"Up ahead is Takigakure," Uchiha Retsu said, frowning. "Kairen, what are you planning this time? This isn't like you at all."
He hated being left in the dark like this. If it had been anyone else, he would've turned his back already—but this was Uchiha Kairen, and that made all the difference.
Uchiha Kairen glanced around at the others watching him, then spoke slowly, his tone calm but resolute.
"I'm not planning anything reckless. I just think the Seven-Tails has been left to rot. Takigakure has held it for years, and they've never once put it to use. What a waste of power. Leaving a tailed beast idle like that—it's a crime against potential. So why not let it serve the Uchiha? Let it become our trump card—our blade against Konoha and our deterrent to the rest of the shinobi world."
Everyone stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
"Kairen," Uchiha Kirito said, a wide grin spreading across his face, "I used to think I was the crazy one. Turns out you're not only gifted beyond reason, but your head's wired even worse than mine. I like it."
"Wait, you're serious?" Uchiha Gorou exclaimed. "You want to take the Seven-Tails—from Takigakure? Are you out of your mind?!"
Kairen smirked. "When was I ever in my mind?"
"Ha! Now we're talking!" Uchiha Danten laughed, his bloodlust barely restrained.
Uchiha Gorou rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. What did I get myself into? They're all lunatics… and I'm the only sane one left. Kami, help me!
Kairen ignored the exasperation around him and unrolled a map.
"Listen up. If we're going to do this, we move smart. Reckless power gets you killed, but precision conquers nations."
He pointed at several marks on the map.
"First—Honō, Retsu, you two head here. Gather every drop of Hero Water you can find and destroy the rest. Burn that sacred tree to ash if you have to."
He tapped another route.
"Gorou, Danten—you'll disguise yourselves as Taki shinobi and quietly clear a path leading out of the village. We'll need an escape route ready before we make our move."
Then Kairen looked to Kirito.
"Uncle, you and I will pay a visit to the Seven-Tails. If things go well, we release it—then use the chaos to kill the Takigakure's leader and let the beast destroy the village. After that, I'll seal the Seven-Tails inside the Hellhound Clan's summoning realm. I'll forge a contract of equality with it—grant it freedom. It will never again appear in the shinobi world unless absolutely necessary. It'll be the Uchiha's final trump card."
He paused, eyes gleaming faintly red.
"And if things don't go well, we'll restrain it together. I only need a few seconds to drag it into the summoning realm. Once we're there—it's on my ground. Then, it won't have a say in anything."
Kirito laughed. "Now that's my nephew. You can count on me for the fireworks, believe me!"
"We'll handle our end," said Danten confidently. "Gorou and I can clear the route quietly. Leave it to us."
Gorou just sighed. At least mine's the safest job. If things go wrong, I'll be the first to run.
Kirito crossed his arms. "Don't underestimate Taki's leader just because he's weak. He's still a Kage. Don't expect me to take him down alone."
"Relax, Uncle," Kairen replied, a quiet confidence in his voice. "I have this under control. After all—no one in this world has ever seen Light Release before. My elementalization… that's my true secret weapon."
"Elementalization?" Retsu raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Kairen grinned. "You'll see soon enough."
Honō smirked. "When do we start?"
"The sooner the better," Kairen said. "Tonight."
—
Night fell. Several black silhouettes darted across the moonlit forest, moving swiftly and silently. They reached a quiet house near the village outskirts. Kairen stepped inside, pressed his hand against a hidden panel on the floor, and a stone door rumbled open—a secret passage.
The tunnel led them deep underground. When they emerged, they found themselves inside a cave beneath Takigakure itself. To the left rose the massive "Hero Tree," where the Hero Water was stored. To the right lay their planned escape route. And deeper still… was where the Seven-Tails slumbered.
Each team moved into position.
Kairen summoned Inuboshi, the black-furred hellhound, who sniffed the air and began tracking for traces of the beast's chakra.
It was around one in the morning when the operation began.
Gorou and Danten were first to strike. They silently slit the throats of two sentries and stole their uniforms, then began clearing a path outward.
Meanwhile, Honō and Retsu followed their summoned hounds through the maze-like tunnels. When ambushes couldn't be avoided, they struck swiftly and silently. Before long, they reached the interior of the great Hero Tree.
According to old rumors, the Takigakure had been built around an ancient divine tree said to have been planted by the Sage of Six Paths himself. The two Uchiha were stunned by its colossal size—then immediately began cursing the endless spiral of stairs and corridors winding inside it.
Even with the ninja hounds' help, finding the Hero Water took forever.
While they scouted, Kairen and Kirito delved deeper. Kairen grew impatient; his earlier victories had made him reckless, too eager for results. For a moment, he regretted rushing this plan.
He forced himself to calm down, then spoke softly to Inuboshi.
"Change the approach. Don't track the strongest scent—find the weakest one. If there's a sealing barrier hiding the Seven-Tails, its chakra will be faint, almost imperceptible."
The hellhound sniffed again, ears twitching.
Minutes later, they arrived at a narrow cavern. The entrance lay right before them—visible to the eye, yet utterly silent, no sound, no wind, no smell.
Kairen grinned, crouching beside Inuboshi.
"Heh. Found you. Seven-Tails, your new partner's here."