Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 242: Operation Begins!!

"The operation... has started."

In the Land of Lightning, outside the Hidden Cloud Village, Samui picked up a handwritten note. She read it interestly, then rolled it up and placed it into a message hawk's tube.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

"Sister."

Samui's brother, Atsui, walked over. He glanced at the sealed message tube and said in a low voice, "The surroundings have been checked. Everything is safe."

Samui nodded silently. She took out a few special soldier pills for the messenger hawk from her ninja pouch and fed them to the bird. As the hawk skillfully held them in its beak, Atsui hesitated but then spoke, "Sister, about Master Bee..."

"I know," Samui interrupted. She understood what her brother wanted to say. Being a disciple of Master Killer Bee, she had received much care from him. Consequently, Atsui, too, had a deep affection for Bee. Now, knowing that they were going to betray him, he felt inevitable guilt.

Samui felt the same guilt, but she was more rational. The world was full of choices—family, friendship, love, and teacher-student bonds. Trying to have it all was impossible. Forcing it would only shatter everything.

"The world is cruel, and everything must be prioritized. As for our choices, we decided long ago."

Samui's statement was calm and composed.

Unlike his sister's maturity, the passionate Atsui couldn't help but feel remorse, "But this means Master Bee's life will be in danger."

If it were anyone else, Atsui would never believe that the powerful and perfect Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, would be in danger. But this time, the information Samui sent would eventually reach that person. Knowing that Killer Bee was targeted by that person, Atsui couldn't believe Bee could escape unscathed.

Samui looked at Atsui and, for the first time, called him by his true name, "Re, do you know what the most taboo thing is for both ordinary people and ninjas?"

"What?" Atsui, also known as Hagoromo Re, didn't understand why his sister suddenly asked this question.

"Hesitation."

Samui gave the answer. At the same time, she raised her arm, and the messenger hawk spread its wings and swiftly flew towards its destination.

"Ah..."

Atsui instinctively reached out, wanting to say something, but seeing the hawk flying away, he could only put his hand down in frustration.

"Hagoromo Re, don't disgrace our family name."

After giving these words to Atsui, Samui turned and walked away. After a dozen steps, she paused briefly and added flatly, "I asked for a favor from the clan leader. That's the best I can do."

Upon hearing this, Atsui's eyes lit up.

With the help of the soldier pills, the robust messenger hawk flew over mountains, across plateaus, through forests, and over seas, feeling the sea breeze. Eventually, it reached an island and hovered in an airspace. Suddenly sensing something, it darted forward. In a ripple of spatial distortion, it disappeared.

Lockfront Village.

Hanare looked at the arriving messenger hawk, whistled, and raised her arm. In an instant, a gust of wind helped the hawk to land steadily on her arm.

She fed the hawk a prepared piece of meat, then took out the note from the tube, read the coded message, and quickly deciphered it. Her expression shifted slightly, "The location is confirmed, the operation can begin."

"Also, it seems Hagoromo Han made a request for leniency regarding the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki..."

This was beyond her authority to decide. Hanare put away the note and let the hawk rest in the aviary before heading to Hagoromo Gengetsu's office.

Soon, Hagoromo Gengetsu received the information and made a quick decision, "Since the coordinates of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki are confirmed, let's begin the operation."

"As for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, I'll instruct the team to be gentle."

Hanare was surprised, "Clan leader, there's no need to entertain such requests beyond official duties."

After all, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was from an enemy village, and sparing his life wasn't a typical ninja choice.

Gengetsu shook his head, "Outside the law, there's still humanity. Our clansmen have worked hard and deserve rewards. If a request is within my power, I'll grant it."

"A clan leader should not only enjoy power but also fulfill the needs of the clansmen."

Ignoring the contributions of the clansmen while enjoying the benefits was not Gengetsu's style.

Hanare looked at Gengetsu with admiration. It was their honor to have such a leader.

"It's time to move."

After instructing Hanare to make preparations, Gengetsu glanced at the Zero Ring on his hand. In an instant, his Phantom Lamp Body appeared on the ten fingers of the Gedo Statue.

Soon, Kakuzu, Hidan, Kisame, Deidara, and Uchiha Sasuke, who received the information, also appeared.

Gengetsu didn't notify Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Kei. To prevent small incidents during their absence, they would stay in the village, ready to act as reinforcements if needed.

Now, Gengetsu glanced at everyone present and issued the latest orders without wasting words, "From now on, the final round of the tailed beast capture operation begins."

"Kakuzu, Hidan, you handle the Two-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Understood!" Kakuzu and Hidan replied solemnly.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Kisame, you handle the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Understood!" Sasuke and Kisame, who had already completed their tailed beast targets but remained enthusiastic, responded.

"Deidara, stay in place. The new recruit will join you soon. Your target is the One-Tail Jinchuriki."

"Understood!" Deidara nodded. He wanted to ask who the new recruit was, but Gengetsu didn't give him the chance.

After quickly explaining the locations and the action time, Gengetsu concluded, "I'll personally capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Operation begins!!"

"Disperse!"