Sealed Space.
"Hey," Matatabi chuckled nervously, greeting its new neighbor—or rather, new roommate.
The Gyuki who had just entered looked mentally drained and gave no response.
At that moment, there was a sense of numbness in its eyes.
How could such an extraordinary person exist?
Even Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju couldn't compare to her!
Who exactly is that woman?
"B died," Matatabi suddenly sighed softly.
Hearing those words, Gyuki felt a flicker of sorrow in its heart.
But within mere seconds, the emotion vanished.
To tailed beasts with long lifespans, humans are nothing more than fleeting passersby.
"Who was that person?" Gyuki finally asked.
"I don't know either," Matatabi shook its head vigorously.
"Were today's events all planned?"
Matatabi shook its head again. "I knew nothing about it."
Gyuki: "She isn't Yugito, right? She's still outside. Then where is the real Yugito? Don't tell me she's dead?"
"There." Matatabi pointed with its paw toward a certain direction.
Following its indication to the upper right, there was a black vortex—pitch black, like a hungry black hole waiting to devour anyone who approached.
"Yugito is inside. Once that person leaves, she can come out," Matatabi explained.
"Let's go rescue her. Maybe we can drive that woman away together," Gyuki said solemnly.
"You think I haven't tried? I did. It's impossible. Forget it," Matatabi sighed.
Its tone sounded like that of a monk who had given up on the world.
"Then let's wait for that person to leave. We can escape afterward. With Yugito's seal, it can only contain one person at a time. When that happens, we'll break free together," Gyuki suggested.
Matatabi coughed awkwardly. "I have to remind you—she can hear everything we're saying."
Gyuki fell silent for a moment before muttering helplessly, "...So what now? Are you saying I should stay locked in here with you forever?"
Outside.
Yugito turned her gaze toward the Anbu stationed here.
Sensing her attention, the Anbu trembled inwardly, overwhelmed by despair.
Was this the end? Were they about to die?
Though terrified beyond measure, none of them even dared to draw their weapons.
The power difference between them was light-years apart—willpower alone couldn't close the gap.
Realizing he was being targeted by Yugito, one of the Anbu kept shifting his eyes nervously, panicking.
Suddenly, his expression went blank, then a spark lit his eyes. He fell to his knees before Yugito, bowing low as he shouted:
"Fifth Raikage-sama!"
The other four Anbu were taken aback but quickly started calculating their options.
Kumogakure has always valued strength and followed its warrior culture. Since Yugito defeated the Fourth Raikage's brother, she had become the strongest in the village—wasn't it reasonable for her to become the Raikage?
Besides, the village couldn't remain leaderless…
Both Tailed Beasts are under her control. If we keep opposing her, the village will descend into civil strife.
This thought gave her a convenient excuse. After some hesitation, the Anbu members began kneeling one after another, imitating the earlier Anbu ninja as they respectfully shouted toward Yugito, "Raikage-sama!"
Once mentally prepared, they no longer found their actions shameful but instead felt all pressure lifted.
All of this is for the stability of the village!
Yugito gave a slight nod.
Her mental strength was enough to temporarily control someone. She had even made Hamura and Hayato fight under her control in battle.
That very first Anbu to speak had, in fact, been the one she had placed under her control.
"What's your name?" she asked the first Anbu who had spoken.
"Reporting to you, Raikage-sama, my code name is 'Uma.'"
"Uma, take the others and follow me," Yugito nodded again and signaled them to rise.
Soon, the group of six returned once more to the Raikage's private office.
Seeing the newcomers, Mabui asked in confusion, "Yugito, why are you the only one back? Where are the Raikage and B?"
Glancing briefly at everyone present, Yugito began,
"Just now, the Eight-Tails went berserk, escaped its seal, and B died instantly. The Fourth Raikage fell in battle while fighting against the Eight-Tails. It was I who finally subdued the Eight-Tails and resealed it."
Mabui was momentarily left speechless.
What? In such a short time, both the Raikage and B were dead?
She looked to the five other Anbu for answers.
The Anbu kept their eyes straight ahead, showing no intention of helping her understand.
Before she could ask anything else, Yugito ordered, "Go, announce their deaths, prepare the bodies, and arrange the funerals."
"At once, Raikage-sama." Uma and the other four Anbu responded in unison.
Hearing these words, Mabui became completely frozen, standing motionless on the spot.
Yugito became the Raikage?
The Fourth Raikage was barely thirty-something and had never officially designated a successor.
Even if things happened suddenly, how could Yugito do this...
As she pondered, the other Anbu had already left.
Only Yugito and Mabui remained inside the office.
"Didn't you understand my meaning?"
A cold female voice rang near her ear, causing Mabui's heart to tighten. She lowered her head and said, "Understood, Raikage-sama. Your subordinate understands."
Stepping out of the Raikage's office, Mabui sighed deeply, thinking inwardly: Ambition really is terrifying—it changed someone once so kind into someone so cold.
Now alone in the office, Yugito sat upon the throne, silently closing her eyes, her consciousness diving into the sealed space.
"You know what to say, right?" she asked faintly, looking at the cat and ox before her.
"I know, I know! I killed them! It's all my doing!" Matatabi immediately responded loudly.
Gyuki remained silent beside him but had already cursed internally countless times.
Pathetic cat! Cowardly fool! Do you even have any pride? You're supposed to be the mighty Eight-Tails—how dare you act like such a kiss-ass!
Sensing something wrong with the dialogue, she warned, "If either of you says the wrong thing..." she paused, "...I'll merge the two of you into one."
Matatabi gave a short "Ah." If anyone messed up, it was probably Gyuki's fault anyway. Why did she have to be punished too?
"Remember, make Yugito destroy all records related to... Sage Hagoromo, the Sage of Six Paths!"
"Why?" Matatabi couldn't help but ask.
"He betrayed everyone. He doesn't deserve to be remembered."
After saying this, Kaguya completely vanished before the two beasts.
Once they confirmed her departure, Gyuki finally spoke, speculating, "From what she said, it sounds like she holds a grudge against the old man."
"Impossible! How could someone this powerful have zero reputation? But why is she hiding her true identity? Who could she be?"
Matatabi didn't have time for these concerns. With some frustration, she muttered, "How am I supposed to make this up..."
Gyuki snorted coldly, mocking, "Do you even need to think? Didn't she already give you the answer? The weakest one defeated me in strength..."
"I'm not weak—I just don't like fighting, that's all."
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!