Yakumo Kurama

After Yichen brought Chiga back to Iwagakure, he did not send her directly to the Land of Bears to carry out a mission.

Chiga has learned a lot from the Jashin Cult, and needs to reflect on it carefully.

Yichen himself went to find Ming with a large amount of wealth he had looted from Yugakure.

After taking inventory of the belongings, Ming only said one sentence, "Robbing is indeed the fastest way to make money."

The Land of Hot Water is the wealthiest among medium-sized countries, even comparable to large countries like the Land of Wind.

Although the ninjas of Yugakure were not very strong in combat, the village had accumulated a considerable amount of wealth.

After the Jashin Cult conquered Yugakure, not only did they not reduce the wealth inside, but they also moved their own accumulated wealth into the village.

This also includes military funds received from the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water during the recent battle with the Yugakure.

The result astonished even the Goddess of Wealth, who had seen countless storms.

Aside from the reparations received after several major victories, this was the largest gain the Iwagakure had made in recent years.

The previous captures of Takigakure and Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears were insignificant compared to the gains of this time.

Afterwards, Yichen told Mei about two new things that Kajiyamari had recently acquired from Danzo: the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique and the method for raising Inuzuka Clan Ninja Beast.

The latter is easier to handle; currently, the only Ninja Beast that Iwagakure has is Dango.

Yichen gave this to the owners of the Ninja Cat and told them to each make a copy.

Other creatures like Giant Panda and sharks are also considered Summoning Beast. The methods for raising Summoning Beast are different from those for Ninja Beast, so this stuff is useless against them.

Yichen wanted to discuss with Ming the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique.

"Senior Mei, how's the village's Exploding Tag stockpile?" Yichen asked.

When Ming Yichen mentioned the Exploding Tag, he immediately said with delight, "That's quite a lot. The village's original Exploding Tag production line has completely stopped production. From now on, the task of producing Exploding Tag will be entirely handed over to Kanako."

"However, the sale you mentioned last time hasn't been implemented yet, and there's something I need to discuss with you."

"I plan to arrange for a ninja guarding the warehouse to defect. He will be carrying a large number of Exploding Tag, but there's a problem."

"The village doesn't have any super-large capacity Storage Scroll, and even a single Storage Scroll in the village can't hold many Exploding Tag. Even if the ninjas guarding the warehouse wanted to steal, they couldn't steal many."

"You can't exactly carry a huge bag of Storage Scroll to the trade; that would be too obvious. So you'll need to find a way to get a super-large capacity Storage Scroll."

Yichen scratched his head and said, "This is difficult. This thing is on the transaction list I gave Danzo, but Danzo just won't give it to me."

"These things are of strategic value, and Konoha takes them very seriously. Let's wait and see if there's an opportunity later."

"Take out some Exploding Tag first. I need to prepare the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique. This Ninjutsu is perfect for us. In the future, all ninjas who know the Clone Technique can learn this Ninjutsu."

"I've seen it. This Ninjutsu isn't too difficult to learn, there are only two problems. One is that it's easy to hurt yourself, but we can use a clone to replace that."

"Secondly, we need a large number of Exploding Tag. Even if we had obtained this Ninjutsu before, we wouldn't have been able to promote it, but now, it's perfect."

After meditating for a moment, he said, "No problem, I'll make room for you in a warehouse. Also, I'll discuss the arrangements for ninjas to learn the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique with Ikura."

Yichen was overjoyed and quickly nodded in agreement. It was so good that he didn't have to worry about it.

Seeing this, Ming rolled his eyes at Yichen.

After Ming finished setting up a storage room specifically for performing the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique, Yichen practiced the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique inmates from the Prison.

Just as Yichen just told Ming, this Ninjutsu is indeed simple to perform.

After finishing his business, Yichen flew to the Land of the Falls Branch and found the Purple Lightning Squad stationed there.

After greeting Purple Lightning, Yichen turned his attention to Uzumaki Riori.

When the little girl saw Yichen looking over, she said blankly, "Teacher Yichen, I've learned both of the Ninjutsu you taught me last time."

As she spoke, Uzumaki Riori ran to an open space and demonstrated it to Yichen.

Yichen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Riori, you're amazing. You truly are a genius at learning Ninjutsu. Come, let me teach you another Ninjutsu!"

Uzumaki Riori:...

