Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 61.

I spent a few days hiding in that cave, tending to my wounds and resting until I was strong enough to meet with Kisame. My body still feels weak, but I can't afford to take any more time to recover.

Just as we reunite, Pain contacts us. His voice echoes through the room, cold and emotionless.

"Hidan and Kakuzu have captured the Nibi."

The moment he finishes speaking, we focus on the jutsu. In the blink of an eye, we manifest in our astral forms, gathered in the darkness of the ritual.

"Let's begin the sealing. It will take several days. After this, only three Bijuu remain."

A chill runs down my spine. That single sentence keeps repeating in my mind.

Only three left.

With each Bijuu that gets sealed, the danger to Naruto increases. I need to act soon. But how? My mind races for a solution, but none comes.

The discussions among the others fade into background noise until I suddenly hear Hidan's voice.

"We nearly killed all the Konoha shinobi."

My heart clenches. I feel my fingers unconsciously curl into fists.

Konoha?

"What did the Nibi have to do with Konoha?" I ask, keeping my voice as neutral as possible, even as my body tenses.

Hidan rolls his eyes in irritation. "Nothing. On the way, Kakuzu wanted to cash in on a bounty, and some Konoha shinobi showed up."

A faint wave of relief mixes with my tension—so it wasn't a direct attack on Konoha. But still...

Who was it? Who fell?

That question burns in my mind as the following days stretch endlessly with the sealing of the Nibi inside the Gedō Mazō. The colossal statue devours the immense chakra of the Bijuu while we reinforce the seal with our energy. Hours pass, maybe days, but I can only think of one thing.

Who were the fallen Konoha shinobi?

When the sealing is finally complete, Pain's voice cuts through the darkness.

"Hidan and Kakuzu, you will head to Konoha next."

A cold weight crashes into my stomach.

I feel the tension lock into my spine, but I don't let it show. I have let Naruto escape too many times. Pain's trust in me seems to be fading. He won't send me after Naruto again.

It makes sense. Hidan and Kakuzu are closest to Konoha. Pain sends his people where they will be most efficient. But I can't just stand by and watch. I have to warn Konoha.

I don't even bother arguing with Pain—it would be pointless. Instead, I listen as he gives his next command.

"Kisame and Yukari, you will go after the Yonbi and capture it."

I waste no time. Before the connection can fade, I focus and leave the jutsu.

"Kitsune!"

I call her in my thoughts, sending my emotions with it—my true concern, raw and unfiltered. Yako needs to know as well. This is about Naruto.

"What happened, Princess?" I hear Kitsune's voice, filled with worry.

"Hidan and Kakuzu are heading to Konoha. They're coming for Naruto. I don't know how much time there is before they arrive."

For a moment, there's silence. Then Kitsune speaks again, her voice sharp with urgency.

"Those are the two who killed Asuma. Naruto is in Konoha, training. A team has already been assembled to hunt them down. But I will inform Itachi."