The Hero Water was a mysterious liquid passed down through generations in Takigakure.
It was a sacred water obtained once every hundred years from beneath the giant tree.
Although the Hero Water seemed incredibly powerful, it actually came with severe side effects.
In exchange for massively increasing a user's chakra, it consumed their lifespan.
Because of that, the Hero Water had long been sealed away.
This time, Suien had cooperated with Kumogakure in order to obtain the Hero Water and use it to cultivate fearless expendable warriors.
With such forces at his disposal, seizing control of Takigakure would become far easier.
"Fine. We'll act in three days."
At that moment, Suien seemed to think of something. A cold glint flashed through his eyes as he said through clenched teeth,
"The Seven-Tails jinchūriki can be yours, Kumogakure. But I won't be the one taking action. You'll have to deal with it yourselves."
"Good."
"No problem. We're very interested in the Seven-Tails anyway."
"Hahaha. A wise choice. Once we capture the Seven-Tails jinchūriki, the Hero Water will be ours sooner or later."
Hearing this, smiles spread across the faces of the five Kumo shinobi as they burst into excited chatter.
One of the elite jōnin who appeared to be their leader even clapped Suien on the shoulder happily.
The message was simple—
You've done well.
"…Right."
Feeling the painful weight of the hand on his shoulder, Suien could only force a stiff nod.
Though deeply displeased inside, he swallowed his frustration and said nothing.
"Let's go."
Another Kumo jōnin chuckled.
"We should report to the Fourth Raikage."
"Mm."
The leading elite jōnin nodded decisively.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The moment those words fell, several sharp sounds cut through the air.
The five Kumo jōnin vanished from the room at incredible speed.
"Sigh…"
Watching their departing figures, Suien clenched his fists tightly before slowly relaxing them again.
What else could he do?
If he had another choice, would he really have cooperated with Kumogakure against his own village?
Everything stemmed from one person—
his own disciple, Shibuki, the newly appointed leader of Takigakure, who had refused to listen to him.
—
Not long afterward, in Kumogakure.
Inside the Raikage's office—
"What?!"
The Fourth Raikage's expression changed drastically as he read the latest intelligence report in his hand.
In shock, he shot up from his seat.
The contents of the report were clear:
Takigakure's internal situation had been thoroughly investigated.
At any moment, the Seven-Tails jinchūriki and the Hero Water could be seized.
"Fourth Raikage-sama, the plan is proceeding smoothly."
Mabui stood respectfully with a document scroll in her arms.
"According to the information sent back by the five Kumo shinobi, Suien of Takigakure has already agreed to cooperate."
Even Mabui sounded slightly excited as she spoke.
This operation against Takigakure had been carefully considered by Kumogakure before being approved.
The reason was simple.
Konoha had grown so powerful that Kumogakure was beginning to feel completely helpless.
But the Fourth Raikage was not someone who would easily admit defeat.
That was why he had turned his attention to Takigakure's Hero Water and the Seven-Tails jinchūriki.
Otherwise—
someone like Suien would never have been worthy of cooperating with Kumogakure.
"Excellent! This is truly excellent!"
"Killer B… rest in peace. I will avenge you."
"Hahaha! This time, we will take both the Seven-Tails jinchūriki and the Hero Water!"
A few seconds later, cold laughter filled the office.
The Fourth Raikage, A, clenched his fists tightly.
A trace of madness flickered across his face.
Seeing this, Mabui couldn't help but sigh softly.
She understood.
The Fourth Raikage had been suppressed for far too long.
Konoha's overwhelming power—and the seemingly unbeatable Fifth Hokage—had driven him into deep frustration.
But now, this piece of news had reignited his fighting spirit.
"Send Yugito Nii and several squads of Kumo shinobi secretly to Takigakure."
After some time, the Fourth Raikage finally calmed down and issued his orders coldly.
"This time, Takigakure will be swallowed by Kumogakure before they even realize what's happening."
"Understood."
Mabui nodded solemnly.
—
At the same time.
Takigakure.
Standing atop a massive rock behind the great waterfall—
"So this is Takigakure?"
Looking at the small village hidden behind the cascading water, Uchiha Ren's lips curled slightly upward.
He had come to capture the Seven-Tails jinchūriki.
After entering Takigakure, his Observation Haki had already sensed several unusual presences.
One aura stood out as the strongest.
If he wasn't mistaken, that should belong to the Seven-Tails jinchūriki.
There were also several other presences—
most likely Kumogakure shinobi.
"Forget it. I'll deal with you later."
After a moment of thought, Ren decided not to bother with them for now.
Instead, he silently gave a command.
"System. Check in at Takigakure."
One second…
Ten seconds…
Thirty seconds…
Finally, after an entire minute passed—
A crisp system notification sounded in his mind.
Ding…
Check-in location refreshed: Takigakure
Reward acquired: Secret Technique — Earth Grudge Fear
Reward acquired: Hero Water (No Side Effects)
Rewards stored.
Due to the Host's overwhelming strength, the Hero Water will have almost no effect.
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