"Be careful!"
The Fourth Raikage immediately shouted a warning cry.
Darui and the others reacted swiftly.
The forest created by Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees spanned an incredibly vast area.
When all the vines came closing in from every direction, they had no choice but to halt their advance and prepare a counterattack.
[Storm Release: Azure Eagle Blade!]
Darui quickly formed hand seals.
From his hands, several laser-like beams of lightning-infused water chakra immediately extended outward.
Under his control, they surged toward the vines closing in from every direction.
The other ninja weren't slow either.
Various ninjutsu blazed through the air,
interweaving into a dazzling spectacle.
But most of them were Lightning Release techniques.
However, the Fourth Raikage did not rush to assist.
His figure flickered like a purple blur as he dove downward, delivering an elbow strike aimed at Natsume.
[Heavy Stream Blasting!]
After activating his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the Fourth Raikage resembled a Saiyan warrior—his entire body was transformed into a weapon.
This was known as Nin-Taijutsu.
Using Lightning Release chakra to activate his cells, he achieved astonishing results within moments.
And the side effects were minimal—within tolerable limits.
Except for a few overpowered ninja, practically no one could match the Fourth Raikage.
He was a true six-sided warrior.
It's just that he lacked a Kekkei Genkai.
The Fourth Raikage's thinking was straightforward.
The Wood Release was being used by Natsume.
If he eliminated him, naturally the other ninja would be saved.
Needless to say, this idea was sound.
But Natsume was precisely one of those overpowered ninja.
Especially with his Sage Body.
Even though the Fourth Raikage had activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he still couldn't match Natsume.
Natsume sensed the immense impact of the Taijutsu charge but merely smiled faintly before throwing a punch.
Seeing this, the Fourth Raikage snorted coldly, muttering that it was suicidal.
Fist met elbow.
Todoroki!
A tremendous sound burst outward as a shockwave.
The Fourth Raikage's face turned pale.
An overwhelming force surged through him.
His body was forced backward.
That attack, which he took pride in, felt like it had struck the hardest thing in the world—utterly ineffective.
Just then, cries rang out.
The Fourth Raikage turned his head in alarm.
Except for Darui, everyone else had already been entangled and immobilized by the vines.
Damn it!
The Fourth Raikage's expression showed disbelief.
Many elites from Kumogakure were gathered here.
And yet they were defeated by one person?
The Fourth Raikage would rather believe he had fallen into a genjutsu.
Since the Third Great Ninja War, his confidence had only continued to grow.
Mainly due to Kumogakure's overall rising strength.
If not for Natsume's appearance, Konoha wouldn't stand a chance against them.
Of course, this assumption excluded Naruto Uzumaki—the overpowered hero.
"Sir, who are you?"
The Fourth Raikage inhaled deeply and asked.
After that brief clash, he already knew—he couldn't defeat Natsume.
Now, with so many comrades captured,
Although the Fourth Raikage was reckless, that didn't mean he was foolish.
If this battle continued, Kumogakure might face complete annihilation.
Plus, he couldn't figure out what goal this mysterious organization had or why they wanted to capture Killer B?
Could there be any connection between this Wood Release expert and Konoha Village?
Natsume felt slightly taken aback.
He hadn't expected the Fourth Raikage to suddenly stop fighting.
But it made sense.
Natsume gave a faint smile, not answering his question.
Although he could wipe out Kumogakure right now, his plan was to let the Akatsuki organization stir things up first.
Besides, he wanted to see what choice the Fourth Raikage would make.
It definitely wouldn't be the same as in the original story.
That way, Natsume could also gain a lot of destiny value.
He glanced toward Kakuzu's direction.
His figure had already vanished.
Seeing this, Natsume vanished in a flash.
With his departure, the vines also lost control.
The Fourth Raikage's expression darkened slightly—he hadn't expected such a reaction.
Instantly, he became a streak of lightning and gave chase to Kakuzu.
Right now, all he could hope for was to catch up.
Yet an hour later, he returned to where he had started.
He came back empty-handed, having gained absolutely nothing.
His expression darkened further.
Kumogakure had first lost the Two-Tails jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, and now they had also lost the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, B.
Kumogakure's strength had plummeted to an all-time low.
Even the strongest ordinary ninja had their limits—they could never match the power of a jinchuriki.
In addition, a mysterious powerful figure had set their sights on them.
"Raikage-sama."
Darui stepped forward, his expression grim. "Samui has gone missing."
"Missing? What do you mean?"
Snapping back to reality, the Fourth Raikage frowned, asking.
The Wood Release expert didn't take anyone when he left.
And even if someone had been taken, why specifically Samui?
"We couldn't find her."
