[I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!] Chapter 268 (Patreon)

In the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was unusually oppressive compared to its usual bustle.

Tsunade paced restlessly behind her desk.

Jiraiya, recently returned to the village, stood by the window, his face uncharacteristically tense as he gazed outside.

Also present was Shikaku, the head of the jōnin platoon. He stood silently in place, but his furrowed brows betrayed his deep contemplation.

Since receiving the intelligence from Mount Myōboku regarding Gensou's attack, the three had remained in this uneasy state.

The sound of heavy footsteps suddenly broke the silence.

Unable to bear it any longer, Tsunade stopped and turned to Jiraiya, her voice sharp with impatience:
"Jiraiya, what's going on? Can we contact Mount Myōboku?"

Jiraiya shook his head.
"Still no luck. Mount Myōboku has intentionally blocked the summoning contract. The summoning jutsu isn't working."

Tsunade's brow furrowed even further.
"What are those toads thinking?"

Jiraiya didn't understand either.

When he first heard about Gensou's attack on Mount Myōboku, he had hoped to be reverse-summoned to provide assistance.

However, after receiving the initial report of Gensou's assault, all communication from Mount Myōboku had ceased. Even his attempts to summon the toads were met with failure.

This was unprecedented in all his years as a summoner.

He couldn't help but feel a growing unease.

More than that, he was deeply worried about Naruto, who was still there.

"Ahem," Shikaku cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

"Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama, there's no need to worry. Mount Myōboku is one of the Three Great Sage Regions, home to numerous powerful individuals. With the legendary Great Toad Sage present, Gensou shouldn't be able to gain the upper hand easily."

"The Great Toad Sage…"

Jiraiya thought back to his past encounters with the ancient sage.

While he knew the Great Toad Sage was incredibly powerful, its occasional bouts of confusion gave him pause.

At a time like this, the sage couldn't afford to be muddle-headed!

Ordinarily, Jiraiya and Tsunade wouldn't worry so much, even if a powerful individual or organization attacked Mount Myōboku.

But this time was different.

The enemy was Gensou.

Having personally experienced Gensou's strength, both of them were deeply uneasy, even knowing Mount Myōboku's formidable defenses.

Tsunade had even considered dispatching Konoha forces to assist, but the distance between the village and Mount Myōboku was too great. By the time reinforcements arrived, it would likely be too late.

Thus, they could do nothing but anxiously await the outcome in the office.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune burst into the room, her expression urgent.

"What is it?" Tsunade turned abruptly, her tone sharp.

Shizune, panting from running, quickly explained:

"Sunagakure has been attacked by the Akatsuki. Fifth Kazekage Gaara… has been captured. They're requesting immediate assistance from Konoha."

"The Fifth Kazekage was captured by the Akatsuki?!" Tsunade's face filled with shock.

Jiraiya also turned, his expression serious, temporarily setting aside his worries about Mount Myōboku.

Having investigated the Akatsuki for years, he knew the group well.

Previously, his search had led him to Amegakure, but he had found little and returned empty-handed.

Now, hearing that the Akatsuki had finally begun their operations—and had targeted none other than one of the Five Kage—sent a chill down his spine.

Coupled with Gensou's recent actions, Jiraiya felt an overwhelming sense of an impending storm.

"How many members of the Akatsuki were involved? They managed to defeat the Fifth Kazekage and the Sunagakure shinobi?" Tsunade pressed.

"Two," Shizune replied.

The office fell into an eerie silence.

Sensing the tension, Shizune continued her report:

"One of the attackers was identified as Deidara, a missing-nin from Iwagakure and a former student of the Third Tsuchikage. The other remains unidentified but is known to specialize in flight and the use of summoning tools."

The increased collaboration between the Five Great Nations, spurred by the growing threat of Gensou, had enabled Sunagakure to quickly identify Deidara's identity.

"I understand," Tsunade said, rubbing her temples.

Though many thoughts swirled in her mind, Sunagakure was still an ally.

Straightening herself, she issued an order:
"Summon Team 3 and Team 7 under Yamato's command to the Hokage's office immediately."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Shizune hurried off to relay the orders.

Watching her leave, Tsunade shook her head in frustration.

"The Kazekage… and a jinchūriki of the One-Tail. This is such a troublesome time."

"Something doesn't add up," Shikaku suddenly spoke.

"The timing of Gensou's actions and the Akatsuki's is too coincidental."

"Agreed," Jiraiya nodded. "And their targets are both Tailed Beasts. Gensou never seemed interested in the Tailed Beasts before."

"Unless he plans to use the Tailed Beasts for something—just like the Akatsuki," Shikaku added.

Piecing it together, Shikaku's expression grew grim as he continued:

"At Mount Katsuragi, Gensou reportedly fought members of the Akatsuki and won. Near the lake where the Three-Tails was hidden, Gensou's subordinate—a former Jomae Village shinobi named Hanare—was spotted but retreated.

The Three-Tails was then captured by Deidara and Kisame of the Akatsuki. And now, Gensou and the Akatsuki are simultaneously capturing Tailed Beasts.

"This all suggests…"

Shikaku's hand trembled slightly as he took a deep breath and concluded:
"That the relationship between Gensou and the Akatsuki isn't one of opposition, competition, or neutrality. It's highly likely that Gensou has aligned himself with the Akatsuki."

"Or worse," he added, "Gensou has already taken control of the Akatsuki, using its members to do his bidding. All of these Tailed Beast captures are part of Gensou's plan."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Tsunade and Jiraiya's pupils shrank in shock.

Gensou alone was already an overwhelming threat. If he now had the Akatsuki—individuals whose strength rivaled the Five Kage—at his command, it was almost too much to bear.

Jiraiya's voice was hoarse as he muttered:
"If that's the case, then what does Gensou intend to do with the Tailed Beasts? Even with all nine united, they're no match for him."

Shikaku shook his head, unable to answer with the limited information available.

The room fell silent once more.

Moments later, footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Yamato, Sakura, Sai, Guy, Lee, Tenten, and Neji entered the office, fully prepared for their mission.

"Lady Hokage!" they greeted in unison.

Before Tsunade could brief them, a communication officer arrived with a scroll, handing it to her.

"Hokage-sama, urgent report from Kumogakure!"

A sinking feeling overcame Tsunade as she opened the scroll.

Her worst fears were confirmed.

The Eight-Tails and Two-Tails jinchūrikis had gone missing.

The report stated that Akatsuki members and Uchiha Sasuke were involved.

Tsunade's head snapped up, locking eyes with Shikaku.

Their darkest speculations had come true.

And then—

"I've reestablished contact with Mount Myōboku!" Jiraiya suddenly exclaimed, his voice tinged with relief.

(End of Chapter)

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