A few days later.
After traveling through several regions and switching between different modes of transportation, Naruto and Yugito finally arrived in the Land of Lightning.
Throughout the journey, Naruto refrained from causing trouble or feeding Yugito any strange ideas.
He understood well that excessive pressure would backfire. Changing someone's beliefs wasn't something that could be done overnight, especially in Yugito's case.
Since she was already bound by the system, Yugito was already tied to him in a subordinate relationship. There is no need to worry about being betrayed by her. It was just that aligning their beliefs would make things proceed more smoothly.
…
Nightfall.
The two found lodging in a small town near Kumogakure. As usual, they booked only one room to save money. Even after accumulating a fortune of two million ryo from the Rogue Shinobi they had 'visited', they remained frugal.
Or rather, they had grown used to this lifestyle. In ancient times, kings and their ministers would eat and sleep together… not for romantic reasons, but as a means of building loyalty.
After washing up, the night passed without incident.
…
The next morning.
On a mountain near Kumogakure, Yugito looked out at her hometown.
Kumogakure was a village built atop towering peaks, with several massive mountains serving as its foundation. The village was perpetually shrouded in white clouds, with thunder rumbling through the air.
The people here revered strength. Due to the region's climate and sunlight exposure, their skin tones were typically either dark or pale, while their hair colors varied widely. The village was known for producing striking, statuesque women.
Mabui, with her rare combination of white hair and dark skin, was likely of mixed heritage. Her delicate facial features and curvaceous figure made her stand out even more.
As for the men, most were burly and muscular… though there were some exceptions. Still, in a village where Taijutsu and physical conditioning were paramount, the dominant image was that of warriors built like Yondaime Raikage, A.
They talked about strength and toughness constantly, with their every move exuding power and aggression.
These were Naruto's impressions of Kumogakure, a village that revered strength and thrived on battle. The Raikage was the strongest man in the village, a master of Lightning Release and Taijutsu.
Speaking of Taijutsu, Kumogakure had its own unique style. It's effective, but a bit flashy. Every Raikage throughout history had fused Lightning Release with Taijutsu, developing one spectacular technique after another.
However, compared to Guy's Eight Gates, which could shatter all techniques through sheer force, Kumogakure's style still fell short.
Even with all of Naruto's confidence, he wouldn't dare claim he could withstand a single kick from the 'God of Taijutsu'.
And it's precisely because of Guy's existence that Naruto had never truly feared Yondaime Raikage.
Since he could stir up chaos in Kumogakure before, he could certainly do it again after two years.
'Thinking back… Chen Daozai once said…'
"Hide for a bit. Kumogakure's Anbu might notice us." Yugito suddenly spoke, interrupting Naruto's thoughts.
"Oh, okay." Naruto replied, snapping back to reality. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh, 'Having a local guide really was convenient.'
Over the past weeks, Yugito had gradually let go of her resistance toward Naruto. Yet, now that she was back in her homeland, she felt none of the emotions she had expected.
So much had changed in just two years. The world had moved on without her. She could never return to her old life.
If she revealed herself now, she would face endless interrogation from Kumogakure's Anbu.
She let out a quiet sigh. Just as she turned her head, she saw Naruto staring at her, startling her.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Where exactly are we supposed to hide?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. After all, they were on a lone mountain peak.
"You said we should hide, but how can we hide in this place?"
"Go inside!"
"…Ah, that's on you then." Naruto hesitated and glanced at Kumogakure in the distance. "Once we go in, you have to protect me and show me the way."
"Show what way? There is only one road." Yugito said flatly.
With that, the two of them casually strolled toward the village, using the Transformation Technique to disguise themselves.
They were briefly stopped at the entrance, but with local guide named Yugito, they managed to slip through without much trouble.
After entering Kumogakure, Naruto quickly realized how bizarre this village was simply.
Everywhere he looked, the people were brawling… but unlike other villages, where fights were little more than a messy exchange of punches, Kumogakure's citizens fought with proper techniques.
If not for the lack of Ninjutsu, Naruto would have thought the entire village was made up of Shinobi.
By this point, Naruto had transformed into an average-looking villager with pale skin, while Yugito had disguised herself as a male villager.
In this village, it is rare to see a man and a woman walking together on the street. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to see two brothers holding hands, after all, excessive bodybuilding had shifted the beauty standards.
With their plain appearances, no one paid them much attention. After slipping into a small alley, Naruto stopped and turned to Yugito, "Where is your place?"
"We can't go back. That place is probably being watched. We will be discovered if we go there." Yugito shook her head.
"No way, then does that mean my mon… I mean, your money is still there?" Naruto swallowed, "Is it safe to leave it at home? Why don't you go back and check it out?"
Yugito looked at him speechlessly: "…Tonight."
…
Time passed quickly and it was night.
Disguised as ordinary villagers, the two circled around before sneaking into Yugito's long-abandoned home through a window.
As Yugito looked around at the dusty furniture, she let out a quiet sigh.
"Just as I thought…" She murmured, wiping a layer of dust from a table.
"What?" Naruto turned to look at her, wondering where the money would be hidden, but he was surprised when Yugito pulled out several large boxes from under the table in the living room.
He saw it clearly, there weren't even locks on them.
She opened one, revealing stacks of crisp, neatly arranged Land of Lightning's currency. Adding up, there are tens of millions of ryo in it.
"What are you waiting for?" She turned back to look at Naruto, motioning toward the boxes, "Put it all away. You've been eyeing this money for a while, haven't you?"
"You can't say that. This is our operational fund." Naruto grinned. With a touch, he sealed the chests away into his sealing space.
He looked around and said to Yugito, "We should relocate. Pack up anything you need."
"Alright." Yugito was surprisingly decisive. She turned, grabbed a bag of clothes, and left with him.
Late at night, Naruto and Yugito rented an apartment and officially began their short-term covert stay in Kumogakure.