Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 452 The Battle for the Tailed Beasts and the Conflict with the Akatsuki Begins

"Kazuya."

"Um?"

"There are a few places in your martial arts techniques where the way you generate power is not standard."

Uchiha Mori stood up and walked to Kazuya, squatting down and pointing at his knees: "Your knees are too stiff when you punch, the power can't be transmitted smoothly at all. And your chakra control—"

He reached out and gently pressed his hand on the back of Kazuya's hand, sensing it for a moment before frowning.

"Your chakra control is terrible. Lady Tsunade... never taught you these things?"

Kazuya gently shook his head: "My mother said she wouldn't let me follow the path of a ninja."

Uchiha Mori remained silent for a moment.

He naturally understood Tsunade's thoughts. Once you step onto the path of a ninja, there is no turning back. Losing her brother, losing her lover, losing her comrades... Tsunade had experienced all the greatest pains in the world, and she didn't want her son to repeat the same mistakes, to be caught up in endless conflicts and life and death.

But innate talent can never be hidden.

"I'll teach you."

He spoke earnestly, "At least solidify your taijutsu foundation and improve your chakra control. If you don't learn these basic skills, you won't even be able to protect yourself in the future."

Kazuya's eyes lit up instantly: "Really?"

"Of course it's true."

On the ancient tree trunk outside the forest, Tsunade stood quietly, arms crossed, gazing at two figures, one large and one small, in the distance.

"Young Master Kazuya's talent is exceptionally outstanding." Shizune stood beside her and spoke cautiously, "Given time, he might even surpass Lady Tsunade in his future achievements."

Tsunade did not respond.

Over the years, she deliberately severed all ties between Kazuya and the ninja world, wanting to protect him and keep him safe from endless war and strife. But now it seems that some destinies are ultimately unavoidable.

-

Meanwhile, in the darkness of Amegakure, the Akatsuki organization began a new round of operations.

The news that the Three-Tails is about to be resurrected in the Land of Tea has spread throughout the intelligence networks of all the major ninja villages.

Although Shukaku has died again and the sealing process needs to start all over again, the Akatsuki organization clearly has no intention of wasting time.

"Itachi, Juzo Biwa, go to the Land of Tea."

Pain's voice echoed through the rain, "The Three-Tails is the target; bring it back at all costs."

Itachi Uchiha stood in the rain, his black Akatsuki robes soaked and clinging to his body. His expression remained as calm as ever, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"clear."

Biwa Juzo, carrying the enormous broken sword, grinned and said, "The Land of Tea, huh? I've heard the tea there is quite good."

The two turned and disappeared into the rain. Konan, watching them leave from afar, frowned to herself and said, "Nagato, Itachi Uchiha just joined the organization, and you're already sending him on such an important mission. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Pain turned his head and said expressionlessly, "There's nothing wrong with it. The Mangekyou Sharingan is the best counter to Tailed Beasts, isn't it?"

"Has a candidate been chosen for the Three-Tails Jinchuriki?" Pain asked, his tone commanding.

Konan didn't take it seriously, because she was already used to it. "These days, it's become increasingly difficult to find rogue ninjas in the ninja world, so Black Zetsu plans to give each member of the organization a tailed beast."

"Black Zetsu has been making quite a few moves lately."

"I know, that's why he can't be trusted." Konan's face was full of worry. "Nagato, do you really think our persistence all these years has been the right thing to do?"

"Of course, because I am God. All power is nothing before my eyes."

Just then, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, flew over, bringing with him some major news.

"Little Nan, I've spotted Erwei."

The land of tea, the Narcissus Palace.

This is a palace built by the sea, surrounded by thick fog. Within the fog, one can vaguely see the shadows of countless insects fluttering about—the guardian insects of the Narcissus Palace.

Deep within the underground palace, a giant narcissus worm was slowly transforming. It had no outer shell, resembling a ball of water, yet it was clearly curled up on land, like a giant, wriggling slime.

This is the crucial moment for the Narcissus Insect Sea Monk to transform into the most divine insect. At this moment, the surrounding natural water vapor is constantly wriggling, causing the Narcissus Palace to tremble slightly.

Outside the palace, Yukimaru stood by the railing, his eyes closed, sensing something.

His body was covered with tiny insects, which were transmitting information from within a radius of dozens of miles to him.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. "Two people... black robes, red cloud patterns, it's the Akatsuki."

He frowned, then turned and walked deeper into the palace.

"My lord," he said to the communicator, "the Akatsuki are here, their target is the Three-Tails."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communicator, then a calm voice came through: "The decision is yours; I'll be on my way."

Yukimaru hung up the communication and stood there looking at the huge figure on the distant sea.

The three-tailed isobu was swimming in the sea. Its body was like a moving island, and every time it turned over, it stirred up huge waves.

"Black Plow Raiga," Yukimaru called to his subordinate, "You stay here and keep watch, I'm going to meet them."

Kuroki Raiga frowned at Yukimaru: "Can you handle it yourself?"

"My lord will arrive soon." Yukimaru smiled. "Besides, those guys aren't enough to frighten me."

He leaped into the air, transforming into a cloud of insects, and flew towards the direction where the two members of the Akatsuki were located.

Hei Li Lei Ya hesitated for a moment, but still secretly followed them.

On the sea surface, three tails on top.

Uchiha Itachi stood atop Isobu's head, his Mangekyou Sharingan slowly rotating.

The Three-Tails let out a low roar, and Sharingan patterns appeared in its eyes; it had been brought under control.

"It's done." Juzo Biwa stood on the shore, watching this scene, and whistled. "As expected of Itachi, controlling tailed beasts is as easy for you as eating and drinking."

Itachi didn't speak, and was about to take the Three-Tails away when he suddenly frowned.

A dark cloud appeared on the horizon—no, it wasn't a cloud, it was a swarm of insects!

Countless insects swarmed in, gathering above the sea to form the figure of a boy.

Yukimaru was covered in insects, and the figures of the two Akatsuki members were reflected in his purple pupils.

He said expressionlessly, "Release the Three-Tails."

He hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly, nor had he anticipated that the Three-Tails was so weak it couldn't even struggle. All those techniques he'd been given to it were for nothing.

Biwa Juzo gripped his broken sword and looked at Uchiha Itachi: "This kid doesn't seem to have any good intentions."

Uchiha Itachi looked at Yukimaru, his Mangekyou Sharingan slightly swirling.

But he is still too young. With his current strength, it would be difficult for him to control the same Kage-level powerhouse while controlling the Three-Tails, let alone Yukimaru who has awakened the will of the insect race.

Yukimaru felt a momentary lapse in his mind, but quickly broke through the illusion through the will of the insect swarm.