Yugito Nii stepped out of the Raikage Building, he bumped into Killer B, who was humming a little tune as he walked towards him.
As always, this Eight-Tails Jinchuriki from Kumogakure wore sunglasses, exuding a casual, hip-hop vibe.
"Hey~ Kitten ~ Haven't seen you in days~ Still as radiant as ever~" Killer B suddenly stopped and spontaneously launched into a rhyming rap, complete with exaggerated gestures, "What good thing happened today~ that makes you smile so beautifully~?"
Yugito Nii's eyes twitched slightly as she suppressed the urge to rub her forehead. She was all too familiar with Killer B's unique way of communicating, but she still needed a few seconds to adjust each time.
Sunlight shone on her slightly helpless face, and her golden hair swayed gently in the breeze.
(I actually thought about discussing this with him last night...)
When the thought flashed through her mind, Yugito Nii almost laughed at herself.
She knew Killer B's personality all too well. If she were to actually discuss research matters with him, he would most likely steer the conversation toward rap lyrics or how to make takoyaki.
However, out of respect for her senior, Yugito Nii earnestly explained, "Lord Killer B, I just applied to Lord Raikage for a position to be fully in charge of the research and development projects at the institute, and Lord Raikage has approved it."
"Wow~ What a reliable partner~" Killer B immediately switched to rap mode, tapping his fingers in the air to keep the beat, "Eager to contribute~ Scientific research is a headache~ I admire your courage~ Keep up the good work~"
After finishing his serious statement, he adjusted his sunglasses, his tone becoming more earnest. "If you need any help, just ask. Xiao Ba and I will also lend a hand."
Yugito Nii smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment, "Killer B Bee. I'll take my leave now; there's still a lot of work to hand over at the research institute."
"Bye-bye, Kitten!" Killer B waved, turned around, and continued humming his impromptu tune as he walked upstairs. "Now I'm going to find the Raikage to discuss something important. Yo!"
Watching Killer B skip and hop up the stairs, Yugito Nii shook his head, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up in a smile.
She turned and walked towards the research institute, her steps lighter than before. Sunlight shone on her shoulders, adding warmth to this important day.
(With such companions, the future of Kumogakure will surely be even brighter.)
The idea warmed her heart, and she quickened her pace. Countless tasks awaited her, the new head of the research institute.
When Killer B pushed open the door, the Raikage was engrossed in a mountain of documents.
Sunlight streamed obliquely through the window, illuminating Raikage's furrowed brows and the pen he was clutching so tightly it almost snapped in his hand.
"Yo yo~ That's really exciting~" Killer B strode in, his eyes sparkling with excitement behind his sunglasses. "Big Brother's buried in his work~ Yugito Nii's also contributing to the village~ Everyone's working together~ Teamwork~ That's awesome~!"
With a snap, the pen in Raikage's hand finally gave way and broke. He slowly raised his head, the veins on his forehead gleaming faintly.
Because of the Heavenly Screen incident, he had been practicing with Killer B crazy, and the backlog of documents had piled up into a small mountain. He had been working overtime to deal with them for the past two days.
Just now, Yugito Nii volunteered to take on the heavy responsibility of the research institute, and this sense of relief hadn't lasted long before it was ruined by my younger brother's appalling rap.
"By the way," the Raikage a deep breath, suppressing his anger, "What do you want? I'm busy right now, I don't have time to beat you up."
Killer B coughed awkwardly twice, took off his sunglasses, and wiped them.
He spoke seriously, a rare occurrence for him. "Brother, I have something important to tell you. You wouldn't let me come with you to the border the other day, and I heard that Might Guy from Konoha has been showing our village's ninjas his... uh... um..."
At this point, Killer B's expression suddenly turned strange, as if he was trying hard to suppress a laugh.
"That green bodysuit!" He finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Oh! I'm going to go take a look—maybe it can add some new inspiration to my concert!"
The Raikage slammed his fist on the table, making the documents jump. "Nonsense! That's Konoha's Taijutsu master! Do you think you're watching a circus performance?"
