
"Since Madara's not here, I'll go on ahead. Next target... the Seven-Tails!"
A bit disappointed at not encountering his rival, Hashirama clapped his hands and dashed off. According to Tobirama's intel, Chōmei hid in a ravine in the Land of Waterfalls—one with a massive waterfall, easy to locate.
Meanwhile, on the edge of the Land of Fire's coastline, two massive figures approached.
Each was over a hundred feet tall, and every step they took made the coastal cliffs tremble. Occasionally, boulders fell into the sea, sending water splashing into the sky.
"So this is as far as we go, huh…"
Uchiha Madara, dressed in a high-collared robe, opened his eyes, six tomoe spinning in rhythm within his Sharingan.
He sat atop a massive blue feline cloaked in blazing chakra, completely unharmed by the flames.
Beside it lumbered a giant red ape dragging four molten tails. As the lava cooled, it etched glowing grooves into the sand.
Staring at the vast ocean, Madara knew his captured beasts were useless underwater. He leapt down and looked at their dazed faces, slightly annoyed.
"You two—wait here."
The two beasts stared back with glassy eyes, red Sharingan reflected in their pupils. Upon hearing Madara's command, they obediently sat down like well-trained circus animals.
"Susanoo no Kami! (Deity of the Susanoo!)"
Madara's eyes sharpened. Layers of blue armor formed around him. In moments, a towering blue tengu-like mecha stood complete.
"Heh... I've already won."
Standing in the 'cockpit' atop Susanoo's forehead, Madara's Sharingan sparkled with confidence. Having captured two beasts, he was sure of victory.
The tengu's wings flapped, and it shot toward the ocean's depths in a streak of light.
According to Sky Realm intel, that turtle-like tailed beast often surfaced near the coast and sometimes swam into landlocked lakes.
Elsewhere, deep beneath the waves, Gyūki raced through the sea, tentacles churning.
Let's be clear—I, the great Gyūki, am only here to protect Isobu, that scaredy-cat!
"Isobu, I'm almost there! Where are you hiding?"
Switching to the tailed beast channel, Gyūki called out.
"Right under you."
"What the hell? You think burying your head in sand actually hides you?"
Gyūki rolled his eyes at Isobu, who lay buried in the shallows.
"You can't see me~ You can't see me~"
Isobu whispered like a coward.
"Don't worry, I'm here!"
Gyūki patted his shell confidently with a tentacle.
"That's great, we'll definitely—"
BOOM!!
A giant slash ripped the ocean apart, cloaked in blue chakra and destructive power, crashing down toward the two beasts.
"Watch out!"
No need for Gyūki to say more—Isobu had already curled up in his shell, going full defense mode.
"Damn it!"
Gyūki roared and braced himself, catching the attack with muscular arms. His tentacles anchored him to the seabed as he formed a Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bomb) to counterattack.
"Oh? Two of you? What a pleasant surprise."
Just as Gyūki's attack neared completion, a cold voice echoed in their ears. They turned to see a blue Susanoo swinging a massive blade.
"That scent… Indra's chakra!"
Gyūki's eyes widened. He recognized that aura.
He froze for ten seconds.
His grip slipped, and the slash struck his chest, leaving a deep gash that began healing instantly.
"Wait… it's blue?"
Isobu peeked out and blinked. "That old guy's big son used a purple one, right? This one's smaller and blue."
"Whew, at least it's not that guy."
Relieved, Gyūki exhaled deeply.
"A turtle and an octopus? What a weird combo. Whatever, become slaves of the Sharingan!"
Madara's cold words echoed. Unaffected by water pressure, he stood calm and composed inside Susanoo.
"Run, Isobu!"
Having been tricked by the Sharingan a thousand years ago, Gyūki sensed the same sinister power in Madara's eyes. He now understood what happened to their missing comrades.
"Hah, what are you scared of? He's alone—we've got numbers."
For once, Isobu decided to act tough, relying on Gyūki for backup.
And this time… he stood up.
Isobu… stood proud!
BOOM!
Then he fell silent.
Confused, Gyūki turned—only to see Isobu flying at him like a torpedo, single eye reflecting the Sharingan.
