Two-Tails Capture Successful

Just like Blue B, the Two-Tails Matatabi was also outside the village, though not on the island; it was located in a cave about ten kilometers away from Kumogakure.

This was also information obtained through the ninjas of Kumogakure.

"So, this is the Two-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Orochimaru and Keigo Uchiha walked into the cave, where they found an old man who looked extremely frail; "on the verge of death" was the only way to describe him.

Yet, strangely, there were no guards here.

"You... which ninja village are you from?"

Fukuya opened his cloudy eyes and looked at Orochimaru and Keigo Uchiha, his gaze devoid of the slightest fear or trepidation.

He was, in fact, deathly calm.

In his hand, he held a string of prayer beads, which he rhythmically flicked with his fingers. "You shouldn't have come here; this is your misfortune."

"An ascetic monk?"

Orochimaru laughed with a raspy voice, though his eyes instantly turned vigilant. "I didn't expect that the reason the Two-Tails Jinchuriki hadn't appeared for so many years wasn't because there was no suitable host."

"It was simply... that he was being kept in confinement."

"Confinement?"

Fukuya's voice was aged as he slowly stood up. Although his movements were sluggish, for some reason, Keigo Uchiha felt an immense sense of dread!

"If this were confinement... why would there be no guards? Young man, as a monk, I took a vow in my youth not to kill, which is why I have always stayed here. But that does not mean I will let invaders of Kumogakure go free."

"Just because I do not leave does not mean... I cannot control the Two-Tails."

He spoke each word with deliberate weight.

Immediately following this, terrifying blue flames erupted from his body!

He stepped forward, his entire form enveloped in Tailed Beast chakra, transforming into... a monster!

"I know why I felt something was off."

Keigo Uchiha's gaze turned icy, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes spinning wildly. "This guy... he doesn't have that sense of exhaustion. Even though he is so aged, his expression is normal... it seems he is far stronger than the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"This guy... he might be able to completely suppress the Two-Tails!"

He thought of one person.

Bunpuku from the original history!

He was the one who suppressed the One-Tails for a lifetime, though Bunpuku was charitable and advocated for benevolence.

But the ascetic monk before him was clearly a wrathful guardian deity!

He suppressed all invading enemies with thunderous force!

"As a ninja, there is no right or wrong. Today, I am taking the Two-Tails!"

Keigo Uchiha's gaze was cold, and blue-violet lightning flames instantly ignited across his body.

"Storm Armor Technique!"

The lightning was violent!

This time, under the 'Absolute Control' talent, his Nintaijutsu had filled in all its previous shortcomings and could now fully rival the authentic Nintaijutsu of the Yotsuki Clan!

Combined with the power of the Storm Release, it could even surpass the Yotsuki Clan!

"A good teacher is truly important. If I hadn't observed the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor this time, I would have needed at least a few more years of effort to achieve these results!"

This violent lightning.

And those Nintaijutsu techniques and attack patterns were becoming increasingly proficient!

Keigo Uchiha punched Fukuya, sending him flying as lightning flickered all over his body!

"If anyone else faced your flames, they would be helpless, but with the Storm Armor Technique, your fire cannot harm me in the slightest!"

"Sharingan!"

In an instant.

His Sharingan spun frantically, and Fukuya was stunned for a moment before reacting instantly. His expression turned extremely ugly. "This body is already on the verge of death; I no longer have the strength to fight."

"Otherwise... I would have dragged you down with me to the grave!"

"But even if I cannot kill you, I will not let you take the Two-Tails!"

As he spoke, he actually undid the iron armor seal himself!

Without a moment's hesitation!

Unsealing the beast meant... the death of the Jinchuriki!

"You are a ninja worthy of respect, but from the moment Kumogakure invaded Konoha, this struggle for the Tailed Beasts was destined to never cease."

Keigo Uchiha calmly watched Fukuya finish what he had started.

The latter slowly closed his eyes, as if performing the final duty expected of a Kumogakure ninja.

"The Two-Tails released from its seal? In that case... it seems it will be even easier to deal with."

Orochimaru grinned and let out a cold shout, "Summoning Jutsu: Manda!"

Accompanied by swirling smoke, a massive purple serpent appeared in an instant!

