The Tailed Beast plan began a year earlier than expected. Except for the Seven-Tails, all the others were in the Five Great Nations. It was inevitable that Akatsuki would eventually face them. However, confronting them now would be too early. While Akatsuki was not afraid of the nations, Nagato had decided to preserve the lives of the Jinchūriki. Several of them were special—either Kage themselves or closely connected to one. If they angered a Kage, a combined attack from the Five Nations could overwhelm even Akatsuki. Fortunately, history showed that extracting tailed beasts without killing the Jinchūriki was possible—Hagoromo himself being a prime example.
"This… this…"
The scroll was handed to Obito. When informing Nagato and the others, Konan showed little emotional fluctuation. Before their arrival, she had quietly departed, only to be reunited today.
"Phan… Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons… modified… safe extraction… Jinchūriki… won't… die."
She still looked emaciated, her face unusually pale. Obito felt a twinge of guilt. Keeping Akatsuki out of this matter had been one of Konan's few personal wishes, yet…
"I'm sorry, Konan… I…"
Konan waved him off.
"Follow… order… the… statue… might… collapse… I… a bit… tired… leaving first."
She refused to involve Akatsuki, even withholding the existence of the Geto Statue from Toneri, preserving one of her last personal desires. Konan knew how desperately Nagato wanted to end the wars, and she understood that the tailed beasts and the Geto Statue were his only hope. In her eyes, the world itself was less important than Nagato. She had tried to find substitutes for the statue and the tailed beasts, but… none could match him.
Nagato was the kindest of them all. Had he known, he would have returned the Geto Statue along with the tailed beasts. But her long-held dream would once again become unattainable…
Konan gasped for air, coughing up a little blood. She retrieved a small bottle of pills from her pocket—half a bottle of dark green capsules, only about a dozen left.
A year ahead of schedule, Nagato decided to act quietly. The only one needing a warning was Deidara, whose temperament and abilities had little to do with discretion.
"One person, one tailed beast: Deidara, One-Tail; Hidan, Two-Tails; Obito, Three-Tails; Kisame, Four-Tails; Itachi, Five-Tails; Six-Tails, Kakuzu, Seven-Tails; Konan, Eight-Tails. Our goal is to capture the Jinchūriki alive, then extract the tailed beasts. If the Jinchūriki dies, it will take time for the tailed beast to revive, so don't cause trouble."
Nagato spoke calmly. Obito glanced at Konan, who remained expressionless, and tentatively suggested, "How about I switch with Konan? The Three-Tails are set. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is perfect for full tailed-beast transformation and has been in the Land of Lightning long-term."
He implied that with Konan's involvement, there might be damage. Kakuzu shook his head at Obito. "Regardless, tailed beasts should follow the order within the Geto Statue. Eight-Tails can wait."
Nagato nodded. "Settle for now. All other missions are paused. The Blue Jade Team will go first. The Scarlet-North Team will assist. The Three-North Team and Obito, during the capture, quickly confirm the Jinchūriki and their locations."
"I understand."
"Understood."
"Got it."
"Oh~"
"Mm!"
"Leave it to me!"
The group echoed agreement. Nagato nodded and repeated, "After capturing the tailed beasts, sealing will take three days. There's no time to deal with village reinforcements, so keep it quiet. Deidara, be especially careful. Kisame, Itachi assist Deidara in completing the task quietly and discreetly. Understand?"
"Understood."
"But once we start capturing, low-profile is impossible. And the other side… the Kage. Once the tailed beasts are extracted, they'll die and tracking will follow immediately. Later, execution becomes harder," Kakuzu interjected.
"I'll handle it," Obito said, producing a scroll. "This is the improved Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons. If we leave one-twentieth of the tailed beast's chakra in the Jinchūriki, they won't die. Illusions will cover it temporarily, and the nations won't publicly announce lost tailed beasts."
Nagato frowned slightly, taking the scroll. "One-twentieth… will that work?"
Obito nodded urgently. "The purpose is to use the tailed beast's chakra to activate the statue. One-twentieth is safe. Just ensure the corresponding eye of the statue and tailed beast opens. A mostly depleted tailed beast can't be sensed nor form a Tailed Beast Ball."
"Itachi, Toneri's conclusion?"
Obito blinked, nodding. Actually, the conclusion was Konan and Orochimaru's.
"If anything, extract them all anyway."
Obito shook his head violently. "No!!!"
His outburst drew surprised glances. Realizing his impulsiveness, he lowered his voice.
"No! The Jinchūriki are Kage or close to Kage. The Seven-Tails is a main combat force for the Takigakure. If they die, the nations won't forgive us. Konoha already knows about Akatsuki. They'll find us soon, maybe before we can even activate the statue. Toneri can't support us below. We'd be alone. No mistakes. That's why we improved the Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons. Even a tiny bit of tailed-beast chakra will save the Jinchūriki. Just a tiny bit—the statue doesn't need more."
"What if the Ōtsutsuki find the exiled tailed beasts in the space rift and track us here?" Itachi asked sharply. Obito froze. No one had considered this. Seeing everyone's gaze on him, he spun around. "I'll ask them—" He was about to activate Kamui when Nagato grabbed him.
"Wait. Discuss it after we capture the tailed beasts. There's time."
Nagato sighed, releasing Obito. "We'll discuss sealing after capture. Prepare to start in a week. Deidara, be careful. Kisame, Itachi, I expect teamwork this time."
Everyone nodded. This mission was critical; any mistake could widen the massive rift.
"Alright, dismissed."
After everyone dispersed, Konan remained seated, finally stopping her finger play. She looked at Nagato calmly.
"What will you do?"
Nagato paused, sighed, and slowly sat back. His words were tinged with resignation.
"Sorry, Konan. Our dream… must be delayed a little."
Collecting the tailed beasts, resurrecting the Ten-Tails, using its power to conquer the world and control the Five Nations—all of it depended on tailed beasts and the Geto Statue.
But…
"Konan…"
"Mm."
"When I saw that rift, I thought of Yahiko and you."
Konan paused, playing with her fingers again. Her face remained expressionless, her eyes calm.
"I wondered… if Yahiko were alive and saw this, what would he do?"
"Nagato, you are you. Yahiko is Yahiko. What he would do doesn't matter. What matters is what you will do."
"I know… but I can't help thinking," Nagato said, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "This world faces threats far beyond us. If Yahiko were here, he'd protect it without hesitation—even if it truly is hell."
Perhaps Yahiko would have risked his life, but his motivation would not have been for the world itself.
Konan stopped moving and placed a hand gently on Nagato's shoulder, firm and resolute.
"Nagato, you protect the world. Whatever you decide or do, I will stand by you. Whether you wage war using the tailed beasts or protect the world—I will be with you. Yahiko feels the same."
Nagato smiled, gripping her hand.
"Thank you."
"No need."
"I've decided. Even without power, we have our way to seize peace. Even if humanity doesn't deserve it, as long as someone still wishes to protect, we will protect this world together. Sorry for taking a long path, but we end up back where we started."
Konan withdrew her hand, stood before Nagato, and lightly tapped his forehead.
Not hard enough to hurt, but leaving a red mark.
"You idiot. Time to prepare the Geto Statue."
Nagato smiled, looking at the composed Konan, and nodded slightly.
"Ah… Eight-Tails is up to you."
Konan nodded, stretching as she walked away.
"Understood."
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