NOVEL WEB Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Utakata
Konohagakure
Star Clan Grounds
"Seiya, Hikari, Sora—step forward!"
With the command of the Star Clan Leader, three men emerged from the lineup of star-ninja, standing at attention.
"The rest of you are dismissed!" he continued. In an instant, the gathered crowd dispersed, leaving the three men awkwardly standing in silence.
The clan leader turned to Nara Shikaku and Hatake Kakashi, who stood nearby, bowing slightly with a smile.
"Shikaku-sama, Kakashi-sama, these three are the strongest warriors our clan has to offer. Even by the standards of the Five Great Nations, they are unquestionably Jōnin level."
Kakashi gave the trio a brief, appraising glance before signaling to Shikaku with a subtle gesture.
Shikaku nodded, cleared his throat, and addressed the three men gravely.
"Today, I asked your clan leader to select you for a reason. You three are the pride of the Star Clan."
"This," he continued, holding up a scroll, "is a mission issued personally by the Hokage. It is rated S-rank and involves significant danger, requiring skilled and capable shinobi to complete. The mission is voluntary. If any of you wish to decline, now is the time to speak up."
The trio exchanged glances before responding in unison:
"We are willing to give our lives in service to the Hokage!"
These men had earned distinction during the recent conflict against Sunagakure. Upon their return to Konohagakure, they had been publicly commended, personally received by the Hokage, and awarded bonuses. Even the homes allocated to them in the clan grounds were spacious, a far cry from their meager living conditions back in Hoshigakure. They were acutely aware of the Hokage's role in securing this prosperity, and none of them hesitated to repay that debt.
Satisfied, Shikaku nodded. After signaling for the clan leader to step away, he began outlining the mission.
"The mission is simple," he explained. "You are to carry these kunai, specially prepared by the Hokage, and deliver them by air to a high-altitude position above Iwagakure. You are not required to infiltrate the village itself. Your only task is to ensure that the kunai land inside the village limits.
"Once the delivery is complete, you are to retreat immediately.
"Action begins tonight. Kakashi's ANBU team will escort you to the border of the Land of Fire. From there, you'll proceed alone."
Kakashi handed each of them the kunai, etched with intricate markings.
"Understood! We will complete the mission!" The three men accepted the kunai with determination and bowed deeply.
As the sun blazed in the sky, the team—flanked by a squad of ANBU—set off swiftly toward the northwest, heading for the border shared with the Land of Grass.
...
The forest
In the heart of the forest, a figure lounged on a hammock woven, one leg lazily dangling as he swung back and forth.
The man, a handsome youth with long bangs, wore a light-blue robe left partially open, revealing a pale, muscular chest. His appearance exuded the charm of a libertine.
In his hand was a reed straw, which he used to blow bubbles into the air. The iridescent orbs shimmered with the colors of the rainbow as they floated briefly before bursting into droplets.
Utakata had no idea why he indulged in such a frivolous pastime—it just felt like something to do. Perhaps these fragile bubbles mirrored his own life, destined to burst without warning.
The thought lingered. Utakata couldn't help but recall his betrayal. His master, Harusame, whom he had revered, had attempted to kill him. The man he once trusted had sought to extract the tailed beast within him, knowing full well what fate awaited a Jinchūriki separated from their beast.
Betrayed and hunted, Utakata fled Kirigakure, becoming a rogue ninja.
Life truly was unpredictable.
As Utakata brooded over his past, the bubbles he had been blowing suddenly burst all at once. A single drop of water landed squarely on his forehead.
In that instant, he sensed two oppressive presences, brimming with hostility.
"Who's there?" Utakata leaped from his bamboo hammock, scanning his surroundings warily.
No one answered.
Instead, a fierce gust of wind tore through the bamboo grove, transforming the dense forest into splintered debris in moments.
Two figures stepped into view—Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Itachi, standing one behind the other.
The countless bamboo stalks had been an obstacle, so Tobirama had effortlessly cleared them with a powerful Wind Release technique.
"Who are you? Are you from Kirigakure, sent to kill me?" Utakata brandished his reed straw like a weapon, his voice sharp.
Tobirama snorted. "Always the same question..." He paused briefly before replying matter-of-factly.
"I am Senju Tobirama of Konohagakure. I've come for the Six-Tails Jinchūriki—that's you."
Utakata blinked in surprise at Tobirama's bluntness. After a moment of silence, he muttered,
"So it's true. You're the Second Hokage, resurrected from the dead. I'd heard the rumors, but I didn't think you'd really be collecting tailed beasts..."
"But don't think I'll go down without a fight!"
With that, he raised his reed straw, blowing a swarm of head-sized bubbles.
"Water Release: Bubble Technique!"
Moments later, Utakata lay unconscious on the ground, defeated by the power of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Tobirama glanced at the darkening sky as the sun began its slow descent.
Reflecting on the night's plans, Tobirama decided to postpone further tailed beast hunts.
At present, Konohagakure already controlled the Jinchūriki of the One-Tails, Four-Tails, Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails. The Akatsuki had captured the Five-Tails, while the Three-Tails was in the midst of reviving after its previous host, Yagura, had died. The remaining Two-Tails and Eight-Tails were both under tight protection in Kumogakure, making them difficult targets.
By the time Tobirama and Itachi returned to Konohagakure with Utakata in tow, night had fully fallen.
"Hokage-sama, you've returned!"
Shikaku, pacing anxiously in the Hokage's office, finally relaxed when the two appeared.
Tobirama unceremoniously deposited Utakata on the floor.
"Shikaku, this is the Six-Tails Jinchūriki from Kirigakure. Detain him separately from the others."
"Understood." Shikaku wiped the sweat from his brow, marveling at the Hokage's efficiency. In just two days, Tobirama had captured three Jinchūriki—an accomplishment that rivaled the legendary First Hokage.
"Shikaku, how are the preparations coming along?" Tobirama asked, his sharp gaze flicking to the clock on the wall.
"Everything is ready. If my calculations are correct, the team should be nearing Iwagakure by now."
"Good. Let's give Iwagakure something big to remember tonight."
Tobirama clapped his hands on the desk before turning to Itachi.
"You've worked hard these past few days. Get some rest."
Once Itachi had left, Tobirama and Shikaku waited in silence, eyes fixed on the ticking clock.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic finished on Patreon (Last chap 162.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo