Bab 168: Ch.168 Childhood Friend
As more and more battle details were revealed, the atmosphere at the summit grew increasingly heavy.
"How is this possible!?"
"Why didn't we hear a word of this before?"
"What exactly is this organization planning?"
The mindset toward the Akatsuki among the attendees shifted once again.
If, in previous Five Kage summits, the villages merely viewed the Akatsuki as a convenient guise for competing with each other, now no one thought that way anymore.
The threat of the Akatsuki was clear and undeniable; even the great shinobi villages, with all their pride, couldn't ignore the reality that no single village could stand against the Akatsuki alone.
The smaller shinobi villages outside the Five Great Nations, meanwhile, were deep in thought.
Compared to the Five Great Nations, who controlled most of the resources and territories, these smaller villages had little reason to oppose the Akatsuki directly.
After all, if the Five Great Nations couldn't take on the Akatsuki individually, the smaller villages certainly couldn't.
So, as long as they accepted the Akatsuki's authority, these small villages could continue to survive.
For them, whether they were ruled by the Five Great Nations or the Akatsuki wasn't much different.
Some even thought it might be beneficial if the Akatsuki defeated the Five Great Nations and overturned the old order of the shinobi world.
With the established system broken, a new order could arise. And unlike the vast reach of the Five Great Nations, the Akatsuki—even at the top of the world—wouldn't hold as much territory. This might give these small villages a chance to divide the spoils and become the new "Great Nations."
At the murmuring within the hall, the Fourth Raikage, unable to contain his frustration, stood up sharply. "Silence!"
The room instantly quieted.
The Raikage slammed his fist on the table, shouting, "Do you think the Akatsuki targeted the Hidden Cloud because we're easy prey? Think, everyone! They chose to attack the Cloud first to eliminate Killer Bee and Yugito, the strongest Jinchuriki, before they fully revealed themselves!"
Zabuza scoffed, "Raikage, mind your words."
Mei Terumi added, "Yes, our Mizukage is the strongest Jinchuriki."
The Fourth Mizukage quickly raised a hand to silence his aides and then asked the Raikage, "Raikage-sama, do you have any evidence to support your theory?"
The Raikage responded, "The fact that they abducted Yugito is evidence enough!"
Onoki scoffed, "If I recall correctly, they didn't just take the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. Didn't they also capture a shinobi with the Storm Release from your village?"
Cee stepped forward, bowing, and announced, "I have some information."
All eyes turned to Cee as the Third Hokage nodded. "Go ahead."
Cee explained, "When Scorpion discovered that Karui possessed the Storm Release, he said he was lucky and that he could fulfill Hiruko's request in passing."
"Hiruko…"
In the back of the room, Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were also present at this summit, exchanged a glance.
Hiruko had been a friend from their student days. Due to his lack of talent, Hiruko wasn't selected as a disciple by the Third Hokage, and his skills had gradually fallen behind. Later, they heard that Hiruko was exiled for conducting forbidden experiments on humans. Although saddened, both had come to terms with it, feeling a sense of regret.
But as time passed, Hiruko's name had been buried in their memories, and its sudden mention now stirred memories of their younger days.
Cee continued, "I later investigated Scorpion's background. It turns out he has a habit of collecting shinobi corpses and turning them into human puppets, so whether it was at Hiruko's request or just his own interest, his decision to capture Karui was likely his own intention."
Hearing this, many nodded in agreement.
Scorpion's habit of collecting shinobi bodies was well known across the villages. After all, his famed "Performance of a Hundred Puppets" didn't create itself.
Cee concluded, "From my analysis, the Akatsuki's real targets in their ambush on the Hidden Cloud were Killer Bee-sama and Lady Yugito. You are all tactical experts; you should have seen the evidence in their strategy."
The Fourth Kazekage frowned. "Why would they want the Tailed Beasts?"
Clearly, he was now convinced by Cee's reasoning.
After all, the Akatsuki's ambush on the Cloud was so odd that, from any perspective, they shouldn't have targeted such a strong village first.
So, it seemed plausible that the Akatsuki wasn't targeting the shinobi villages themselves but rather the Tailed Beasts.
Cee added, "Kazekage-sama, I'm sorry, but I can't answer why they want the Tailed Beasts. But now that we know their target, I urge you to help us rescue Lady Yugito. Otherwise, your own Jinchuriki could be their next target."
The Fourth Raikage didn't waste words, declaring, "Let's vote! Those in favor of forming a joint task force, raise your hands!"
The Fourth Mizukage, being a Jinchuriki himself, raised his hand first.
The Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage soon followed, each signaling the Hidden Leaf's and Hidden Sand's support.
After a moment's thought, Onoki also nodded in agreement.
With the decision of the Five Kage, the proposal to form a joint task force was approved.
...
Hidden Rain Village.
Konan approached Nagato, saying, "The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki has been confirmed. He remains by the Raikage's side, so we failed to capture him. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki's whereabouts, however, remain unknown."
Nagato's face darkened. "The Two-Tails Jinchuriki is missing?"
"Kakuzu and Hidan saw that she was taken by his men, but he refuses to admit it." Konan paused, then asked, "Should we keep pressuring him?"
"This isn't the right time to break ties with him."
Nagato barely finished his sentence before he was seized by a bout of coughing.
Konan moved closer with concern. "Nagato, are you okay?"
Nagato shook his head. "I'm fine."
Konan, still worried, said, "Is it because of preparing the Gedo Statue? Nagato, there's no need to rush. We still have time."
Nagato changed the subject. "After this mission, the Five Great Nations will likely retaliate. Tell everyone to be cautious."
"Understood."
Nagato thought for a moment and then added, "Take this chance to have Hiruko complete his ritual as soon as possible. Tell him my patience is wearing thin."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone