Naruto: I have an attribute panel

Chapter 502 Still Vigorous in Old Age

The ninja world is changing almost every day.

The Akatsuki organization, single-handedly, successfully stirred up the stagnant waters of the ninja world.

Today, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure was tricked out of the village and captured by the Akatsuki.

Tomorrow is the day when the Two-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure is ambushed and killed by the Akatsuki organization during a mission.

The day after tomorrow, another remote small country will be completely overthrown by the Akatsuki organization.

The entire ninja world became incredibly lively because of the Akatsuki organization.

During this time, Taiichi stayed in Konoha and didn't go anywhere else.

Yet, every single piece of intelligence was still delivered to him without fail.

Looking at the information about the possible resurrection of the One-Tailed Beast that had just been specially delivered by the Anbu, Taiichi waved it at the Nine-Tailed Beast lying next to him.

"Hey, don't you have anything to say?"

Since the last time they extracted information from Kurama that he had a state even more powerful than the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, there has been no progress with Minato so far.

As for Naruto, let's not even mention him. He already has the potential to be a troublemaker at such a young age; making him concentrate on his work is worse than killing him.

It's still difficult.

At this moment, Taiichi also took the opportunity to put further pressure on Kurama.

"Shout, what's the point of talking? If you're not good enough, you deserve to be caught. You won't die anyway, at worst you'll just have to squat in another place."

The nine-tailed fox curled its lips, looking completely unconcerned.

"Hey, you're staying here, and all you care about is eating, drinking, and having fun, you don't care about anything else."

Taiichi said irritably, "The Akatsuki's leader possesses the Rinnegan. Do you think they collected the Tailed Beasts just for the power of your few Tailed Beasts?"

Nine-Tails instantly became alert.

Others might not know, but how could he not know just how strong Taiyi really was?

Three years ago, he could easily pin him to the ground and beat him up. Now, three years later, his own strength hasn't improved much, but Taiyi's strength is changing every day.

Such a person's warning forced the fox to think seriously.

What other purpose could an organization have in capturing their tailed beasts besides utilizing their power?

Their tailed beasts are chakra beings; they have neither blood nor flesh, and cannot be eaten.

For thousands of years, this is how the tailed beasts have lived.

But—what if we add the Rinnegan as well?

Nine-Tails had never considered this aspect; his millennia-long habit of thinking had caused him to overlook this problem.

"You bastard, do you know something?"

"Heh, I've only heard a few legends about it occasionally!" Taichi casually stroked the Nine-Tails' fur, a smile playing on his lips. "You nine tailed beasts seem to share a common origin. Do you think the Akatsuki has found a way to return you to your original form?"

These words were like a bolt from the blue to the Nine-Tailed Fox. His fur stood on end, and his fox face was filled with disbelief.

This information is the biggest secret hidden in the hearts of the nine tailed beasts, and should be unknown to anyone in the current ninja world.

But now, Taiichi knows.

The Akatsuki organization also knew that this didn't seem impossible.

Following this line of thought, the Akatsuki organization, which possesses the Rinnegan, is not so simple in capturing tailed beasts.

A change in thinking opens up a whole new world; the Akatsuki organization can't defeat Taichi, and neither can the Tailed Beasts.

Does that mean two groups of weaklings can defeat Taiyi together? That's a joke. They'll still lose if they can't win.

Therefore, the only answer is that the Akatsuki organization has found a way to restore the Ten-Tails.

Nine-Tailed Fox's two erect ears drooped instantly, and its tail instinctively tucked between its legs.

"Um, Taiichi, you scared me, didn't you?"

The skeptical fluffy dumpling asked Taiyi one last time, its watery fox eyes filled with a longing for life.

"I'm lying!" Taiichi scoffed. "Haven't you seen how Konoha has been changing these past few years? What's all this for? It's all for that potential threat."

Taiyi was not lying; he simply changed the target he needed to guard against.

The nine-tailed fox, who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, didn't notice the trickery in Taiyi's words and actually believed his lies.

"Sigh!" Kurama slumped to the ground, limp and listless. "There is indeed another state above the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, which you can call Kurama Mode."

"Nine Lamas?" Taiyi asked curiously.

"Yes, Kurama, my name is Kurama!"

