Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

As weapons, Jinchuriki are always prioritized for protection and strategic use by their villages.

Aside from rare cases of rogue Jinchuriki, capturing one requires careful planning. Without White Zetsu's intel, such an operation would be nearly impossible.

After all, Jinchuriki are always heavily guarded. Capturing one isn't an easy task.

"The One-Tail and Three-Tails, huh?" Kakuzu spoke up first, glancing at Sasori and then at Juzo and Kyuuroku.

The One-Tail was in Sunagakure, where Sasori had come from.

The Three-Tails was in Kirigakure, and both Juzo and Kyuuroku were from there.

So it seemed likely that the mission to capture the One-Tail would fall to Sasori and Juzo, while Kakuzu and Kyuuroku would handle the Three-Tails.

Upon hearing the targets, Sasori's puppet remained expressionless. No one could see the face hidden within it, but Juzo and Kyuuroku, both from Kirigakure, showed slight reactions.

"Sunagakure's power was significantly weakened during the Third Ninja War, but the One-Tail's Jinchuriki is a young child and will surely be heavily guarded. Kakuzu and Kyuuroku will handle this mission," Nagato said calmly.

Kakuzu immediately objected, "Wouldn't it be better for Sasori to capture the One-Tail? After all, he's from Sunagakure."

"I don't mind," Sasori looked briefly at Kakuzu before turning back to Nagato.

"Tamahime and Nantou have another mission," Nagato explained. "Also, according to White Zetsu's intel, Chiyo and Ebizo will leave Sunagakure in two days. You two are the closest to the Land of Wind right now, so you need to take advantage of this opportunity."

"Tch." Kakuzu frowned. He preferred money-making missions. Even if Sunagakure's Chiyo and Ebizo were absent, completing the mission with a weak teammate would still be difficult.

"I've left a pawn in Sunagakure," Sasori said calmly. "He can help you infiltrate."

"That makes it a bit easier," Kakuzu's frown relaxed. Infiltration would make the mission significantly less challenging.

Kyuuroku showed no reaction. The desert environment of the Land of Wind would restrict his Water Release techniques, but as a sword user, the impact would be manageable.

With the missions assigned, Nagato turned to Ye Zi and his team. "Ye Zi, Kotoe, Shin, you three will capture the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki."

"Understood," Ye Zi agreed without hesitation, in stark contrast to Kakuzu's grumbling.

"As expected from a team of three," Kakuzu commented, looking at Ye Zi. "If I'm not mistaken, the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki is the Fourth Mizukage."

"That's correct," Ye Zi replied, his tone unchanging, showing no hint of the mission's difficulty.

"That could be tricky," Sasori remarked coolly.

The Mizukage was a Jinchuriki. Capturing him would likely mean facing all of Kirigakure's forces.

Juzo offered a friendly warning, "Be careful of the Fourth Mizukage's Coral Palm. If that move hits you, it'll be troublesome."

Kyuuroku's eyes flickered. Compared to their target, a young child, he doubted Ye Zi's team would succeed in their mission.

Ye Zi looked to White Zetsu, his expression steady. " (Gai) White Zetsu, I'll need any intel you have on the Fourth Mizukage's abilities."

"Heh heh," White Zetsu chuckled. "I'll pass it on afterward, though it won't be complete."

Ye Zi nodded. Even incomplete information on abilities would be useful in combat.

"This mission won't be easy. But in three days, the Fourth Mizukage will leave for the capital of the Land of Water at 6 a.m. He'll only take a few personal guards with him. I'll give you the route information as well," White Zetsu explained.

"This is a rare opportunity. You must seize it," Nagato added calmly.

"That raises the chance of success," Ye Zi thought, feeling relieved. Capturing the Three-Tails within Kirigakure would have been extremely difficult, but the Mizukage's departure presented the best chance.

The timing of these missions was due to White Zetsu's intel, which allowed them to catch these rare opportunities.

Capturing a Jinchuriki had to be a one-time success. Failure would only make the villages more vigilant, increasing their defenses.

This time, they would strike two Jinchuriki at once, with no involvement from Sasori.

"What about the Two-Tails Jinchuriki? Any chance there?" Sasori suddenly asked.

"The mission to capture the Two-Tails is postponed," Nagato explained. "Her abilities aren't significant, but Kumogakure doesn't allow their Jinchuriki to leave the village. Capturing her would mean facing the Third Raikage."

Kumogakure places more importance on and offers greater protection for their Jinchuriki than other villages. Currently, their strength rivals Konoha's.

Their approach to Jinchuriki is strict, disregarding the Jinchuriki's own will or desires, executing the decisions deemed best for the village. Even though the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails could greatly benefit the village, the Third Raikage knows which is more critical.

Compared to Kumogakure, Konoha's approach is somewhat lacking.

Simply put, the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails will be the most challenging to capture. As for the Nine-Tails, there is an opportunity, but it's not the right time yet.

Nagato already planned to personally handle the final capture mission, but not just yet. First, they needed to capture the remaining Tailed Beasts.

"The Third Raikage is a true monster. When the previous Eight-Tails Jinchuriki went berserk, the Third Raikage singlehandedly subdued him," White Zetsu chuckled.

"I wonder, could Ye Zi's Lightning Release stand up to the Third Raikage?" Sasori remarked, even with his puppet obscuring his gaze, a subtle excitement was evident.

"I'm curious about that too," Kakuzu added.

Ye Zi glanced at them without responding. As far as his Lightning Release abilities went, he wasn't confident he could surpass the Third Raikage, who possessed a terrifying physical endurance.

When it came to clashing Lightning Release against Lightning Release, physical resilience became the deciding factor, and in that regard, Ye Zi couldn't match the Third Raikage.

If a battle was inevitable, he'd need to devise a strategy or find a method to defeat the Third Raikage's nearly perfect defense.

But for now, his focus was on capturing the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.

"That's it for the mission assignments. Dismissed," Nagato said, showing no interest in further discussion. With the missions set, he ended the Hologram Projection Technique.

As his voice faded, the ten shadowy figures in the room vanished as each returned to their bodies.

Setting a time and place to meet with White Zetsu through Nagato's technique, Ye Zi looked at Kotoe and Shin beside him and said, "Get ready; we leave immediately."

"Understood," they replied in unison.

Despite the daunting nature of the mission, with Ye Zi's presence, the two felt confident.

After briefly saying farewell to Orochimaru and Nanako, the three of them set out toward the Land of Water.

Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Kyuuroku also headed toward the Land of Wind.

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Currently on Chapter 315 - Fighting in Two Places At the Same Time