"Hokage-sama"
Soon, Kabuto appeared before Shinho, his demeanor respectful. "Lord Hokage, Otogakure has already prepared a campsite for Konoha's forces."
"Much appreciated," Shinho replied with a slight nod. There was no reason not to make use of their help.
The group proceeded to the temporary campsite. After a day of travel, even shinobi began to feel the strain. Shinho ordered the troops to rest, then convened a meeting in the main tent.
The meeting attendees were primarily jonin, including Konan, Nagato, and Anko.
Shinho found himself regretting a prior decision, he should have kept Hinata or Ino by his side. Both had been sent to the Kirigakure battlefield, but with the Aburame forces and Jiraiya supporting them, he felt reassured there would be no major issues. Besides, the two kunoichi were more than capable themselves.
"Kabuto," Shinho began, "any updates on Kumogakure's movements?"
"Kumogakure has stationed their forces in the northern part of the Land of Rice Fields," Kabuto reported after a brief pause, "Their commander is the Fourth Raikage. As for their numbers, we don't have exact figures, we've kept our distance to avoid detection."
"Have you seen Yugito Nii or Killer B among their ranks?" Shinho asked.
"No," Kabuto replied, shaking his head.
"Mark their location on the map," Shinho instructed.
"Understood." Kabuto picked up a pen and drew a small circle on the map.
"Deploy the ANBU to investigate Kumogakure's other unit," Shinho ordered, "The rest of you should get some rest, but remain vigilant."
He wasn't in a rush. While Kumogakure's forces were a concern, Shinho was more interested in the whereabouts of Obito and Zetsu. Perhaps Nagato's presence might draw them out.
…
The meeting concluded swiftly, and the others left. Alone in the main tent, Shinho sat cross-legged on the carpet and began cultivating.
He was currently at the peak of a Rank 5 Gu Master, just a step away from ascending to a Rnank 6 Gu Immortal. However, this transformation, breaking free from mortality, was the most challenging stage. He wasn't sure when he might achieve the breakthrough.
As he cultivated, he couldn't help but hope for a reward from his achievement system, perhaps a Gu that could allow him to ascend in one step.
…
"Hokage-sama," Konan's voice called from outside the tent.
"Come in," Shinho said, opening his eyes.
Konan entered, carrying a bento box. "Your dinner."
"You made this?" Shinho asked as he examined the meticulously prepared meal.
"I did," Konan replied coolly. "If it doesn't taste good, I hope Hokage-sama can forgive me."
"It already looks delicious," Shinho said with a smile.
Konan remained silent, watching him.
As an orphan, she had learned to cook and manage household tasks long ago. Shinho was the fourth person to taste her cooking, after Jiraiya, Nagato, and Yahiko.
"It's excellent," Shinho said, savoring a bite of fried shrimp.
"I'm glad you like it," Konan said, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
"Have you eaten yet?" Shinho asked, holding up the bento. "Join me?"
"I prepared one for myself," Konan said, producing another bento box. She sat cross-legged across from Shinho and ate with quiet poise.
A fleeting thought crossed Shinho's mind: if she were wearing her usual tight skirt and black stockings, the scene would be perfect.
Noticing his gaze, Konan glanced up briefly before lowering her eyes again.
Spending extended time around Shinho had made her aware of one thing, he often stared at her, especially her legs.
Konan didn't mind at all. A shinobi as perfect as Shinho having a minor quirk seemed inconsequential,
"Hokage-sama," Yūgao Uzuki called from outside the tent. "Kumogakure is on the move."
"Enter," Shinho said, setting aside his bento.
Yūgao stepped into the tent, momentarily surprised to see Konan there but quickly dismissed it.
"ANBU just reported that a group has left Kumogakure's camp under the cover of night," Yūgao said seriously.
"Do we know their destination?" Shinho asked, rubbing his chin.
"No," Yūgao admitted, her tone tinged with regret.
A group attempting a nighttime raid? Shinho pondered. But with him stationed here, how could they succeed? Were they attempting to bypass him and target Konoha instead?
"To be safe, dispatch ANBU to Konoha," Shinho instructed.
While he wasn't particularly worried about Konoha, given the protection of the Blood Curtain Skyflower Gu, the Land of Fire was his responsibility now, and unnecessary losses should be avoided.
"Understood." Yūgao turned and left the tent.
"I can send Nagato's Six Paths to assist," Konan suggested.
"No need," Shinho replied, shaking his head, "Whatever their objective is, we'll know soon enough."
Ten minutes later, a surprise visitor arrived in the tent.
It was Kabuto.
Along with Yūgao.
"Hokage-sama," Kabuto said with a grim expression, "Otogakure has been attacked by Kumogakure ninja and is now occupied."
