Land of Lightning - Kumogakure
As the morning light pierced through the mountains of Kumogakure, lightning already crackled Training Grounds.
Chakra tightened his Yugito Nii armor, the warmth of his chakra from his conversation with Matatabi last night still lingering in his palms. The Two-Tails' languid voice seemed to still echo in his ears:
"Hmph, foolish humans always love to play with fire and get burned. But... you're smarter than those in white coats."
As she walked through the bustling Raikage's office building, she noticed that there were twice as many Anbu patrolling the corridors as usual. When she pushed open the heavy steel door to the Raikage's Office, a strong smell of tobacco wafted out.
"Perfect timing!" The Fourth Raikage A, looked up from the mountain of documents, his bloodshot eyes fixed on her. "Did you read the analysis report on Madara Uchiha's techniques in the Heavenly Screen?"
Yugito Nii didn't answer, but instead placed the scroll in front of him. "I want to participate in the entire Chakra Cannon project."
The Raikage's hand, which was about to slam on the table, froze in mid-air. He narrowed his eyes and sized up his most capable Jinchūriki.
"Reason." Raikage's voice was deep and muffled, like thunder.
"Three points." Yugito Nii raised a finger, her nails displaying a faint blue cat-eye pattern. "First, my Tailed Beast Chakra Sensing can optimize energy circuits." She pointed to the turret base faintly visible outside the window, "The Chakra fluctuations were even clearer during this morning's test."
The Raikage's brow twitched.
"Secondly, the participation of Jinchūriki can boost troop morale." She unfurled a scroll containing sketches of the soldiers' terror as they faced the giant cannon barrels; they privately called them "suicide devices."
The office fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the cracking of Raikage's knuckles. Yugito Nii knew the most crucial moment had arrived.
"Third..." She looked directly into the Raikage's eyes, "When this weapon is finished, someone must make sure it's not pointed at Kumogakure's own village."
"How dare you!" Raikage's fist grazed past her ear, and the alloy wall behind her dented. But the Yugito Nii remained motionless, two clusters of eerie blue flames erupting from its hair.
"Should we burn this dilapidated house down?" The Matatabi's voice roared in her mind.
"Do you know what you're saying?" The Raikage's Lightning Release Armor crackled and popped.
"I know the crisis playing on the Heavenly Screen is urgent," Yugito Nii's voice was eerily calm, "And I know even more that if this weapon is successfully developed, without strict management, we will face an even greater crisis!"
The digital clock on the wall ticked, Raikage's chest heaved violently, and he pondered for a moment.
"... From today onwards, you will concurrently serve as the project's Chief Security Officer." Raikage suddenly grabbed the seal and slammed it down on the transfer order. "All test instructions must be confirmed by you twice."
When Yugito Nii received the transfer order, she felt the cold sweat on Raikage's palm. Only then did she realize that under the pile of documents was a military deployment map of the Land of Earth's border— Ōnoki's Explosion Corps was conducting exercises.
As Yugito Nii's figure disappeared outside the office door, the anxious look on Raikage A's face receded like the tide, replaced by a meaningful smile.
He slowly sat back in the large chair, his thick fingers rhythmically tapping the table, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound.
"What a reliable subordinate..." Raikage muttered to himself, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. His anxious demeanor just now was merely an act for Yugito Nii's benefit.
As the village's shadow, he knew better than anyone that the development of new weapons was both an opportunity and a huge risk.
Outside the window, Kumogakure, churned in the sky, occasionally flashing lightning that cast flickering light on and off in the office. The Raikage's gaze drifted to the distant, indistinct outline of the research institute, his thoughts wandering far away.
"Chakra Cannon..." he murmured the word, his rugged face appearing particularly deep in the lightning's reflection.
This weapon, capable of highly compressed Chakra, could indeed greatly enhance the military strength of Kumogakure if deployed on a large scale. However, the Raikage understood better than anyone that the birth of new things often signifies the collapse of the old order.
