"It's easy to say whatever you want when you find it, but I don't know if the Seven-Tails in Takigakure is sealed in an object or within a human host."
Kawakaze had already considered this question. If it was sealed in a Jinchūriki, the first step would be to unseal it, allowing the Seven-Tails to run amok. On the other hand, if it was contained in an object, it would likely be deployed naturally during a confrontation with a strong enemy in Takigakure, simplifying matters.
"When are you going?"
Tsunade, having made up her mind, showed no hesitation in deciding to cooperate with Kawakaze's plan. If she became a Jinchūriki, the Tailed Beast's Chakra combined with her formidable strength would drastically enhance her abilities.
Moreover, the Seven-Tails was unique as the only Tailed Beast capable of flight. Tsunade, having learned much about the Tailed Beasts through her grandfather who captured them, she was well aware of their potential.
"We'll go ahead with the main force then, it won't attract too much attention."
Kawakaze thought for a moment and decided they could make an excuse to leave the village and move quietly. After capturing the Seven-Tails, they would regroup with the main force at the border—a seamless plan.
"Good, that's settled then."
"I'll go back tomorrow and ask my grandmother about Fūinjutsu. I've gotten rusty from lack of practice."
After wrapping up their business discussion, Kawakaze was brimming with energy once more, ready to dive into the next "battle."
"There really aren't many of us left in the Hatake Clan."
"So I'll have to trouble you to help... ensure our numbers don't dwindle further."
"Umm..."
...
Three days later, the Third Hokage once again gathered the Jōnin to announce the operation plan for breaking into the Land of Wind. Tsunade was appointed as the commander-in-chief, with Kawakaze serving as her second-in-command.
Supplies from the Daimyō's mansion had already been dispatched, along with a substantial amount of silver en route to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi had once again ensured a more stable foundation for the civilians of Konoha.
The following day, after assembling the Konoha forces, Tsunade and Kawakaze set out for the Land of Rain. From there, they planned to infiltrate the Land of Wind.
On the second day of the march, Kawakaze and Sakumo greeted several Jōnin, found an excuse, and quietly led Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato toward the Land of Waterfalls.
Sakumo, observing Kawakaze's movements, likely suspected that his younger brother was up to something. However, this time Kawakaze remained tight-lipped, sharing the plan only with Tsunade.
With the main force behind them, Kawakaze and Tsunade led the way, while the younger ones followed. Their improved strength allowed them to move much faster than before.
"Sister, brother-in-law, where are you going?" Nawaki, curious and unaware of their destination, finally asked.
Minato remained composed but kept a close eye on his Sensei and Tsunade.
"Why so many questions? You'll know when we get there," Kawakaze replied. "I'll show you a thing or two."
Tsunade had initially opposed bringing the two along, citing their inability to keep up and the danger they might face in combat. However, Kawakaze insisted they come, believing it was essential for them to witness the power of a Tailed Beast firsthand. He felt the experience would help broaden their horizons and foster their growth.
He had high hopes for Nawaki and Minato. Confident in his ability to protect them with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he assured their safety.
"This time, I'll show you something big. In the future, you might even have to handle this kind of situation yourselves," Kawakaze explained.
He wasn't wrong. Sooner or later, the young boys would need to face such challenges on their own.
Deep down, Kawakaze was determined to prevent Minato from experiencing the same fate again—losing his life to a Tailed Beast.
"Yes, Sensei."
"Understood."
Minato and Nawaki suppressed their curiosity, eager to discover their destination but refrained from further questioning.
After another four days of travel, the group finally crossed the borders from the Land of Fire into the Land of Waterfalls.
The Land of Waterfalls, nestled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, boasted numerous waterfalls and spanned an area comparable to the Land of Rain. However, unlike the Land of Rain, it lacked powerful figures like Hanzō of the Salamander. Even Kakuzu, the village's only elite ninja, had been abandoned and turned into a Missing-nin.
