Reborn into Naruto World with Tenseigan

Konohagakure, On the rooftop of the Hokage Building

In haste, an ANBU squad worked to unravel the papers wrapped around the figure that suddenly appeared. As they labored, figures of authority including Elder Hiruzen, Elder Koharu, Jiraiya, Tsunade-hime, and Kuroto (Shadow Clone) gathered. They directed their solemn gazes toward the kunai that had been firmly embedded into the ground.

Whoosh!

Abruptly, another silver flash pierced the air, much like the previous occurrence. However, unlike the previous occurrence, this time several parchments manifested out of nothingness and descended beside the kunai.

Tsunade-hime stepped forward and retrieved the pieces of paper. Her brow furrowed with a tinge of confusion as she found them to be ordinary sheets, devoid of any distinct features. With a faint sigh, she muttered, “It appears that the element of surprise worked only once…”

Jiraiya concurred with a nod. “Nagato must have reacted to Kakashi’s sudden arrival… and these papers likely belong to Konan, it seems she is also with him.”

The countenance of Elder Hiruzen grew graver, “This is going to be much more difficult than we could have hoped for.”

The longer the rescue attempt drags on, the more difficult it will be for Kakashi. The fact that Kakashi failed to rescue both Jinchuriki at the same time already made them realize that perhaps he won’t be able to rescue the second Jinchuriki.

And now that these pieces of paper arrived instead of Naruto, everyone understood that even for Kakashi, it wouldn’t be possible to bring back Naruto from Nagato’s hand.

Even if Kakashi has mastered the Flying Raijin, in front of the bearer of Rinnegan and the user of Wood Style, it’s impossible for Kakashi to do anything after the element of surprise is used.

Standing beside Elder Hiruzen, Kuroto was silent; however, there was a clear displeased expression on his face.

The very reason he sent Naruto and Fū to Mount Myōboku was to protect them from the Akatsuki Organization. He never expected that Nagato would reach that mysterious place using such a method!

And it’s not just Naruto and Fū; Yagura was attacked as well!

Nagato appeared at Mount Myōboku in order to capture Naruto and Fū, the papers binding Fū suggested Konan’s involvement in their capture as well. Additionally, Sasori and five Kirigakure shinobi targeted Mizukage’s entourage and attempted to capture Karatachi Yagura. With a considerable number of Akatsuki members remaining—including Obito, Kakuzu, Kisame, and Hidan—it’s highly likely that the remaining Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, and Utakata, have also been targeted simultaneously.

‘Sigh, I doubt either of those two will manage to escape,’ thought Kuroto with a sigh.

Obito’s broken powers are so overwhelming and difficult to deal with that even if both Killer Bee and Utakata (and perhaps all the Jinchuriki combined) were to confront him, they’d likely be unable to defeat him. Escaping his grasp is equally challenging. Once ensnared by Kamui, their fate would be sealed. Given this, Obito likely succeeded in capturing his target, regardless of which Jinchuriki it was.

The trio of Kisame, Kakuzu, and Hidan holds a potent combined strength as well. Once Hidan gains access to a target’s blood, their chances are grim. Consequently, the likelihood of either Killer Bee or Utakata evading capture appears exceedingly slim.

Taking Killer Bee and Utakata into account, Akatsuki has already secured five Jinchuriki. If Kakashi’s endeavor to rescue Naruto falters, that tally will reach six—a big reason to worry!

As Kuroto’s worry increased, suddenly, there was another silver flash, and a figure appeared before everyone.

Whoosh!

The figure that materialized wasn’t Naruto, the one everyone had hoped to see. Instead, it was Kakashi, his face showing signs of fatigue.

Jiraiya took a step forward, urgency in his voice. “Kakashi… where’s Naruto?”

Kakashi’s response was a somber shake of his head. “The mission failed.”

Kakashi, with his mastery of the Flying Raijin, represented the final beacon of hope for rescuing the two Jinchuriki, yet he failed. His failure underscored the grim reality—there seemed to be no remaining avenue for rescuing Naruto.

No one bore blame for Naruto’s capture. Neither Kuroto, who had suggested sending Naruto and Fū to Mount Myōboku, nor Jiraiya, who had valiantly tried to safeguard them, and certainly not Kakashi, whose attempt to rescue Naruto had come up short.

Had Kuroto not proposed to send the two Jinchuriki to Mount Myōboku and instead concealed them within Konoha’s confines, the consequences could have been catastrophic for the village as Nagato would have appeared inside Konoha.

Jiraiya’s inability to shield Naruto and Fū from capture wasn’t something he could be faulted for either. The chasm in strength between them and Nagato is too vast. In the entire shinobi realm, only Yama possessed the capability to challenge Nagato.

Kakashi’s failure to rescue Naruto wasn’t a point of blame either. Merely rescuing Fū alone was a commendable achievement that surpassed expectations.

Elder Hiruzen’s sigh captured the sentiment of uncertainty, “What to do now?” Even his decades of experience couldn’t provide a clear course of action in this perplexing situation.

At that moment, Kuroto turned to Kakashi with a probing question. “Kakashi, your swift retreat suggests that Nagato sealed Naruto’s Flying Raijin Mark, correct?”

Kakashi affirmed with a nod. “You’re correct,” he confirmed, then added, “I can no longer determine Naruto’s location.”

Kuroto’s thoughtful expression deepened as he raised a new query. “Are you absolutely certain Nagato only sealed it and didn’t remove the mark?”

Kakashi wasn’t sure of Kuroto’s intention, but he responded with a nod. “The mark remains. It hasn’t been removed. I can sense its presence, but the location is disrupted because of the seal.”

Once the Flying Raijin Mark is applied, it becomes a permanent fixture. Its removal is exceedingly challenging. Given the limited timeframe, even someone like Nagato wouldn’t have had the opportunity to eliminate the mark from Naruto’s body. This is where Fuinjutsu comes into play.

The fact that the mark is sealed rather than removed signifies a potential opportunity to save Naruto.

As long as the Fuinjutsu obstructing Kakashi’s Flying Raijin can be undone, a possibility opens up. Even if that possibility arises slowly, seizing it might allow for Naruto’s rescue.

Armed with this conviction, Kuroto smiled and nodded. “Very well.” He turned to Kakashi, his tone resolute. “Under the authority of the Godaime Hokage, I’m assigning you a critical mission. Focus solely on this task in the coming hours: exhaust all your efforts to pinpoint the location of Naruto’s Flying Raijin Mark. And, if—an opportunity, however slim, presents itself—utilize every ounce of your strength to rescue Naruto. Do you understand?”

Kakashi and those gathered on the rooftop were taken aback by Kuroto’s directive. They questioned, “Kuroto, what do you mean? And what’s your plan?”

Opportunity? How could such a chance arise? Was Kuroto suggesting a way to create an opening for Kakashi?

With a reassuring smile, Kuroto responded, “Let’s not abandon hope just yet.” Then, in a swift motion, he leaped from the Hokage Building and vanished, leaving everyone in puzzlement.