Only a select few knew of Lin Yu's seclusion and the impending crisis facing the ninja world. The majority of people were still eagerly anticipating the third round of the Chunin Exams.
Namikaze Minato did not cancel the Chunin Exams based on a single prophecy. If the ninja world was indeed facing a crisis, canceling the exams would be meaningless.
Moreover, Konoha was currently host to the strongest combatants from nearly every village, making it the safest place in the ninja world.
Two months passed quietly, and the third round of the Chunin Exams was about to commence.
…
Land of Earth.
In a forest scorched as if by lava, a bearded ninja in purple robes collapsed to the ground with a "thump." His Tailed Beast cloak receded, and a glowing red fishhook was pulled from his body, along with a crimson stream of chakra.
"This must be the Four-Tails. Its chakra is so meager."
Pushi contemptuously deposited the extracted chakra into a fishing creel and turned to leave without looking back.
"You, who are you?"
Rosshi, lying on the ground, was barely conscious. This unknown enemy had effortlessly drained him and the Four-Tails, Son Goku, of their chakra. This was no ordinary ninja.
Pushi paused, turning his head slightly and chuckling, "My sudden visit is rather presumptuous, but I believe we will meet again soon."
As for killing Rosshi and extracting the Tailed Beast, Pushi found it pointless. The pills refined from the Four-Tails' chakra were barely enough for him to snack on like candy. It was better to treat him like a field of chives, only harvesting now and then.
"The chakra of the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails are all lackluster. It seems the true core lies in the final Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails?"
Having been in the ninja world for over two months, he had gathered considerable information, including details about Jinchuriki.
"A joint Chunin Exams across all ninja villages. It's perfect for catching them all in one net, saving a lot of effort."
Just as Pushi was preparing to head to Konoha, a black and red spatial portal opened beside him. Isshiki, who resided within Jigen's body, stepped out with a blank expression.
"You are too slow. Where is Momoshiki?"
Pushi quickly identified him and then smiled, "Senior Isshiki, how did you end up in this state?"
Isshiki snorted, "That woman Kaguya ambushed me when I wasn't paying attention, severely wounding me and causing me to be partially consumed by the Ten-Tails. That's how I ended up like this."
"As expected of you, Senior. Your experiences are far richer than mine," Pushi said with feigned sympathy, though the mockery in his words was evident. It was laughable for a superior to be betrayed by a subordinate.
"Enough nonsense, where is Momoshiki?"
"You mean Little Mo... Senior Momoshiki? He's currently gathering information on the traitor," Pushi quickly corrected himself, nearly slipping up.
Isshiki stated, "Traitor... I know everything about that woman Kaguya. She cannot come out right now. The strongest in the ninja world is a Konoha ninja named Uzumaki Lin Yu."
"Quickly notify Momoshiki. As long as we kill Uzumaki Lin Yu, seize all the Tailed Beasts, replant the God Tree, and perhaps even devour that woman Kaguya in the end."
"Nyah nyah nyah, Senior Isshiki, there's no need to rush. You seem to have been outside for too long, even growing fearful of the power of the natives."
Pushi intended to tease Isshiki further, but noticing the other's stern expression, he cleared his throat. "Since Senior insists, come with me."
Then, a dark rift tore open behind Pushi. Isshiki, without hesitation, stepped through it. Pushi sighed, reeled in his fishing rod, and followed.
"It seems it's time for the main course."
…
Shortly after, news of Jinchuriki being attacked spread through the various villages. Fortunately, the Jinchuriki had only been drained of chakra and rendered unconscious, without any life-threatening injuries. However, the news reached Konoha because the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, was currently there.
"Alright, I understand."
A, the Fourth Raikage, listened to his subordinates' reports, his expression growing grave. An unknown ninja had attacked a Jinchuriki, draining their chakra with near-instantaneous speed. Such a powerful individual was rare in the ninja world.
But why would they drain chakra instead of seizing the Tailed Beast?
A's initial suspicion fell on the Akatsuki, as they had a precedent. Their Cloud Ninja village's Two-Tails had been taken by them, and its fate remained unknown.
However, the Akatsuki's goal was to capture the Tailed Beasts, which was the complete opposite of the attacker's actions. It was perplexing.
A spoke solemnly to Minato Namikaze, "Konoha must have received the news as well. An unidentified ninja has attacked a Jinchuriki and taken their chakra. Although their motives are unclear, I would like Konoha to dispatch additional personnel to protect Killer B and Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Of course, if the One-Tails Jinchuriki of Sunagakure and the Three-Tails Jinchuriki of Kirigakure are present, they can be protected as well."
Rasa glanced at A and, realizing it wasn't intentional, stated with a grim face, "Sunagakure no longer has a Jinchuriki."
Mei Terumi added, "Our Three-Tails seems to have been captured by someone and is being kept as a pet."
Minato Namikaze scratched his head and smiled, "Our Konoha's Jinchuriki... he's let the Nine-Tails roam free."
"..."
A was silent for a second, then exploded, "You guys are still in the mood for jokes at a time like this? Someone might be attacking Jinchuriki as part of an organization. This is a very serious matter. I'm sure you don't want your villages to lose their Jinchuriki."
Rasa said gravely, "The One-Tails is gone."
Mei Terumi followed, "The Three-Tails is gone."
Minato Namikaze chuckled sheepishly, "The Nine-Tails... is also gone."
The old man with the red nose, Onoki, looked around and instinctively said, "The Four-Tails and the Five-Tails are also gone. They just disappeared, oh no, they're still here."
Enraged, A smashed the armrest of his chair and shouted, "Dare any of you make another joke!"
Rasa, Mei Terumi, and Minato Namikaze spread their hands helplessly. "They are truly gone!"
"..."
Seeing that the three Kage were not joking, A asked, "Why haven't I heard about such an important matter?"
The three Kage simultaneously looked at the Raikage with expressions akin to looking at an idiot.
You yourself know this is important. Would a village announce to the world that their Jinchuriki is gone?
A, jolted back to reality by the Kage's gazes, feigned indifference. "In that case, Hokage, if there aren't enough personnel, I will inform the Cloud Village..."
"Please rest assured, Raikage-sama. Konoha will protect everyone's safety. Anyone who dares to cause trouble in Konoha, I, Minato Namikaze, will not let them get away with it."
Minato Namikaze's tone was serious, but inwardly he was already considering candidates for the next Hokage. The ninja world, which seemed peaceful on the surface, was actually becoming increasingly turbulent. Coupled with Jiraiya's words about the impending crisis,
Minato truly didn't want to be Hokage anymore.
The Hokage position paid little, had endless work, no holidays, and no overtime pay. The year-end bonuses were distributed to his subordinates, leaving him with nothing.
Minato even suspected his son Naruto might be wealthier than him. To be Hokage to this extent, he could be rated as the poorest Hokage in history.