246-250

Chapter 246: The Tailed Beast Capture Plan  

To most people, rumors like these were just amusing gossip—something to chuckle at and forget. 

But for those with real intentions, this information was incredibly valuable.  

Take, for example, that notorious organization where "taking off your cloak means certain death"—Akatsuki.  

"Uzumaki Naruto, huh? Interesting. It’s about time we started our Tailed Beast capture operation!"  

"Let’s begin with the easier targets. First up: the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki from Takigakure. After that, the Four-Tails and Five-Tails!" 

Inside Akatsuki’s hideout, their leader, Pain (Zero) , issued the orders.  

"I’ve heard Konoha will host the Chunin Exams in three months, with multiple villages participating." 

"All five major villages are invited—this could be the perfect opportunity for captures." 

A man adorned with a venus flytrap-like decoration spoke in a sly, calculating tone.  

It was Zetsu.  

"Not a bad idea. We could infiltrate using Amegakure’s identity as cover. With all five Great Villages gathered, conflict is inevitable." 

Pain approved the suggestion. After all, Amegakure was on the guest list.  

"I’ve also heard Kirigakure’s team will be led by Shirogane Yoru, the ‘White Flash’. Boss, this is our chance—the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, and Six-Tails are all in Kiri. We can’t let this slip!" 

Zetsu pressed further, but this time, Pain didn’t immediately agree. After a long pause, he finally spoke:  

"We’ll hold off on that plan for now. Let’s assess Konoha’s situation first. If things go well, then we’ll divert forces to Kirigakure." 

The others exchanged surprised glances. Even Pain was being cautious when it came to Kiri.  

Then again… it is Kirigakure.  

*"For Konoha’s mission: *Deidara (Blue Dragon), Sasori (Jade Maiden), Kakuzu (North Star), and Hidan (Three Platforms)—you four will handle the capture if conditions are favorable. If not, retreat without exposing yourselves." 

Pain continued his部署 (deployment).  

*"As for Kirigakure… I’ll lead that operation myself. *Itachi (Vermilion Bird), Tobi (South Star), and Konan (White Tiger)—you’re with me. Kisame (Black Tortoise), you’ll handle our retreat and intel concealment."  

"Heh, the whole squad’s mobilizing? Now this is exciting! It’s been ages since we had a mission this big!" 

Zetsu grinned eagerly, while the others remained unfazed.  

"Once this phase succeeds, we’ll move on to the Eight-Tails. The Tailed Beast capture plan is now in motion!" 

With the分配 (assignments) complete, the shinobi world was poised for another upheaval—though for now, no one suspected what would unfold in three months.  

On the surface, all was calm. 

But beneath it? The tides were already shifting.  

And Akatsuki wasn’t the only one scheming… 

Deep in the Land of Wind, the Fourth Kazekage was secretly meeting with Orochimaru, plotting something of their own.  

Kirigakure 

While the shinobi world buzzed with rumors about the Fourth Hokage’s son, Yoru—the very source of those rumors—stood in a training field, completely unbothered, facing his three students.  

"Alright, today marks the start of your real training." 

Yoru studied the trio, now fully healed and brimming with determination.  

"The bell test gave me a clear grasp of your combat styles and skill levels. I’m impressed." 

His praise sent Shiraishi Yuuhi, Natsume Yūki, and the others into visible excitement.  

"Lesson one: precision chakra control. Mastering this will elevate your combat prowess, unlock advanced techniques, and lay the foundation for your growth."  

"How do you achieve it? Two methods." 

Casually, Yoru stepped onto the side of a nearby tree—defying gravity as he walked vertically upward.  

"First: tree-walking. The trick is channeling chakra to your feet to adhere to the surface. Do it right, and gravity becomes optional." 

He leaped down, then formed a small lake with a Water Release technique. Without hesitation, he strode across the water’s surface, perfectly buoyant.  

"This is water-walking. Unlike tree-walking, you’re not adhering—you’re generating lift. Master it, and aquatic battles won’t faze you." 

Returning to solid ground, he added:  

"Precision control is the key to nature transformation, boosting your jutsu’s power while conserving energy. Stamina wins wars, after all."  

Yuuhi and the others nodded eagerly… then immediately rushed into practice.  

"Remember what I said—patience, kids." 

Yoru watched, amused, as they charged ahead.  

Naturally, they ignored him.  

So—  

"Ow!" 

"Ah—damn it!" 

"Why’d it explode?!"  

Bark shattered under their feet, sending all three tumbling down. Yoru smirked.  

"Told you so." 