Killer B immediately raised his hands in surrender, but his curiosity remained undiminished. "Brother, I'm serious. I've heard that training method is really powerful, and..." He lowered his voice, "Didn't they show him opening the Eight Gates on the Heavenly Screen? I want to observe this person up close."
The Raikage narrowed his eyes, his thick fingers tapping on the table. He understood his brother's meaning—this was indeed a good opportunity to gather intelligence. But allowing the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki to Jonin approach Konoha's elite Jonin...
"Okay," the Raikage suddenly spoke, "But you must bring a guard squad, and you must disguise yourself as an ordinary Cloud Ninja. Remember, you're just 'accidentally' passing by, understand?"
Killer B's eyes lit up instantly. He put his sunglasses back on and made an exaggerated gesture. "Yes, ma'am! Big brother's the best! I'll go get ready right away!"
Watching his younger brother rush out the door in a flurry of activity, Raikage shook his head helplessly and took a new pen from the drawer.
But the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up – this troublesome younger brother can be quite reliable at times.
Raikage's fingertips tapped rhythmically on his desk, the dull thud echoing in the empty office. Outside the window, sunlight illuminated his resolute yet somber face.
"Letting Bee test Konoha at the border is a good idea..." the Raikage murmured to himself, his rough voice tinged with deep thought. "The current situation is like the calm before the storm."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the well-arranged buildings of Kumogakure.
The scars of the Third Shinobi World War have long been healed by time, but the unforgettable lessons are forever etched in the hearts of every Kumogakure. Years have passed, and now the future crisis revealed by the mysterious Heavenly Screen has plunged the entire Shinobi World into a bizarre stalemate.
"Ridiculous." Raikage snorted coldly, his fists clenching unconsciously.
Despite having formed an alliance because of the Heavenly Screen, the Five Great Shinobi Villages were all passing the buck, none of them willing to be the first to take the lead. The terrifying power of Pain's Shinra Tensei was like a Damocles' sword hanging over everyone's heads.
(One spell could destroy the entire village...)
The Raikage's mind conjured the horrific image of Konoha being razed to the ground in the Heavenly Screen. Even someone as proud as him had to admit that, in the face of absolute power, any scheme seemed pale and powerless.
"Report!" came a voice from the Anbu outside the door. "Breaking news: Kakuzu and Hidan have appeared in the Land of Land of Hot Water."
The Raikage frowned. During this period, the members of Akatsuki seemed to have planned it all, leaving the Land of Rain and dispersing to various places.
Logically, this should be the perfect opportunity to defeat them one by one. The intelligence shared by the Five Great Shinobi Villages is already detailed enough, and even the abilities and characteristics of each Akatsuki member have been analyzed clearly.
"Five elite Jonin plus a Kage Level ninja..." The Raikage muttered, repeating the plan his advisors had given him, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Theoretically, it was feasible, but the question remained—was it worth it?
He slumped back into his chair, the metal armrests groaning under his weight.
So what if we take down a few Akatsuki members? If we anger Nagato, who can destroy a village, who will bear the consequences?
"Cowardice!" Raikage suddenly slammed his fist on a corner of his desk in a fit of rage, shattering it and sending splinters flying. But then he fell silent again.
Because he knew that he himself was also hesitating. Kumogakure couldn't afford such a loss...
He recalled the resolute look in Yugito Nii volunteered, and Killer B's seemingly cynical yet keen intuition.
"Perhaps..." The Raikage's gaze sharpened. "It's time to change my approach."
Since a direct assault is too risky, what about using someone else to do the dirty work? For example... letting Konoha and Akatsuki fight to the death? This thought made his expression turn serious.
"Guards!" Raikage suddenly shouted, "Order the border troops to strengthen surveillance of the Land of Rain. And..." He paused, "Tell Bee to observe more, listen more, and speak less."
Watching the Anbu leave to carry out their orders, the Raikage looked again at the thunderclouds outside the window. A storm was approaching, and what he had to do was ensure that the Kumogakure could stand firm in this storm—ideally, even profit from it.
"The Shinobi World..." the Raikage murmured, his voice almost drowned out by the ensuing thunder. "Ultimately, it's a place where strength speaks."