The desolate island was barren, populated only by jagged rocks and a few scattered trees.
Though still within the territory of the Land of Water, this uninhabited island was far enough from any village to serve as the ideal location for handling tailed beasts.
The gloomy sky split apart, allowing a shaft of light to shine through as Sixth Squad Captain, Hōzuki Gengetsu, descended from above.
"Here, the Seven-Tails you wanted."
The mustached captain casually produced the vessel containing the tailed beast. "During the mission, I also encountered some interesting figures—Sasori of the Red Sand, the bounty hunter Kakuzu… and a pair of Rinnegan eyes, likely belonging to that Nagato you mentioned, Fourth."
"They're gathering allies. That Kakuzu guy just joined the Akatsuki."
"And also… Orochimaru," Gengetsu added. "That guy's quite something. His research into ninjutsu is deep, and his grasp of Edo Tensei is fairly competent."
"He was after the Seven-Tails too. I fought him, and once he realized he couldn't win, he handed it over."
"He was after the Seven-Tails as well?"
Yoru's brow lifted slightly in surprise.
The Seven-Tails, Chōmei, hailed from Takigakure—that much was no secret in the shinobi world. Many covet the power of tailed beasts, but ultimately, these creatures belong to other villages. If Konoha brought one into battle... they'd be branded as thieves.
Still, perhaps Konoha had reached a point of desperation—capable of anything to avoid defeat.
"So, Fourth, what are you planning to do?" Gengetsu asked, curious as he eyed the sealed vessel. "Surely it's not just to give Kirigakure a new Jinchūriki?"
"Of course not."
Yoru shook his head as he began to undo the seal on the Seven-Tails. "There are two main reasons I'm gathering the tailed beasts. But to explain that, we need to revisit their origin."
"As is well known, tailed beasts have always been symbols of calamity in the war-torn history of the ninja world."
"Their overwhelming power instilled fear. People saw them as harbingers of destruction. Yet, that same power made them valuable tools—sometimes used for war, sometimes as deterrents for peace—always exploited by humans."
Gengetsu nodded. This was common knowledge among the powerful of the shinobi world.
Jinchūriki had long been indispensable in war. Even back in the Warring States period, people were eyeing these beings with immense chakra, treating them as living weapons.
When the Hidden Villages were formed, the First Hokage distributed the tailed beasts to balance power between the villages.
Ironically, the method meant to prevent war ended up fueling it further...
"This is the public understanding," Yoru continued. "But the true origin of tailed beasts… is known to few."
"In legend, the Sage of Six Paths defeated a deity called the God of the Heavenly Eyes. He split its divine power into nine parts—the nine tailed beasts we know today."
"In the ninja world, there exists a group obsessed with these chakra entities. They seek to reunite the tailed beasts and recreate the might of that ancient god, to achieve their own ends."
"My goal is to stop them."
With that, the seal on the vessel unraveled.
An overwhelming, suffocating chakra burst forth, revealing a giant insect with six wings and a single massive tail—Chōmei, the Seven-Tails.
Its compound eyes opened slowly, shimmering in rainbow hues matching its body.
It appeared dazed—perhaps due to being sealed for so long. Its gaze was innocent, like that of a newborn child.
But only for a moment.
That innocence was swiftly replaced by raw savagery, its beastly eyes filled with killing intent.
Unlike the Shukaku or Kurama, who would emerge with roaring fury, Chōmei simply glared silently at Yoru and Gengetsu.
Sensing its gaze, Yoru spoke calmly. "Tailed beasts are immortal. Even if killed, they will regenerate elsewhere in the ninja world after a time."
"But in that interim, they cease to exist. And those sinister organizations? They're forced to stay dormant."
"…So you're not looking to control them—but to eliminate them?" Gengetsu clicked his tongue. "That's a bold plan. The villages won't just sit back and watch you destroy their greatest weapons."
"Besides," he smirked, "if it's just about eliminating them, I could do it too, couldn't I? After all, I'm quite good at causing destruction."
"Indeed, few in this world possess your level of destructive power. Even if the target is a Tailed Beast, I believe you could easily handle it."
Yoru nodded. Gengetsu's Zanpakutō release was among the strongest Yoru had seen—even compared to other captains, he ranked near the top.
Forget tailed beasts. Gengetsu could likely flatten all five Great Shinobi Nations by himself.
"But aside from restricting these evildoers, I need something else from the tailed beasts."
"Their souls."
Yoru looked directly at Chōmei, who seemed to understand their conversation. "These chakra constructs possess unique souls. I need them for my research. Their souls will serve my purpose."
"I see…" Gengetsu nodded, half-understanding. "Still, talking like this out loud might have pissed it off."
"ROAR!!"
Chōmei's shriek tore through the sky. Its six wings beat violently, whipping up a storm of slicing wind toward them.
Yoru and Gengetsu vanished in a flash. The barren island was ravaged under the force of the wind.