(If he weren’t their sensei, that smug look would’ve earned him a beating.)  

"Alright, focus. Steady your breathing, then your chakra." 

With his guidance, they tried again—and soon, all three were scaling the tree with ease.  

Yoru wasn’t surprised. This was simpler than learning an E-rank jutsu.  

Within thirty minutes, they’d mastered water-walking too.  

Chapter 247: Survival First  

"Not bad, not bad at all! As expected of the Special Class’s geniuses—your learning speed is impressive. What takes ordinary people half a day, you’ve mastered in under an hour!" 

After watching them conquer tree-walking and water-running, Yoru clapped in approval. The trio couldn’t help but beam with pride, their chests swelling with accomplishment.  

"Alright, time for the next drill!" 

Yoru tossed three scrolls to them. "Your next challenge is written inside."  

Curious, they unrolled the scrolls—only to freeze at the words:  

"Live Combat Training."  

Below it were the specifics:  

• 10 km cliff-side sprint (Time limit: 15 minutes).  

• 10 km ocean-surface dash (Time limit: 15 minutes). 

"Sensei… this is… isn’t this a bit…?" 

Their confidence wavered. Even on flat ground, 10 km took them 20 minutes. Add cliffs and raging waves? Every step would drain their focus. This was impossible.  

"Giving up already? Really?" Yoru arched a brow. "Think carefully. Do you really want to refuse me?"  

The three exchanged glances, gulped, then muttered in unison: 

"W-we’ll do it…"  

Rejecting him meant consequences worse than failure.  

"To motivate you, I’ll even run with you! See? What a kind teacher I am." 

His grin was pure devilry. To Natsume Yūki and the others, this wasn’t encouragement—it was supervision. But refusal wasn’t an option.  

And so, their hellish marathon began.  

Rumors spread fast in Kirigakure: 

"Did you hear? Yoru-sama’s team trains by sprinting on cliffs and oceans. What’s the point?" 

"There must be a method. He wouldn’t waste their potential." 

"I dunno… He’s never taught before. What if he’s just winging it?"  

While Team 2 endured their grueling routine, other squads had already completed C-rank missions. Teams 1, 3, and 4 were gaining real combat experience, becoming the village’s rising stars.  

Meanwhile, Team 2? Zero progress.  

A full week of training—no missions, no jutsu drills, just running.  

"Is Yoru even qualified to teach?" whispers grew.  

Even Mizukage Yagura had doubts. He confronted Yoru: 

"Maybe it’s time to assign them a mission? The rumors are getting out of hand."  

In Yagura’s eyes, the Special Class were prodigies. With minimal guidance, they’d flourish on their own. Yoru’s methods? Questionable.  

"Relax. I know what I’m doing." Yoru waved him off.  

"Sensei, are we running again today?" 

Natsume Yūki asked, eyes gleaming with excitement. Yagura stared—was she brainwashed?  

"No. Phase One is complete." 

Yoru smirked. "Though I am shocked. You cut your cliff-run time from 15 minutes to 10 in six days. Are you three freaks of nature?"  

"Well, if you’re the big freak, we’ve gotta be little freaks! Can’t embarrass you, right?" Natsume teased, now utterly fearless around him.  

Six days of shared suffering had erased their formalities. To them, Yoru was less a superior and more an older brother.  

"The whole village thinks we’re wasting time." Yoru crunched into an apple, amused. "Can’t blame them. Watching us sprint like idiots does look ridiculous."  

Natsume bit her own apple, grinning. "Who cares? We know how much stronger we’ve gotten. ‘Wasted time’? Yeah, right."  

Shiraishi Yuuhi and Sashimi Yoshiko nodded. 

"The ‘me’ from six days ago? I’d beat her in 10 minutes flat." 

"Precise chakra control boosted our speed, strength, and jutsu potency." 

"We could take a C-rank now—and we wouldn’t lag behind the others."  

Watching their confidence, Yoru swelled with pride. This was why he taught.  

"Then how about a C-rank? Shut the doubters up."  

To his surprise, all three shook their heads. 

"Let’s finish the remaining two training phases first."  

Yoru blinked. "Oh? You’ve already figured out the purpose of those?"  

Natsume smirked. "Duh. We’re your students. If we couldn’t see that, we’d be disgraceful!"  

Yoru sighed—sometimes, having smart students ruins the fun.  

Chapter 248: Is He Really Teaching Them Nonsense?  

"Alright, let’s move on to the second and third phases of training!"  

The second phase was straightforward: improving hand-seal speed and battlefield control.  

The importance of hand-seal speed was undeniable in the shinobi world.  

