"If we can find it, everything will become much easier. But I don't know whether the Seven-Tails of Takigakure is sealed inside an object or a human body."
Kawamine had already thought about this issue. If it was a jinchūriki, he would first have to break the seal and let the Seven-Tails go berserk.
If it was sealed inside an object, then Takigakure would naturally use it when facing a powerful enemy, which would save them a great deal of trouble.
"When do we leave?"
Tsunade made up her mind, no longer hesitating, and decided to cooperate with Kawafū's plan.
If she became a jinchūriki, the benefits would be immeasurable. The chakra of a tailed beast combined with her extraordinary strength would instantly boost her combat power to an astonishing level.
Moreover, the Seven-Tails was the only tailed beast capable of flight. It had been captured by her grandfather and his subordinates, so Tsunade knew the tailed beasts extremely well.
"We'll continue advancing with the main force," Kawafū said after some thought."This won't attract too much attention."
Once they left the village, he could easily find an excuse to act independently.
At that point, they could locate and capture Nanau, then regroup with the main force at the border. Perfect.
"Then it's settled," Tsunade said."I'll go ask my grandmother about sealing techniques tomorrow. I haven't used them in so long—I'm rusty."
After discussing serious matters, young Kawafū suddenly became lively again, and another fierce "battle" broke out.
"There aren't many people here.""Thanks for your hard work."
"Mmm~"
...
Three days later, the Third Hokage once again convened the jōnin and announced the plan to invade the Land of Wind.
Tsunade was appointed supreme commander, with Kawafū as her assistant.
Supplies from the daimyō's estate had already been dispatched, and large quantities of silver and gold were on their way to Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi brought a more stable foundation for the villagers' livelihoods.
The next day, after the Konoha forces assembled, Tsunade and Kawafū set out toward the Land of Rain, planning to enter the Land of Wind from there.
On the second day of the journey, Kawafū greeted Sakumo and several veteran ninja, then found an excuse to leave the main group with Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato, heading toward the Land of Waterfalls.
Sakumo roughly guessed that his younger brother was about to cause trouble again and watched his retreating figure thoughtfully.
Unfortunately, this time Kawafū kept his mouth shut. Aside from Tsunade, he revealed nothing to anyone else.
After leaving the main force, Kawafū and Tsunade led the way, with the two youngsters following behind.
Now that their strength had increased, their travel speed was much faster.
"Sister, brother-in-law, where are we going?"Nawaki asked curiously, having no idea about the purpose of this trip.
Minato, though calmer, was also watching his teacher and his teacher's wife closely.
"There's not much to explain," Kawafū said."You'll understand once we get there. I'll let you experience something new."
Tsunade had originally opposed bringing the two children—first because they might not keep up, and second because she worried about their safety after battle.
However, Kawafū insisted that they witness the power of a tailed beast with their own eyes, to broaden their horizons and help them grow.
He had high hopes for Nawaki and Minato. With Flying Thunder God as a safeguard, he was confident he could protect them.
"This time, I'll let you experience something spectacular," Kawafū said."But maybe one day, it'll be your turn to perform on that stage."
He was right. A young eagle must eventually face everything on its own.
He didn't want to see Minato Namikaze die because of a tailed beast ever again.
[Saying Minato's death was caused solely by the Nine-Tails is a bit one-sided. I won't elaborate—just keep this in mind…]
"Yes, sensei.""Understood."
Minato and Nawaki were both curious about their destination.
Four more days passed, and the group finally crossed from the Land of Fire into the territory of the Land of Waterfalls.
The Land of Waterfalls lay between the Lands of Fire and Earth. It was filled with waterfalls and was no smaller than the Land of Rain.
Unfortunately, it lacked a powerful leader like Hanzō the Salamander. Even its only notable figure, Kakuzu, had been ruthlessly abandoned and became a rogue ninja.
Takigakure was hidden behind massive waterfalls, allowing it to avoid many wars.
But unfortunately, Konoha knew its location.
At present, Takigakure probably only had a few insignificant ninja left. As for whether there was still a jinchūriki, they would soon find out.
Kawafū remembered that in the original story, the most interesting thing about Takigakure was the Hero Water—something that could increase a ninja's chakra dozens of times, but at the cost of their life.
He wondered whether this time he would encounter a warrior who drank the Hero Water and stood against him to protect the village's tailed beast.
"Which way?"Tsunade checked the map, so Kawafū didn't know Takigakure's exact location.
"Follow me."
Led by Tsunade, the four moved even faster.
Another day passed, and they arrived before an enormous waterfall.
"It's huge! Is there really a village behind it?"Nawaki exclaimed, seeing such a magnificent waterfall for the first time.
"Otherwise, how could a small village like Takigakure avoid so many wars?""My grandfather kindly gave them a tailed beast, yet some of their officials sent assassins after him."
Despite Kakuzu taking the blame for that incident, Tsunade held a very poor opinion of Takigakure.
The village itself paid a heavy price—Kakuzu slaughtered it mercilessly, rivers of blood flowing.
Even today, their number of elite ninja was lacking. The village's overall strength was pitiful.
Tsunade believed they had brought it upon themselves.
"Did something like that really happen?"Minato found it hard to believe. In his warm worldview, how could people repay kindness with hatred?
"Of course it's true. My grandmother told me the story.""The assassins couldn't even defeat my grandfather's wood clone, and he didn't bother pursuing the matter."
If Kakuzu heard this, who knew whether he would feel embarrassed to tell people he had once fought Senju Hashirama.
"Let's go in."
Kawafū leaped through the waterfall and landed on solid ground.
Scattered houses and villagers walking along the road immediately came into view.
Tsunade and the two children followed, stunned by the sight. Behind the waterfall was an entirely new world.
It truly was a unique geographical location.
"Whoosh—!"
Before they could exchange words, a kunai came flying through the air.
They had been discovered by Takigakure ninja.
Kawafū and Tsunade didn't need to act—Nawaki and Minato had already knocked the kunai aside.
None of the four moved from their spots.
"Ninja of Konoha?""Why have you come to my Takigakure?"
Several meters ahead, more than a dozen ninja stood with kunai in hand, forming a defensive formation. The one who spoke seemed to be their leader.
Since Kakuzu failed to assassinate Senju Hashirama, although Konoha didn't pursue the matter, relations between the two villages were no longer what they once were.
Frankly speaking, if even Hashirama couldn't defeat him, it only showed that he never took this small village seriously.
"I'm here to find Nanau," Kawafū said bluntly, a cold smile on his face."Is she still in your village?"
The ninja before him looked utterly fragile—probably not even stronger than Nawaki.
The two children were stunned. Being able to observe a tailed beast up close was truly spectacular.
Their teacher—brother-in-law—clearly had high expectations for them.
"Nanau belongs to our village! Don't even think about taking her!"
The Takigakure ninja screamed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
The Seven-Tails was Takigakure's last refuge.
He nearly lost control and launched another attack at Kawafū's group.
"Haha. My grandfather gave her to you," Tsunade said coldly."Now I'm taking her back."
She no longer bothered to argue. Her expression hardened as she slammed a fist into the ground before her.
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