Confused, Darui replied, "Everyone was captured at the time, and no one noticed her absence until we were freed again."
The Fourth Raikage clenched his fist instinctively.
No one simply vanishes without a trace.
The only possibility was that the Wood Release expert took her.
Although they didn't know the reason, right now, she had fallen into the same life-or-death uncertainty as B.
Containing his rage, the Fourth Raikage said solemnly, "Return first, convene a meeting, and dispatch the Anbu to search for her."
This was their last resort.
But he knew the chances were slim.
A powerful organization had appeared out of nowhere.
There had been no prior intelligence about them, so finding them now would prove nearly impossible.
Oh...
And even if they did find them, rescuing her remained uncertain.
Recalling Natsume's terrifying power, even the normally fearless Fourth Raikage found himself momentarily shaken.
Still, no matter what, they had to save her.
Now, however, they had no clues at all.
Not long afterward, a formal emergency meeting convened in Kumogakure's council chamber.
All participants were jonin-level shinobi—such as Tsuchiyo, Kirabi, Mabo, Omoi, and others.
After Darui explained the situation, a stunned silence filled the room.
None of them could have predicted that the ever-thriving Kumogakure would suddenly face such a devastating catastrophe.
B and Samui had both gone missing.
Especially the former—
He was the Eight-Tails' jinchuriki—second only to the Fourth Raikage as Kumogakure's most powerful fighter.
Even he had never encountered such an enemy before. How terrifying must that be?
"The problem now is that we know nothing about them," said the Fourth Raikage, scanning the room. "If anyone has ideas, speak up."
The meeting room fell into silence as everyone exchanged glances.
With absolutely no information at all, how could they possibly comment or come up with solutions?
Eventually, many eyes turned toward Mabo.
The Raikage's secretary was also his external brain.
White-haired and dark-skinned, wearing a coat and pencil skirt, she exuded youthfulness and vibrancy—deceptively young-looking, yet brimming with wisdom and talent.
Within the original story, during the Fourth Great Ninja World War, she had co-commanded alongside Shikaku Nara as commander-in-chief.
Unfortunately, she ultimately died at the hands of the Ten-Tails.
"The mysterious organization's goal is the tailed beasts," Mabo spoke calmly. "Tailed beasts aren't exclusive to our Kumogakure. Other ninja villages have them too."
"You're saying this means other villages are under attack too?" Tarui couldn't help but ask.
Shock appeared on his face.
If Mabo was right, they were attacking several jinchuriki at once.
A mysterious organization powerful enough to develop unnoticed beneath the Five Great Villages' very noses for so long—this was truly terrifying.
Not just Tarui, others in the room had reached the same conclusion.
Once again, silence fell over the conference room.
"Mm."
Mabo gave a slight nod and continued analyzing. "If their goal had been mere revenge, they would have directly killed B. Since they didn't, it indicates their true objective lies with the tailed beasts."
"Then we can only wait for reports from the other villages."
The Fourth Raikage spoke in a heavy tone.
They didn't have to wait long.
After all, battles involving tailed beasts couldn't easily be concealed; they were too grand in scale.
And Kumogakure had spies scattered across every hidden village.
Something this major naturally required immediate reporting.
"Iwagakure has lost two of its jinchuriki. It seems just as Mabo predicted—their goal is the tailed beasts."
The Raikage put down the intelligence report, his expression darkening.
This mysterious organization proved even more formidable than he had imagined.
Six individuals, each possessing strength on par with a Kage from the Five Great Villages.
And who knew how many more members there might be?
"Could this have anything to do with Konoha?"
Standing behind the Fourth Raikage, Tarui asked, "Konoha had just hosted the Joint Chunin Exams, drawing considerable attention. Theoretically speaking, with Natsume away in Kirigakure, Konoha should have been left vulnerable. The Nine-Tails is also the strongest tailed beast. Why not go after it instead?"
"That's right."
Tsuchiyo couldn't help but nod. "Also, the attackers used Wood Release techniques. Everyone knows Wood Release is Konoha's iconic Kekkei Genkai."
The Raikage's eyes flickered slightly. What they said made sense.
"This matter requires caution."
Seeing this, Mabo quickly spoke up. "If Konoha is suspected, then Suna and Kiri are equally suspicious."
"But Konoha remains the most likely suspect."
The Raikage himself already carried deep resentment toward Konoha.
The rivalry between the two villages ran deep and long.
Konoha certainly had motive.
And judging by Natsume's suppression of Sunagakure, he also possessed the strength to defeat B.
The only mystery was where the other five powerful individuals had come from.
The Fourth Raikage was familiar with every notable ninja in Konoha—none of them matched this description.
