Charging into the Sunagakure in broad daylight wasn't exactly a wise move—even Nagato thought so. So he chose the evening instead.
Sakura wanted to complain—even evening isn't particularly wise, she thought. But the leader had decided, so her protests were meaningless.
Half an hour later, Akatsuki had taken the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, and delivered Otsutsuki Toneri in return.
Nagato couldn't help but mentally tally the cost: if Toneri lost a hair, the Kazekage lost ten; if Toneri scraped a bit of skin, the Kazekage lost a layer; if Toneri suffered a little humiliation, the Kazekage suffered tenfold.
The Fifth Kazekage's elder sister gave in without a fight, having been subdued before she could even draw her weapon. Gaara, although unaware of Konoha's previous devastation firsthand, had heard enough. Silently infiltrated, even with the full power of Shukaku at his disposal, he could not possibly stand against the fully assembled Akatsuki. He wasn't a fool.
Still, being captured was hardly flattering. Since the attackers offered the pretense of civility—saying they wished to "have tea" with the Kazekage—he had to play along. Beyond etiquette, he had questions for Akatsuki regarding what Shukaku had revealed.
These are the reasons behind the current situation.
The fact that the Fifth Kazekage appeared in Amegakure wasn't the key point—the key was the exhaustion both sides felt.
"Five! Run toward the infinite light of the future!!!"
Shukaku's sharp, distinctive voice rang out. The "little Five" referred to the Five-Tails, Kokuo, who had been recently retrieved and placed under Sakura's care. Now, Kokuo lay on the ground while Shukaku, particularly unruly, rode atop him, bellowing his slogans.
The Four-Tails, Son, clicked his tongue in disapproval. Always annoying… no wonder Kurama hates him.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, also sighed, swishing his tail. Shukaku, don't disturb the Fifth. His jinchuriki just died recently.
Shukaku sneered. "I wish my jinchuriki would die sooner."
Gaara felt humiliated but harbored no real resentment; his retort carried a hint of playfulness.
"Is that so?"
Shukaku didn't respond verbally but subtly rolled his white eye—everyone saw it. He wagged his tail, clinging stubbornly to Mū, refusing to release his paws or feet.
"Five, die if you must… but one mere human is nothing but trash."
Sakura found these words unbearable. Even if she lent chakra to Kokuo, he wasn't technically Kokuos jinchuriki—but that didn't mean Kokuo could casually allow other tailed beasts to bully humans. Her forehead veins bulged, her gaze fixed calmly on Gaara.
"May I strike it, Fifth Kazekage?"
Gaara didn't respond, but Ditada, watching the scene, spoke for his own jinchuriki.
"Son, is Shukaku really this obnoxious?"
Son said nothing, so Isobu replied.
"Always this way, but only the Fifth indulges him."
"What did I do? Don't think being close to the old man makes you special, Third!
This elder remark was implicit. Gaara knew indulging Shukaku would only lead to trouble. He waved his hand, and Shukaku, once riding Kokuo, was returned to his host. Kokuo then opened his eyes.
Soft willow-green, beautifully mesmerizing.
Sakura's thoughts scrambled—Is this horse… or dolphin?
In truth, Gaara meant no harm. Though his childhood interactions with Shukaku were difficult, time and his ascension to Kazekage had taught him perspective. He learned to accept Shukaku, and even lost powers didn't diminish his understanding. Though different from humans, tailed beasts possessed thought, consciousness, and acknowledged "companions." Summoned or dismissed at will, in reality, wasn't that simple.
Kokuo's sarcasm was sharp, cutting, but Gaara remained the Fifth Kazekage.
"I never realized the relationship between Shukaku and the other tailed beasts was so… close. I overlooked it. But for the Four-Tails and Five-Tails to appear like this… astonishing."
He paused, glancing at Deidara, before settling his gaze on Sakura in her red Akatsuki robe.
"Akatsuki."
Sakura felt singled out—targeted by the Fifth Kazekage.
The scene was tense: Akatsuki fully present, additional personnel on hand, hostages recently exchanged from Sunagakure. Gaara, seeking explanation, had Mū sense the Five-Tails' presence, interrupting his process. Isobu and Son followed, creating a layered display of tailed beast presence.
Konan noted the Fifth Kazekage's subtlety. A young Kage, managing composure even after losing his tailed beast, commanding respect without overt confrontation—it was impressive.
"Just as I suspected," Gaara muttered, scanning Kokuo, Son, Isobu.
"All the tailed beasts in this world have been reclaimed by Akatsuki."
Reclaimed, not stolen. The distinction mattered.
Nagato wanted to laugh but held himself back. The so-called "lowly brat" before him had remarkable skill, enough to inspire some respect. Yet a brat remains a brat.
"You speak well, Kazekage," Nagato remarked. His Rinnegan showed neither malice nor goodwill. The beasts, especially Son, bristled at human diplomacy.
"Hey, little Kazekage," Son clawed at Nagato. "Shukaku told you about the Otsutsuki already. This one used the Outer Path Puppet to exile our chakra, removing the chance for the Otsutsuki clan to find us. You could say it spared the world a major problem."
The tailed beasts harbored no real resentment. When the Six Paths divided them, they lacked significant power. Only when the Six Paths neared death did they inherit Kaguya Otsutsuki's chakra.
Now, power no longer belonging to this world had returned to its origin.
Nagato didn't bother explaining—especially not to a Kage. But since he was in a good mood, he elaborated. Gaara already knew, but wished for confirmation.
Unexpectedly, he was candid, not hiding the "protection" of a so-called terror organization.
"In that case… thank you."
Gaara said this as a Kage, bowing respectfully to Nagato.
Nagato remained unfazed.
"Akatsuki needs no gratitude."
The pride was evident. Gaara nodded slightly at the assembled group. Just stating my position. Then, eyes back on Nagato:
"Your recent attack on Konoha—whatever the reason—it was still an attack. Sunagakure won't let it slide. But knowing Toneri's identity, I will not cause him trouble. Release me now, and we leave this matter behind."
Gaara's tone was measured, neither arrogant nor submissive. Nagato cast a disdainful glance.
"Don't misunderstand, Fifth Kazekage. My explanation about the Otsutsuki is only because I'm in a good mood—and because you are my hostage. Understood?"
Gaara understood, his emerald eyes fixed sincerely on Nagato.
"I swear, in the name of the Fifth Kazekage, not to harm Otsutsuki Toneri."
Nagato shook his head.
Gaara added, "…The Five Kage Summit is imminent. Detaining me here does not benefit you."
Information or otherwise, anyone learning that Akatsuki had imprisoned the Fifth Kazekage before the summit would be quite the scandal. His words were weighty.
Nagato shrugged, standing, Rinnegan glowing menacingly.
"Whether it benefits me isn't for you to decide. I decide. If you can step down, I'll let you go."
...
The complete fanfic (Chapter 261) is already available on P@treon(.)com/Crimson_Lore