A Sage's Pursuit of Power

Aoba placed several documents in front of Yugito.

"I'm giving you a few options here. As you can see, Kumogakure has fallen, and now you're effectively a free agent. A rogue ninja, or perhaps more accurately, a wandering ninja.

Your options are limited, but because you are a Jinchūriki, a high-level combat asset, you do have slightly more choices available to you, at least for now.

The first option is to become a field ninja for Konoha. If you choose this, you will be granted an official rank as a jōnin in Konoha.

You'll receive all the benefits provided to Konoha's jōnin, which are detailed in the documents. Additionally, because of your status as a Jinchūriki, you'll need to cooperate with the research division for some projects, for which you'll receive extra compensation."

"The second option is to become a contracted ninja. In this role, you will work with Konoha as a Jinchūriki, but you won't need to perform any field missions. You'll only need to cooperate with the research division's studies.

In return, we'll provide you with basic living necessities and a research stipend."

Yugito flipped through the documents, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"So no matter what I choose, I can't escape being part of your research projects?"

"That's correct. It's part of your fate as both a Jinchūriki and a member of the losing side. However, we guarantee that no research will endanger your life."

"That much, I believe. After all, you're even willing to make me a Konoha ninja and allow me to undertake missions. Are you sure this isn't a joke?"

Even in Kumogakure, Yugito had never been granted this level of freedom. As a Jinchūriki, her every action had been closely monitored and restricted.

But the terms Konoha offered promised her a degree of autonomy she found hard to believe.

"Believe it or not, you're free to try."

"Is that so? And what about this?" Yugito pointed to the last document.

"Let me go free, this is real? You'll let me leave?"

"It's entirely real. If you agree to let us extract a portion of the Tailed Beast's chakra core, you'll gain complete freedom. You can leave Konoha and go wherever you wish. Alternatively, you could stay here as a civilian.

However, I must warn you in advance: the process of extracting the Tailed Beast's chakra core is not pleasant. It will cause pain to both you and the Tailed Beast. It won't be fatal, but it certainly won't be easy."

Aoba's explanation was clear, leaving Yugito caught in a dilemma.

Logically, her first instinct was to choose the last option, it promised absolute freedom. But she quickly realized how unrealistic that choice was.

A free Jinchūriki or an untethered Tailed Beast would attract chaos. Villages without Tailed Beasts, even minor villages, would descend upon her like rabid dogs.

The second option, becoming a contracted ninja, essentially meant living idly and waiting for death. It was a prospect Yugito found unappealing.

"I'll choose the first option."

Yugito still doubted whether Konoha would truly grant her the status of a ninja and allow her to undertake missions, but as Aoba said, she could at least give it a try.

A few days later, Yugito was issued a Konoha forehead protector and her official jōnin certification. Alongside them, she received a large bundle of auxiliary ninja tools.

This marked her official status as a Konoha ninja.

Before Yugito could fully process everything, she received her first mission notice. Her assignment was to eliminate a group of rogue ninjas operating near Konoha's borders.

Yugito found it hard to believe that any rogue ninjas would dare to loiter near Konoha's vicinity. Nevertheless, she immediately accepted the mission and began her preparations.

As a Jinchūriki, Yugito had very little experience carrying out field missions. In her early days in Kumogakure, the village had been so militarily strong that, unless it was during wartime, she was rarely sent into action.

Fortunately, this mission included two teammates. What shocked her even more was the identity of those teammates.

"You're sending Naruto and Yugito on a mission together?"

Tsunade was stunned when she heard about the arrangement.

"Do you realize what you're doing? Two Jinchūriki leaving the village at a time like this, you're trying to... you're trying to bait out Obito."

"Exactly. Obito has obtained the Rinnegan, so his next step will undoubtedly be to collect the Tailed Beasts."

"But this is far too obvious. Anyone can see it's a trap."

"Of course. This isn't meant to be a secret plan, it's an open one. Whether Obito takes the bait or not doesn't matter much. What I'm really doing is sending out a signal: even someone as unique as a Jinchūriki can receive normal treatment in Konoha."

"So this mission is essentially for show?"

"In a sense, yes. Image matters sometimes, you know."

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Currently on Chapter 286 - Face to Face