"Are you kidding me?" Darui's composure finally broke. The years of oppression were etched in his memory. Especially after the deaths of the
"Are you kidding me?" Darui's composure finally broke. The years of oppression were etched in his memory.
Especially after the deaths of the previous Two-Tails jinchuriki and the Third Raikage, and with the Fourth Raikage absent from the village, certain hawkish clans had mercilessly targeted them. If it weren't for Samui's unwavering support, they would have starved to death long ago.
It was because of this debt of gratitude that Darui had fought Kinkaku and Ginkaku with everything he had.
He'd expected to die, never imagining he'd be saved by this person.
"Whether I'm kidding or not, you'll find out when you try it," Kai said with a dry chuckle. "But if you don't, you might spend your whole life as someone who needs protecting."
"A weakling?" Darui paused, then a resolute expression crossed his face. "I will become stronger. Strong enough to protect anyone."
"The resolve is there, the courage too, but your stomach's rumbling. Eat up, recover, then I'll tell you how to get stronger," Kai said, smiling as he noticed Darui's growling stomach, and offered the red bean ginger milk pudding.
Looking at the strange food, Darui was startled, but the moment it touched his tongue, his pupils widened. He devoured it in an instant. Only after finishing did he realize there was no more, receiving a "come back tomorrow" response.
But having tasted this unique delicacy, Darui felt a surge of unexpected anticipation for Kai's promised method of becoming stronger.
"Sensei Dodai, it's urgent!" A Kumogakure Anbu burst onto the scene, landing beside Dodai in a few swift movements.
Dodai's face paled, grabbing the Anbu's shoulder. "What happened?"
The Anbu looked around cautiously, whispering in Dodai's ear.
In seconds, Dodai's expression changed dramatically, faster than a Sichuan opera mask change.
Seeing his grim face, Samui sensed something was wrong.
"Sensei Dodai, if it's urgent, I can provide support!"
"Nagato of Akatsuki is also skilled in sealing jutsu!"
"Samui, don't be absurd," Dodai said, glancing at Kai. "It's just a minor battlefield incident; sealing jutsu isn't necessary."
"However, for safety, you, Yugito, and I need to see the elders. It's a direct order; no one can refuse."
Dodai looked at Yugito, who was clearly reluctant.
Yugito, understanding the importance of obedience, silently acquiesced after glancing at Kai.
Dodai breathed a sigh of relief. "Nagato, rest here. They'll return after seeing the elders, and I'll arrange new lodgings. But please don't leave this area."
Kai chuckled unconcernedly. "Sensei Dodai, don't worry. We're tired from traveling. You handle things. I trust Kumogakure can handle any problem."
Dodai frowned at Kai, sensing something odd, but the urgency of the situation forced him to leave.
"Nagato, please look after them," Samui said gratefully before hurrying after Dodai and Yugito.
The vast refugee camp was left with the sleeping tailed beasts and the worried children.
"Alright, you're mostly recovered. Let's go," Kai said, brushing off dust from his clothes.
Darui was startled. "Sensei, you promised not to leave so easily."
"And Samui-neesan isn't here. I need to stay and protect them."
As a refugee, Darui was accustomed to unquestioning obedience.
"Do you want to get stronger, or watch Samui die?" Kai slapped the back of Darui's head. "And who's stronger, you or my kids? Use your head!"
"You were just talking about becoming Raikage, about getting stronger. Are you backing down now?"
Darui was speechless.
Kimimaro's power, displayed at the critical moment, had far surpassed his understanding.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe a child younger than him could possess such terrifying strength.
And the person who commanded such a being must be even more unfathomably powerful.
But Darui's primary concern remained Samui's safety.
"Sensei, you said Samui-neesan is in mortal danger, but this is Kumogakure," Darui pressed.
Kai rolled his eyes. "Let me reiterate.
Didn't you see Dodai take Yugito, the jinchuriki? That means the Two-Tails could rampage at any moment. Without the Raikage, who can stop it? Your sister?"
"Don't ask if I can suppress a tailed beast. If you ask, I can!"
A tailed beast rampage? Darui's expression changed. He'd lived in Kumogakure for years and witnessed tailed beast rampages firsthand, understanding their destructive power.
He hadn't expected Kai to dismiss his concerns so bluntly. He wanted to press further but remembered Kai's warning and gritted his teeth.
"Sensei, I want to get stronger. I need to get stronger faster. I need to be strong enough to protect everyone."
"Good spirit. But I hope you'll say the same thing to the tailed beast as you do to me," Kai chuckled, patting Darui's shoulder. "Take me to the Black Lightning Inheritance Hall."
The Black Lightning Inheritance Hall? Darui's expression changed drastically. He knew that place well.
No, every Kumogakure ninja who practiced Lightning Release knew what it was.
Kumogakure excelled in swordsmanship and Lightning Release, a defining characteristic of most of its ninjas.
But the true master of Lightning Release in Kumogakure was the Third Raikage, with his unique Black Lightning.
The only way to obtain this special Lightning Release power was through the Black Lightning Inheritance Hall.
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