Missing its target, Chōmei grew more agitated.
But instead of attacking directly, it began to hover midair, wings fluttering.
From those wings, multicolored spores began to fall like snow, filling the sky with dazzling luminescence that obstructed vision and concealed its form.
Using this cover, Chōmei opened its mandibles. At the center, a terrifying concentration of chakra began to form.
A Tailed Beast Bomb—inky black, growing rapidly, radiating deadly pressure.
Unlike shinobi who develop intricate jutsu, tailed beasts fight by instinct—teeth, claws, and pure chakra. Their ultimate move: the Tailed Beast Bomb.
Simple, brutal, and catastrophically powerful.
"Obstructing vision with spores, then attacking… not bad for a beast."
Yoru drew Hyorinmaru. Frigid air radiated outward.
The spores in the air began to freeze into crystalline ice particles.
Chōmei roared and fired the Tailed Beast Bomb. The sheer force of the blast caused space itself to ripple.
Yoru stood unfazed.
An indescribable cold spread across the sky, plunging the world into a state of eternal frost.
Heavenly Manifestation!
Everything in the sky—the spores, the Tailed Beast Bomb—froze instantly. Even Chōmei itself was caught in midair, encased in ice.
With a single slash, Yoru shattered the frozen beast into countless shards of glittering ice.
"…Your spiritual pressure is suffocating," Gengetsu muttered, watching Yoru.
Since becoming a Shinigami, Gengetsu had sensed the escalating force within Yoru each time they met.
If Gengetsu's spiritual power was a river, then Yoru was now an ocean—formed from countless rivers.
His spiritual pressure alone surpassed the combined might of all the current captains.
"So, the next targets will all be tailed beasts?" Gengetsu asked. "But honestly, with our strength—especially yours—can't we just wipe out those 'evil organizations'?"
"Even without you, Fourth, just a few of us captains could raze the entire shinobi world. How strong could they possibly be?"
"No."
[Ding! Special lifeform 'Tailed Beast: Chōmei' slain. 500,000 points awarded.]
Yoru calmly sheathed his blade.
"Those organizations are merely appetizers. Our real enemies… aren't in the ninja world."
"…Aren't in the ninja world?"
Gengetsu's mustache twitched. What did he mean?
"I've said before—chakra isn't native to this world. Its origin lies with the Sage of Six Paths and the Rabbit Goddess."
"They spread chakra throughout the ninja world, and used this power to replace the original 'physical strength, mental strength, and natural energy' as the mainstream power in the world."
"But why?"
"Was it to promote peace? Because chakra was more 'useful'?"
"Although chakra is versatile, in terms of sheer strength, it cannot compare to natural energy. In terms of stability, it cannot compare to physical strength. Nor can it achieve the self-cultivation and self-mastery of mental strength."
"Its only advantage is accessibility—it allows even ordinary people to wield supernatural power."
"And what happens when those who once fought with fists and insults suddenly gain weapons?"
"…War," Gengetsu whispered.
The proliferation of supernatural power would only plunge the world further into war; this was undeniable.
Because the degree of harm increased, and the cost of destruction and devastation decreased.
"No matter what noble reason the Sage claimed, the true intent was never peace."
Yoru's voice lowered. "Second, I can't tell you everything directly. Too many eyes are watching this world."
"Until we have the strength to eliminate every obstacle in one strike, we must remain in the shadows and bide our time."
"As for our true enemy…"
He paused and looked skyward.
"…Every star in the heavens could be our enemy."
Meanwhile, at the Konoha encampment—
"So this is the Box of Ultimate Bliss…"
Danzo, Fugaku Uchiha, and Minato Namikaze stood before a massive, square artifact carved with the faces of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—radiating a dark, ominous chakra.
Legend said Kusagakure nearly conquered the world centuries ago using this box.
Now, Konoha hoped to use its power to break their current deadlock.
"Let's hope it's enough…" Danzo's gaze fell on Kushina Uzumaki. "The box requires a massive amount of chakra to activate."
"Let's wait just a bit longer," Minato said quietly. "Lord Orochimaru went to Takigakure. He should return soon."
"We can't afford to wait!" Danzo snapped. "We've already lost Itano Town. If Kumogakure and Iwagakure launch a full-scale assault, we won't hold out long."
"But…" Minato's face tensed.
No one knew exactly how much chakra the box required. Kushina's reserves were vast, but if they weren't enough…
"We can't place all our hope in this so-called 'Box of Ultimate Bliss.' Besides, Kushina still has to fight the Four-Tails and Five-Tails from Iwagakure, and possibly the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails from Kumogakure. We can't afford any mistakes."
Akimichi Torifu cut in firmly. "So, let me do it."
"Torifu, you—"
"Sorry I'm late."
A pale figure arrived at last—Orochimaru, visibly fatigued, producing a vial of Hero Water.
"I failed to capture the Seven-Tails," he said softly. "But I brought this back."
"And some… highly unusual intelligence."