In the current Ninja World, knowledge about the Tailed Beasts is limited; such intelligence is top-secret, known only to the village higher-ups and a handful of elite Jonin.
Thanks to the damnable Ninja code of secrecy, ordinary Ninja have no idea what a Tailed Beast even is. To them, those things are simply dangerous monsters.
Yes, right now both Ninja and civilians in the Ninja World regard the Tailed Beasts as legendary demons.
As for how long it takes a Tailed Beast to resurrect after death, how it revives, or where it respawns—that is classified above top-secret.
The only ones likely to possess such information are Kirigakure. Those bastards have a twisted way of thinking; they'll kill their own Jinchuriki without hesitation during internal strife.
Their village is practically the revolving door of Tailed Beasts in the Ninja World, rich in recovery experience.
Just as the One-Tail Shukaku will respawn only in a desert, the Three-Tails should, in theory, revive only where there is vast water.
Half a year ago, when the Three-Tails died together with the Konoha Ninja Rin Nohara, its residual Chakra diffused like an atmosphere, but mainly over the ocean southeast of the Land of Fire.
There isn't much inside the Land of Fire itself, yet Kirigakure daren't take the risk—what if the Three-Tails, in a fit of whimsy, decides to sample fresh water and revives within the Land of Fire?
Whether Konoha has designs on it is irrelevant; what matters is that we believe you might.
If my property shows up in your house, you're guilty. Why it appeared there? Don't ask.
Therefore, to eliminate even the slightest possibility, the hazard drifting over the southeastern waters of the Land of Fire must be cleaned up.
——
In the vast forest along the southeast coast of the Land of Fire.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
Eight Ninja flashed into existence at a pool beneath a waterfall.
Higashino Shin scanned the surroundings while the Uchiha squad activated their Sharingan, searching for any traces.
Though the Sharingan can't see through objects, it excels at spotting minute clues, revealing what ordinary Ninja would miss.
Among the four, two wielded Three-Tomoe and two Two-Tomoe—truly an elite unit.
"No anomalies in this sector," Higashino Shin reported to Gekko Yun Jian after his sweep.
After the Uchiha search, Yashiro added, "The freshest trail ends here; the enemy must have used a Clone to mislead us."
Gekko Yun Jian studied the map and pointed upstream. "Keep going; we'll check the lake region at the headwaters."
With their next target set, the eight sped away.
Hunting Ninja who hide their tracks across this vast southeastern landmass would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.
But the enemy's goal is too obvious, simplifying things: just follow the water network.
At noon the two teams rested on a vantage point with open views.
Ninja aren't perpetual-motion machines; Chakra is finite, and with foes possibly appearing at any time, you can't wait until you're drained to recover.
They chewed special field biscuits—high-calorie, nutrient-rich, fast to absorb, and filling when washed down with water. Open fires are out of the question; they'd give away your position.
As for soldier pills? Unless you're desperate for Chakra, no one touches those things.
Suddenly Higashino Shin glanced skyward: a black dot rapidly grew into a messenger hawk, Ninja-trained, Chakra-enhanced, intelligent, swift, and capable of long flight.
Although wired phones and radio waves exist, they're impractical on field ops.
Worse, they're easily intercepted; Ninja still trust traditional means—hawks or summoned beasts.
The hawk alighted on Gekko Yun Jian's shoulder. He unfolded the message written in Konoha cipher and said, "Progress. Jonin Terai's team found concealed traces, but for safety didn't tail them closely."
Uchiha Yashiro: "Rendezvous with them?"
Gekko Yun Jian spread the map and pointed. "No need. Once we confirm their trail, predicting their route is easy. We'll close in from the flank and intercept sooner."
Target reaffirmed, the eight set off at accelerated pace.
An hour later Higashino Shin halted. "Found them—about forty, heading northwest. From Chakra levels, at least Chunin in strength."
Chakra quantity doesn't equal strength, but capable Ninja rarely have small reserves.
Gekko Yun Jian reopened the map. "Northwest passes several lakes; the largest is Lake Biwa—likely objectives."
This Lake Biwa is not the wife of Hiruzen Sarutobi; it's the biggest freshwater lake in the Land of Fire. The Third Hokage's lady simply took her name from it.
Uchiha Yashiro: "We must stall them—ideally herd them into an ambush."
Gekko Yun Jian turned to his Disciple. "Any ideas?"
"I'll try. If they put the mission first and avoid battle with Konoha Ninja, it might work."
Higashino Shin finished, formed a Shadow Clone, and sent it racing after the Kirigakure squad. Relying on his sensory gift to mask its presence, it tailed them closely.
The main eight kept their original distance in pursuit.
Once the Clone neared the enemy, Higashino Shin had everyone change direction and stopped masking their Chakra signatures.
The Kirigakure Ninja moved cautiously; deep behind enemy lines, they couldn't leave traceable signs.
"Hm?"
A portly Ninja with red goggle-like glasses and three blue facial markings halted, voicing doubt.
He appeared to be the leader; the rest followed suit. A comrade asked, "Nakaji-sama, more Konoha Ninja?"
"Yes, eight on our rear left."
Another, less patient, Kirigakure Ninja growled, "Only eight? Let's wipe them out."
Nakaji, cautious yet short-tempered, glared at him. "Idiot—suggest that again and I'll kill you myself.
They're just a passing Konoha patrol. Avoid them. No side issues. The mission—completing it—is our top priority.
Remember: anyone who jeopardizes the mission dies first."
No one dared bristle after that.
Without Nakaji's sensory cover, they'd all die in the Land of Fire. Kirigakure Ninja may be crazy, not stupid.
After a brief pause Nakiji ordered, "Adjust course and advance. The Konoha squad's just passing through; they haven't spotted us."
He seemed supremely confident in his sensory abilities.
Once they left, Higashino Shin's Shadow Clone dispersed itself.
Instantly his main body received the intel and stopped. "Kirigakure sensor range: roughly six kilometers.
And they'll avoid conflict with our patrols, actively steering clear of Konoha Ninja."
"Understood." Gekko Yun Jian marked the map. "Then we'll funnel them toward Kusagakure Valley. Send the report."
"Roger." Uchiha Inabi, a young Ninja, summoned four jet-black crows, tied the written message to their legs, released one, and sent the other three flying in different directions—toward the other search squads.