Its face was ferocious.

Its body was colossal!

It was not the least bit inferior to a Tailed Beast!

"Orochimaru, you've disturbed my sleep again. This time, I want one hundred sacrifices! If there aren't one hundred, I will kill you!"

Manda's sinister snake eyes stared fixedly at Orochimaru. Suddenly, realizing something, he looked toward the Two-Tails burning with blue flames, and his pupils constricted instantly, "Damn you, Orochimaru, to give me such a troublesome task."

"This time, I want one hundred sacrifices!"

Keigo Uchiha cast a sidelong glance.

His eyes were full of disdain.

This was Orochimaru's original Summoning Animal? Not only was it disobedient, but it also demanded sacrifices all day long, and it would even run away at critical moments. He had no idea how Orochimaru tolerated it.

Orochimaru: "..."

Feeling the disdain in Keigo Uchiha's gaze, he looked helpless.

Who told him to sign the contract so early back then?

So, it was an equal contract?

It had no binding power over Manda, which meant that every time he wanted to use Manda, he had to offer an equivalent exchange. Being embarrassed in front of his disciple... it really was uncomfortable!

"Sacrifices are not a problem. Subdue the Two-Tails first, then we can consider the matter of sacrifices!"

Orochimaru's expression was slightly awkward.

"I know that!"

Manda let out a sinister laugh and lunged forward. His fierce speed and massive body stirred up layers of smoke and dust!

His entire body wrapped directly around the Two-Tails.

But at the same time, Manda's body stiffened, his face contorted in pain!

"Is this... the flame of a Tailed Beast? Even with my scales and skin, it is difficult to resist! Orochimaru, act quickly, I cannot hold on for long!"

Manda's eyes were filled with ferocity!

"After this is over, if you don't give me suitable sacrifices, I... will kill you!"

"Understood!"

Orochimaru shouted sharply, his figure instantly lunging forward.

The Kusanagi Sword in his hand flashed with a biting cold light as he stabbed it fiercely into the back of the Two-Tails, Matatabi!

"You detestable humans, you actually want to subdue me again? I will never submit to you!"

The Two-Tails shrieked, its fur standing on end.

It looked just like a cat with its hair bristling.

Terrifying ghostly blue flames surged out, causing cold sweat to stream down Orochimaru's forehead.

"Is this the power of the Two-Tails, Matatabi? Although it is not as violent as the Eight-Tails, it is equally formidable, and far more troublesome than the One-Tails of Sunagakure!"

Orochimaru grinned.

Keigo Uchiha's figure appeared beside him in an instant, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes spinning frantically!

Blue-cyan lightning flames burned on his body!

He looked like a god of thunder!

He smashed his fists one after another into Matatabi's body!

"Keigo, don't use close-quarters combat! The Two-Tails has flames from the underworld; even I find it hard to resist. We can only use weapons to attack! So..."

Seeing Keigo Uchiha's violent behavior.

Orochimaru's pupils constricted, and he hurriedly spoke to stop him.

But the next moment, his words stalled. Keigo Uchiha was actually... braving the ghostly flames and beating the Two-Tails until it had no way to retaliate. His speed was too fast; Matatabi couldn't even catch a glimpse of Keigo.

Instead, it was being smashed by Keigo Uchiha's fists, roaring in agony!

The speed of Keigo Uchiha's hands grew faster and faster, and the lightning on his body became more and more intense.

Fist after fist, the attacks were like a torrential storm; even the Two-Tails, Matatabi, couldn't land a hit on Keigo Uchiha!

"Such terrifying speed, such a formidable physique. Keigo has now... become a true Quasi-Kage level powerhouse. In terms of speed and physical body... I am no longer his match!"

Orochimaru's pupils constricted, and he couldn't help but say slowly, "Keigo, how did you... become stronger again?"

Was it just from watching the Raikage's Lightning Release Nintaijutsu?

What kind of talent was this!

After seeing it just once, he was actually able to apply it so effectively. Orochimaru keenly observed that Keigo Uchiha's movements and actions now... were actually sixty percent similar to the Third Raikage!

The remaining four points were not because Keigo Uchiha failed to learn, but because he learned too well.

He had taken the Raikage's techniques and made them his own!

