Seeing that the Fourth Raikage was about to go berserk again, Dodai hurriedly grabbed him and spoke to dissuade him:
"Raikage-sama, you can't leave the village. All the current signs prove that someone is deliberately targeting our Kumogakure."
"You must remain in the village to hold the line, just in case."
"I suggest leaving the coastal situation to B. His suppression of the Eight-Tails has already been very good."
"Treat it as a trial."
Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, was also the Fourth Raikage's brother. The two, known as the A–B duo, had created illustrious legends on the battlefield.
However, after Killer B became the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, the brothers had much less contact.
Killer B had been staying in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, suppressing the Eight-Tails while also coordinating with Tailed Beast Bombs.
But because the training grounds on Island Turtle were gone, Killer B's progress had once slowed to a crawl.
Dodai's words temporarily suppressed the Fourth Raikage's urge to explode. He nodded heavily.
"Dodai, have Motoi take Samui and Mabui to go with Killer B."
"They're all responsible for Killer B. Samui is even Killer B's disciple. With them there, I can be at ease."
The Fourth Raikage pondered for a while, then chose a squad.
Motoi in this team knew Killer B. The two were friends. Though they had once fallen out, that was long past.
Motoi was now constantly helping Killer B train in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. The other two were very capable kunoichi from the village, meticulous in their thinking.
Killer B, that guy, was always very respectful toward women. The Fourth Raikage had completely grasped his brother's psychology.
"Also, dispatch ANBU squads to continue moving!"
"Find the rest of the people from before. I want to see them alive or see their bodies!"
"If it really comes to it, I'll personally move out!"
The Fourth Raikage smashed the table in front of him with a punch. His whole body was like a lit firecracker, on the verge of exploding.
Dodai could only nod helplessly. This really couldn't be blamed on their Raikage. Recent events had been far too strange and far too frequent.
Even he felt an intense headache.
Very soon, the Valley of Clouds and Lightning received the order to sortie.
Killer B danced with joy.
"Yo! Yo! Finally get to go out! Whoa!"
"Motoi! Let's put on a concert!"
Motoi shot him a merciless glare, then put away the mission scroll and instructed him:
"Can you put away that crappy rap of yours?"
"When the other two arrive, we'll set off. Are you going to pack your luggage or not?"
How could Killer B hear what he was saying?
He was already jumping in place with excitement. After all, he had been stuck in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning for so long and had wanted to go wild for ages.
The sea? Wasn't that a natural stage?
Sea snakes? Heh heh—could sea snakes really be more impressive than a giant octopus?
And every move they made was clearly observed by Gekko Chizan from above.
"Oh? The Eight-Tails is heading out..."
"And those two as well..."
That signature malicious grin appeared once more on Gekko Chizan's face.
Whenever that smile appeared, it always heralded something bad about to happen.
Without exception.
"Tch, that stinking octopus is heading out. Chizan, those big sea snakes you released in the ocean probably won't survive."
"Once that guy reaches the sea, his combat power rises straight up. After all, he's a giant octopus."
Chōmei's voice carried a hint of mockery. Clearly, seeing his old partner suffer setbacks amused him.
It was over. Completely over.
Chōmei had been thoroughly led astray by Gekko Chizan. The bug was no longer the pure little bug of the past, but had turned into a big bad bug.
"Hmph, Chōmei, you'd better think carefully. Your dinner is still with me."
Would Gekko Chizan be afraid of him? How could that be!?
With a single counter, he left Chōmei speechless—unless he didn't want dinner.
"You're ruthless!"
"Are we heading out! I want to fight that guy!"
Chōmei was fired up! He was annoyed! He needed to let loose! Even if he couldn't beat the Eight-Tails, he didn't care anymore!
Chizan wouldn't just watch him get beaten up! He would definitely help him vent!
"Funny enough."
"I was thinking the same."
"And those two people—keeping them in Kumogakure is a bit of a waste!"
Under the Bug Eye, two graceful figures had already entered his field of vision.
Seeing these two, Gekko Chizan felt it was time to return to his old trade.
Sometimes, you know, abducting people is really addictive.
Mabui, a future Kumogakure jōnin and also the Fourth Raikage's secretary. Her wheat-colored skin paired with gray hair made her look very sharp and capable.
Her Heavenly Transfer Technique was even more exquisite. How could such talent be handed over to the Fourth Raikage? No! Absolutely not!
Samui, Killer B's swordsmanship disciple. Delicate and cold features, light-yellow short hair—none of that was the key point. Although Samui was still a girl now, her potential was tremendous. This was talent that could one day rival Tsunade in physique!
She couldn't be left to the Fourth Raikage!
"Chōmei, get ready. Fight first, then grab people!"
"Alright! Fight! But grab people??? Who are you grabbing this time?"
That "this time" was used very well. After all, Gekko Chizan had done this more than once or twice.
Kumogakure, Amegakure, Kirigakure.
Which village hadn't he robbed?
To this, Gekko Chizan merely kept grinning maliciously, then flew off toward the sea.
He planned to wait for Killer B there. At the same time, the remaining time was still enough for him to make a trip to Amegakure.
He wondered how the battle over there was progressing, and whether that old geezer Hanzō the Salamander had already gone to the afterlife.
...
Amegakure.
At this moment, Hanzō's building had completely collapsed.
Broken walls and shattered ruins were everywhere, making the brutality of the battle obvious at a glance.
The massive salamander was being ganged up on.
"Tch! Just a salamander, but its hide is really tough!"
"My cat claws can't even tear it apart?"
Yugito spat viciously, her hands aching from using her cat claws.
"Normal enough. It was Hanzō's summoning beast, after all."
"Hurry up, Yugito. Konan needs help over there!"
"Lava Release! Corrosive Melt Technique!"
A huge amount of acidic liquid rushed toward the salamander. As a powerful summon, it was well aware of how troublesome the acid was. Its massive body stomped the ground, sending stones flying to block Mei Terumī's attack.
"Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Ninja Art! Fire Rat!"
Fire and water erupted simultaneously. It was hard to imagine that an attack of this level was aimed at just a single salamander.
...
On another battlefield.
Blades flashed and shadows of swords overlapped, as a contest of swordsmanship was underway.
"Heh heh, I didn't expect this. Mifune, after all these years, you've improved quite a bit."