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Killer B, the Raikage's adoptive younger brother, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, and one of Kumogakure's strongest combatants. However, the current great war with Iwagakure had been ignited by Yugito Nii's death. Consequently, Kumogakure's fighting strength was already one jinchūriki short compared to Iwagakure. Under these circumstances, the Raikage's protective "attention" toward Killer B had become even more intense.
On one hand, Kumogakure now had only a single jinchūriki remaining—someone who couldn't be deployed lightly except at critical moments. On the other hand, Killer B was the Raikage's adopted brother, and the two shared a close personal bond. The Raikage understood Killer B all too well. His brother was someone who couldn't stay still, who loved to goof off and cause mischief. If he could find time to hold a concert, that would be the finest reward imaginable.
For this reason, the Raikage had assigned ninja to monitor Killer B constantly, preventing him from stirring up trouble. Under normal circumstances, the Raikage wouldn't maintain such round-the-clock surveillance, but these were not normal times. Kumogakure had only this one jinchūriki left.
The only unexpected factor was that after Omoi and Karui returned to Kumogakure and reported to the Raikage, they had proceeded to boast in front of Killer B about their accomplishments during the mission—which caught their teacher's attention.
As the instructor of these two, Killer B understood their abilities intimately. Working together, they might be able to kill two chunin. But four? Nearly impossible. Under detailed questioning, he learned they hadn't mounted a frontal assault at all—they'd used a large quantity of explosive tags.
"Where did you get explosive tags?"
"From other ninja."
"Why did they give them to you?"
"They were dying. Didn't need them anymore."
After pressing further, Killer B discovered these ninja had been killed by Iwagakure's jinchūriki. He could no longer restrain himself. Not to seek revenge against the killer—with both sides possessing special status, whoever died would only escalate the conflict. Rather, he intended to rescue Kumogakure ninja trapped in enemy territory.
However, once outside Kumogakure, Killer B faced a dilemma: he didn't actually know where his comrades were trapped. After some thought, he headed in the direction of Iwagakure. Worried his brother might fret, he deliberately increased his pace, hoping to rescue the villagers and return as quickly as possible.
No sooner had Killer B set out than Itachi and Sasori, lurking in the shadows, covertly conferred.
Their original target was Asachi Midorima, but the Eight-Tails was their ultimate objective. Spotting Killer B's departure, they quickly conferred and decided to temporarily abandon Midorima and focus on the Eight-Tails instead.
They had two plans. The first was straightforward: engage directly, subdue the jinchūriki, then decide whether to bring him back or release him. After all, they'd already brought back the Three-Tails; adding another wouldn't be problematic.
One issue troubled them, however. Killer B hosted the Eight-Tails, which according to their planned order of collection should come after securing the first seven. From that perspective, Killer B was actually less urgent than Iwagakure's Four-Tails and Five-Tails jinchūriki.
After several minutes of discussion, they decided to follow him temporarily and observe his movements. Itachi had no desire to fight Midorima, and Sasori knew Midorima's strength well enough to realize facing him alone would mean quick death. The two reached an easy agreement. Having already arrived at Kumogakure, they simply turned and tailed Killer B instead.
Several small countries lay between Kumogakure and Iwagakure—the Moon Country, the Sound Country, the Land of Iron, and others. The conflict between the two great villages had erupted near the Land of Hot Water.
Many residents of the Hot Water Village despised war. Having established relations with the Sound Village, which had recently endured its own baptism of conflict, they viewed the great villages' war with disfavor. Most of the time, they refused entry to ninja from either side—unless someone was injured. Then they would permit the wounded ninja to enter for treatment, but required departure once their condition no longer hindered movement.
This created an interesting phenomenon: after one side's injured received treatment, the opposing side would wait outside, ready to ambush them upon exit.
Killer B, naturally, knew nothing of this. He headed toward the Hot Water Village's vicinity, unaware that upon leaving the Moon Country, he would be overtaken by a ninja from Kirigakure.
"Yo! Who are you? Never seen you before. If you can't explain yourself, this place will be your unforgettable shore." Killer B flourished hand gestures while interrogating the ninja blocking his path.
Midorima's face darkened with bemusement. This musical style definitely wasn't for him.
"I'm from Kirigakure, passed through Kumogakure. My purpose is to learn from you. The Raikage asked me to deliver this letter, hoping for your cooperation." Midorima forced himself to continue despite the awkwardness. If Killer B weren't so eccentric, he never would have resorted to singing.
"You lack talent, tone-deaf completely, yet you try so hard. That I respect deeply." After executing another series of gestures, Killer B finally accepted the letter Midorima offered. Reading it carefully, he responded, "You're the Six-Tails jinchūriki. Want to communicate with him?"
Midorima made another attempt at the sing-song style before surrendering completely. "That's right," he said in normal tones.
Killer B paused momentarily, disappointed at losing another potential musical companion, but his mood quickly recovered. Since even fellow villagers couldn't adapt to his rhythm, outsiders struggling was to be expected. Still, he couldn't quite let go. "Short phrases can be sung, yo!"
No singing. Midorima pretended not to hear.
"I can help you, but I'm busy right now. Need to rescue comrades."
"Where are your comrades?"
"No idea. Didn't ask."
"..."
Midorima stared at Killer B. You didn't ask because you don't really want to go back, did you?
"Anyway, the fighting's in the Hot Water Country. If nothing comes of it, I'll teach you afterward," Killer B offered.
Midorima considered briefly. Accompanying Killer B to the Hot Water Country wouldn't be too burdensome.
"Fine. But what if we find them?" Midorima countered.
"Then we bring them back."
Midorima could only pray silently that the numbers wouldn't be too large.
Perched in a tree, Itachi watched Midorima and Killer B depart, then turned to Sasori. "You heard that?"
"Naturally." Sasori's lips curled upward. "Their destination is the Hot Water Country."
"Unexpected, Midorima joining forces with the Eight-Tails jinchūriki. Not ideal." Itachi sounded displeased.
"But Akatsuki brings good news too, no? We finally have our chance at the tailed beasts. Kisame and Deidara will join us. Our target has shifted—to the Five-Tails."
"Regardless, we must move quickly this time, or we won't make the deadline," Itachi said seriously.
First capturing the Five-Tails, then stealing the Two-Tails—the workload had suddenly intensified. Sasori, however, seemed pleased, since this meant he wouldn't have to face Midorima. He knew he couldn't win that fight.