Within the dark recesses of Naruto's mind, the Nine-Tails' chakra pulsed with heavy intent. Kurama's crimson eyes narrowed as he addressed the massive form before him—Chōmei, the Seven-Tails.
"What? The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path has already appeared?" Chōmei's buzzing voice trembled with disbelief. Its many wings shifted uneasily, scattering faint embers of light in the void between them. "If that's true, then none of us are safe."
Kurama's gaze was sharp, unyielding. "Exactly. Once the statue absorbs us, the Ten-Tails will be revived. And you know what that means."
The Seven-Tails' tone grew more cautious, edged with suspicion. "Then what are you proposing, Nine-Tails?"
"At this stage, you should disappear," Kurama answered flatly. "If the Akatsuki can't find you, then they can't bring back the Ten-Tails."
Chōmei fell silent, wings folding tight. It studied Kurama carefully, as though searching for deception. After a long pause, it asked, "Disappear… temporarily? What do you mean by that?"
Kurama's expression didn't shift. "Exactly what it sounds like. Hide. This is only temporary. A solution exists… but if it fails, then all that's left is waiting for death."
He did not speak the full truth. Not to Chōmei, not to anyone. This was a game of time—delaying the Akatsuki's advance, throwing their plans into disarray, and buying Naruto enough room to move forward.
Even Kurama wasn't certain if their gamble would succeed. For Naruto to surpass even the heights of the Sage of Six Paths and stand against the legacy of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki… that was a future built on fragile hope.
Chōmei's compound eyes glimmered. After a long silence, its wings unfurled once more. "...Very well. I'll trust your word, Nine-Tails. For now."
Kurama's tails lashed faintly, his voice a low rumble. "Good. That alone isn't enough—but it's a start."
Far away, in the waking world, Naruto sat within his room in Konoha. His lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. The vortex of his thoughts spun tighter, drawing all threads toward his unseen plan.
The following morning, the gates of Konoha stirred with unexpected visitors. An elder of Takigakure strode forward, flanked by four guards, his eyes sharp with restrained hostility. Word spread quickly through the village until, at last, the party was granted audience with the Hokage.
Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat with quiet authority. Chin resting on her hand, golden eyes cool and unreadable, she regarded the elder of Takigakure in silence.
The old man sneered inwardly, though his voice came smooth.
Tsunade was not fooled. She tapped the desk with one finger and asked coldly, "Tell me why you've come. There's no way Takigakure would send its elder here without reason."
The elder let out a chuckle, his words laced with mockery. "Heh. Hokage-sama… Tsunade-hime. Do you truly hold the only voice of power in Konoha?"
The sound of wood cracking split the air.
Bang!
Tsunade's palm had slammed against the desk. Her eyes blazed. "You've got nerve. Is Takigakure here to pick a fight? Has Konoha's silence made you think a small village can bear its fangs?"
Shizune, standing at her side, froze with alarm. To provoke Tsunade directly—was this elder insane?
The Takigakure elder, though, was no fool. He had expected this explosion. Without another word, he drew a sealed envelope from his sleeve and set it upon the desk.
Shizune quickly stepped forward, retrieved the letter, and placed it before Tsunade.
Breaking the seal, Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she scanned the contents. Her expression darkened, thunderclouds gathering in her gaze. The paper stank of manipulation—of Danzo.
Her voice was low, edged with warning. "You think waving a single document proves anything? This was truly the work of Danzo and Konoha? Don't take me for a fool."
But the elder did not back down. His tone rose with righteous fury. "Our Seven-Tails' jinchūriki was abducted just yesterday! Witnesses saw agents of your Danzo. Don't you dare deny it, Hokage!"
For the first time, Tsunade hesitated. Could Danzo have truly overstepped her hand this far? Even as Hokage, she knew that Root remained a shadow beyond her complete grasp.
But whatever doubts swirled within, she would not let this man trample Konoha's dignity.
"You will remain in Konoha until this is resolved," Tsunade declared firmly. "Tomorrow, I will give you an answer."
The elder's eyes flickered with triumph, though he concealed it beneath a bow. "Very well. I will await the Hokage's word. Do not let me underestimate your title, Tsunade-hime."
His mocking tone lingered as he turned away.
Tsunade's fists clenched beneath the desk, rage simmering in her chest.
"Shizune," she snapped, her voice like a whip. "Summon Danzo Shimura here immediately. Also, bring Koharu and Homura. And send for Nara Shikamaru as well."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!" Shizune replied swiftly, hurrying from the office to deliver the orders.
The room fell quiet again, but Tsunade's heart did not. Darkness coiled at the edge of her thoughts. If Danzo truly had taken Takigakure's jinchūriki… then this was no longer merely Takigakure's problem.
It was Konoha's shame.
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