Surrounded by lush, green mountains, Sasuke and Suigetsu moved swiftly. Their destination was a lake more than ten kilometers away, where intelligence had reported the presence of the Three-Tails.
Suigetsu asked, "Sasuke, why do you think the Akatsuki wants to capture the Tailed Beasts?"
Sasuke replied, "Deidara once hinted that the Akatsuki aims to create Tailed Beast weapons to deter the major nations. Now, it seems highly likely..."
Suigetsu pondered, "Do they intend to unify the ninja world?"
Sasuke's lips curled slightly, "No, they claim it's for world peace."
Suigetsu was taken aback, "World... peace?"
Sasuke dismissed the topic, "Suigetsu, let's not dwell on these trivial matters. Our mission is to capture the Three-Tails and force Itachi to reveal himself. Everything else is secondary."
Suigetsu nodded, "Yeah, I get it..."
Meanwhile, Guren's eyes flickered with reluctance. She had been ordered to capture the Three-Tails to become a Jinchūriki and aid Orochimaru.
Kabuto urged, "Guren, have Yukimaru lure out the Three-Tails!"
Guren frowned, not responding immediately. She was a war orphan, saved by Orochimaru when she was on the brink of death. Since then, she had followed his orders, even to the point of killing her savior. Yet, Guren still had a conscience. The thought of her hands stained with her benefactor's blood filled her with shame.
Yukimaru spoke weakly, "Sister Guren, give the order. I... I'm okay."
Guren bit her lip tightly. She had come to see Yukimaru as a kind child, but his body was frail. Using his ability to lure the Three-Tails could exhaust him to death...
Kabuto snapped, "Guren, don't hesitate. Do you want to betray Lord Orochimaru?"
Guren's face darkened, "Kabuto, I don't need you to tell me how to do my job!"
Kabuto's expression soured. If Guren successfully harnessed the Three-Tails' power, his value to Orochimaru would diminish. In that case, it was better for Guren to perish here.
Guren took a deep breath, "Yukimaru, retreat immediately after you lure out the Three-Tails."
Yukimaru hesitated, "Sister Guren, without my ability to suppress the Three-Tails, it will be hard for you to seal it."
Guren asserted, "I'm strong enough. The Three-Tails won't stand a chance!"
Kabuto smirked, thinking it was a perfect opportunity for Guren to meet her end. Soon, Yukimaru lured out the Three-Tails. The creature was massive, resembling a turtle with three tails.
Splash! Water cascaded from the Three-Tails as it emerged. Guren's eyes widened at the immense chakra. Could she really seal such a beast alone?
Suddenly, Kabuto activated the seal, grabbing Yukimaru and retreating to the shore. "Guren, the Three-Tails is all yours!"
The Three-Tails, provoked, became violent. Guren was its first target.
Boom! A column of water shot skyward. Guren fought desperately.
In the distance, Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "Not good, Suigetsu, hurry up. We can't let anyone else get there first!"
Minutes later, Sasuke appeared on the shore. In the lake's center, a red sealing array glowed as Guren attempted to seal the Three-Tails. With his "God of Seals" entry, Sasuke estimated the success rate was less than 30%.
As expected, cracks appeared in the sealing array. Guren's face paled. The Three-Tails began to break free, its bloodshot eyes fixed on Guren. Once free, it would surely kill her in rage.
Kabuto grinned, anticipating Guren's demise, which would make him Orochimaru's most trusted subordinate. As the seal was about to fail, Yukimaru, disregarding his own safety, used his ability to suppress the Three-Tails. "Sister Guren, now's your chance!"
Blood spurted from Yukimaru's mouth. Guren's heart trembled, and an inexplicable power surged within her. "Ah—Seal!"
The sealing array shone brightly, quickly sealing the Three-Tails within Guren. Sasuke's eyes lit up, impressed by her willpower. If she hadn't died young, she might have achieved great things.
Kabuto was shocked. Guren had successfully become the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki? Yukimaru laughed joyfully. Guren opened her eyes, a confident smile on her lips. She felt incredibly strong, at least three times more powerful than before. The power of the Tailed Beast was terrifying. Now, she could finally assist Lord Orochimaru. She owed Yukimaru a great debt; without his help, she would have been killed by the enraged Three-Tails.
Suddenly, Guren and Kabuto noticed Sasuke across the lake. Kabuto was alarmed, "What, it's Sasuke? We must escape immediately!"
Kabuto shouted, "Guren, that boy is Uchiha Sasuke. Capture him quickly!"
Guren replied proudly, "Kabuto, only Lord Orochimaru can command me!"
Kabuto cursed, "Damn that brat Yukimaru. If not for him, Guren would be dead by now!"
Bang! Kabuto pushed Yukimaru down, "You brat, ruining my plans!"
Seeing this, Guren was inexplicably furious, "Kabuto, you're courting death!"
Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Bang! Mei Terumi leaped to the lake's center, "Sorry, the Three-Tails belongs to the Mist Village. Come back to the village with me, sister!"
Guren, worried about Yukimaru, was in no mood for conversation. "Get out of my way, or... die!"
Mei Terumi's expression turned cold, "Really? That's a pity."
Just then, Sasuke calmly walked onto the lake, "Sorry, the Three-Tails is already reserved by me!"
Guren was enraged, another one? She had just gained the Tailed Beast's power and felt invincible. Terumi Mei's face darkened, "It's you. Let's settle our old score from two years ago!"
Sasuke remained calm, "I don't remember anything like that, but it doesn't matter. You both can come at me together!"
The scene fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Just then, Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Ao arrived. They confronted Kabuto and reached a temporary agreement—no one would interfere in the duel between Sasuke, Terumi Mei, and Guren.
The battle was about to begin! Sasuke remained composed as the system displayed the entries...
[Guren's Entries: Three-Tails (Gold ★★☆☆☆), Crystal Release Genius (Gold ★★★), Empress Talent (Gold ★★★☆☆), Sentimental (Gold ★)...]
[Mei Terumi's Entries: God of Lava Release (Gold ★★★☆☆), God of Boil Release (Gold ★★★☆☆), God of Water Release (Gold ★★★☆☆), Empress Talent (Gold ★★☆☆☆)...]
Both were formidable opponents, and it seemed a long-awaited all-out battle was imminent!