It wasn’t that faster seals always meant a stronger shinobi—but those who were fast rarely ended up weak.  

The prime example? Yoru. His blindingly quick seals were legendary. Unsurprisingly, many had started prioritizing this skill.  

As for battlefield control, it was more abstract. In practice, it meant tactical dominance—using techniques to manipulate opponents into your rhythm, securing victory with minimal effort.  

The third phase? Even simpler: sparring with Yoru, integrating everything they’d learned.  

This was the part Natsume Yuuki and her teammates looked forward to the most.  

"Lightning Release: Wave of Inspiration!" 

"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!" 

"Earth Release: Thousand Needles of Death!" 

"Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!" 

"Water Release: Water Wall!" 

"Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique!"  

For days, the training ground echoed with the same cycle:  

Hand seals. Release jutsu. Repeat.  

Observers who dropped by were baffled.  

"What’s the point? All they’re doing is drilling basics!" 

"Aside from smoother execution, I don’t see any real growth. How does this make them stronger?"  

Whispers spread:  

"Did they get scammed? Does Yoru-sama even know how to teach? This feels… pointless." 

"They’re wasting time. Without new jutsu, tactics, or missions, how will they improve?" 

"Even Lord Yagura tried to advise him, but Yoru-sama wouldn’t listen. Is he just too proud to admit this isn’t working?"  

Watching—and quietly mocking—Yoru’s "training" had become a guilty pleasure for some.  

After all, when else could they criticize the legendary White Flash? The man was second only to the Mizukage in prestige. Respected. Untouchable.  

But this? This was weird.  

Then Yagura spoke up.  

"…Wait. I think there’s more to this."  

He’d noticed something:  

• Their jutsu execution was faster.  

• Their control was sharper.  

• Their hand seals nearly matched jōnin speed. 

Power meant nothing without precision. A missed shot was a wasted shot. But this? This was refined lethality.  

His squad blinked. "You’re saying… this works?"  

"We’ll see at the rankings." Yagura shrugged and left.  

Inside the training ground, Natsume and her team knew the truth.  

It was working.  

• Before: 4 seconds per jutsu.  

• Now: 3 seconds. 

Their techniques hit harder. Their chakra responded like an extension of their will. Even under pressure, their focus never broke—thanks to Yoru’s brutal chakra control drills.  

By the time they finished:  

• 3 days: Mastered hand seals.  

• 7 days: Battlefield control.  

• 2 weeks: Full integration under Yoru’s relentless sparring. 

Then came the class rankings—a test to adjust training regimens.  

The arena buzzed with gossip:  

"Did you hear? Team 1 and Team 3 already completed B-rank missions!" 

"No way! They’re that strong already?!"  

Most squads were still stuck on D/C-ranks. B-ranks meant real combat—enemy shinobi, assassinations, espionage. The kind of work usually reserved for ANBU or seasoned chūnin.  

"The top spot’s between them. We don’t stand a chance."  

Then someone muttered:  

"What about… Team 2?"  

All eyes turned to the corner.  

Natsume Yuuki’s team lounged there, half-asleep, looking like they couldn’t care less.  

Chapter 249: "The Class You’re Leading is Quite Good"  

"I think it’s highly likely! At best, they’ll only manage a draw against us. After all, we’ve been improving nonstop while they’ve stayed stagnant!"  

Seeing their confidence, the others couldn’t help but smirk in disdain.  

Strangely enough, they even felt a little reassured.  

Sure, there was still a gap between them and the top-ranked Class 1 and Class 3, but at least they were better than Class 2, right? At least they had completed missions before.  

But Class 2? Not a single mission success. And their training regimen over the past month had been… honestly baffling.  

It looked like a complete waste of time—just draining their energy for nothing.  

What were Natsume Yuuki and her teammates thinking? They had to know Yoru’s training methods were unreliable, yet they followed along without a single complaint.  

Did they just not care about their futures? Even if they idolized Yoru, there had to be a limit. Shouldn’t they at least keep some basic common sense?  

And just as these thoughts ran through their minds—the class preliminaries began.  

The preliminaries consisted of team battles and individual matches, with rewards for the top performers in each category.  

First up: team battles. Opponents were decided by lottery, with the exempted team randomly drawn to face one of the four winning squads in the next round.  

Soon, the matchups were announced:  

• Class 1 vs. Class 6!  

• Class 3 vs. Class 9!  

• Class 4 vs. Class 5!  

• Class 7 vs. Class 8!  

• Class 2 — Exempt! 

