"We have no choice but to form a Shinobi Allied Forces to counter the power of seven Tailed Beasts," Gaara said calmly.
"The Raikage was just opposing the idea," Mei Terumī added, her voice equally indifferent.
"My brother seems to be safe for now, and I'm tired of being led by the nose by the Akatsuki. We form the Allied Forces and settle this once and for all!" the Raikage declared.
"What about Konoha? The Hokage is still a fugitive," Onoki reminded them.
"Danzō's scandals are endless. After this summit, he has lost all our trust. If the shinobi of Konoha find out about this, his position in the village will be untenable. His downfall is only a matter of time."
Gaara looked at the group and spoke evenly, "I will relay the matter of the Shinobi Allied Forces to a trustworthy Konoha shinobi."
"Who?" the Raikage asked, puzzled.
"Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan."
"Ah, the son of the White Fang," the Tsuchikage recalled.
"Fine. He's more reliable than Danzō," the Raikage nodded.
"Raikage-sama, arrange the search for Killer Bee."
"They are also obsessed with hunting Bee," Darui said softly.
"Indeed. Darui, organize a search team immediately and have them find Bee."
Mei Terumī nodded, seeing everyone unite. She stepped forward to state her position: "To stop Kanon and Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan, we absolutely cannot hand over the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails!"
"Therefore, our Allied Forces must find them first!"
"Hiding them away is the best strategy."
However, the Tsuchikage held the opposite view. "No. Kanon captured three Tailed Beasts single-handedly. Now that the Akatsuki has collected seven, their power is unimaginable."
"Furthermore, they likely have ninjutsu capable of utilizing the Tailed Beasts. Especially Kanon Uchiha, her potential and strength are boundless. I suspect she may have already surpassed the Madara beside her."
"To have such power at only fifteen... she is far too dangerous!"
"It might be better if the Shinobi Allied Forces treated the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails as combat assets."
Gaara countered Onoki's suggestion. "That won't work. This is a war to protect those two. The reason Madara is starting a war after collecting seven Tailed Beasts is likely because the currently weakened Madara and the Akatsuki members cannot capture the Eight and Nine-Tails on their own."
"But that's not quite right either. Kanon's strength is immense; she should have the power to capture them. My guess is that Kanon is not Madara's subordinate, he cannot control her will."
"Pushing for a forced capture must be seen as too high a risk with diminishing returns."
"It's highly possible they intend to use the war to draw those two out."
"In short, letting the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails participate in the war is not a good idea."
"I agree!" Mei Terumī supported Gaara.
"I also agree with the Kazekage. Just to be safe, we cannot place the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails directly in front of the enemy."
"Besides, when it comes to combat, my brother, the Eight-Tails, is bound to pull some stunt."
"He might just make the battlefield even more chaotic."
Gaara nodded slightly. "Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, is the same."
"Understood. Then we shall place the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails under protective detention, Tsuchikage-sama," Mei Terumī said.
"Understood," the Tsuchikage nodded.
"I will provide information on Killer Bee to Iwagakure, Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha."
"Based on that, form a search party and move out immediately!"
"Report to me the moment the Eight-Tails is found! My brother only listens to me!"
"And Kazekage, as for the matter with Kakashi, I'll leave that to you."
After the Raikage issued his commands, Mifune handed the supreme command of the Allied Forces to the Raikage. As for the finer details of the Shinobi Allied Forces, another Five Kage Summit would need to be convened.
…
At the original wooden house, Naruto entered Sage Mode to search for traces of Sasuke and Kanon.
"Naruto, it's about time to rest," Kakashi reminded him.
"How can I rest at a time like this!"
Suddenly, Rock Lee, Kiba, Sai, and Sakura arrived at the scene.
"Hey! Naruto!"
"Eh?! Sai, Kiba, Bushy-Brow, and Sakura, why are you all here?"
"Naruto! I have something to tell you," Sakura said solemnly.
"I happened to have something to tell you guys too!" Naruto jumped down, facing Sakura and the others.
"What is it?" Lee and the others asked, confused.
"From now on, none of you are allowed to make a move against Sasuke and Kanon. I'm the only one who can fight them."
"Why?!" Rock Lee and the others frowned.
"Because they will kill you without mercy!" Naruto said with heavy gravity.
"Why would it be like that?!" Sakura's pupils shrank.
Naruto bit his lip. Because Kakashi had told him that the truth about Itachi Uchiha must remain a secret, he stayed silent.
"No reason..."
…
In a forest blanketed by snow.
The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, was rapping. Halfway through his verse, a rose-colored vortex spiraled open behind him.
Kanon and Kisame appeared.
"Who are they?" Master Sabu asked.
"They're Akatsuki, Master Sabu. Sorry, I've got some personal business to handle."
"I'll wipe 'em out in a blink," Killer Bee said, facing the two.
"You certainly made me search for you, Eight-Tails," Kisame chuckled. He was supposed to debut alone, but Kanon had come along, so they appeared together.
"My blade, Samehada, loves powerful chakra."
"It seems it finally found a delicious scent."
"Sorry, but please become fodder for Samehada."
Just as Kisame was about to move, a slender hand stopped him.
"Kanon-chan?"
"Last time, the Uchiha lost face in front of the Eight-Tails. This time, I will reclaim the pride that belongs to the Uchiha."
"Kisame-nii, I'll leave him to you afterward. I won't kill him, but I still have to go deal with Danzō. It won't take long."
Kisame sighed, looking at the girl before him. She was Itachi's sister, yet she was entirely different from Itachi.
Usually, when something happened, Itachi would let Kisame strike first. But Kanon was different; she respected him, so she almost always took the lead to complete the mission herself.
Killer Bee looked at the two and struck an arrogant pose, rapping.
"I'm the one who's gonna kill ya / Let me show you the gap / Prepare yourself, ya fool, ya jerk!"
Suddenly, the massive dog beside Master Sabu, Ponta, charged straight at Kanon and Kisame.
"Ponta!!!" Master Sabu shouted.
"Are those your last words?" Kanon said, stepping forward. A terrifying surge of Natural Energy gathered in her slender hand, and pink eye shadow instantly appeared around her eyes.
Then, right in front of Killer Bee, Kanon threw a punch!
The very air exploded!
Accompanying the blast was the spray of red blood and shattered bone.
Killer Bee and Master Sabu were frozen in shock. That ruthless and spectacular punch had instantly reduced Ponta to a bloody mist.
Blood splattered the ground. Kanon pulled back her fist calmly and turned toward the two. She had used pure Monster Strength to shatter the massive Ponta.
It was as if a rain of blood were falling from the sky. Kanon's slender figure stood amidst the crimson shower like a flower in bloom, unyielding.
She turned her cold gaze toward Killer Bee. Her Three-Tomoe Sharingan emerged, making Killer Bee realize instantly that she was a member of the Uchiha Clan.
"The nuisance is dead. Now, it's our turn to fight."
"The Uchiha who fought you before was nothing but trash. I suggest you give it your all, otherwise, I'm afraid Kisame-nii won't even get a chance to step in."
Kanon drew her Kusanagi Sword from her waist, and a violent surge of chakra erupted.
The falling blood in the air was instantly blown away by the shockwave. Kanon's calm gaze fixed on Killer Bee as blue lightning crackled along the blade of her Kusanagi Sword.