Chapter 91: The Next Step

Konoha: The Art of Deception

The air inside the Hokage's office was thick with tension. A handful of the most powerful figures in the village stood around the wooden desk, their expressions unreadable. Outside, the village continued its daily routines, unaware that their leaders were shaping a narrative that would alter the balance of the shinobi world.

"The world believes the Nine-Tails is lost," Hiruzen said, his fingers interlocked as he sat at his desk. "With Konoha publicly acknowledging its disappearance, our enemies will shift their focus elsewhere."

Danzo's visible eye narrowed. "You assume they will believe this so easily?"

"They already do." Orochimaru leaned back against the window, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "The Raikage has begun investigating, but his anger blinds him. The Tsuchikage is already questioning Kumo's involvement. By planting doubt, we keep them chasing shadows."

Homura frowned. "And when another Jinchūriki vanishes?"

"They won't suspect us," Tsunade said, arms crossed. "They'll be too busy blaming each other."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "That is why we must move carefully. We have only a small window before the villages begin to realize the truth." He turned to Ryusei. "Can you bring the next Jinchūriki into your realm as seamlessly as the others?"

Ryusei's Six Magatama Rinne Sharingan pulsed softly. "Yes," he answered. "With Yomotsu Hirasaka, I can enter and leave without detection." His voice was steady, confident. "The moment they enter my domain, they will cease to exist in this world."

Danzo's fingers drummed against his cane. "And you've chosen the Seven-Tails next?"

"Yes," Ryusei confirmed. "Takigakure is isolated, making an attack there difficult. But that isolation also makes it vulnerable. If we strike precisely, we can extract the Jinchūriki before they even realize they've been targeted."

Tsunade frowned. "Takigakure is small, but its shinobi are highly skilled. They may not have the numbers of the Great Nations, but they are not to be underestimated."

Orochimaru smirked. "That's what makes it interesting."

Hiruzen nodded. "Then the plan proceeds. Ryusei, assemble your team. The Seven-Tails will be ours before the world even notices."

Ryusei gave a curt nod. He didn't need to say anything more. The next step had already begun.

Takigakure: A Village in the Shadows

Nestled deep within the forests, Takigakure was hidden from the outside world, its waterfalls acting as both protection and a symbol of its resilience. The village was small compared to the Five Great Nations, but it was far from weak.

Fu, the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki, sat atop one of the larger trees, swinging her legs idly as she gazed at the moonlit waterfall below.

Her connection to Chomei, the Seven-Tails, had always been different from other Jinchūriki. There was no resentment between them—no hatred, no desire to escape. Chomei was… kind.

"You're being awfully quiet tonight," Fu muttered.

Inside her mind, Chomei's voice rumbled gently. I sense something strange.

Fu blinked, tilting her head. "Strange how?"

Chomei hesitated. I don't know yet. But… something is coming.

Fu frowned. Takigakure was peaceful—isolated, even. What could possibly be—

A sudden shift in the air made her breath catch.

Something was wrong.

She turned sharply, her kunai already in her hand—

But there was nothing.

No enemies. No movement.

Only… an unnatural stillness in the night air.

Her heart pounded. What is this?

The Hunt Begins

Far above, concealed within the treetops, Ryusei stood perfectly still, watching Fu from the shadows. His chakra was completely suppressed, his presence erased.

His Rinne Sharingan glowed faintly, analyzing every movement, every fluctuation of chakra within the area.

Takigakure's defenses were precise—barriers woven into the very land itself, making infiltration nearly impossible. But Ryusei didn't need to infiltrate.

With Yomotsu Hirasaka, he could erase the distance entirely.

"Ryusei," a voice whispered through the communicator in his ear.

It was Orochimaru.

"I'm in position. The eastern barriers are exposed for exactly thirteen seconds during their rotation cycle. If you're going to move, do it now."

Ryusei didn't respond. He didn't need to.

Instead, his Rinne Sharingan pulsed—

And reality tore open.

A dark void of swirling energy appeared just behind Fu. Before she could react, the space collapsed inward—and the moment it touched her, she was gone.

Vanished from the world.

No sound. No warning.

As if she had never existed at all.

Inside the Hidden Realm

Fu stumbled forward, her breath hitching as the world around her changed.

She had been in the trees—feeling the cool night breeze of Takigakure—

And now…

She stood in an endless sky.

Islands of floating land stretched beneath her, waterfalls cascading into nothingness, clouds swirling in slow, rhythmic motion. The very air felt alive, thrumming with energy.

"What…" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Inside her mind, Chomei stirred in shock. Where are we…?

Then, she felt it.

A presence.

She turned sharply—

And there he was.

Ryusei stood before her, his crimson Rinne Sharingan glowing faintly, his gaze unreadable.

Fu's breath caught. "Who—"

"You're in my world now," Ryusei said simply.

Fu clenched her fists. "You—! What did you do?!"

Ryusei didn't react to her anger. He only stepped forward, his voice calm. "I've removed you from the cycle of war."

Fu's eyes widened. "What…?"

"You were always going to be hunted, Fu." His gaze never wavered. "Whether by your enemies or by those who claimed to protect you. One day, Takigakure would have turned on you, just like every other village has turned on its Jinchūriki."

Fu swallowed. "That's not true—"

"Isn't it?" Ryusei's voice was quiet, but there was an undeniable weight behind his words. "You were never meant to live peacefully. You were meant to be used. Controlled. Just like the others."

She took a shaky step back, her mind racing.

Chomei stirred again. This world… it's different.

Fu's hands trembled. "Then what do you want from me?"

Ryusei's eyes softened slightly. "Nothing."

Fu froze.

"I won't use you. I won't seal you away." His voice remained steady. "You're free."

The words hung in the air, impossibly heavy.

Fu didn't know what to say. She had always imagined escaping, living without fear—

But she had never imagined someone giving that to her.

She swallowed hard. "And… what if I try to leave?"

Ryusei's gaze didn't waver. "Then you'll go."

Fu searched his face, trying to find the lie.

She didn't find one.

For the first time in her life, someone had taken something from her—

And given her something far greater in return.

Freedom.

She had no words.

Only silence.

And a sky more open than anything she had ever known.

End of Chapter 91.