"So you want to make a move during the jinchūriki transfer?"
"Exactly." Kusano nodded. "For any village, a jinchūriki is a core military asset. If we can capture one or two of them, not only will it severely damage the Divine Court's prestige, but it will also provide our alliance with powerful combat strength."
The proposal caused Nagato to fall into deep thought.
From a tactical perspective, it was indeed a solid plan. During transportation, a jinchūriki would be relatively less protected, making it the ideal time to strike.
The problem was that once they acted, they would completely tear away all pretenses with Uchiha Kai. There would be no room left for compromise.
"Lord Pain, what are you worried about?" Kusano noticed Nagato's hesitation.
"I'm considering the consequences."
Nagato answered honestly.
"Once we capture a jinchūriki, Uchiha Kai will undoubtedly retaliate with overwhelming force. At that point, not just us, but every village in this alliance will become one of his targets."
"So what?"
Kusano's voice grew passionate.
"Lord Pain, have you forgotten your dream?"
"Weren't you the one who wanted to bring true peace to this world?"
"Now Uchiha Kai is ruling the shinobi world through violence. Is this really the peace you envisioned?"
Those words struck directly at the softest part of Nagato's heart.
It was true.
He had founded Akatsuki.
He had gathered the tailed beasts.
Everything he had done was for the sake of ending war and bringing peace.
But Kai's methods—
Though they appeared to have ended conflict between villages on the surface, could a peace built upon fear truly be called peace?
"And besides, Lord Pain, you possess the power of a god. Combined with the support of our alliance, it's not impossible to challenge Uchiha Kai."
Kusano continued encouraging him.
"Even if we fail in the end, at least we'll prove that there are still people in this world willing to stand against tyranny!"
Nagato looked deeply at Kusano.
The man's words were undoubtedly provocative.
Yet they had touched exactly what was in his heart.
"Very well."
Nagato finally made his decision.
"I agree to this plan."
"However, the operation itself will require much more detailed planning."
"That's excellent!"
Kusano exclaimed excitedly.
"Then regarding the choice of target—"
"The Two-Tails."
Nagato answered without hesitation.
"Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki from Kumogakure."
"Among all the jinchūriki, her strength is roughly in the middle tier, making her relatively easier to handle."
"Furthermore, Kumogakure is the farthest from Konoha. Even if the operation fails, we'll have greater room to retreat."
"A wise choice."
Kusano nodded.
"Then as for the timing—"
"Three days from now."
Determination flashed within Nagato's eyes.
"I'll make Uchiha Kai understand that there are still people in this world who do not fear him."
Kumogakure.
The Raikage Tower.
A lay on a hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages and his face dark with fury.
His chest rose and fell violently.
Every breath aggravated his internal injuries.
But compared to the pain in his body, the humiliation in his heart was far harder to endure.
"Lord Raikage, your injuries have not fully healed. It's unwise to get agitated."
A medical ninja carefully examined his wounds.
"Get lost!"
A shoved the medic aside and forced himself upright.
"Mabui!"
The Raikage's secretary hurried into the room, carrying a stack of documents.
Concern flashed through her eyes when she saw his condition.
"Lord Raikage, you should be resting—"
"Answer me."
A cut her off.
"Where is Yugito right now?"
Mabui's expression changed slightly.
"Lady Yugito is training at the practice grounds outside the village, but..."
"But what?"
"According to the Divine Court's orders, we must deliver her to Konoha within four days."
"The village elders have already begun preparing an escort team."
A slammed his fist into the bed.
The sturdy wooden frame exploded into splinters.
"Escort?"
"That's called handing her over!"
"When did mighty Kumogakure fall so low that we have to offer our own jinchūriki as tribute to someone else?!"
Mabui lowered her head, not daring to reply.
Every senior official in Kumogakure understood how devastating this defeat had been for the Raikage.
For a village that prided itself on strength and honor, being crushed by a teenage boy was a humiliation worse than death.
"Lord Raikage, under the current circumstances—"
"I know the current circumstances!"
A roared.
"That brat's strength is terrifying, I'll admit it."
"But that doesn't mean we should wag our tails like dogs!"
At that moment, an ANBU operative suddenly appeared in the room and dropped to one knee.
"Lord Raikage! Urgent report!"
"Speak!"
"Our intelligence network has received information that someone is secretly contacting numerous minor shinobi villages."
"They appear to be planning a joint operation against the Divine Court."
A sharp light flashed through A's eyes.
"Explain."
"According to our investigation, the mastermind is Nagato of Amegakure."
"He is gathering support from Kusagakure, Takigakure, and several other villages."
"They intend to launch an attack during the transportation of the jinchūriki."
Upon hearing the report, A remained silent for a moment.
Then he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Good!"
"Finally, someone still has the guts to fight back!"
Mabui was startled.
"Lord Raikage, you're not thinking of—"
"Thinking of what?"
A's smile turned cold.
"I'm not thinking of anything."
"However, if something unfortunate happens during the escort mission..."
"That wouldn't be something we could control, would it?"
Mabui immediately understood.
Officially, Kumogakure would obey the Divine Court and dispatch an escort team.
But if that team just happened to encounter an attack along the way—
And if they unfortunately failed to protect the jinchūriki—
Then the outcome would be beyond their responsibility.
"Lord Raikage, the risks involved in doing that—"
"Risks?"
A sneered.
"The greatest risk is doing nothing and watching our village's greatest asset get taken away."
"At least this way, we still have a chance to turn things around."
He struggled to his feet.
Though his body remained weak, the fighting spirit in his eyes had reignited.
"Pass down my orders."
"Select the most elite escort team available."
"Make absolutely certain they do their best to protect Yugito's safety."
"Yes, Lord Raikage."
Meanwhile, at the training grounds outside the village.
Yugito stood alone in the center of an open field.
The surrounding land had been scorched black by the chakra flames of Matatabi.
Her eyes remained closed as she concentrated on controlling the violent tailed-beast chakra raging within her body.
As the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, she had endured suffering beyond what ordinary people could imagine since childhood.
Matatabi's flame chakra was exceptionally violent.
The slightest mistake could result in it consuming its host.
Yet it was precisely that suffering which had forged her indomitable will.
"So I'm going to be shipped away like cargo again..."
Yugito murmured softly.
A trace of bitterness colored her voice.
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