To adapt them into the postures and skills best suited for himself—what a monstrous talent that was!

"Teacher, prepare the sealing jutsu! I will use my Sharingan to suppress it, and Manda will pin down Matatabi!"

Keigo Uchiha's eyes flashed with a biting, cold light; he was as rational as a machine.

Thunderbolts crackled across his entire body.

He shot forward like a cannonball!

"You detestable brat, who do you think you are, daring to order this lord around?"

Manda's eyes were cold as he flicked his tongue. "I can't hold on any longer. Who cares what you want to do? Orochimaru, don't forget my sacrifice!"

He let out a sinister laugh.

His massive form vanished instantly, dissipating into a cloud of smoke.

"Although I never got along with Fukuya, he wasn't half bad. Today... all of you shall be buried with him!"

Matatabi's voice sounded like that of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl—incredibly melodious, yet currently filled with fury!

Suddenly.

The entire cavern was flooded with terrifying, ghostly blue flames.

They roared and surged.

Like the fires of hell!

But the next moment, Matatabi turned abruptly and bolted away!

"So, despite all the talk of revenge, you actually intended to flee?"

Keigo Uchiha's eyes flickered. The next moment, he slammed his hands together and shouted, "Storm Release: Heaven and Earth Cage!"

Instantly, a blue sphere of light appeared in his hands, which he hurled forward!

In a heartbeat, it transformed into a massive hemispherical cage, enveloping Matatabi within.

"Damnable humans, always relying on such treacherous tricks."

Matatabi bared her fangs, looking at Keigo Uchiha with terror.

This guy... he clearly wasn't from Kumogakure.

Yet he possessed Lightning Release similar to the Raikage, a terrifying physical body that could even withstand her flames—he was simply troublesome. And now... he even had a way to block her escape!

"Condense!"

Keigo Uchiha gave a soft shout. Instantly, the cage shrank violently, binding Matatabi directly!

"Teacher!"

He barked the order, his eyes spinning wildly!

Matatabi's eyes went blank. Although a Three-Tomoe Sharingan was insufficient to control a Tailed Beast, a Three-Tomoe that was infinitely close to the Mangekyou Sharingan could exert control for a fleeting moment.

"I really can't tell if you're the assistant or if I am, Keigo. But... the feeling of working with you... is quite good!"

Orochimaru grinned.

His figure shot forward!

He slammed his hands into Matatabi's body. "Five Elements Seal!"

The next moment, Matatabi's massive body was sucked into the scroll. At the very last second, Matatabi regained her senses, her dark, ghostly eyes glaring at Keigo Uchiha with resentment. "Damnable human... I will never let you go!"

"Whew!"

Orochimaru stowed the scroll away and looked at Keigo Uchiha with admiration. "I didn't expect you to have grown stronger again, kid. Even I would find it difficult to deal with you now."

"Absolute speed, power, physical strength, plus the Sharingan—you are already a true Quasi-Kage level powerhouse."

"A twelve-year-old Quasi-Kage; if the old man heard this, he would surely go mad."

He shook his head helplessly, a trace of envy hidden in the depths of his eyes.

"The Nintaijutsu I practiced before had flaws. Having the Raikage's guidance just now gave me new insights into Nintaijutsu and Lightning Release."

Keigo Uchiha smiled and said, "If it weren't for the Raikage, it would have taken me at least another year to become a Quasi-Kage level powerhouse."

That's right.

At least a year!

He would have needed to constantly explore and experiment, but with the Raikage as a template, he only needed to copy, paste, and find the techniques that suited him best!

"Should this matter be kept secret?"

As the two fled rapidly, Orochimaru asked in a hoarse voice.

Because they were fleeing in the direction opposite to the Eight-Tails, they weren't worried about the Raikage catching up anytime soon, and as for the others, they were no match for them!

"Keep it secret for now. There are still some things left to resolve."

Keigo Uchiha pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

Orochimaru looked thoughtful, nodded, and glanced at the battlefield shrouded in flames behind them, grinning, "Keigo, we should consider doing more things like this in the future."

In the direction of the battlefield just now, a Thunderbolt had raged!

A furious figure could be vaguely seen!

"The Raikage really is a monster. To have subdued the Eight-Tails so quickly?"

