Inside the Raikage's office in Kumogakure, Raikage A slammed his fist on the table after reading a letter. "Perfect timing. Even if the Kazekage hadn't proposed this plan, I was about to suggest it myself. Regarding Konoha, hasn't Samui sent any news back yet?"
Guard Xi replied, "No messages at all. Initially after arriving at Konoha, she sent reports occasionally. Now there's been complete silence. Even our undercover agents hidden within Konoha have never seen her. We don't know where she went."
"Damn you Konoha!" The Raikage roared in anger. "And that Akatsuki organization too. Is it confirmed? Was Yugito captured by them?"
Xi looked solemn. "Yes. She's dead, and the Two-Tails has been extracted from her."
The Raikage calmed down somewhat, grinding his teeth. "Increase defenses at Cloud-Sound Canyon. During my absence for the Five Kage Summit, protect Killer Bee at all costs."
"Understood."
After issuing his orders, the impatient Raikage immediately smashed through the glass window and leaped from the tall building.
At the entrance of Iwagakure, the tiny Tsuchikage Onoki stood surrounded by two burly men while numerous Iwa ninja waved at them from behind. "Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, please protect the Tsuchikage safely."
One particularly enthusiastic Iwa ninja shouted, "Tsuchikage-sama, show those other Kage-level leaders who's boss!"
Stroking his lower back, Onoki muttered grumpily, "At my time of life, even making it to these talks is tough, let alone lugging around all this baggage. None of you young people have any consideration. You're all too wild nowadays."
Seeing his son Kitsuchi looking gloomy and clearly uninterested in talking with him, Onoki asked, "What's wrong? Still haven't found Kurotsuchi yet?"
Kitsuchi shook his head. "That girl said she met someone familiar and wanted to bring him back to surprise you. Then she just disappeared completely. We can't find her anywhere."
Onoki spoke seriously, "There's no need to worry excessively. After all, she was trained by me. Her strength isn't weak; nothing simple would happen to her."
Akatsuchi laughed out loud, "Right! Don't worry about it, Lord Tsuchikage. I'll take care of your stuff for you."
Onoki's eyes suddenly turned cold as he pointed at Akatsuchi's nose. "Don't touch it. Are you mocking me? I'll carry it myself."
Saying this, Onoki put the wooden chest luggage onto his back, but then heard a "crack" from his waist followed by a dull pain in his shoulder area. Unconsciously, he let out a stifled groan and began sweating from the pain.
Kitsuchi understood his father well and sighed inwardly, thinking how stubborn the old man could be.
Seeing this, Akatsuchi chuckled and picked up both Onoki and his luggage together, placing them on his back. And with that, the group of three finally set off.
A giant white bird flew toward Orochimaru's Northern Stronghold. As it drew closer, one could see two figures – a man and a woman – standing on the bird's back.
The man wore an expression of clear impatience as he spoke, "Kurotsuchi, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't follow me. I won't go back to your village with you."
Kurotsuchi replied nonchalantly, "Oh come on, Deidara nii-san, I already promised to bring you back once I found you. Of course, you don't necessarily have to go back — you could just take me around for a bit. To be honest, I've been really bored staying in the village."
"You're so annoying, you know that?" Deidara exclaimed, his expression showing frustration like he wanted to throw her down, though it was nothing more than a fleeting thought.
Kurotsuchi laughed heartily, "I love seeing this irritated look on your face when you can't get rid of me, Deidara nii-san. It's just too entertaining."
Sighing heavily, Deidara muttered, "Ugh..." They'd grown up together since childhood, each fully understanding the other's personality. He decided not to talk anymore.
As they were about to approach their Stronghold, Deidara turned serious and warned Kurotsuchi, "Don't say anything reckless inside. If you anger the person there, you'll be in grave danger."
Seeing Deidara's unusually serious expression, Kurotsuchi hesitated slightly before asking, "Who exactly is inside?"
"Just someone extremely powerful. Perhaps even stronger than B."
Kurotsuchi's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she responded earnestly, "Alright, I'll be careful."
After their giant bird landed, Brother Sasori appeared at the scene. Seeing an extra person, he frowned slightly and asked, "Deidara, who is she?"
Deidara introduced, "She's my childhood playmate, Kurotsuchi."
"Ah," Sasori gave a short response before suddenly narrowing his eyes, "Wait, did you just say her name was what?"
Unable to contain herself, Kurotsuchi couldn't help but retort, "Didn't you hear clearly? My name is Kurotsuchi."
Hardly had her words finished echoing when a blue glow radiated from Sasori's body. A dragon-like phantom quickly formed, lashing its tail through the air as it attacked Kurotsuchi.
Caught completely off guard, Kurotsuchi was flung backward, tumbling dozens of meters before skidding to a stop. A streak of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Greatly alarmed, Deidara cried out, "Brother Sasori, please show mercy!"
After delivering the blow, Sasori deactivated his Sage Mode and indifferently remarked, "Just a little test. Someone with this level of ability dares to claim that name? Deidara, make her change her name, otherwise next time I won't hold back."
Having said this, Brother Sasori floated away, leaving the two staring blankly at each other, completely stunned.
Once Kurotsuchi regained her senses, her face immediately flushed bright red with rage. Her fury boiled over into murderous intent. From childhood until now, when had she ever suffered such humiliation? Without hesitation, she prepared to charge in and seek revenge against Sasori.
Reflexively grabbing her, Deidara urgently urged, "Are you insane? Going now would be suicide!"
Furious and agitated, Kurotsuchi shouted, "Then how about you? You watched me get treated like this and you don't even react? All these years I've called you brother for nothing!"
Deidara felt deeply troubled. To tell the truth, he himself didn't understand what had happened either — why Brother Sasori suddenly attacked and demanded she change her name. It was all quite strange.
Right at this moment, Anya, who had successfully captured the Three-Tails, descended from the sky and immediately noticed the quarreling pair. Curiously asking, "Hey Dei, what's going on? Is she your friend? Why is she injured?"
When both turned to see Anya approaching, Kurotsuchi's eyes briefly shone with admiration. That man... was incredibly handsome.
Deidara became excited. With Father here, everything will surely get sorted out.
Anya saw them not saying anything and took the initiative to step forward, lighting up with [Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art]. A gentle chakra covered Kurotsuchi's body. Within seconds, all of her recent injuries vanished, and she even felt lighter and more energetic. The look in her eyes toward Anya became noticeably brighter.
"Uh?" Anya said in surprise after finishing the healing. "This injury—this was caused by Sasori."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Deidara's eyes as he quickly said, "Yeah, who knows why—but Brother Sasori attacked the moment she introduced herself as Kurotsuchi."
Anya's expression immediately turned awkward. "Er, exactly what did Sasori say?"
Kurotsuchi clenched her teeth in anger. "He actually told me to change my name out of nowhere."
"Hmm, let me think," Anya suggested. "How about changing your name to Clay? I think it sounds much better than Kurotsuchi."
Deidara: "..."
Kurotsuchi: "..."
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