Published at 26th of December 2025 7:36 am

Chapter 913 Lets Not Abandon Hope

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Konohagakure, On the rooftop of the Hokage Building

In haste, an ANBU squad worked to unravel the papers wrapped around the figure that suddenly appeared. As they labored, figures of authority including Elder Hiruzen, Elder Koharu, Jiraiya, Tsunade-hime, and Kuroto (Shadow Clone) gathered. They directed their solemn gazes toward the kunai that had been firmly embedded into the ground.

Whoosh!

Abruptly, another silver flash pierced the air, much like the previous occurrence. However, unlike the previous occurrence, this time several parchments manifested out of nothingness and descended beside the kunai.

Tsunade-hime stepped forward and retrieved the pieces of paper. Her brow furrowed with a tinge of confusion as she found them to be ordinary sheets, devoid of any distinct features. With a faint sigh, she muttered, It appears that the element of surprise worked only once

Jiraiya concurred with a nod. Nagato must have reacted to Kakashis sudden arrival and these papers likely belong to Konan, it seems she is also with him.

The countenance of Elder Hiruzen grew graver, This is going to be much more difficult than we could have hoped for.

The longer the rescue attempt drags on, the more difficult it will be for Kakashi. The fact that Kakashi failed to rescue both Jinchuriki at the same time already made them realize that perhaps he wont be able to rescue the second Jinchuriki.

And now that these pieces of paper arrived instead of Naruto, everyone understood that even for Kakashi, it wouldnt be possible to bring back Naruto from Nagatos hand.

Even if Kakashi has mastered the Flying Raijin, in front of the bearer of Rinnegan and the user of Wood Style, its impossible for Kakashi to do anything after the element of surprise is used.

Standing beside Elder Hiruzen, Kuroto was silent; however, there was a clear displeased expression on his face.

The very reason he sent Naruto and Fu to Mount Myoboku was to protect them from the Akatsuki Organization. He never expected that Nagato would reach that mysterious place using such a method!

And its not just Naruto and Fu; Yagura was attacked as well!

Nagato appeared at Mount Myoboku in order to capture Naruto and Fu, the papers binding Fu suggested Konans involvement in their capture as well. Additionally, Sasori and five Kirigakure shinobi targeted Mizukages entourage and attempted to capture Karatachi Yagura. With a considerable number of Akatsuki members remainingincluding Obito, Kakuzu, Kisame, and Hidanits highly likely that the remaining Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, and Utakata, have also been targeted simultaneously.

Sigh, I doubt either of those two will manage to escape, thought Kuroto with a sigh.

Obitos broken powers are so overwhelming and difficult to deal with that even if both Killer Bee and Utakata (and perhaps all the Jinchuriki combined) were to confront him, theyd likely be unable to defeat him. Escaping his grasp is equally challenging. Once ensnared by Kamui, their fate would be sealed. Given this, Obito likely succeeded in capturing his target, regardless of which Jinchuriki it was.

The trio of Kisame, Kakuzu, and Hidan holds a potent combined strength as well. Once Hidan gains access to a targets blood, their chances are grim. Consequently, the likelihood of either Killer Bee or Utakata evading capture appears exceedingly slim.

Taking Killer Bee and Utakata into account, Akatsuki has already secured five Jinchuriki. If Kakashis endeavor to rescue Naruto falters, that tally will reach sixa big reason to worry!

As Kurotos worry increased, suddenly, there was another silver flash, and a figure appeared before everyone.

Whoosh!

The figure that materialized wasnt Naruto, the one everyone had hoped to see. Instead, it was Kakashi, his face showing signs of fatigue.

Jiraiya took a step forward, urgency in his voice. Kakashi wheres Naruto?

Kakashis response was a somber shake of his head. The mission failed.

Kakashi, with his mastery of the Flying Raijin, represented the final beacon of hope for rescuing the two Jinchuriki, yet he failed. His failure underscored the grim realitythere seemed to be no remaining avenue for rescuing Naruto.

No one bore blame for Narutos capture. Neither Kuroto, who had suggested sending Naruto and Fu to Mount Myoboku, nor Jiraiya, who had valiantly tried to safeguard them, and certainly not Kakashi, whose attempt to rescue Naruto had come up short.

Had Kuroto not proposed to send the two Jinchuriki to Mount Myoboku and instead concealed them within Konohas confines, the consequences could have been catastrophic for the village as Nagato would have appeared inside Konoha.

Jiraiyas inability to shield Naruto and Fu from capture wasnt something he could be faulted for either. The chasm in strength between them and Nagato is too vast. In the entire shinobi realm, only Yama possessed the capability to challenge Nagato.

Kakashis failure to rescue Naruto wasnt a point of blame either. Merely rescuing Fu alone was a commendable achievement that surpassed expectations.

Elder Hiruzens sigh captured the sentiment of uncertainty, What to do now? Even his decades of experience couldnt provide a clear course of action in this perplexing situation.

At that moment, Kuroto turned to Kakashi with a probing question. Kakashi, your swift retreat suggests that Nagato sealed Narutos Flying Raijin Mark, correct?

Kakashi affirmed with a nod. Youre correct, he confirmed, then added, I can no longer determine Narutos location.

Kurotos thoughtful expression deepened as he raised a new query. Are you absolutely certain Nagato only sealed it and didnt remove the mark?

Kakashi wasnt sure of Kurotos intention, but he responded with a nod. The mark remains. It hasnt been removed. I can sense its presence, but the location is disrupted because of the seal.

Once the Flying Raijin Mark is applied, it becomes a permanent fixture. Its removal is exceedingly challenging. Given the limited timeframe, even someone like Nagato wouldnt have had the opportunity to eliminate the mark from Narutos body. This is where Fuinjutsu comes into play.

The fact that the mark is sealed rather than removed signifies a potential opportunity to save Naruto.

As long as the Fuinjutsu obstructing Kakashis Flying Raijin can be undone, a possibility opens up. Even if that possibility arises slowly, seizing it might allow for Narutos rescue.

Armed with this conviction, Kuroto smiled and nodded. Very well. He turned to Kakashi, his tone resolute. Under the authority of the Godaime Hokage, Im assigning you a critical mission. Focus solely on this task in the coming hours: exhaust all your efforts to pinpoint the location of Narutos Flying Raijin Mark. And, ifan opportunity, however slim, presents itselfutilize every ounce of your strength to rescue Naruto. Do you understand?

Kakashi and those gathered on the rooftop were taken aback by Kurotos directive. They questioned, Kuroto, what do you mean? And whats your plan?

Opportunity? How could such a chance arise? Was Kuroto suggesting a way to create an opening for Kakashi?

With a reassuring smile, Kuroto responded, Lets not abandon hope just yet. Then, in a swift motion, he leaped from the Hokage Building and vanished, leaving everyone in puzzlement.

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