Sai

Kurama Unkai, the branch family head of the Kurama Clan, had attempted to kidnap Yakumo Kurama at Satomi Hill Villa after the death of her parents in the original anime.

After being stopped by Naruto and the others, he had put on a show of righteousness, claiming he was acting for the greater good.

He pretended he intended to kill Yakumo, claiming the monster within her was too terrifying and that the Third Hokage and Kurenai only wanted to seal it, which would surely lead to disaster.

Therefore, he claimed he had brought men to kill Yakumo to prevent the monster inside her from harming Konoha.

Heh, in the original story, Naruto, Kurenai, and the others had actually believed him.

But in reality?

They had clearly gone there to capture Yakumo from the start; it was only after the capture failed and they were blocked by Naruto and the others that he lied about acting for the greater good!

What a piece of trash, putting on such a fine performance.

He even intentionally burned himself and led Naruto out of the illusion to win sympathy and trust.

Kimura Takuya had been keeping an eye on him for a long time!

He had been secretly on guard, and when he saw him sneak away, he knew he was up to no good.

Kimura Takuya used a silent Body Flicker Technique to appear right behind him.

He patted him on the shoulder, and a surge of soul energy flowed through his shoulder and into his body.

"Senior Kurama Unkai, are you going to prepare lunch for everyone? I want to eat roast chicken, roast chicken!"

"Ah! Oh, hahaha, that's right, I figured everyone must be tired, and it's about time for a meal. You friends have helped save the head of my Kurama Clan and the hope of our clan. I am truly grateful. The clan head and his wife have only just woken up and cannot entertain guests. As the branch family head, I have no choice but to take over. I'll go prepare a banquet now; please wait a moment, friends, I shall return shortly."

After saying this, he looked toward Yakumo's parents and nodded as if asking for permission.

Only after receiving a response from Yakumo's parents did he head out.

He acted as if he were incredibly respectful toward the main family head and his wife.

Kimura Takuya couldn't help but sigh.

Life is truly a play, and it all depends on one's acting skills!

Since this villainous extra still wanted to add more scenes for himself, Kimura Takuya felt he was acting much better than those pampered idols and decided to give him a chance.

He would let him continue his performance to see what kind of tricks he wanted to play.

Kimura Takuya turned and sat on the bed, making an excuse about being a bit tired and wanting to rest, then lay down.

In reality, he was monitoring his every move through the soul energy he had just injected into Kurama Unkai.

After absorbing the monster, his soul had become stronger, and his recovery ability had increased by about a third.

Not only that, but he had also mastered some techniques for utilizing soul energy.

Given time, it was not impossible for him to achieve immortality in the form of chakra, much like the Sage of Six Paths.

Outside Satomi Hill Villa.

Kurama Unkai first returned to the clan grounds to arrange for people to prepare the banquet at the villa.

However, he himself headed all the way to the Hokage Building.

Just as he was about to enter, an Anbu member coming out stopped him.

"Kurama Unkai? The Third Hokage has ordered that the inauguration ceremony for the Fifth Hokage be held tomorrow morning. Please notify your clan head; I still have to go to other ninja clans, excuse me."

"What? Appointing the Fifth Hokage?"

Kurama Unkai grabbed the Anbu, asking him to explain clearly. The Anbu clearly knew him, so he didn't get angry and spent a long time explaining it to him.

After hearing the ins and outs, Kurama Unkai paced back and forth in anxiety.

During such a sensitive period of Hokage transition, the Third Hokage would not easily see anyone, and he was not familiar with the new Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, so he had nowhere to go to meet her.

Was his plan to complain to the Hokage and thereby eliminate the hope of the main family going to fail just like that?

That's right, in his eyes, Yakumo Kurama was nothing more than the hope of the main family.

Without her, the main family would surely perish!

Only after the main family was gone could the Kurama Clan truly belong to Kurama Unkai.

As a great clan that once rivaled the Uchiha, the Kurama Clan possessed quite a lot of assets in Konoha and the Land of Fire.

Every ninja clan had its own private armed forces; what couldn't they do to make money?

As a former great clan, their family businesses were spread throughout the Land of Fire.

Although they were now in decline, having failed to produce a single jonin or even a chunin in over twenty years.

But the ones cultivated previously are still around!

Take Yakumo's parents, for instance; they were Jonin as well.

Thus, a starving camel is still larger than a horse.

The financial resources of the Kurama Clan are still not to be underestimated.

Don't even talk about how ninjas can't just leave the village as they please.

If the clan issues a designated mission for their own members to accept, can't they just leave the village?

The family members collect the mission bounty, which not only counts as a salary paid by the clan but also contributes to their ninja performance records, making future promotions easier.

Meanwhile, the village receives the mission commission fee, which is essentially the tax the clan pays to the village.

Everyone benefits; how wonderful is that?

Only civilian ninjas are restricted at every turn, and on top of that, the truly life-threatening missions are all theirs.

You won't accept?

Too bad; ninjas must obey orders, so you have no choice but to accept.

Furthermore, mandatory missions don't even provide a commission; not only is there no pay, but you also have to provide your own kunai, shuriken, and military rations.

If you get injured, your teammates will treat you if there is a medical ninja in the squad.

If there isn't, you have to cover your own medical expenses when you return.

There's no health insurance or workers' compensation whatsoever.

Even capitalists would shed tears at this!

Therefore, Kurama Unkai, in order to obtain the wealth of the Kurama Clan, was single-mindedly determined to kill off the main branch.

He was seen pacing back and forth at the entrance of the Hokage Building.

He wanted to request an audience with the Hokage, but was blocked by the Anbu guards at the door.

He wanted to leave, yet felt somewhat unwilling to give up.

Suddenly, he saw someone walk out of the Hokage Building.

Upon seeing this person, his eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed.

"Lord Danzo, Kurama Unkai has something to report."

"Oh?"

"It is inconvenient to speak here; please, Lord Danzo, move to a secure location."

Subsequently, the two arrived at the Root headquarters.

Kurama Unkai told Danzo about the monster inside Yakumo.

Inside Root.

In the dark and obscure corners, it seemed as if countless shadows were hiding.

The atmosphere was eerie and terrifying.

Kurama Unkai stood before Danzo, feeling that the person in front of him possessed an endless darkness.

After a long while, Danzo finally made his decision.

"A mere thought can manifest a monster capable of destroying Konoha?

If such a dangerous individual is allowed to develop, she would become the next Demon Fox, wouldn't she!

Come here."

From the darkness behind Danzo, a black-haired youth stepped out. The youth wore a midriff-baring top, carried a short blade on his back, and wore a Root mask; his skin was so pale that his features were obscured.

But if Kimura Takuya were here, he would surely recognize this youth at a glance.

This was none other than Sai, who greeted Naruto by asking about his "little jj" the moment he first appeared!

"I have already arranged for you to join Jonin Kurenai Yuhi's team; your mission is to assassinate Yakumo Kurama.

Do it discreetly; since the Fifth Hokage has just taken office, it won't be easy for the Anbu to discover it.

From now on, your name is Sai; take off your mask and go."

"Hai."

The black-haired youth took off his mask, revealing a delicate and youthful face.

A smile hung on his youthful face, but his eyes lacked the slightest warmth, cold as a frozen pool.

"Do not put on that fake smile in front of me."

"My apologies. The textbook says that to gain someone's trust, one must first learn to smile. Although I have practiced, I still cannot control my expressions with ease."

The youth lowered his head to apologize, and seeing that Danzo said nothing more but waved for him to leave, he turned and departed.