"I won't deny it," Mabo sighed. "Right now, we have no way to stand up to Konoha."
The Fourth Raikage wanted to speak but found himself at a loss for words.
As much as he hated to admit it, it was true.
If he were to start a war, could Kumogakure win?
Without tailed beasts on either side, the Fourth Raikage still had confidence.
But now, Konoha possessed the mighty Nine-Tails, and Sunagakure, now its subordinate, held the One-Tail.
With two tailed beasts and Natsume's power on their side, the outcome of war was already decided.
"Our best course is to seek an alliance first. We should send someone to contact Iwagakure," Mabo continued. "Then we wait. If the mysterious organization isn't under Konoha's control, they'll make their move soon enough."
"What if they don't act?" Darui asked, watching her closely. "Does that mean Konoha is pulling the strings?"
"It's very likely," Mabo replied with a slight nod. "In that case, Kumogakure and Iwagakure will join forces to confront Konoha."
"Just confront them?" Tsuchiyo couldn't help but ask. "What about Killer B and Samui?"
Mabo fell silent.
She and the Fourth Raikage were thinking the same thing.
Would they win if they launched a war?
In the Uchiha clan residence in Konoha, faint spatial ripples shimmered as Natsume stepped into view.
Behind him lay the unconscious Samui.
He gave a slight wave of his hand, and guided by chakra, she floated gently onto the bed.
His eyes lingered briefly over her curvaceous form before he turned silently and left the room.
He had gone to Kumogakure with Kakuzu, but chose not to bring Yugito Nii.
She was in her own room now.
Natsume knocked on the door.
Truthfully, he hadn't intended to bring Samui back at all.
But considering how lonely his Black Cat might get alone, adding a Golden Cat for company didn't seem like a bad idea.
Two cats could keep each other entertained.
Besides, Samui's personality didn't seem as stubbornly proud as Yugito's.
Still, Natsume didn't have time to play with her at the moment.
He had more pressing matters to attend to.
One Samui wasn't even worth his attention.
So, he intended to leave her in Yugito's hands.
The door opened.
When Yugito saw Natsume, her breath caught for a brief moment.
She felt surprised.
After all, logic dictated that he should still be in Kirigakure.
Had the Joint Chunin Exams already ended?
Yugito quickly stepped forward and called out, "Master."
She wasn't wearing her catgirl bodysuit or Anbu uniform today.
Instead, she wore casual everyday clothes, appearing very much like a young maiden.
Natsume reached out and gently patted her head. "I've prepared a little gift for you," he said.
Yugito blinked in confusion, then looked at him with curiosity.
"Go check the room next to yours. You know what to do." Natsume gave her one last glance before vanishing.
Yugito stood frozen for a moment before slowly turning her gaze toward the nearby door.
She stepped forward, pushed the door open—and froze in place.
Samui.
What's going on? What happened back in Kumogakure?
Yugito Nii would never believe that Natsume had captured Samui just out of boredom.
If that were the case, he wouldn't have waited until now.
Looking at the unconscious Samui, Yugito hesitated, at a loss for words.
Reuniting with an old friend should have been a joyous occasion.
But meeting here, in Konoha Village—it was hard to tell what she truly felt.
Was it luck? Or misfortune?
Whatever happens, just survive.
Yugito thought silently. As long as Samui stayed alive, there was still hope.
Besides, if Natsume had handed Samui over to her, it meant his methods wouldn't be too harsh.
As long as Samui obeyed, she should be fine.
Back in Kiri,
Natsume sensed that the Joint Chunin Exams were still ongoing.
In fact, they had reached the most exciting part.
Only four Genin remained—Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Gaara, and Hinata Hyuga.
Everyone else had already failed and their rankings determined.
Natsume wasn't surprised by this result.
Temari, Ino Yamanaka, and Neji Hyuga weren't weak by any means, but their elimination wasn't unexpected.
Rock Lee finally got the chance to face Naruto Uzumaki in battle.
In the original story, he had activated the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates and held his own against Gaara.
However, due to the massive toll from opening five gates, he had been forced to rest for quite some time afterward.
He didn't recover until Tsunade returned to the village.
This time, Natsume had specifically instructed Might Guy to ensure Rock Lee activated no more than the Fourth Gate.
During his match against Naruto Uzumaki, he predictably lost.
Natsume glanced toward the disguised Yugao Uzuki observing from above but didn't relieve her, opting instead to find his own spot to watch.
At the same time, a prompt from the Tamaki of Destiny chimed.
This trip alone had earned him a decent reward—520 Destiny Points.
Just then, the arena screen lit up with the new match schedule.
Gaara vs. Hinata Hyuga.
Four thousand words completed.
End of Chapter.
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