His muscles rose and fell with each breath.
"We have confirmation that the person brought back by the Senju Clan's leader a few days ago is the woman Yugito," one subordinate reported respectfully. "Both her appearance and the Hokage's level of concern match perfectly. Plus, we recovered a Konoha forehead protector just outside the Cloud Village's Intelligence Division. All evidence points back to Konoha."
The Raikage stood in thoughtful silence. His towering physique—broad and muscular—often led others to misjudge him, but beneath the surface was a mind as keen and subtle as any.
A mere forehead protector and some intercepted intelligence isn't enough to lure him into a trap, the Raikage knew.
Cloud Village didn't need reasons to strike back—if they believed you wronged them, their answer was always force.
"Senju Yukika, huh?" the Raikage murmured. "Promising for someone so young."
He allowed himself a small nod of approval: at least the latest Senju heir showed real guts by daring to operate deep behind enemy lines.
But… they were enemies. The last surviving Senju hardly changed that fact.
"And what of the Uzumaki descendant? Any progress?" the Raikage's voice dropped.
Indeed, the Raikage's personal visit to Konoha required more than a Jinchūriki's forehead protector.
First, he needed to confirm whether Yugito really was in Konoha, and if so, how to retrieve her at minimal cost.
Second, he had to learn how Konoha triggered the Eight-Tails' rampage—so that even now, the Eight-Tails itself was unaware of what had happened.
Third, the matter of securing a new Jinchūriki weighed heavily on him.
Jinchūriki were invaluable. Bee's death crushed the Cloud Village. They knew now how vital a perfect match between host and Tailed Beast truly was. Bee had been exceptional, yet never fully accepted by the Eight-Tails.
So… the Uzumaki Clan naturally became his next target.
It was fortunate that Konoha housed the only known surviving Uzumaki orphan.
Those three factors alone were enough to bring him here in person.
"Their schedule is regimented," his aide reported. "By day she (Yugito) undertakes low-risk missions, always protected by ANBU from Konoha. But on her short return route to the Senju estate, those escorts fall back."
"It seems these ANBU operatives prefer the Senju not know they're watching."
"And the Hokage's relationship with the new Senju clan head is… delicate."
Conspiracy theories, he thought—but as a fellow Kage, he understood why the Senju had gone from proud founders to targets of suspicion. Having power over you is always uncomfortable.
However… this gave him an opening.
Perhaps he could retrieve Yugito without paying any cost.
Hokage. Senju. Jinchūriki.
As those three words tangled in his mind, a clear, simple plan formed.
A perfect plan—accounting for Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament and predictable responses to threats.
Leaning in to whisper the final details into his subordinate's ear, the Raikage patted him on the shoulder:
"I will ensure your family is well cared for."
"At once, Lord Raikage!" the subordinate replied with fierce loyalty.