A chill ran through Orochimaru's heart; facing a guy like that was truly terrifying.

It was like facing a human-shaped Tailed Beast!

Utterly violent!

"Let's go!"

Keigo Uchiha whispered.

The two figures moved even faster!

Inside the cave where the Two-Tails had originally been sealed.

Looking at the aged, lifeless corpse, the Raikage's body crackled with Thunderbolt, and the veins on his forehead bulged!

"Damn it, damn it! What... what on earth happened here!"

He smashed his fist hard against a nearby boulder.

The boulder shattered instantly.

"I abandoned taijutsu combat with the Eight-Tails just to subdue it as quickly as possible, using my strongest methods ahead of schedule, and now... you tell me the Two-Tails has been stolen!?"

His face was purple-red, his angry veins throbbing.

He breathed heavily, so furious he felt like he might vomit blood!

The battle with the Eight-Tails just now had left his body incredibly exhausted!

"Lord Raikage, according to our analysis... the enemy took advantage of the Eight-Tails' rampage to seal and take away the Two-Tails. Because of your battle with the Eight-Tails, no one was left to watch over the Two-Tails..."

A ninja had cold sweat streaming down his forehead, nearly on the verge of tears.

The rest of the Kumogakure ninjas were also on the brink of tears, feeling like useless trash.

"We are sorry, Lord Raikage!"

Their faces were filled with guilt. Lord Raikage had chosen to fight the Eight-Tails alone to keep them from getting hurt, yet they hadn't even been able to manage the task of guarding the Two-Tails.

It was absolutely shameful!

They had failed such a considerate leader of Kumogakure!

"Stop saying these useless things!"

The Raikage panted heavily, the Thunderbolt around his body dissipating, his eyes filled with rage. "A! Take Killer B and the elite ninjas to pursue them! And all other Kumogakure ninjas, mobilize and sweep the area. I want them... to die without a burial place!"

His chakra was currently depleted.

He had no way to strike out himself, so he had to rely on his son, A, and Killer B!

"Damn it! The enemy must have calculated that I would be unable to pursue them after subduing the Eight-Tails. It's even possible... that they were the ones who released the Eight-Tails in the first place!"

A sharp, icy light flickered in his eyes!

He was furious but utterly helpless.

"Father, leave it to me. I will drag them all back!"

A's eyes were cold and stern. Although he was still young, his broad shoulders and well-developed muscles were already far beyond those of an ordinary person. Beside him, slightly shorter, was Killer B, whose chakra was a perfect match for his own.

He led a dozen elite ninjas in a rapid pursuit.

The Two-Tails was an important weapon of Kumogakure; it absolutely could not be lost!

"Father came from the direction of the Eight-Tails. The only way for the enemy to escape is in the opposite direction, and that is also the closest path to the other Great Nations."

His figure shot forward like a Thunderbolt!

Half an hour later, he saw two figures fleeing rapidly ahead.

"Damn bastards, stop right there! How dare you come to my Kumogakure to cause trouble? I will never let you go!"

A's body crackled with Thunderbolt, his eyes glaring in fury.

"No one is allowed to insult Kumogakure!"

Holy crap!

Keigo Uchiha looked back and saw A's ferocious, angry face. "Was the Fourth Raikage this hot-headed when he was young? No wonder in the original story he was willing to lose an arm just to finish off Sasuke."

His mouth twitched.

As expected, the Raikage lineage was inherited this way—all of them were typical hot-headed brothers.

If this guy knew that it was the Uchiha Clan who had knocked him out back then to extract the secret techniques of the Yotsuki Clan, he would probably be angry enough to start a war with Konoha immediately, right?

"What now? Keigo, you were the one who asked to slow down."

Orochimaru's face was full of curiosity.

Given their speed, escaping the Third Raikage would have been no issue, yet Keigo Uchiha had voluntarily throttled their pace.

"The Third Raikage exhausted all his chakra and stamina fighting the Eight-Tails; he's in no position to pursue us, so... there's no need to run so fast."

Keigo Uchiha grinned, his expression carrying an inexplicable meaning.

"Wouldn't it be... better to let Kumogakure tear itself apart from within?"

He possessed Storm Release.