Taiichi looked at Kurama in surprise, not expecting him to tell him his name so easily.

Taiyi was somewhat pleased, it seemed that the years of feeding had not been in vain.

"In that case, you should practice with Minato. The sooner you succeed, the better you'll be able to protect yourselves!"

"It's not as simple as you say!" Kurama rolled its eyes at Taiichi. "It requires a special state where both parties can trust each other completely. Only then can their chakra successfully merge and complete the Kurama Mode."

Taiyi nodded in realization, understanding the difficulty involved.

In the original work, Naruto was able to complete Kurama Mode partly because he did have the talent in this area, but more importantly, Naruto grew up under the watchful eye of Kurama.

Every little thing he did was under Kurama's watchful eye; Naruto himself had almost no secrets from Kurama.

This also means that the biggest obstacle between the two sides is almost non-existent; everything becomes very simple as long as Kurama (the Nine-Tails) is willing.

Minato, however, was different. He was already a mature ninja and the Fourth Hokage of Konoha when he became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

For Minato and Kurama to open their hearts to each other and have their chakra merge, that would be incredibly difficult.

Taiyi looked at Kurama, who was rubbing its mouth in frustration, and felt a headache coming on. In the end, he could only pat Kurama on the back to comfort it.

"Don't be discouraged. As long as you have the will, I believe there is always a way. You know who Minato is after all this time. There are always more solutions than problems. You will definitely succeed with the Nine-Rat Method."

Taiyi was giving the Nine-Tails a shot of adrenaline; he absolutely couldn't let the guy get discouraged.

On the same day, Taiichi reported the Kurama Mode to Minato.

Unexpectedly, Minato's first reaction upon learning this was not how to practice the Kurama Mode with Kurama.

Instead, they started criticizing Taichi and Kurama's aesthetic sense.

"Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, what a terrible name! It's neither cool nor stylish, and it's far inferior to my Invincible Golden Flame Nine-Tails Glowing Armor."

These were Minato's exact words, which stunned Taiichi for a full five seconds.

Seriously, boss? I'm talking to you about cultivation, but you're just telling me your name.

Is our channel not properly calibrated?

Seeing Taiichi's speechless expression, Minato burst into laughter.

It turned out that Minato couldn't stand Taiichi looking so worried about him, so he deliberately did this to lighten the mood.

"Taiyi, you don't need to worry too much. There are other ways to improve your strength besides Kurama Mode; Sage Mode is also quite good."

The means, and what truly elevates is the essence.

Shuimen is very open-minded and not worried about short-term strength improvement.

At the same time, he has a clear understanding of things and knows exactly what he wants.

Taiichi looked intently into Minato's eyes, his pale blue pupils revealing nothing but sincerity.

At this moment, Taiichi smiled with relief, realizing that Minato was a rare genius in Konoha's history and did not need his excessive concern.

Time passed day by day in this tense and eerie atmosphere.

On this day, Taiichi was training with his three disciples when the Anbu came to inform him that the Hokage summoned him.

Taiichi looked up and glanced in the direction of the Hokage Building, wondering why he was being called over at this time.

He's only had a few days of rest, does he already have another mission?

Minato wasn't afraid of Tsunade coming to him with her fists clenched.

Taichi left behind a shadow clone and went to the Hokage's office.

Even the Third Hokage was here this time, making Taichi even more curious about why Minato had summoned him.

Minato got straight to the point, not holding back, and went straight to the point as soon as he met Taiichi.

"People from Takigakure have arrived, and they have given Konoha a long-term mission, requesting that Konoha send someone to protect their Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Cough cough."

Taiichi almost choked on his own saliva.

This is truly outrageous. One ninja village issues a mission to another ninja village, and the mission is to protect its own strategic weapons.

Takigakure has really fallen from grace, even issuing missions like this. If this gets out, it's clearly showing that their own ninja village is weak, and how many missions will be lost as a result?

"Takigakure has been terrified by the Akatsuki." Taichi could only sigh in that way.

"Ha, that's not our concern." Minato waved his hand. "This mission is a rare opportunity to showcase Konoha's strength to the ninja world. However, I'm not quite sure how to handle it, which is why I called you here for advice."

