"What!?"
Everyone in the room wore a look of shock.
The Two-Tails had been captured by the Akatsuki. That meant the number of Tailed Beasts still in their hands was dwindling.
The messenger quickly explained the situation: the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails had been ambushed and captured by two mysterious shinobi during a mission.
Hyuga Gakuya immediately knew—it had to be the work of the undying duo.
After the report was delivered, the messenger was escorted away by Kabuto to rest. The air in the conference room grew heavier. The Akatsuki were closing in, and only three Tailed Beasts remained uncaptured.
Hyuga Gakuya seized the opportunity to speak:
"Perhaps it's time we formed a mobile special task force—one composed of elite shinobi from each nation, operating under unified command. Their sole purpose would be to respond immediately to any Akatsuki activity."
"I support Mokushu-kun's proposal," Gaara said, speaking up for the first time. "A team like that would help us respond more effectively to the Akatsuki threat."
The other four Kage all nodded in agreement, each recognizing the need for coordinated action.
By drawing personnel from all nations, and having them oversee each other, the task force would also help prevent internal betrayals that could jeopardize the fragile unity of the shinobi world.
"Then who will lead this unit?" the Raikage asked.
The room fell silent. The question touched on national interests and delicate power balances.
"I suggest all six of us act as joint commanders," Hyuga Gakuya offered. "This way, decisions remain fair and balanced, and we make the most of each nation's unique strengths."
"I agree," Gaara said again without hesitation.
One by one, the other Kage voiced their support.
"That brings us to the next challenge—selection and training," Tsunade said. "We'll need only the best of the best if we're to stand a chance against the Akatsuki."
Gakuya continued, "I propose a squad of fifteen. It keeps the unit lean and mobile without sacrificing combat strength. To ensure coordination, they'll undergo joint training before deployment."
"That's a solid plan," Tsunade nodded. "We can assign them joint missions during peacetime to build synergy, and when the Akatsuki appear, they'll move as one to eliminate the threat."
"But how do we divide the slots?" someone asked. "Fifteen positions, six nations…"
Gakuya shook his head. "The Federation was only recently established—we don't yet have enough elite shinobi to contribute evenly. Instead, we'll offer advanced ninja tools as support."
Naturally, Gakuya had no intention of inserting his own people into the task force. As one of the commanding leaders, he already had access to all the necessary intel. And with White Zetsu at his disposal, he had no need for embedded spies.
No one pressed him further. Truthfully, those advanced tools were too tempting to refuse.
"So what do we call this team?" the Raikage asked.
Gakuya smiled. "If 'Akatsuki' means 'dawn'… then let's call our team 'Dusk.'"
Ōnoki chuckled. "Dusk it is."
And just like that, the summit concluded—every step unfolding exactly as Gakuya had planned.
Once the Five Kage had departed, Gakuya immediately ordered the announcement to be published in the Ninja World Daily.
The six great nations had finally reached a formal cooperative agreement. As a turning point in the battle against the Akatsuki, the moment was worthy of front-page coverage.
News of the alliance spread like wildfire throughout the shinobi world, temporarily easing the fears of the public. The idea of a united front among the Great Nations provided a powerful sense of reassurance.
...
Nagato glanced over the intelligence report with a sneer.
"So this is it? Faced with a crisis of this scale, this is all the Five Great Nations can manage?"
The Akatsuki's plan was progressing smoothly. With the Two-Tails now in custody, only the Six-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remained.
And they had only lost a single member. The organization was still overwhelmingly powerful.
"They've put heavy protection around the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. That means we go after the Six-Tails next," Nagato said, voice frail but filled with conviction. "Konan, gather intel on the Six-Tails' whereabouts. We need to move before the Great Nations do."
"Understood," Konan nodded.
"Once the Six-Tails is ours, we move on Konoha and Kumogakure. It's time to take the last two."
...
Konoha, inside the Hokage Tower.
Naruto stood in front of Tsunade, eyes filled with determination, pleading to be included in the Dusk team.
He hoped that by joining the task force, he might finally find Sasuke again.
"Granny Tsunade, please let me join the Dusk team! I found Sasuke last time when we went after the Three-Tails. I'm sure I'll find him again—and this time, I'll bring him back!"
He pressed his hands together, leaning forward in an earnest bow.
"No," Tsunade said firmly. "It's too dangerous. You're a Jinchūriki, Naruto—one of the Akatsuki's prime targets. We can't risk putting you on that team."
Naruto looked dejected but suddenly perked up, an idea coming to him. He walked to Tsunade's desk.
Tsunade assumed he was going to plead again and purposely avoided eye contact, pretending to focus on paperwork.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke, Naruto disappeared—and in his place stood a blonde, twin-tailed kunoichi in a stylish outfit: the stunning Naruko.
Naruto wrapped himself around Tsunade's arm and spoke in a sugary voice:
"Granny Tsunade, what if I just stay like this? I could sneak into the Dusk team in this form and no one from the Akatsuki would even know I'm a Jinchūriki!"
Shizune's eyes went wide in shock. Was this really the same Naruto from moments ago? With the whisker marks hidden and a new outfit, he looked like a completely different person—an actual blonde bombshell.
Tsunade turned to look, clearly startled. But she didn't hesitate to shut him down.
"Naruto, your Transformation Jutsu may change your appearance, but it doesn't mask your chakra signature. The Akatsuki are all Kage-level shinobi—they'll notice something's off. I can't let you take that risk."
Disappointment flickered in Naruto's eyes, but he wasn't ready to give up. He changed his approach.
"Granny Tsunade, I get why you're worried—but if I don't even try, I'll never get another chance to find Sasuke. If I don't do this, I'll regret it forever."
"I promise I'll be careful. I won't do anything reckless. And with this transformation as a cover, I'll be even harder to detect."
Tsunade furrowed her brow. She knew how much Naruto cared about Sasuke, but she couldn't overlook the danger.
"Naruto… I understand how you feel. But I also have to think about the safety of the village. If anything happens to you, it could endanger not just Konoha, but the entire shinobi world."
Naruto clenched his fists. He understood her concerns—but he also believed he was ready.
"Please, Granny Tsunade. I'm not the same Naruto I used to be. I have the strength to protect myself—and the village. This chance means everything to me. I have to find Sasuke."
Tsunade looked into Naruto's eyes—so full of resolve—and hesitated.
"I support Naruto's decision!"
Jiraiya's voice rang out from the window, his nose bleeding as he dramatically leapt into the room.
"Let him go, Tsunade. The kid's worked hard for this. Besides, you've seen it—his transformation is pretty damn convincing."
Jiraiya didn't hold back with the praise.
Naruto's heart swelled with emotion.
"Ero-sennin!"
Tsunade sighed deeply. "Fine. But this is the deal: your top priority is to stay safe. No heroics, no pushing your limits. The moment things get dangerous, you pull out. Got it?"
Naruto leapt up in joy, his transformed chest bouncing wildly.
"Thank you, Granny Tsunade! I won't let you down—I will bring Sasuke back!"
Even Jiraiya couldn't look away, eyes going comically wide at the sight.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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