Kazuyama wasn't in a rush to leave the mountain.
Through the Hive Mind, he had already seen that several Kumo ninja were stationed nearby.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
This time, he only created a single clone. He instructed it to keep an eye on Yugito and leave a technique behind before taking off toward the outskirts of Kumogakure.
Avoiding the village's guards while transporting Yugito meant the Flying Thunder God Technique was the best option. With his flight ability, Kazuyama quickly arrived outside Kumogakure, dropped off the coordinates, then returned to the mountain peak to retrieve Yugito and make his escape.
Once outside the Land of Lightning, he headed east.
"Chōmei, if I hand over control to you, how long can you last?"
"Huh? If I transform into a Tailed Beast, I can stay as long as you want."
"Good. Once we reach the coast, I'll leave it to you—I'll be your navigator."
Kazuyama's unpredictable actions left Chōmei completely baffled. Even with all his brainpower, he couldn't figure out what Kazuyama was planning.
"By the way, Chōmei, how did the sleeping powder work this time?"
"Don't worry, she won't wake up for at least two days. And since she's only sleeping, Matatabi won't be triggered."
"That's a relief. The last thing I need is Matatabi going berserk mid-journey."
Kazuyama didn't dare stop for anything except food, fearing that if Kumo's forces returned to the village too soon, all his plans would fall apart.
In reality, his concerns were unnecessary. The Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Hot Water were at war, and no one would have expected Kazuyama to sneak into the Land of Lightning to pull off a kidnapping.
With Chōmei's chakra supporting him, it only took Kazuyama half a day to reach the coast.
Gazing at the vast, endless sea before him, he let out a small smile.
"Chōmei, from here on, I'm counting on you."
"Alright! I have no clue what you're planning, but it's nice to stretch a little."
"Here I come! Tailed Beast Transformation!"
Kazuyama gently placed Yugito aside and let out a low growl.
In an instant, six wings burst from his back, wrapping around him tightly. A massive tentacle shot out of the cocoon, followed by a glowing green tail.
The immense, oppressive aura of the Seven-Tails, Chōmei surged outward as its form expanded. In mere moments, a colossal, 50-meter-long insect loomed over the shoreline.
"Wow! What a great feeling! Kazuyama! Let me out to move around more often in the future!"
"After so many years of inactivity, this feeling! Roar!"
Chōmei, finally free, let out a deafening roar toward the sky. His chakra surged with the roar, tearing through the clouds above.
Kazuyama smirked. "No problem, I'll let you out whenever I get the chance."
"But for now, let's get down to business."
"Chōmei, take the girl with you. We're heading to the sea."
At this moment, their roles had reversed—Chōmei was the one running wild, while Kazuyama had taken command.
"Okay."
Chōmei coiled his tail around Yugito, ensuring she was securely wrapped and unharmed, before shooting off toward the ocean.
"Kazuyama, you still haven't told me why we're here," Chōmei muttered. "It can't be to find that guy Isobu, can it?"
Kazuyama let out a disdainful chuckle. "Why would I want the Three-Tails?"
"Our target is an island—a turtle island."
Chōmei hesitated, confusion in his tone. "A turtle island? Can a turtle really be called an island? How big would it have to be?"
"Oh, it's big. Really big. But this one was specially bred by Kumo, and only they can summon it. If we want to find it, we're just fishing in the ocean."
Kazuyama's true goal was this massive, mobile island. If he could capture the Island Turtle, Kumo would be left in utter dismay. But abducting it was no simple task. First, he had to sever its connection to Kumo and make it acknowledge him as its new master.
Difficult? Yes. Impossible? Not for him. He had a plan, and the first step was to locate it.
So, they searched—for an entire day and night.
As the sun rose the next morning, Chōmei's weary voice echoed through the sky.
"Kazuyama, are you messing with me? Where the hell is this Island Turtle?"
"It's just endless ocean!"
Kazuyama sighed. There wasn't much he could do but try to reassure him. "Hang in there, Chōmei. We might spot it any time now."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll believe it when I see it," Chōmei grumbled.
Since he was the one flying, Kazuyama wasn't the least bit tired.
"Wow, you're really heartless, making me do all the work."
"Don't worry, Chōmei. You can rest once we find the Island Turtle."
What choice did Chōmei have? He kept flying.
Meanwhile, on the Battlefield in the Land of Hot Water
"Aiya! We need to retreat! Team B has returned, and they're all unconscious!"
"Our entire formation in the Land of Rice Fields has collapsed, and Lord Raikage is still locked in a brutal battle!"
Inside the Kumo base, Dodai sat heavily bandaged, his body weak from his previous encounter with Tsunade. Though injured, he was still standing—unlike many others.
A, in much better condition, clenched his fists upon hearing the report. His whole body trembled.
"Damn it! Father!"
He turned sharply to Dodai. "Tell everyone to retreat! We're heading to the Land of Rice Fields to back up my father!"
Dodai nodded but hesitated, a trace of reluctance on his face.
"If we pull back now, there won't be another chance to strike at Konoha."
A knew that all too well. But his father was in danger—there was no choice.
"Retreat! Saving my father takes priority!"
And so, Kumo withdrew from the Land of Hot Water, abandoning territory they had occupied for so long.
Back at Konoha's Camp
The news spread quickly. The moment Tsunade heard, she let out a hearty laugh. She wasn't alone—the entire Konoha garrison erupted in cheers.
But it didn't take long for Tsunade to sober up. Her thoughts drifted to a certain troublesome brat.
"Damn it… That idiot is still in the Land of Lightning."
"I hope he's alright. Then again, I'm probably worrying for nothing. If there's one thing he's good at, it's running away."
Pushing the thought aside, she called over Shirakumo and Torifu Akimichi to discuss their next steps.
"Now that the Land of Hot Water is secure, I have to return and report on the mission. The front-line defense will be in your hands."
Shirakumo laughed, clapping Torifu on the shoulder. "I've already talked it over with Torifu. I'll go back with you—I want to move to the battlefield in the Land of Rivers. I'm more suited for combat. Sitting around doesn't suit me."
Tsunade didn't object. With Kumo's retreat, rebuilding would be slow, but the tides had turned.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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