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"…it's starting."
Outside Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, Samui held a handwritten note, silently reading it over one last time before rolling it up and placing it into the message hawk's carrier tube.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Sister," her younger brother, Atsui, called out as he walked over, glancing at the sealed message tube. With a serious tone, he reported,
"The perimeter has been checked. Everything is secure."
Samui nodded silently, reaching into her ninja pouch and pulling out several ration pills designed for summoning beasts. She offered them to the message hawk, which skillfully took one in its beak, ready to consume it mid-flight.
Watching the bird prepare, Atsui hesitated but finally spoke,
"Sister, about Lord Bee…"
"I know," Samui interrupted.
She was well aware of what her younger brother wanted to say.
As one of Killer Bee's students, she had been deeply cared for by him. Naturally, Atsui himself had developed a close bond with the mentor they both admired.
Now, knowing they were about to betray him, it was hard not to feel guilt.
Samui felt it too, but she remained composed.
This world was full of difficult choices.
Family, friendship, love, and loyalty to one's teacher…
It was impossible to keep them all.
Trying to do so would only result in everything shattering.
"The world is cruel, and sacrifices must be made. As for our choice, we decided long ago," she stated calmly.
Unlike her measured maturity, Atsui, with his fiery temperament, couldn't hide his unease.
"But this will cost Lord Bee his life!"
If it had been anyone else, Atsui would never believe that someone as strong as Killer Bee—one of the Shinobi World's finest warriors and a perfect jinchūriki—could be in danger.
But this time, the information Samui had sent would land in his hands.
And if Killer Bee became a target of that man, Atsui couldn't imagine any chance of escape.
Samui looked at Atsui and, for the first time, addressed him by his real name.
"Hayate, do you know the most dangerous flaw, whether for ordinary people or shinobi?"
"What is it?" Atsui—whose full name was Hagoromo Hayate—asked, confused by the sudden question.
"Indecision."
With that, she raised her arm, and the message hawk spread its wings, soaring rapidly toward its destination.
"Ah…"
Atsui instinctively reached out, wanting to say something, but the hawk was already far away. He could only lower his hand in resignation.
"Hayate, don't disgrace your name," Samui said as she turned and walked away.
After a few steps, she paused briefly and added,
"I've pleaded for leniency. That's all I could do."
Atsui's eyes lit up with hope at her words.
Fueled by the ration pills, the majestic message hawk flew tirelessly, crossing mountains, plateaus, forests, and finally feeling the ocean breeze as it glided over a strait to reach an island.
Hovering for a moment, the hawk sensed something unusual. Its wings beat rapidly, and in a flash of spatial distortion, it disappeared.
Jōmae Village
Hanare watched as the hawk arrived, whistling softly to signal it. She raised her arm, and the hawk landed gracefully.
After feeding it a strip of meat, Hanare retrieved the note from its leg, quickly deciphering the coded message.
"The locations are confirmed. The operation can begin," she said, her expression shifting slightly.
"And Hagoromo Samui… so she can plead for mercy, too. For the Eight-Tails, no less."
That decision wasn't hers to make.
After filing the note and sending the hawk to rest, Hanare hurried to Gensou's office.
Moments later, Gensou reviewed the intelligence and made a swift decision.
"With the coordinates of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchūriki confirmed, it's time to begin the operation. For the Eight-Tails, I'll instruct our people to hold back somewhat."
Hanare was surprised. "Clan Leader, such requests from Samui are beyond her duties and needn't be entertained."
After all, sparing the life of a jinchūriki from an enemy village wasn't a logical choice for a ninja.
Gensou shook his head.
"Even the strictest laws must leave room for humanity. Our clan members work hard, and their efforts deserve acknowledgment. If a request can be fulfilled within reason, I see no harm in granting it.
As a leader, enjoying privileges beyond those of your clan comes with the responsibility to meet their needs in return."
The words left Hanare in awe. She couldn't help but admire Gensou. To serve such a leader was their greatest fortune.
"It's time to move."
After sending Hanare to finalize the preparations, Gensou glanced at the Zero Ring on his hand.
In an instant, his holographic projection appeared on one of the Gedo Statue's ten fingers.
One by one, Kakuzu, Hidan, Kisame, Deidara, and Sasuke joined him.
This time, Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Gin were not summoned.
To ensure Jōmae Village's safety in their absence, the two would remain to oversee and serve as a reserve force.
Standing before his gathered forces, Gensou wasted no time and issued his orders.
"As of now, the final phase of the tailed beast capture operation begins."
"Kakuzu, Hidan—your target is the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails."
"Yes!" Kakuzu and Hidan responded.
"Sasuke, Kisame—the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails is yours."
"Yes!" Sasuke and Kisame replied, the latter's enthusiasm undiminished despite completing his previous quota.
"Deidara—you'll remain here. A new recruit will join you shortly, and your target will be the jinchūriki of the One-Tail."
"Yes!" Deidara nodded, curious about his new partner. He had assumed it would be Sasuke, but apparently not.
Without offering any explanation, Gensou swiftly relayed the locations of the jinchūriki and the timing for the attacks.
Finally, he declared, "I will personally handle the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails."
"Begin the operation!"
"Disperse!"
(End of Chapter)
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