Purple Lightning rubbed his Yichen, speechless.

A moment later, just as Yichen was instructing the wry-faced Uzumaki Riori on the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique, an intelligence ninja rushed over.

"Lord Tsuchikage, this is intelligence that just came from the village." The intelligence ninja said, handing a scroll to Yichen.

Yichen was somewhat puzzled. Hadn't he just left the village? How could there be another change?

Yichen opened the intelligence report, glanced at it, and then smiled, muttering to himself, "Yakumo Kurama?"

That's right, the intelligence report mentioned Kurama Yakumo Kurama, the only girl in Konoha's Kurama Clan to awaken her Kekkei Genkai.

The intelligence came from Kajiyamari. Kajiyamari had a mission to gather intelligence in Konoha. The intelligence he gathered was not only about Konoha's state of preparedness, but also about many other aspects.

For example, the movements of certain key personnel in Konoha; Yakumo Kurama was one of the key personnel that Yichen had mentioned.

Yichen put away the scroll and said to the intelligence ninja who had come to deliver the message, "I understand. Tell the village that I'm going to Konoha and will be back soon."

"Yes," the intelligence ninja replied and left.

Purple Lightning, standing to the side, asked, "Yichen, are you going to Konoha again? Won't it be dangerous?"

Yichen said, "Captain Purple Lightning, don't worry, I'm just going to the edge of Konoha to pick someone up, I won't enter Konoha."

Purple Lightning nodded, no longer trying to persuade him. Yichen was the Tsuchikage, and she couldn't stop Yichen from doing anything.

Yichen said, "I'll leave Riori's practice to you. Remind her never to use her true form to cast the Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique."

Purple Lightning said, "Don't worry, I will."

After giving his instructions, Yichen didn't linger. He used the Light-Weight Rock Technique and headed straight for Konoha.

Yichen did not lie to Purple Lightning, because Yakumo Kurama did not live in Konoha, but in a forest outside the village.

The information provided by Kajiyamari did not include the specific location of Yakumo Kurama, but only a general description.

Kajiyamari knew about Yichen's Global Vision perception. He believed that as long as Yichen was given a general area, he would definitely be able to find it.

Just as Kajiyamari had predicted, after Yichen flew to the area Kajiyamari had mentioned, he only needed to scan it briefly with his using Mind's Eye to lock onto his target.

The Konoha High-ranking officials definitely has high expectations for Yakumo Kurama's future, which can be seen from her residence.

Although Yakumo Kurama lives in the forest, his house is quite luxurious. It's an exceptionally spacious two-story villa, large enough to comfortably house more than a dozen people, let alone one.

There was only Yakumo Kurama inside the house, but there were two complete Anbu Squad outside.

Yichen carefully bypassed the Konoha Patrolling ninja on the road, and after approaching the villa, he took down the eight Anbu first.

Then Yichen walked to the door of Yakumo Kurama's house and knocked on it politely.

The knocking wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Yakumo Kurama's ears on the second floor.

Through his Mind's Eye, Yichen could sense that Yakumo Kurama was somewhat puzzled by the knocking.

She listened curiously, and only when she heard Yichen knock on the door again did she realize that she hadn't misheard.

She wielded her brush, quickly making a few strokes on the canvas, and then the door in front of Yichen opened.

As Yichen walked inside, he said, "The Kekkei Genkai of the Kurama Clan is indeed powerful, turning an illusion into reality."

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yichen, the Fourth Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. I've come to invite Miss Yakumo Kurama to our Iwagakure."

Before they could finish speaking, Yichen had already arrived at the door of Yakumo Kurama's room on the second floor.

Yichen looked into the room; the windows were closed and the curtains were drawn. This made the room somewhat dark, even though it was broad daylight.

There was only one little girl in the room, her back to the door, with many drawing boards piled up haphazardly in front of her.

The very first picture depicts the open door on the first floor.

Yakumo Kurama was taken aback by Yichen's words, but she didn't turn around. She simply asked, "Tsuchikage? Why does the Tsuchikage value me?"

Yichen said, "Naturally, it's because I value your talent. I'm very interested in the Kurama Clan's ability to manipulate the Five Senses and switch between reality and illusion."

After a pause, Yichen added, "That's the stated reason. If you ultimately choose to come with me, I'll tell you the real reason."

