The Rock ninja village possesses two tailed beasts: Four-Tails Son Goku and Five-Tails Kokuo.
Both of these tailed beasts have considerable combat strength. However, no one knows which one was taken away this time. What's worse, Black Zetsu also controls a member from the Uzumaki clan.
Thinking about this, Akaba couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This meant that if the escaping jinchūriki truly fell into Black Zetsu's hands, there was a risk their tailed beast could be extracted and resealed into someone from their own side.
But Black Zetsu might not actually be able to pull this off just yet.
Through several encounters, Akaba had discovered that Black Zetsu's actual combat abilities were rather questionable. Unless he controlled a ninja skilled in sealing techniques, he fundamentally lacked the ability to extract and reseal a tailed beast.
"In other words," Akaba mused silently, "the jinchūriki is relatively safe for now. The reason the Rock village concealed this information is to prevent Konoha from discovering the escape of a jinchūriki. Although they must realize Konoha would suspect something, they've already run out of options."
Black Zetsu's concealment abilities were terrifyingly effective. Once the jinchūriki was absorbed and merged with him, even sensor-type ninjas couldn't track them down right away.
A more practical approach would be visually identifying the individual based on physical appearance.
After the Third Hokage spoke further, many clan leaders from smaller families began dispersing.
These clan leaders understood things weren't as simple as they seemed, but what followed wasn't something they should hear. Leaving voluntarily was clearly the wisest choice.
Eventually, only a few individuals remained in the meeting room:
The Third Hokage, Akaba, Motonami Uchiha, and Hyuga Zuo.
Originally, Homura Mitokado should have been present too, but that old man had aggressively pushed for establishing "Root," leading the Third and Danzo to imprison him deep within Root's underground facility.
For the foreseeable future, he wouldn't be getting out.
As for Koharu Utatane—
She was currently fully immersed in researching Medical Ninjutsu. But it wasn't because she had grown indifferent to power or her position as an advisor. Rather, she cherished control over the Medical Division and didn't want it rapidly falling into Tsunade's hands.
Compared to Homura, however, at least she was actively doing something, which significantly boosted her reputation and popularity among villagers.
Once everyone had left the Hokage Tower, the Third Hokage ensured no non-Anbu personnel were nearby before passing around a photograph. "This is the image of a rogue ninja sent over by the Rock village. Externally, he appears to be about ten years old."
"So young?"
Hyuga Zuo frowned.
Clearly, he sensed something suspicious.
If it were just an ordinary child, how could he possibly possess the ability to defect? Besides, if it were simply another low-ranking genin fleeing, Root could easily handle tracking him down; there'd be no need for such a big commotion.
"It must be a jinchūriki, but we don't know which Bijū it contains."
Motonami Uchiha said grimly.
Everyone was well aware of the destructive power a jinchūriki could unleash, especially after witnessing Sunagakure's use of it during the Land of Bird War.
Therefore, gathering more intelligence beforehand was crucial; otherwise, sending the Military Police recklessly chasing after them might result in heavy casualties.
"I don't know either, but the Rock village suspects they might have fled into the Land of Fire. I hope both of you will give your all to finding this jinchūriki."
"The Third finished speaking and fixed his gaze on Akaba. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Akaba, do you feel confident about dealing with a jinchuriki?"
I knew there was no good news coming!
Akaba inwardly complained.
Looking at the photo, outwardly this person somewhat resembled Roshi. However, the photo showed a child without that thick beard and wild hair.
This must be Four-Tails then.
Four-Tails specialized in Lava Release techniques. This ability could be countered by Water Release techniques. Combined with his own Flying Thunder God technique and Goro Goro no Mi abilities, he wouldn't find it difficult to deal with this opponent.
But I only just offended Teacher this afternoon, and now work comes right away. Divine retribution sure arrives fast.
Additionally,
"What do you want with him? Dead or alive?"
"Alive would be better. If we capture him, we can gain significant leverage over the Rock ninja village using the Jinchuriki."
The Third whispered.
Motonami Uchiha thought for a moment and said, "Our Uchiha clan also has the ability to control bijū. If I encounter him, I can temporarily control the bijū. But to be safe, I hope Akaba will be able to reinforce us quickly when the time comes."
"Very well, then let's start the operation."
"Yes."
Motonami Uchiha and Hyuga Zuo responded simultaneously before rapidly vanishing with Shifting Body Technique. Akaba briefly stayed behind.
Not because he had something to say, but simply thinking.
Danzo wasn't here. Since The Third required him captured alive, it seemed Danzo had already gone to Rock ninja village for initial negotiations, and the jinchuriki would become an important bargaining chip afterward.
The next second, he departed using the Flying Thunder God technique.
Akaba's role involved being ready to provide reinforcement. Although he didn't need to accompany everyone searching, once they found their target, he would need to reach the battlefield immediately.
Therefore, he returned to retrieve a box of specially crafted kunai for the Flying Thunder God technique.
These kunai all bore markings, which he strengthened individually before personally delivering them to the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.
Helping others was helping himself; this was a win-win move.
After completing these tasks, he could rest at the headquarters of the Military Police.
The Military Police maintained numerous bases throughout the Land of Fire. Each base had members of the Yamanaka clan and short-range radios, so whenever information came from the Front Lines, it could be transmitted step-by-step to the headquarters through these means.
This method evolved from beacon fires.
That's right — this innovation came straight from Akaba.
Most ninjas had gone out on missions, though some younger genin still remained in the village.
For current-day Konoha, these children weren't required on actual battlefields yet.