Taichi now understood Minato's meaning. Indeed, if Konoha had helped Takigakure protect the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki under these circumstances, Konoha's reputation in the entire ninja world would have reached a new level.

However, this is not an easy task.

Taiyi reviewed the known information about the Akatsuki organization in his mind before carefully choosing his words and saying, "The Akatsuki members we know now include Pain with the Rinnegan, Uchiha who knows space-time ninjutsu, a strange person who can use wood release, Kakuzu who can create masked monsters, Blood Raven of the Blood God Cult, and Hiruko who knows multiple bloodline limits."

"We're only talking about the known Akatsuki members. Unless they encounter Pain with his Rinnegan or the Uchiha clan who can manipulate space and time, the others, if they know his information, even if they can't defeat him, can still escape."

Taiichi's words were rather tactful; he wouldn't recommend Konoha take on this mission unless they sent a strong ninja.

Minato was also deep in thought. Although the Akatsuki had few official members, each one of them was exceptionally strong. The average Jonin from Konoha simply didn't have that kind of strength.

In Konoha, there are only a handful of people who can reliably take on this task; they either hold important positions, are idle and don't care about anything, or simply don't live in the village.

It's true what they say—you only realize how few people you have when you need them most. If we could have waited another year or two, with the in-depth training of Immortal Arts 3.0, there would definitely have been plenty of manpower available.

Even if the quality is insufficient, the quantity can make up for it.

The third generation man beside him puffed on his pipe, his brows furrowed slightly, and a strange light gleamed in his eyes.

After a long while, the Third Hokage extinguished his pipe, looked at Minato and Taichi, and solemnly said, "Let me go. Before this old man gets too old to walk, I want to do my part for the village one last time."

Minato looked up, his brows furrowed.

Taiyi rested his chin on his hand, pondering the feasibility of this matter.

And you know what? There really wasn't any problem.

Despite being nearly 60 years old this year, there are very few people in Konoha who can defeat him in terms of actual combat strength.

Most importantly, the title of "Professor of Ninjutsu" given to the Third Hokage was not given for nothing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who is skilled in the Five Elements Ninjutsu, can always find the best solution to deal with all kinds of unexpected situations.

If I could have a partner, that would be even better.

"If the three generations of adults go, I'll go back and persuade the teacher again; that would be safer."

Upon hearing Taiichi's words, Minato's brows immediately relaxed.

The Third Hokage was getting old, and Minato was still somewhat worried about him, but if Tsunade went as well, at least her life would be guaranteed.

Minato looked at Taiichi with eyes full of certainty, while Taiichi looked on with a face full of doubt.

After the matter was discussed, Taiyi prepared to go back and persuade his teacher, which would be a tough "battle".

Taiichi opened the door and was greeted by a young ninja with an anxious expression, who was reaching out his hand as if he was about to knock.

When the young ninja saw Taiichi, his expression immediately became extremely respectful. He bowed deeply to Taiichi at a 90-degree angle, behaving like a devoted fan meeting his idol.

Taiyi looked slightly embarrassed. If this were anywhere else, Taiyi wouldn't have cared. He might even have gone up to chat with the other person and give them some pointers on their cultivation.

But this is right in front of the Hokage's office, and both Hokage are behind him. What are you going to make people think?

Fortunately, Taiichi understood Minato; otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to explain it.

Just then, Minato's voice rang out from behind.

"It's Kawada. Is there something you need?"

"Ah, yes, Lord Hokage!" The young ninja Kawata immediately snapped out of his daze, responding while bowing to Taichi once more.

Taiyi's face darkened further, and he decided to stay and listen to what new developments might be coming.

Back in his office, Taiichi saw the faint smiles on Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi's faces and felt incredibly frustrated. But he couldn't take it out on anyone, so he could only stand silently to the side with a dark expression.

Kawada was unaware of the trouble his actions had caused Taiichi. Seeing the strange atmosphere among the three big shots in the office, he was puzzled and stopped thinking about it.

He handed the intelligence to the Fourth Boss, then turned and left the office, bowing again as he passed Taiichi.

Minato watched Kawata's actions with a smile, and only after the office door closed again did he start to look at the intelligence that had been delivered.

But the more I looked at him, the worse his complexion became.