…  

The moment the results were read, everyone turned in surprise toward Class 2. They’d gotten a free pass? Lucky them.  

"Tch, luck won’t save them. Without real skill, they’ll just get crushed later," one of Class 1’s members sneered.  

Just because they were from the same hidden village didn’t mean they were one big, happy family.  

Conflict was everywhere.  

Rivalry, exclusion, even bullying—every class had its share, to varying degrees.  

But the higher-ups kept things in check, ensuring the competition stayed healthy. No one stepped in to stop it.  

As Yoru himself once put it: "Save the naivety for the academy. Out in the real world, you survive by skill alone."  

"I wonder… did Yoru rig this? Did he exempt Class 2 because he’s afraid they’ll embarrass him?"Yugito glanced at Yoru, who stood calmly nearby, and couldn’t help but suspect as much.  

"Matches begin now! Competing teams, step forward!"  

The first battle—Class 1 vs. Class 6—kicked off as the six participants entered the arena.  

"Just surrender now. You don’t stand a chance against us."Class 1’s team—two boys and a girl—looked down on their opponents with undisguised arrogance. They didn’t even bother giving them a proper glance.  

"Save the talk. Let’s see what you’ve got!"Class 6 wasn’t about to back down. Even if they knew the odds were against them, they’d never just roll over. If there was a gap, they wanted to measure it—so they’d know exactly how far they had to go.  

"BEGIN!"  

At the referee’s signal, Class 1 instantly spread out—their lone kunoichi taking the rear for support while the two boys charged from both sides.  

Up in the observation stands…  

"So, what do you think of them?"Yagura walked up beside Yoru, eyes fixed on Class 1.  

"Impressive work, Lord Yagura. You’ve trained them better than I have. These three are strong—they’ve earned their arrogance."  

*"I hear they’re already handling B-rank missions. That’s no small feat. I’m looking forward to seeing how far they go."*Yoru didn’t hold back his praise, his admiration clear.  

The surrounding spectators glanced between Yagura and Yoru, then at Natsume Yuuki’s team behind him.  

They expected to see frustration or defiance, but instead—the three were watching the match with keen interest, quietly discussing something.  

Fragments of their conversation drifted over:  

"How long do you think before Class 1 finishes off Class 6?"Yuuki asked, clearly the leader.  

The other two answered in unison: "Ten minutes. A hundred exchanges. They’ll win, but not without a struggle."  

The surrounding students nearly laughed.  

A hundred exchanges?  

They looked back at the match—Class 6 was already on the defensive, barely holding on. How could this possibly drag on for ten minutes? It’d be over in two!  

"Huh. Sharp observation."Yugito’s voice cut through their smirks.  

"Class 1’s offense is fierce, but reckless. They’re pushing hard without testing their opponent’s limits. That’ll cost them."  

"Their formation’s already slipping. Meanwhile, Class 6 is holding steady. The moment they counterattack—"  

"—it’ll flip the momentum,"Yagura finished, stroking his chin. "Maybe I’ve been too hands-off with their tactics. That’s something to adjust."  

The other students froze.  

What? The higher-ups actually agree with Class 2’s assessment? But—  

Before they could finish the thought—  

CRACK!  

Class 6’s leader feinted—then smashed a fist straight into Class 1’s captain’s face, sending him flying.  

The formation shattered.  

Seizing the opening, Class 6 launched a coordinated counterattack.  

The tide had turned.  

"They… called it exactly right?!"  

The spectators whipped their heads toward Natsume Yuuki’s team, stunned.  

How did they see that coming?  

Was it a lucky guess?  

…No way it was that accurate.  

Chapter 250: They Were Actually Right  

"Could it be… that they’re stronger than the First Unit?"  

That bold thought suddenly crossed everyone’s minds.  

Otherwise, how else could they explain why no one else had seen the situation clearly—except for Natsume Yuuki and her two teammates? Not only that, but their analysis had been almost identical to Yugito’s.  

But then they glanced at Natsume Yuuki’s group again. Stronger than the First Unit?  

No matter how they looked at it, that seemed impossible!  

Where would they even have gotten the chance to grow stronger? Through Yoru’s questionable training methods? Nothing about those drills screamed "powerful" to them.  

Yet, aside from the explanation that Natsume Yuuki and her teammates were secretly strong, they couldn’t think of any other reason.  

Just as they were pondering this, Nakamure Shouta sneered and pointed at the First Unit’s captain. "If I were him, that last Lightning Release attack wouldn’t have been so weak. I’d have taken the Sixth Unit’s captain out of the fight completely!"  

