Chapter 992: Chapter Seven: Critical Intelligence

"The chakra signature shows no anomalies—this must be the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki."

Kurenai spoke softly, and when facing Su Xiao, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Kurenai was a sensory ninja, which was precisely why Sasuke distrusted Su Xiao’s judgment; after capturing the Eight-Tails’ jinchūriki, the Hawk Team immediately had Kurenai verify for anomalies—result: no anomalies, merely because the Eight-Tails’ jinchūriki was severely wounded, his chakra signature weak.

"The chakra signature is too weak."

Tobi reached out and grabbed the neck of the Eight-Tails’ jinchūriki, Killer B, lifting him off the ground.

"He’s badly injured—weak chakra is normal..."

Snap!

Before Kurenai could finish speaking, Tobi snapped Killer B’s neck outright.

For a ninja of Killer B’s caliber, a broken neck wouldn’t cause immediate death, especially since Sasuke’s two subordinates both had healing abilities.

All eyes fixed on Killer B; Sasuke’s expression grew darker.

Killer B’s breath remained unchanged—still faint—as if the snapped neck had no effect whatsoever.

Tobi’s lone Sharingan narrowed; a spatial vortex appeared, its core brimming with crushing force. Sensing this fluctuation, Su Xiao immediately deduced that Tobi had implanted Kakashi’s Sharingan.

Pop.

White smoke rose; Killer B vanished, replaced by a tentacle nearly two meters long.

It was clear: Sasuke hadn’t captured Killer B—he’d been completely fooled by him.

It was no surprise Sasuke was deceived; it was his first attempt to capture a tailed beast, and he lacked experience. Moreover, Killer B’s substitution technique was utterly convincing—even Kabuto and Deidara, who had previously captured tailed beasts, failed to detect it, though that also had to do with them not being sensory ninjas.

"Hahaha."

Deidara laughed loudly, utterly unconcerned with Sasuke’s grim expression.

"How could this be?"

Kurenai couldn’t believe it—she’d confirmed multiple times and detected no anomaly in Killer B.

"Sasuke, you’re still not mature enough."

Tobi’s tone held no blame; he was merely prodding Sasuke—he knew Sasuke’s competitive nature all too well.

"Newcomer, the first thing you must learn is to respect your seniors."

Kabuto bared his shark-like teeth; he’d previously clashed with Sasuke and, due to Itachi’s connection, he paid particular attention to him.

"Don’t lecture me."

Sasuke knew he was in the wrong—having failed his first mission, it was impossible to expect him to admit fault. Then again, Two-Headed One lived up to his name.

"Kabuto, you’re in charge of capturing the Eight-Tails."

Tobi didn’t punish Sasuke’s failure; instead, he quietly considered how to accelerate this pawn’s growth—through hatred. Currently, Sasuke’s enemies were the Leaf Village’s high command.

"No problem."

Kabuto agreed readily and rose to leave the base—this was Kabuto: he acted immediately upon receiving a mission.

"Deidara, assist Zetsu in locating Sasori. If Zetsu is exposed, you’re responsible for covering his retreat."

"So I’m the insurance, huh."

Deidara spoke in his usual self-questioning, self-answering manner.

"White Night, you’re in charge of the Nine-Tails. You’ve attacked the Leaf before—you’re familiar with their barriers. If possible, don’t capture the Nine-Tails near the Leaf Village."

"I can capture the Nine-Tails, but only if he leaves the Leaf—I won’t capture him inside the village."

"That’s exactly what I meant."

Tobi finished outlining the plan: Kabuto to capture the Eight-Tails, Su Xiao to capture the Nine-Tails, Zetsu and Deidara to locate Sasori, while Tobi himself would remain on standby, ready to use his space-time abilities to support Zetsu and Deidara. To find the Rinnegan, only he or Sasuke could act—the Rinnegan was too critical, and Sasuke was still not ready for such a task.

While the Akatsuki held their meeting, in the Land of Lightning, Kirigakure.

Kirigakure was built among towering mountains and cliffs, a natural fortress. Due to the Land of Lightning’s scarce resources, Kirigakure could not secure much funding from the Land of Lightning’s daimyō.

With no other choice, Kirigakure sought an alternative path—they began researching technology, combining ninjutsu with machinery. Though they had yet to produce anything that shocked the ninja world, they had developed numerous technological ninja tools.

The name Kirigakure wasn’t arbitrary: at dawn, the tallest building in Kirigakure was nearly shrouded in clouds. This elevated terrain also resulted in low oxygen levels in the village’s air.

No one knew what race the people of the Land of Lightning belonged to, but most had relatively dark skin—not pure black, but a deep wheat tone.

Mist drifted in the breeze; atop the highest point of Kirigakure, on a man-made peak supported by metal scaffolding.

At the peak’s summit, inside the Raikage’s office, a furious roar echoed.

"Still no trace of Killer B? Are you all useless?!"

Crash!

A sharp crack rang out; wood splinters flew. The Raikage’s office fell silent. Three jonin knelt on one knee before the shattered desk.

Behind the desk stood a towering man nearly two meters tall, breathing heavily. He wore a white robe with a lightning symbol on the back—he was the Fourth Raikage, A.

Merely standing there, the Fourth Raikage radiated overwhelming pressure; the three kneeling jonin dared not lift their heads.

"My Lord Raikage, Lord Killer B..."

Mabui, the Hokage’s secretary, spoke up—a beautiful woman with dark skin and white hair, clad in a dark green fitted skirt, holding a file.

The Fourth Raikage raised his hand, signaling Mabui to hold her tongue; she bowed and stepped back.

"You have two days. Use any means necessary to find Killer B."

The Fourth Raikage issued his final ultimatum: Killer B wasn’t just the Eight-Tails’ jinchūriki—he was also the Fourth Raikage’s younger brother. Though they shared no blood, they had endured life and death together for years; their bond surpassed that of true brothers.

"My Lord Raikage, this matter is complicated. According to confirmed intelligence, the one who abducted Killer B is named Uchiha Sasuke, and he wears the Akatsuki’s signature attire. This likely involves the Akatsuki. From what I know, the Akatsuki has already captured seven tailed beasts—if we include Lord Killer B, then..."

The speaker was Darui—he too had dark skin and white hair, his expression slightly lethargic, as if uninterested in everything.

The Fourth Raikage was in a rage; even his secretary dared not speak. Yet Darui chose this moment to speak—and his words subtly contradicted the Raikage’s view.

If anyone else had spoken like that, they would almost certainly have been glared at, then "kindly" ordered out.

Darui was different. If Killer B was the Fourth Raikage’s right hand, then Darui was his left. Moreover, the Fourth Raikage had quietly begun grooming Darui as his successor.

"What are you suggesting?"

The Fourth Raikage temporarily suppressed his anger.

"My Lord Raikage..."

Darui suddenly fell silent. The Fourth Raikage glanced at him, then understood his meaning.

"You may leave."

"Yes."

The three jonin felt as if granted amnesty; one secretly glanced at Darui, his eyes filled with gratitude. Darui kept his gaze lowered, showing no reaction.