Yakumo Kurama tilted his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Lord Tsuchikage, after joining Iwagakure, can I become a ninja?"

Regardless of whether Yakumo Kurama could see it or not, Yichen nodded and said, "Of course you can, otherwise why would I be looking for you?"

"However, you're still too young. You'll have to graduate from the Ninja Academy to become a ninja."

At this moment, Yakumo Kurama turned around.

However, the way she turned around was rather strange; she simply drew a picture in which she was facing the doorway.

The moment she finished painting, she and her chair naturally spun around.

Yichen clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "Actually, although your body is not suitable for being a ninja, having this ability will not prevent you from becoming one at all."

"Your Hokage probably cares about you, which is why he doesn't want you to Jonin."

Yakumo Kurama looked at Yichen, shook his head, and said, "It's not that I want to become a ninja, but that my clan insists I become one."

"The Kurama Clan has declined to this day. Our bodies are weaker than those of normal ninjas, and those without bloodline limits are becoming increasingly unsuitable to be ninjas."

"Now, the Kurama Clan has fallen to the point where I'm the only one left with a chance to become a ninja."

"Originally, I had just awakened my Kekkei Genkai, and everyone was happy for me."

"Who would have thought that my body is just as extreme as my Genjutsu Talent. Not only am I unfit to be a ninja, but I even have difficulty living like an ordinary person."

"I have destroyed the hopes of my entire clan, the Kurama Clan."

Yichen was surprised; he hadn't realized Yakumo Kurama had such thoughts. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Kurama Clan, Uchiha Clan, Hyuga Clan —to be honest, as someone of commoner origin, I can't truly empathize with your clan's obsession with honor."

"I don't know if you've heard, but I stole a child from the Uchiha Clan and a child from the Hyuga Clan from your Konoha."

"They, like you, can't let go of their clans. Although they've joined Iwagakure willingly now, a large part of the reason is actually because they want their clans to become better."

Yakumo Kurama nodded and said, "I know you took Neji Hyuga away. He and I are the same age."

"He is a genius of the Hyuga Clan, and he was already famous in the large clan at a very young age."

"My parents also told me that they hoped I could surpass him one day and restore the prestige of our Kurama Clan."

Yichen was taken aback and said, "Is that so? So, the reason you've been willing to talk to me calmly since I introduced myself is because of this."

Yakumo Kurama nodded and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, because of Neji Hyuga, I've inquired about your deeds. You are very capable of teaching disciples."

"Most of your disciples have mediocre talent, but you manage to train them into excellent ninjas. I've also regretted why Konoha doesn't have a teacher like you."

Yichen smiled slightly and asked, "So, you've agreed to join Iwagakure?"

Yakumo Kurama nodded and said, "I'm willing to join Iwagakure. Since Konoha can't give me a chance to revive my clan, I'll go to Iwagakure to find one."

"But my clansmen are still in Konoha, and I hope that after I become a ninja, I won't have to take action against Konoha ninja."

Yichen smiled and said, "I can agree to that in my capacity as the Tsuchikage."

"However, should I try to bring your clansmen to Iwagakure as well?"

Yakumo Kurama shook his head and said, "They are different from me. Although they also hope their clan will become powerful, Konoha carries their glory, and they will not leave."

Yichen nodded and said, "Then let's go. On the way, I'll tell you the real reason why I've taken a liking to you."

Yakumo Kurama nodded, and she struggled to get up.

Yichen smiled slightly, waved his hand, and a large amount of mud appeared out of thin air, turning into a Porcelain Platform under Yakumo Kurama's chair, directly lifting her up along with the chair.

Yakumo Kurama gripped the chair, cautiously peering out from the side of the Porcelain Platform, and said excitedly, "Lord Tsuchikage, you really can fly! I wish I had that ability."

Yichen smiled and said, "After we return to Iwagakure, I'll teach you a Ninjutsu so you can fly too."

Yakumo Kurama was taken aback and asked, "Ninjutsu? Isn't that Kekkei Genkai?"

Yichen said, "What I'm going to teach you isn't Porcelain Release, but a Ninjutsu performed through drawing, called Super Beast Imitation Drawing."

"I believe this is the most suitable Ninjutsu for you, apart from the Ninjutsu of your Kurama Clan."

I've recovered, but I'm not fully recovered yet. I only wrote 4,000 words today.