Iron Shell Headbutt—GO!
Gyūki sighed. Not surprised. He'd seen that giant Sharingan too.
He tried restraining Isobu with his tentacles.
But Madara wasn't about to let him.
Susanoo slashed again.
"Hmph! Eat my ink!"
Cornered, Gyūki sprayed black ink from a secret spot between his tentacles, darkening the sea.
He tried to flee and alert Kurama.
"Kurama, the culprit—descendant of Indra!"
Just as he finished sending the message, a blue foot stomped his tentacle.
"Could you not?"
No matter how hard Gyūki struggled, the foot didn't budge.
"Did I say you could leave?"
Madara's eyes narrowed coldly.
"Bijūdama!"
This was his chance! At point-blank, Gyūki launched a black energy ball straight at Susanoo's face.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the sea. Madara stumbled back half a step. Gyūki broke free.
"Isobu, I'm sorry. I'll come back for you."
He looked back at the dazed turtle, then shot off.
Thunk!
But he hit something hard.
He rubbed his aching horn, eyes wide.
"I didn't let you leave."
Another blue Susanoo stood before him.
Gyūki's soul froze.
Susanoo… has clones?!
"I'll be good. Please let me go…"
His last thought as his eyes turned red—
Eight-Tails: OUT!
"Gyūki! Hey!"
Back on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waterfalls, a red silhouette desperately tried to reach him.
"Descendant of Indra? No way. Just those weak humans?"
Kurama stopped in his tracks, eyes full of disbelief.
He'd seen plenty of Uchiha. None had chakra strong enough to affect them.
Except… that damn tanuki.
"We're still far from the sea. That guy shouldn't get here too fast. I better grab Chōmei and get moving."
Nodding, Kurama darted toward the Land of Waterfalls.
That land was famous for its waterfalls. Among the mountains, a black-clad figure spotted the biggest one and grinned.
"There it is. Jackpot~"
Based on Tobirama's intel, the Seven-Tails lived near the biggest waterfall in the Land of Waterfalls.
...
"Chief, there's a stranger outside. No idea what he's looking for."
The ninja guarding the area quickly reported the intruder's presence.
"Who is he?"
The chief, a stern middle-aged man, furrowed his brow. Their base was hidden—how did this guy find it?
"No idea. But based on his outfit, not one of ours."
The scout shook his head.
"Send someone to test him. If he's weak… kill him."
"Understood."
Could he be after the Hero Water?
The chief frowned. Was there a mole?
The Hero Water—a miraculous spring that multiplied chakra dozens of times—was their most guarded secret.
"Hey, Kakuzu. Wanna deal with this intruder?"
"Meh. Boring. Not interested."
The dark-haired youth was polishing a rusty kunai.
"Dude, can you not be so stingy? That thing's ruined. Just toss it."
"I can't. Gonna sell it to my comrade once it's clean."
Kakuzu said seriously, not even joking.
"…"
If I weren't weaker than him, I'd snap that kunai in half…
"Fine, fine. You sit this one out. But next mission, you have to come."
Soon, a team of Waterfall ninja headed out.
"Who are you? State your business!"
Hashirama scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
"I'm Hashirama Senju. I'm here to capture a disaster beast."
"Senju Hashirama? Never heard of you. And there are no beasts here. Get lost."
The Waterfall squad captain eyed him cautiously at first, but after hearing that ridiculous claim, his guard dropped.
"Wait… could the intel be wrong? Are you sure you haven't seen a green bug with seven tails?"
Still hopeful, Hashirama described Chōmei.
"Seven tails? Green bug? What nonsense are you babbling? You a lunatic or what?"
The captain clutched his stomach laughing.
So much for mystery.
"Man, local ninja are rude, huh?"
Hashirama frowned. Sure, he wasn't famous here, but still—no respect?
Time to teach them a lesson.
"Haha! Look, he's waving at us like an idiot~"
Oblivious to their impending doom, the Waterfall ninja mocked as Hashirama raised a fist.
"I'll just punch once. I promise I won't kill you~"
(End of Chapter)
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