Of course, even though Akaba and people like Orochimaru were children too, having recently turned fourteen,
who could blame them when they were stronger?
Since they received resources and power, naturally they had to contribute more than others.
Akaba lay in the monitoring room at the Military Police headquarters. Normally this was where his old man, Sakuma Chiaki, sat, though today he had also gone out on a mission.
With fewer personnel around, this place became especially quiet.
Just as he prepared to take a nap, a commotion erupted outside followed by someone entering unceremoniously after opening the door.
"Huh, assigned to the Military Police, huh?"
No need to turn around.
Merely sensing the chakra allowed him to confirm the identity of the visitor.
Nara Loe — someone with an uncanny knack for numbers.
After the special training in the Preparatory Division, he had already become a qualified Genin. Perhaps now, with further family training, he might have reached the Chunin level.
The difference between clan members and civilians was that ninja born into clans could quickly gain access to a full and structured Ninjutsu training system once they reached a certain level of strength.
"Oh, I'm in charge of compiling and processing criminal search and reconnaissance information."
Nara Loe sat down.
He was holding today's latest manga issue.
Obviously, he knew Akaba was around and had come here to goof off.
This kind of laziness was clearly inherited from Shikamaru.
But wait, wasn't Shikamaru's father named Shikato? That kid hadn't even been born yet—so did that make Loe some kind of unofficial "uncle"?
"Cough."
"Something wrong? Did someone come?" Loe asked curiously while cautiously closing the book.
"No, just my throat itched a bit." Akaba made up an excuse on the fly while mentally scolding himself—he really shouldn't badmouth his friends behind their backs.
Loe didn't dwell on it and opened the book again a second later.
His life was pretty laid-back:
Read books, process intel to pinpoint criminals' hideouts, finish work—without that prior special training, he probably wouldn't have ever gone beyond the Chunin level in his entire life.
It was simply part of his nature.
Akaba glanced at him, then asked thoughtfully, "Loe, don't you ever want to get stronger?"
"Stronger? Sounds troublesome. When enemies show up, someone stronger than me handles it. If even you can't hold them back, there's nothing I can do either. Like last time... Hmm, that was supposed to be classified info, but you were obviously there firsthand."
"That battle's destruction alone suggests the opponent was stronger than all Five Shadow Leaders combined." Loe said calmly.
His strength wasn't high—he wasn't even considered the smartest within the clan—but he was extremely sensitive to all kinds of data. With some materials provided by Akaba and Orochimaru, he could roughly determine the attacker's strength based on destruction traces.
Of course,
this approach only worked with physical destruction—Genjutsu couldn't be measured this way.
"Loe, a genius like you shouldn't go to waste. Come join my Preparatory Division."
Akaba suddenly sat up straight.
Loe's judgment criteria were pretty crude, merely because his own abilities fell short of Jonin standards, leaving him lacking understanding of abilities above the Kage and Five Shadow levels.
With assistance from both Akaba and Orochimaru's data, he could become a human analytical machine.
To the Preparatory Division, he would be very important.
"The Preparatory Division?"
Loe had not great memories there.
"Cough. What are you thinking? Back then you were just a Genin, but now you'd definitely be joining as a mentor assistant. You'd be the one training others, not the other way around," Akaba realized he must've given Loe some serious trauma back then.
At these words, Loe reluctantly nodded, although his attention quickly returned to the manga.
From the story progression, it looked like Jiraiya would probably die soon.
Man, that's rough!
He didn't dwell much further on it, except feeling increasingly aware of his own weakness—someone as strong as Jiraiya in the manga still died during a mission.
Guess staying in the Preparatory Division and being a slacker is safer for me.
Loe secretly felt a chill run down his spine.
If Akaba had any idea what he was thinking, he'd clearly understand why Loe never emerged in the future—he avoided trouble by nature, was intelligent, but had no mentors like Shikato or Asuma to guide him.
But now, he had encountered a giant slacker; perhaps his path would take an entirely different turn.
Suddenly, a signal blinked.
A message came in.
The indicator blinked rapidly, then a voice came over the radio.
"Lord Akaba, the target has been spotted at the northern border of the Land of Fire. It's escaping quickly—requesting backup, requesting backup!"
"I'll head out first."
Before the last word left Akaba's lips, he had already vanished from sight.
In the next instant, deep within a forested area in northern Land of Fire, he reappeared—immediately spotting fierce flames roaring nearby.
"Lord…" started the Military Police ninja, but before he could continue, the figure had already vanished.
Unbelievable speed!
The group stared in shock, completely unaware that Akaba had reached such a level.
Meanwhile, using his Sensor Ability, Akaba quickly pinpointed Roshi's location.
Roshi's aura strongly overlapped with Black Zetsu's—clearly, without help from Black Zetsu, he wouldn't have escaped.
However,
"Run faster!" Black Zetsu shouted frantically, pushing his ability to the limit.
If not for carrying Roshi, he would've fled long ago, but burdened by him, his speed greatly decreased, making it impossible to outrun Akaba.
Damn you, Sakuma Akaba!
Black Zetsu was fuming with rage.
Every time he tried something, this kid always showed up to ruin everything. Unwilling to give up so easily, Black Zetsu shifted strategies and formed a plan.
Realizing escape was impossible, Black Zetsu decided to try one final trick while fleeing:
"Borrow the power of the Bijū—it can make you invincible in this world. Believe in the Bijū's power now, and release it from within you."
"The Bijū? Right, I still have the Bijū—a force feared by everyone across the Ninja World. You told me that if I control it, nobody could defeat me!"
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