Just like hundreds of years ago, when the profession of ninja rose to prominence, the once-powerful samurai were gradually eliminated by the times.
Although the Land of Iron still considers itself a "samurai," everyone knows they are merely another type of ninja who use Chakra. The Raikage doesn't want the ninjas of Kumogakure to one day follow in the footsteps of the samurai.
"We must strictly control the research and development progress..." Raikage squinted, his fingers unconsciously stroking the stubble on his chin.
What he needs is a weapon that can deter other ninja villages, but without fundamentally altering the landscape of the Shinobi World. He must strike the right balance.
That's why he needs a powerful and loyal ninja like Yugito Nii to oversee the research institute. As the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii not only possesses the strength to suppress any unexpected situation, but more importantly, she is calm and rational enough not to be blinded by the power of the new weapon like some radicals.
"Or let Bee go..." The Raikage's mind flashed with the image of his younger brother, then he shook his head. Killer B was stronger, but his personality... he'd probably be easily manipulated by the researchers. In comparison, Yugito Nii was indeed a more suitable candidate.
Raikage stood up and walked to the window. The rain had begun to pour down, and large raindrops pounded against the glass, making a dense sound. He looked at the blurry outline of the research institute in the rain, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"Since the Yugito Nii volunteered, that's perfect."
In this way, he could ensure the smooth development of new weapons and prevent the technology from being leaked or misused prematurely. More importantly, the presence of the Yugito Nii could deter any malicious forces—whether from within or outside the village.
The Raikage turned back to the table and took out an encrypted scroll from the drawer. It was the institute's latest research report, which detailed the test data of the Chakra Cannon. He carefully read every number, marking key points from time to time.
"The range still needs improvement... but the power is sufficient..." he muttered to himself, his thick fingers gliding lightly across the scroll.
Outside the window, a bolt of lightning ripped through the sky, illuminating Raikage's resolute profile. In this ever-changing world, he must seize every opportunity for Kumogakure while avoiding every possible risk.
And this is precisely the responsibility of the village's shadow.
Yugito Nii walked briskly out of Raikage's Office, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. In the cold, metallic corridor, her heartbeat was exceptionally clear—thump, thump, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
She instinctively pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the Two-Tails Matatabi lazily turn over inside her.
"I succeeded..." she murmured to herself, her azure eyes sparkling with joy.
She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly; she hadn't even had a chance to finish her prepared remarks.
(Last night's worries were really unnecessary...)
Yugito Nii recalled that sleepless night. Lying on her dormitory bed, she stared at the dappled moonlight shadows on the ceiling, rehearsing her words countless times.
I even considered going to Killer B Bee first to ask him to put in a good word for me with the Raikage. After all, the position of head of the research institute is just too important...
"Yugito Nii, what are you worried about?" The Two-Tails inside her suddenly spoke, its voice echoing in her mind, "Didn't that brute Raikage always value you highly?"
"This is different, Matatabi." She responded inwardly, "This time it concerns the future of the village..."
As she turned the corner of the corridor, Yugito Nii nearly bumped into a patrolling group of ninjas. She quickly composed herself, regaining her usual stern expression, and nodded to her colleagues. Only after entering the empty elevator did she allow herself to smile again.
(The Lord Raikage agreed so readily...)
As the elevator slowly descended, Yugito Nii looked down at the entire Kumogakure through the glass curtain wall. The buildings were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion in the morning mist, and many ninjas were already practicing in the Training Grounds. This scene warmed her heart—this was the place she was meant to protect.
With Yugito Nii took a deep breath and strode confidently toward the research institute. Passing a full-length mirror, she stopped and carefully adjusted her Forehead Protector and collar.
"From today onwards, you are the head of the research institute," she said to herself in the mirror, her gaze gradually sharpening. "I absolutely cannot betray Lord Raikage's trust."