The atmosphere in the forest, aside from Dodai's pained groans, was undeniably strange. Samui looked at Kai and said, "I didn't expect such
The atmosphere in the forest, aside from Dodai's pained groans, was undeniably strange.
Samui looked at Kai and said, "I didn't expect such composure from Akatsuki.
You show no sign of panic in this situation. Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid?"
Kai chuckled, a playful smirk on his face. However, Kimimaro and Yugito Nii tensed beside him, their young faces showing clear anxiety.
"Without this partnership, facing this many opponents, I'd run for the hills," Kai said with a dry laugh.
"But I trust Kumogakure wouldn't break its word and attack its allies. That would damage the Five Kage Summit's image."
"You wanted to verify my identity? Let's not waste time."
Kai smiled and removed his cloak, revealing a sharp-featured face. "I am Nagato. I'm in charge of this escort mission."
"One of Akatsuki's three leaders?" Dodai glared at Yugito before turning back to Kai. "I'm a sensor ninja. Do you mind if I check your chakra?"
Kimimaro and Yugito's faces paled. Transformation jutsu could alter appearance, but not the underlying chakra nature and signature. Dodai's sudden action was completely unexpected. Yugito regretted insisting Kai stay in Kumogakure, given his sensitive identity.
"Not at all," Kai replied, readily agreeing.
Infiltrating a village was notoriously difficult, especially using simple transformation jutsu. But Kai was prepared.
"With your permission," Dodai formed hand seals, his powerful sensory abilities instantly sweeping over Kai.
After several seconds, he opened his eyes. "No reaction. He's not one of them. I met Nagato once and remember his chakra signature; this is not him."
This unexpected turn of events left Yugito and Kimimaro stunned. As ninjas, they knew that everyone's life force and chakra signature are unique, making it nearly impossible to perfectly replicate another's chakra.
Transformation jutsu could alter appearance, but the chakra signature was extremely difficult to change.
Unless one possessed a technique as advanced as White Zetsu's, which could even replicate the body's scent, it was impossible.
Samui's cold expression softened slightly as Dodai confirmed his findings. "Please excuse us. The Five Kage Summit is imminent, and the Raikage has just left the village."
"It's a tense time for all villages; please understand."
Kai was surprised by the Raikage's departure; it seemed too coincidental.
But this unexpected development only heightened his interest in the secretive Kumogakure.
In the original storyline, only Konoha was depicted in detail; the other villages remained largely unknown.
"My apologies, Samui. We shouldn't have intruded," Kai said nonchalantly.
Samui, satisfied with Dodai's confirmation, turned and led the way.
After over half an hour, navigating numerous checkpoints and treacherous terrain, they finally reached Kumogakure's sealed gates.
The village was built into the side of a mountain. Despite the clear sky, thunder echoed frequently, and lightning crackled like snakes, some bolts thick as ribbons striking down from the heavens.
However, lightning rods on the rooftops effectively diverted the strikes.
"Old man, stop staring! It's perfectly normal here. Tell me, how did you do that earlier?" Yugito tugged at Kai's sleeve, whispering urgently.
Kai rolled his eyes and saw Son Gokū, transformed into an ornament within his cloak, winking.
Using telepathy, Son Gokū said, "Haha, little girl, unlike that stinky turtle, I don't just sleep. I'm the Great Sage Equal of Heaven from Flower-Fruit Mountain. Besides Lava Release, transformation jutsu is my specialty."
"Shut up, you boastful monkey! Why do you always drag me into your lies? If you're so tough, let's fight!"
Kai cut off the bickering tailed beasts, leaving Yugito giggling to herself. The tailed beasts' antics had completely shattered her preconceived notions of them.
Kai worried that Yugito, with her innocent nature, might be negatively influenced by them.
"Yugito, what's so funny?" Samui asked, her brow furrowed.
Yugito quickly covered her mouth. "Nothing. I'm just happy to be back in the village…"
Samui didn't press further, giving Dodai a subtle signal. "Nagato, you'll stay here for a few days. I'll show you to your lodgings. Yugito, the Anbu will arrange your accommodation."
Four Anbu stepped forward towards Yugito, but she hid behind Kai. "No! I don't want to be separated from Greasy Old Man! We're staying for days, right? Let me stay with him!"
The four Anbu exchanged bewildered glances. Samui was also surprised.
Intelligence reports described Yugito as restless and mischievous, a constant source of trouble on the Turtle Island, causing headaches for the Anbu stationed there. Yet, now she was clinging to a stranger.
This only intensified Samui's curiosity about Kai. His ability to establish Akatsuki and safely escort Yugito, the jinchuriki, past numerous assassination attempts was truly remarkable.
"We need some time to prepare. Samui, please arrange their lodgings," Dodai said. "And the jinchuriki… Yugito… is temporarily under your care."
"That might not be appropriate…" Samui said hesitantly.
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