Sashimi Yoshiko paused her needlework and added, "I could’ve backed you two up, trapped the other two, and let you finish the fight faster."  

Natsume Yuuki nodded in agreement, leaving the rest of the students utterly stunned.  

Stronger than the First Unit’s captain’s Lightning Release? Were they serious? That guy’s lightning techniques had even earned high praise from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s Ringo Ameyuri!  

To them, Natsume Yuuki’s group was just talking big—and they had plenty of evidence to prove it.  

"Whatever, no point overthinking it. They’ll be up soon anyway. We’ll see how strong they really are then."  

If they couldn’t figure it out now, they’d just wait and judge based on results.  

They were eager to see—would the match really end within ten minutes? Would the winner be decided in under a hundred moves?  

Inside the arena, the First Unit was still at a disadvantage, and their condition kept worsening. People were starting to worry they might actually lose.  

Eight minutes passed amidst the crowd’s tension and the fierce battle between the two teams. Ninety exchanges in, the First Unit was pushed to the brink. By all appearances, they had no chance left.  

"Just surrender. You’ve lost your edge—this match is ours!" The Sixth Unit’s captain smirked triumphantly.  

"Surrender? Hah! Not a chance! This is our last stand!"  

"Unmo, Sitarou—give it everything! The First Unit’s not done yet!"  

The First Unit’s captain, Kurokawa, barked at his teammates, his voice sharp.  

"You got it!" Unmo and Sitarou responded instantly, their eyes burning with fighting spirit, unshakable resolve, and sheer determination.  

"Then let’s show them what we’re made of!"  

With Kurokawa’s roar, blinding lightning erupted from his body, flooding the entire arena.  

The Sixth Unit’s captain gasped, hastily raising a defense—but it shattered in just three seconds. The three of them were swallowed by the lightning, their screams ringing out.  

Seizing the moment, Unmo and Sitarou lunged forward, pressing their advantage and securing victory in one decisive strike.  

"First Unit… wins!"  

The referee quickly announced the result as medics rushed in to carry the Sixth Unit away for treatment.  

"They were actually right… Under ten minutes, under a hundred moves!"  

Someone from the Seventh Unit gulped, staring at Natsume Yuuki’s group in shock.  

"How the hell did they do that? Are they really that strong?!"  

The others murmured in disbelief and awe. These three were like prophets!  

"Those kids of yours are interesting. This class competition just got a lot more fun."  

Yugito, who had overheard Natsume Yuuki’s earlier remarks, smirked at Yoru.  

"Naturally."  

Yoru’s lips curled into a confident smile.  

"…Huh?!"  

"Wait, are they actually strong? Even Yoru-sama believes in them?!"  

Hearing Yoru and Yugito’s exchange, the surrounding students were stunned once again. Suddenly, Natsume Yuuki’s trio seemed… different.  

"Next match—Third Unit vs. Ninth Unit!"  

The referee announced the next pairing, and six more fighters stepped into the arena.  

After the First Unit’s performance, neither side rushed in recklessly. The difference in skill quickly became apparent.  

The Third Unit, already capable of handling B-rank missions, outclassed the Ninth Unit, who soon found themselves overwhelmed.  

Meanwhile…  

"I won’t waste words. You know how you performed. Reflect on this battle and make sure it doesn’t happen again."  

Yagura’s calm tone as he addressed Kurokawa’s ashamed team carried more weight than any scolding.  

And that only made them feel worse.  

If he had yelled at them, at least it would’ve meant he still had expectations. But this detached response? It felt like he’d already given up on them.  

"Yagura-sensei, we won’t let you down again! We’ll never underestimate our opponents like this!"  

Kurokawa clenched his fists, his voice firm. Yagura gave a small nod and patted his shoulder.  

"Do your best."  

That simple gesture reignited their motivation instantly.  

Back in the arena, after three intense minutes, the Third Unit emerged victorious.  

"Third Unit wins!"  

The referee’s announcement was met with quiet satisfaction from their sensei, Utakata, whose approving nod made his students beam with pride.  

"Third match—Fourth Unit vs. Fifth Unit!"  

Another set of fighters entered the arena.  

"Yugito, your team’s up. How long do you think they’ll take to win?" Yoru asked.  

The Fourth Unit was the closest to the Special Class units, so they drew nearly as much attention.  

"Obviously, my Fourth Unit’s got this in the bag. I didn’t train them for nothing!"  

Yugito didn’t even hesitate, her confidence radiating. Her bold, brash demeanor made everyone shake their heads. Who in the world could ever tame her?  

Unless, of course, she planned to stay single forever.