Furthermore, he possessed Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, which served as an excellent means of concealment.

Orochimaru's body trembled, and his amber pupils instantly... lit up with excitement!

"What a brilliant scheme!"

"I thought I was devious enough, but I never expected you to be even more so, Keigo!"

Keigo Uchiha: "...If you're going to say that, I might stop providing you with experimental support in the future. Besides... that Manda of yours is looking a bit unpleasant; you should find time to develop a new giant snake."

"If you use Manda's blood and the cells of Senju Hashirama, I'm sure you could cultivate a new snake that would be even more powerful than Manda."

As he spoke, he casually tossed a vial of blood to Orochimaru.

"This is... Manda's blood?"

Orochimaru was stunned, then immediately realized the benefits of Keigo Uchiha's suggestion. "This... seems like a wonderful idea. I'll experiment with it when I return. As for Manda... I've been dissatisfied with that creature for a long time!"

He had already considered the plan for a new Manda.

He simply hadn't had the time, but Keigo's suggestion solidified his resolve.

Manda... was not a good Summoning Animal; it was incredibly difficult to deal with!

"Storm Release: Thundercloud Cavity Wave!"

Keigo Uchiha performed hand seals at a speed of four per second. He let out a sharp shout, and immediately, gray thunder-mist filled the air, spreading at a terrifying speed to envelop everyone.

This was impossible to dodge.

If they chose to pursue, they would inevitably have to pass through this thunder-mist.

The next moment, before they could even react, Keigo Uchiha's cold voice rang out. "As fellow villagers, I intended to spare you, but I didn't expect you to be so relentless. In that case... all of you can just go to hell!"

He snapped his fingers.

Instantly, the terrifying Thunderbolt seemed to grow eyes, spreading through the thunder-mist to strike everyone present. The lightning raged!

Countless screams erupted from within the mist.

Aside from the Jonin, all the Chunin collapsed, trembling, and fell into a state of severe injury and unconsciousness. By the time A angrily tore through the thunder-mist, the two had long since vanished.

"Damn it!"

His eyes burned with rage, lightning flickering across his body as he looked at the dissipating mist and the blue-green lightning still clinging to the Kumogakure ninja. "This is... Storm Release!"

"There's a traitor... in the village!"

"How could this happen? Why does the enemy have Storm Release... could it be that the person just now was really... a traitor from our Kumogakure!?"

"It must be! Only our Kumogakure has Storm Release. Return to the village immediately! I will conduct a thorough investigation to find out... exactly who the traitor in Kumogakure is!"

A's eyes were cold, chilling to the bone.

On the other side, Keigo Uchiha and Orochimaru successfully left the borders of Kumogakure and arrived at a pleasure house in the Land of Iron.

Or rather, a geisha house.

"Hahaha, interesting, truly interesting. With your manipulation of Storm Release, Keigo, Kumogakure will surely believe there is an internal traitor. They would never guess that we were the ones pulling the strings."

Orochimaru's eyes were filled with excitement.

The two pushed open the doors and entered the geisha house, where women were dancing with movements as fluid as water snakes. Their beautiful faces and the faint, alluring fragrance were enough to stir the imagination.

"It is truly interesting to go on missions with you, Keigo. I originally thought capturing the Eight-Tails was a lost cause, but I never expected to harvest the Two-Tails in the end."

Orochimaru was very pleased.

This meant that from now on, he could begin his research on the Tailed Beasts!

"The Two-Tails has a relatively docile personality. The temperaments of the nine Tailed Beasts are closely related to their forms. As a cat-type, the Two-Tails will be very kind if it encounters a suitable Jinchuriki."

"The One-Tails, being a raccoon dog, is naturally impatient and loves to play—a trait it shares quite a bit with the fox that is the Nine-Tails."

"The Nine-Tails is a fox by nature; it is difficult to tame and possesses a wild streak."

Keigo Uchiha spoke indifferently. Perhaps when the Sage of Six Paths originally split the Ten-Tails into nine tailed beasts, he had modeled them after real-world creatures, naturally imbuing them with the temperaments of animals.

The two of them conversed as if no one else were present.

Their expressions remained calm.

Yet, their eyes fell upon one of the guests, who stood frozen stiff, cold sweat streaming down his forehead!