Land of Lightning, Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village).
Raikage A stared at the document sent by Konoha and fell into a long silence.
The report detailed Akatsuki's incursion into the village. Facing the overwhelming assault of the Rinnegan (Rinnegan) and Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation), Konoha still managed to win with minimal losses. That alone was shocking.
As for the Rinnegan (Rinnegan), A did not know much—only that it was a "sage's eye."
But anything worthy of being called a sage's eye must be terrifying.
The writing might carry some exaggeration, yet A did not think it was nonsense. Only such power would deserve the title of a sage's eye.
What he had not expected was that Natsuki's strength could actually defeat the Rinnegan (Rinnegan). That was even more unbelievable.
In addition, Cloud's intelligence operatives had returned with other news: for example, that Natsuki's girlfriend Tenten held the remaining six of the Sage's tools; that Neji's Byakugan (Byakugan) had evolved into the Tenseigan (Tenseigan); that Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan (Mangekyō Sharingan); and more.
One piece of news after another left A dazed for a long time.
He understood clearly that Konoha was full of talent. So long as nothing unexpected happened, the next generation would belong to Konoha.
No matter how unwilling he felt, there was nothing he could do.
At present, the best Cloud could field were Darui, Samui, and Atsui—and they were around Kakashi's age—while talents of the same generation as Natsuki and the others were basically nonexistent.
Cloud's future was worrisome.
"Still, the Five Kage Summit, huh? Perhaps I should go."
A was well aware of the threat posed by the Rinnegan (Rinnegan) and understood how terrifying the tailed-beast weapons could be.
Akatsuki did not seem to have many members, but before the Rinnegan (Rinnegan), a mere tailed beast did not feel reliable.
If he joined forces with Konoha, he might be more at ease. Even so, Cloud could not show weakness at the conference; it had to seize the initiative.
That was why A had been delaying his reply.
He wanted to put on some airs, to make Cloud appear composed and unhurried.
When the meeting began, he would make a strong entrance. That would naturally be more favorable to Cloud. In any case, he could not let Konoha show off too much; he had to make Konoha and the other villages understand that Cloud was the true leader of the shinobi world now.
Just then, an intelligence officer rushed in with an urgent report. "Raikage-sama, this is bad! Killer B has been attacked!"
"Nani?! Which bastard dared lay a hand on my little brother?!"
A exploded with fury. "B is in that place and shouldn't have been discovered. Who leaked the intel? I won't let them off! Darui, come with me—now!"
He vanished at top speed as he spoke.
To the Fourth Raikage, Killer B was the most important family. In order to keep B safe, he had confined him in Unraikyō (Valley of Clouds and Lightning). Because of that, Kabuto's Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) squad had failed to find B's location earlier.
A had never imagined that such a hidden place as Unraikyō (Valley of Clouds and Lightning) would be discovered.
It had to be a leak.
Darui did not dare delay and hurried after him.
A little earlier, Killer B—wandering around Unraikyō (Valley of Clouds and Lightning) out of boredom—ran into Kabuto's squad.
B, bored out of his mind, lit up with excitement and greeted them at once. "Yo, you stupid chikyū egg, two and a half a pound, you met your granddaddy B, now spin around 'cause you feelin' free—oh yeah!"
"What's with this guy? We just met and he's rapping?" Suigetsu grimaced.
"Well, every jinchūriki has a different personality. Anyway, we found him. Now begins the operation to capture the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki," Kabuto said, barely containing his excitement. He could not wait to use this bargaining chip to negotiate with the true master behind the Rinnegan (Rinnegan). The thought of witnessing the real Rinnegan (Rinnegan) made him extend his tongue and lick, lick, lick.
"In that case, let's move!" Suigetsu did not care for chatter. He drew the Kubikiribōchō and charged at B, the cleaver sweeping with a howl.
B slipped aside casually and avoided it with ease. A single kick to Suigetsu's wrist sent the blade flying, and a few more kicks punted Suigetsu away.
Karin snapped, "Suigetsu, you useless lump! You didn't even block one move!"
Suigetsu shot back, "What do you know?! He's a tough one!"
Kabuto saw it clearly and pushed up his glasses. "As expected of Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki. His strength is extraordinary. Everyone—together."
At his word, Jūgo lunged, his arm transforming into a monstrous limb to smash down on B.
B's playful mood surged. He looped his head through the ring of the Kubikiribōchō, spun the great blade like a windmill, and swatted the charging Jūgo away.
"You bunch of fools, heed my rule, dumb dumb stuff, rough rough stuff, I got the vigor, you got the vigor, rushin' and crashin', feel my killer trigger—my killing intent is my courage, makes me bigger—oh yeah!"
Another inexplicable rap left Karin and Guren twitching at the corners of their mouths.
Awful rap or not, B's strength was indeed formidable. Taking him down would not be simple.
Guren did not hesitate and moved to attack. "Shōton • Kesshō Shuriken (Crystal Release: Crystal Shuriken)!"
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Snowy crystal blades bloomed from thin air and shot forth like shuriken at high speed.
B weaved and slipped between them. He looked a bit bulky, but in truth he was powerfully built, and his evasion speed was astonishing. Such petty projectiles could not touch him.
"Damn it! He's that nimble!"
Annoyed, Guren rushed in, crystal sword condensing along her arm as she slashed at B.
B decided to get serious and play with them properly. He drew the slender swords strapped across his back and demonstrated what "deba-tōryū" truly meant—his signature nana-tōryū (Seven-Sword Style).
Seven thin blades stung like wasp tails. In B's unique grip-and-flow, each strike was faster than the last. Guren was beaten back step by step. Seizing the moment when she could not keep up, B flicked three short blades—chi, chi, chi—and they struck home.
Guren barely had time to raise a Kesshō Tate (Crystal Shield) to block one. The other two pierced her arm and thigh.
"This guy… so strong!"
Guren dropped her underestimation at once.
She had always been confident in her Shōton (Crystal Release), thinking an Eight-Tails' jinchūriki would be nothing to handle. Now she realized she had been arrogant.
Suigetsu and Jūgo rushed up to hold B at bay, while Karin seized the chance to drag Guren back.
Karin thrust out her arm. "Bite."
Guren bit down, and her wounds closed in an instant.
Karin's reaction was flat, without the thrilled squeal she had shown when bitten by Sasuke in the original timeline. Likely, a fellow woman like Guren did nothing for her. Letting Guren bite was already a concession to teamwork; if it were Suigetsu, she would never allow it.
Suigetsu: Heh. As if I'd want to bite you…
(End of Chapter)
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