"Among the nine tailed beasts, the One-Tail, Two-Tail, Three-Tail, and Seven-Tail are the weaker ones. The Four-Tail, Five-Tail, and Six-Tail Jinchūriki all have their own Kekkei Genkai, and their individual strengths are outstanding. They are considered among the stronger ones. The Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails are the strongest. If you prefer, I can assign you a stronger target," Pain said in a deep voice.
"That's not necessary. Five-Tails is good enough," Kirito shook his head. He wasn't like Kakuzu, running around doing extra work. Capturing a Five-Tails was sufficient as a token of effort.
"What about us?" Kisame asked.
Pain replied, "You and Itachi will capture the Four-Tails, and I will personally capture the Six-Tails. As for the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, we still don't know where Kumogakure and Konoha have hidden them."
"If any of you obtain intel during your missions or encounter them by chance, you may act accordingly."
"I understand," Kisame bared his jagged white teeth, a dangerous grin appearing at the corner of his mouth. "But I am truly looking forward to this. My Samehada has been thirsting for the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails and their Lava Release."
Itachi, his scarlet Sharingan gleaming, remained silent from beginning to end, as if none of this concerned him.
Among those present, only Kirito knew the truth—this filial son was already terminally ill.
Due to his frequent use of the Mangekyō Sharingan, his vision and physical health had deteriorated so severely that he relied on medication to maintain himself. He was not far from death.
"Then Kirito, Pakura, Hidan, and Kakuzu—you should move out as soon as possible. The rest of you should also make early preparations. From this point forward, all other missions will be temporarily suspended, except for gathering intelligence on the tailed beasts," Pain declared.
"So, after we capture the Jinchūriki, can I continue collecting bounties?" Kakuzu asked.
"As long as you capture the Jinchūriki on time, the organization will not interfere with your personal matters," Pain answered, then ended the meeting.
***
Three Days Later
Somewhere in a dense forest near the border of the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass.
A group of four Iwagakure shinobi, clad in standard village uniforms, moved swiftly through the woods.
Leading them was Han, the tall, armored Five-Tails Jinchūriki. His fiery-red steam armor radiated heat as he hurried toward Iwagakure.
Suddenly, two figures appeared in front of them.
They stood calmly amidst the trees, wearing black cloaks adorned with red clouds and wide-brimmed wind-bell hats, as if waiting for them. From their silhouettes alone, it was clear—a man and a woman.
"Stop," Han ordered immediately.
The five Iwa-nin halted almost simultaneously, landing on the ground thirty meters away from the two mysterious figures.
"Lord Han, these two look suspicious. What should we do?" one of the Iwagakure shinobi asked cautiously.
"This outfit..." Han narrowed his eyes. "They're from Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?" The four Iwa-nin stiffened, immediately reaching for their weapons while glancing at each other warily.
Iwagakure was not unfamiliar with Akatsuki. Their current Tsuchikage, Ohnoki, had secretly hired Akatsuki multiple times to achieve military goals at the lowest possible cost.
This was practically an open secret among the Five Great Nations.
Under the rule of the Third Hokage, Konoha had foolishly immersed itself in a false peace, completely oblivious to these underground dealings.
It wasn't until Tsunade became Hokage that people began to take notice.
"You're from the Akatsuki organization." Han glared at the two figures. "What do you want with us?"
The man in the bamboo hat spoke casually. "Nothing much. Our leader simply wants you to visit the Akatsuki base."
"Not interested. Get out of the way," Han growled, clenching his fists as his steam armor hummed. Terrifying heat—hundreds of degrees hot—began venting from the armor's exhaust holes.
"That's not up to you," the man replied, raising his right hand in a simple seal.
A split-second later—four agonized screams rang out.
Han turned in shock.
His four comrades had collapsed on the ground.
His pupils contracted sharply. "Impossible. How could they fall for an illusion so easily? Who are you?"
At that moment, the two figures slowly removed their hats.
Beneath the man's bamboo hat was a young, handsome face—a scratched Konoha forehead protector on his head.
Beneath the woman's hat was a gorgeous face—a scratched Sunagakure forehead protector adorning her.
Han recognized them immediately.
"Fujiwara Kirito... and Pakura, the Scorch Release user," he muttered.
"It's an honor to be recognized by the famous Steam Ninja of Iwagakure," Kirito smirked. "Now, be a good guest and come with us."
"Or," he added, pointing a finger at Han's stomach, "the Five-Tails inside you can come alone."
Han lowered his head, his fingers brushing his abdomen. His eyes grew cold.
"Don't even think about it."
Steam Armor—Jet Kick!
With a deafening hiss, steam erupted from Han's armor exhausts.
His body rocketed forward, his scalding-hot foot aimed directly at Kirito.
A Fatal Mistake
Despite Han's impressive speed, Pakura stepped back immediately, dodging with ease.
Kirito, however, stood motionless.
Just as Han's Jet Kick was about to land—
Kirito slowly raised his left hand.
BOOM—
The earth split apart, spiderweb cracks spreading across dozens of meters. Smoke and dust filled the air.
When the dust settled, Han's ankle was firmly in Kirito's grasp.
Han's eyes trembled in disbelief.
"He caught my Steam Armor Jet Kick... with his bare hand?"
"No—even if he caught it, how is he not burned by the hundreds of degrees of heat?"
Kirito smirked. "Surprising, isn't it? Your steam-powered strength is far inferior to Tsunade's raw power."
With one slight squeeze, Han's steam armor cracked around his ankle.
CRACK!
His right leg snapped.
"ARGH—!" Han screamed.
Kirito didn't stop.
His right hand clenched into a fist, coated with Armament Haki, and swung forward.
BANG!
A sickening crunch echoed through the forest.
Han's steam armor shattered as his body launched backward like a cannonball.
He tore through the forest, knocking down several massive trees, before slamming into a towering trunk with a thunderous impact.
THUD!
Han collapsed.
"URGH—" He coughed violently, spitting blood laced with bits of internal organs.
His chest was completely sunken—at least seven or eight ribs were broken.
He tried to rise, his hands trembling.
But the excruciating pain and his shattered right leg made it impossible.
Han could only writhe in agony, gasping for breath.
Kirito walked forward slowly, looking down at him.
"Ready to come with us now?" he asked with an amused smile.
(End of this chapter)
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