"Otogakure?" Shinho raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Their target was Otogakure? Who led the attack?"
"Yugito Nii," Kabuto explained, "It was precisely her involvement that caused Otogakure's swift fall."
"Any changes in Kumogakure's main camp or the other unit?" Shinho asked.
"None," Yūgao replied.
"This is meant to divide our forces," Shinho deduced. Yugito Nii, as a Jinchūriki, was a challenging opponent for most Konoha shinobi. Only he and Nagato could ensure victory against her.
"Is this a trap for Nagato?" Shinho wondered aloud. If Obito and Zetsu are involved, they might indeed have a chance at success.
"I'll go myself," Shinho decided quickly. No matter the trap, it held little significance for him. Moreover, he could return in time if necessary.
"Alone?" Yūgao asked, her tone tense. "Should I dispatch the ANBU to accompany you?"
"No need," Shinho said, turning to Konan. "You and Nagato, stay alert and keep safe."
"Understood," Konan said softly.
…
The distance between Otogakure and Konoha's camp was significant, normally requiring two to three hours of travel for a shinobi.
However, Shinho didn't need that long. In less than a minute, he arrived near Otogakure.
The golden light surrounding him dissipated as he looked toward the village. Compared to his last visit, what lay before him now was a scene of devastation, ruins and rubble as far as the eye could see. The damage bore clear signs of the beast-like destruction caused by Yugito Nii in her Tailed Beast form.
Jinchūriki could be divided into two categories: ordinary Jinchūriki and perfect Jinchūriki.
The distinction lay in their ability to fully harness the power of their Tailed Beast. Yugito Nii, a perfect Jinchūriki, was effectively the Two-Tails, Matatabi, incarnate.
In the original timeline, Yugito's confidence in her own strength led her to confront Kakuzu and Hidan head-on.
She even lured them to a secluded location, planning to defeat them both, only to be outmaneuvered and killed.
Without hesitation, Shinho approached Otogakure.
"Enemy attack!" Kumogakure shinobi quickly spotted him, as Shinho made no effort to conceal his presence.
The night sky was soon illuminated by radiant lightning as two ninjas charged toward him at high speed.
Fire Pupil Gu
Shinho glanced at them, and flames erupted out of thin air, illuminating the dark night. In an instant, screams pierced the silence. The searing fire engulfed the two ninja, burning them until they collapsed, their bodies charred and unconscious.
Moments later, Shinho found himself surrounded by a dense formation of Kumogakure shinobi, nearly a thousand in number.
From within the crowd, a man and a woman stepped forward.
The man was a one-eyed middle-aged shinobi, Dodai, a Kumogakure jonin known for his mastery of the Lava Release and trusted by the Raikage.
The woman had a cold demeanor and rare tea-colored straight hair, Yugito Nii, the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails.
"You are… Shinho Aburame?!" Dodai exclaimed, his face showing astonishment.
Since Shinho had gained renown, his image had circulated widely in Kumogakure, so recognition came swiftly.
"You're alone?" Yugito Nii frowned as her eyes scanned the surroundings.
Although Shinho's presence alone warranted their full attention, it still seemed like overkill for the extensive preparations they had made.
"Why? Don;t you think I alone am enough?" Shinho asked with a smile.
"Arrogant!" Yugito Nii snarled, her body vanishing in a blur. Like an agile cat, she closed the distance to Shinho in a heartbeat.
Crossing her arms, her ten fingers extended into sharp claws, gleaming with a cold light.
The sound of slicing wind filled the air as her claws struck toward him like deadly blades. Yet Shinho remained motionless, responding with a simple straight punch.
Yugito snorted, dismissing the punch as unimpressive, until her expression changed drastically.
A surge of immense danger made her reflexively grow a blue tail from her lower back, her body partially transforming into her Tailed Beast form.
A thunderous explosion echoed as unimaginable force surged toward her. Yugito was forced to retreat, her feet dragging deep grooves into the ground.
"So strong!" Yugito stared at Shinho in shock. With just a basic punch, he had compelled her to reveal part of her Tailed Beast form. Then, what about the other transformations mentioned in the intelligence reports?
Dodai, too, showed signs of fear. He knew Yugito's strength well but hadn't expected her to be so easily overpowered.
"Initiate the plan!" Dodai commanded, taking a deep breath.
"Plan?" Shinho raised an eyebrow, quickly detecting a chakra disturbance nearby.
Heavenly Transfer Technique?
The signature energy of the technique was unmistakable to Shinho as had previously extorted the technique from Mabui. He understood the mechanics of the technique well, even if he couldn't use it himself.
As light flickered, a tank-like machine appeared, its ominous cannon aimed directly at him.
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