Chapter 303 : Attack

Riku knew this was no ordinary threat.

ōtsutsuki Urashiki had been a powerful enemy—far more dangerous than Nagato had ever been. A true member of the ōtsutsuki clan, he represented a level of threat that could plunge the entire world into chaos.

Because of that, Tsunade had chosen not to inform the public.

There was no need to spark panic in the village. The last thing Konoha needed was unrest—especially with the Akatsuki still lurking in the shadows.

More than a month had passed since Riku killed Urashiki.

Just when the village was beginning to settle, news arrived from the Temple of Fire, located in the Land of Fire.

The temple had been destroyed by two Akatsuki members.

Chiriku, one of the former Twelve Guardian Ninja, had been killed in the attack.

Tsunade frowned deeply upon receiving the report.

But with Naruto in the middle of intense training—learning to harness the Nine Tails’ chakra and developing the Rasenshuriken—he couldn’t be dispatched.

Most of the village’s high-ranking shinobi were already assigned to critical missions.

So, Tsunade decided to send Asuma Sarutobi, accompanied by two Chūnin, to investigate the situation.

Before they left, Riku spoke to Asuma in private, explaining the abilities of Hidan and Kakuzu.

He believed that, as long as Asuma was aware of their powers, nothing would go wrong.

After all, Asuma was an elite Jōnin—one of the most capable shinobi in the entire village.

If Riku had to personally handle every dangerous mission, then what would be the point of assigning him as Tsunade’s personal guard?

He couldn’t abandon his post every time trouble appeared.

Unless Konoha was in dire need and the mission critical, Tsunade rarely allowed Riku to leave her side.

Sending Asuma—a highly skilled Jōnin—along with two capable Chūnin was already a considerable deployment for a recon mission.

They were tasked with gathering intel, not engaging in direct combat.

Besides, in times of war, an elite Jōnin could command entire units of ninja.

If Asuma couldn’t handle this, then he didn’t deserve his title.

By all accounts, Tsunade’s arrangement made perfect sense.

Even if the enemy turned out to be Kage-level, no one would question the decision.

Still, after Asuma departed, Riku frowned slightly.

He had told him everything he could about Hidan and Kakuzu.

And yet, something gnawed at him.

A vague sense of unease.

But he kept it to himself.

There was no point in interfering further.

He’d already changed what he could.

If he tried to control everything, there would be no end to it.

He didn’t find that kind of life interesting.

He wouldn’t play god over every outcome.

After Asuma left, Riku turned to Tsunade.

"It looks like they’re going after Naruto," he said.

Tsunade nodded, her expression tense.

She didn’t understand what the Akatsuki were planning.

Releasing the Ten Tails? It didn’t make sense.

Even Nagato didn’t truly know the purpose behind collecting all nine Tailed Beasts. He was merely a pawn—just a weapon in Uchiha Madara’s grand scheme.

At that moment, Naruto was training at a practice ground in the village.

Under the watchful eyes of Kakashi and Yamato, he was working tirelessly to strengthen his body and fully withstand the power of the Nine Tails.

He was also attempting to master the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.

It was a technique he had long aspired to complete, but its overwhelming destructive force had always posed too much risk to his body.

Even now, it wasn’t safe.

But Naruto had made up his mind—if he didn’t master it, he wouldn’t be able to stand against the powerful enemies that lay ahead.

Kakashi watched silently, occasionally glancing up from his Icha Icha novel.

Yamato stood close by, constantly monitoring the Nine Tails’ chakra within Naruto.

Though Riku had released the seal, and Naruto had reached a truce with Kurama, his control was still incomplete.

At times, not even Kurama could prevent Naruto from losing control and slipping into a partial Tailed Beast transformation.

So they remained vigilant.

Suddenly, far in the distance, strange flying machines appeared in the sky.

Konoha’s sensory division and aerial scouts spotted them immediately.

Within moments, emergency evacuation sirens blared across the village.

Chaos erupted.

Civilians scrambled to shelters.

Ninja mobilized.

Riku, who had been calmly reading in the Hokage’s office, rose to his feet the instant the warning sounded.

He strode to the window and looked out.

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