Night had fallen.
Outside the barrier of the Hidden Cloud Village, Senju Yukika and Nawaki crouched silently in the tall grass, closely observing any movements ahead.
"Are you nervous?" Yukika glanced sideways at Nawaki, who seemed visibly uncomfortable.
"Not really," Nawaki mumbled, squirming a bit. "I just... really need to fart. But I'm afraid it'll alert the enemy."
Yukika's mouth twitched. "What, is your fart so potent Raikage could smell it from his office?"
"Orochimaru-sensei said we have to be cautious," Nawaki replied sheepishly, scratching his head.
"If you need to let it out, then do it. Hold it in too long and it might mutate into something worse," Yukika muttered, giving Nawaki a swift kick on the butt.
This was the outer perimeter of the Hidden Cloud Village. While the war meant security was tighter than usual, Yukika's hyper-sensitive detection nerves would've already picked up any approaching ninja.
With his radar-like awareness, there was really no need to be so tense you couldn't even fart.
Still...
The appointed time was drawing near.
Yukika's eyes flickered as he checked the time. According to the Third Hokage, this infiltration mission was supposed to be a simple intelligence-gathering operation.
But seriously?
As the head of the Senju Clan, how could Yukika be content playing the Hokage's obedient lapdog?
No. He had his own plans for coming to the Hidden Cloud.
He slowly closed his eyes.
The detection nerves he inherited from Ulquiorra began to extend outward.
Within just a few breaths, a massive map of the Hidden Cloud formed in Yukika's mind. Dotted across the mental image were countless glowing points of light.
These were the soul signals of the Cloud Village shinobi.
No matter how strong or weak, none could hide from Yukika's advanced perception.
In a world where no one could conceal their soul's aura, his detection nerves were the ultimate sensory jutsu.
His brow lifted slightly.
Yukika's mind swept through various zones:
The Raikage's tower.
The ANBU base.
Cloud Village's patrol units.
And Orochimaru, stationed outside, attempting to crack the village's barrier.
The soul fluctuations never lied.
And a person's strength could always be read through their soul.
In the world of Shinigami, powerful individuals could suppress weaker ones purely with spiritual pressure.
Unsurprisingly, the most powerful soul in the village belonged to the Third Raikage.
Tailed beast hosts—because their souls were bound to the Bijuu—also exuded immense spiritual energy.
Three prominent beams of light stood out:
The Third Raikage.
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki.
And finally...
Got him.
Yukika's eyes snapped open. Through his detection nerves, he had locked onto his real target in the Hidden Cloud.
"Time's up, Nawaki."
He waved over at his brother, who was just finishing pulling up his pants. Yukika winced.
Guess that fart did turn into something... more explosive.
Under the cover of darkness, two figures slipped silently into the Hidden Cloud.
Meanwhile, inside the Raikage Tower, the Third Raikage sat in his chair, deep in thought as he examined an anonymous letter in front of him.
None of his aides or advisors dared to interrupt.
This was the stark difference between Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf.
In Cloud, the Raikage held absolute authority.
But with that authority came a fierce responsibility.
The Third Raikage had never once failed the people who believed in him.
Not once.