Takigakure, concealed behind a massive waterfall, had managed to avoid much of the war's destruction. Unfortunately for them, Konoha knew its precise location.
Now, Takigakure was likely sparsely populated, and it remained uncertain whether the Jinchūriki was still there.
Kawakaze recalled that one of the most intriguing aspects of Takigakure in the original story was the Hero Water—a substance capable of increasing a ninja's Chakra dozens of times, though at the cost of the user's life. He wondered whether they would encounter a warrior willing to drink the Hero Water to defend the Tailed Beast and become their adversary.
"Which way?"
Tsunade, holding the map, led the group since Kawakaze didn't know the exact location of Takigakure.
"Just follow me," she said confidently.
With that, the four quickened their pace.
A day later, they arrived at the base of an enormous waterfall.
"What a huge waterfall! Is there really a village hidden behind it?" Nawaki asked, marveling at the sheer size of the cascading water. He found it hard to imagine an entire village concealed in such a place.
"How else could Takigakure, such a tiny village, avoid so many wars?" Kawakaze remarked.
"Grandfather was kind enough to gift them a Tailed Beast, yet they had the audacity to send someone to assassinate him," Tsunade said bitterly.
She harbored little goodwill toward Takigakure. Although Kakuzu had taken the blame for the failed assassination attempt, Takigakure had paid dearly for it. Kakuzu had massacred most of the village in retaliation, leaving it in ruins.
Even now, the village lacked elite ninja, and its overall strength was pitiful.
Tsunade, however, felt no sympathy. In her eyes, Takigakure had brought its misfortunes upon itself.
"Is that really true?"
Minato struggled to believe it. In his idealistic and trusting worldview, such ingratitude seemed unimaginable.
"Of course it's true. My grandmother told me that story," Nawaki replied confidently. "The ninja who came to assassinate my grandfather couldn't even defeat his Wood Clone Technique, and he didn't even bother to chase after him."
If Kakuzu had overheard this, he would have been too embarrassed to continue boasting about having fought Hashirama Senju.
"Let's go in," Kawakaze said, leaping over the waterfall and landing firmly on the ground behind it.
Before them lay scattered houses, with villagers walking along the roads. Tsunade and the two younger ones followed shortly, equally stunned by the sight. A hidden world behind the waterfall—indeed, it was an ideal location.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Before the group could exchange words, the sharp whistle of flying kunai cut through the air. They had been discovered by Takigakure's ninja.
Without needing Kawakaze or Tsunade to react, Nawaki and Minato deflected the incoming kunai with ease, all while remaining rooted to the spot.
"Ninja from Konoha? What are you doing in my village of Takigakure?"
A group of a dozen ninja stood a few meters ahead, holding kunai and taking defensive positions. The leader, standing at the front, was the first to speak.
Ever since Kakuzu's failed assassination attempt on Hashirama Senju, relations between Konoha and Takigakure had grown strained. While Hashirama hadn't held the village accountable, the incident left a lingering mistrust.
It was clear Hashirama hadn't taken this small village seriously; if he had, Takigakure would have been annihilated.
"I'm here to see the Seven-Tails. It's still in your village, right?" Kawakaze asked casually, wearing a faint smile. The ninja before him were laughably weak. Even a quick sensing sweep confirmed that none could match Nawaki Senju in strength.
The two younger ones stared in awe. It was indeed a grand moment to see the Tailed Beast up close. Kawakaze's decision to bring them here felt like a testament to his faith in their potential.
"The Seven-Tails belongs to our village! Don't even think about it!" the Takigakure leader shouted, his voice rising like a cat with its tail stepped on. The Tailed Beast was Takigakure's last line of defense.
The leader appeared to be on the verge of losing control, preparing for another attack against Kawakaze's group.
"Haha, my grandfather gave it to you. Now I'm taking it back," Tsunade declared coldly, her tone brooking no argument.
Her hardened expression reflected her disdain for the Takigakure ninja. Without wasting words, she slammed her fist into the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth before her.