The Contrasting Samui

Samui was also released from prison by the ANBU. Because she was Killer B's apprentice and only possessed the strength of a Chunin, she did not face particularly rigorous interrogation.

Konoha had achieved a great victory this time, and all the captured ninja were simply bargaining chips rather than targets for harsh treatment.

Even so, when Samui saw Killer B's condition, she was still taken aback.

She had only had her chakra sealed and been locked up, with three square meals a day guaranteed without a worry.

Killer B, on the other hand, had been studied by Orochimaru for nearly half a month!

Every day he had blood drawn, and he had to face a bizarre scientist with a long tongue who sneered from time to time.

This was straight out of a novel plot, and even though Killer B was the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, he had undoubtedly suffered no small amount of mental torture.

"Master, what did those people in Konoha do to you?!"

Even Samui, who was usually ice-cold and aloof, could not help but wear a face full of worry at this moment. Surely the people in Konoha hadn't subjected Killer B to some inhuman torment, had they?

Could it be? Samui covered her mouth, recalling certain plots from novels...

Despite her aloof appearance, Samui actually harbored a strong inner contrast.

"It was truly terrifying!" Recalling her experiences over the past few days, Killer B still felt a lingering sense of dread.

Orochimaru, that terrifying fellow, had left quite a psychological shadow on him.

Let alone Killer B, even the Eight-Tails inside him was somewhat afraid of Orochimaru.

That guy had actually used a secret technique to extract its chakra, and he had even succeeded!

Samui sighed. She hadn't expected the people in Konoha to be so perverted that they could even lay hands on her master, a bearded middle-aged man.

She reached out to pat Killer B's shoulder and offered comfort. "Master, it's fine. There are some things one simply has to experience!"

The misunderstanding between master and apprentice was thus born.

Samui's gaze toward Killer B held a hint of added heartache.

Both she and Killer B had their chakra sealed, and now that they were released, the Cloud Shinobi must be arriving soon.

For now, they could only sightsee around Konoha.

Killer B sighed. He needed to properly recover and soothe the emotional scars deep within his heart.

He had to admit that as the premier shinobi village, Konoha certainly possessed impressive strength. The scale of the village was much larger than Cloud Hidden Village, and the local customs were entirely different.

Although the two of them were allowed to move about Konoha, ANBU agents were naturally trailing them at all times to prevent their escape.

The most crucial factor was Killer B; no matter what happened to anyone else, nothing must go wrong with him.

For a shinobi village, a Jinchūriki was both a strategic weapon and a devastating powerhouse on the battlefield, as well as the very face of the village.

When a village's Jinchūriki was captured alive, it was tantamount to losing all its face.

Cloud Hidden Village now faced this very awkward predicament: their Jinchūriki had been captured alive!

Fortunately, the Jinchūriki had not been killed, leaving room for negotiation, though Cloud Hidden Village would inevitably have to pay a heavy price this time.

Killer B and Samui had little appetite for wandering around. After all, they were prisoners of war now, and as they walked the streets of Konoha, they could clearly sense the profound exclusion from the surrounding villagers.

Samui felt quite aggrieved; this entire ordeal was a completely unmerited disaster for her. All along the way she had urged Killer B not to leave Cloud Lightning Gorge, but Killer B refused to listen, and the moment they reached the border they ran straight into Jiraiya's squad and were instantly wiped out.

She would surely be punished upon returning to Cloud Hidden Village, wouldn't she?

Yet somehow, why did she feel a faint sense of anticipation?

The person tasked with monitoring the two of them was Kakashi, who kept watch from not far away.

Ever since he abandoned Obito's eye, Kakashi's training speed could be described as advancing by leaps and bounds. He was no longer the old "Copy Ninja Kakashi of the Sharingan."

With the loss of the Blood Wheel Eye, most of the jutsu copied through it had also vanished, and the ninja blade once again rested across Kakashi's back.

The White Fang had been shattered by Rock Ninja at Kamui Bridge, but now, Kakashi had reforged this ninja blade, just as he was reforging his once-broken willpower.

Kakashi would restore the renown of the White Fang once more, and he would defeat Obito with this very blade!

He would shatter their past bonds with his own hands!

Darui and Shi arrived in Konoha at last, carrying a personal letter from the Fourth Raikage.

Along the way, the two men rushed anxiously, terrified that something might happen to Killer B.

After all, Jinchūriki were neither easy to deal with nor simple to manage. If a Jinchūriki went on a continuous rampage and could not be calmed, there was a very high probability they would be put down!

However, this was Konoha after all, where the seals targeting Tailed Beasts were thoroughly refined, possessing both Yamato, the Wood Release heir, and the sealing jutsu once left behind by the Uzumaki clan.

Orochimaru, Shikaku Nara, and Tsunade jointly received the delegation from Cloud Hidden Village. Darui was the sole inheritor of the Black Lightning Release and also the next Raikage in line.

Shi was likewise an elite ninja of Cloud Hidden Village, proficient in genjutsu, medical ninjutsu, and sensory arts across the board. The new generation of Cloud Shinobi had not yet fully matured, but with no other options in the face of the current situation, they had no choice but to send these two.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was absent, so Orochimaru naturally hosted them.

Orochimaru still wore his usual faint, enigmatic smile, sending chills down the spine of Killer B, who was being guarded by Konoha ANBU not far away.

Samui sat beside Killer B, not daring to speak as she watched Shi and Darui, given that her current status remained that of a prisoner.

"Lord Orochimaru, this is a personal letter from our Lord Raikage!"

Darui handed the Raikage's personal letter over to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru took it, glanced through it, and remained noncommittal.

It was nothing more than threats and promises, demanding that Konoha release Killer B.

Regrettably, no matter how tough the Raikage appeared in the letter, it failed to conceal the reality of all bark and no bite.

After all, their Cloud Shinobi had genuinely taken a heavy fall this time. Harassing the borders of the Land of Fire was already Cloud Hidden Village's wrongdoing, and the capture of the Eight-Tails made their position even more passive.

"I am a very pragmatic person."

Orochimaru put down the Raikage's letter. Personal letters written by an irate Raikage carried little substantive weight; what mattered was what chips Cloud Hidden Village could actually bring to the table.

"You might as well state what bargaining chips Cloud Hidden Village can offer this time."

Darui and Shi exchanged glances. This Orochimaru differed vastly from the Third and the Fourth, feeling far more difficult to deal with.

This was only natural; Orochimaru was not a pure politician. To him, Konoha was the last soft spot in his heart, as well as his own research base.

Cloud Hidden Village would inevitably pay a painful price this time, and Orochimaru intended to use this opportunity to announce to the entire shinobi world that Konoha had changed!

Shi was a calm ninja and also the primary negotiator for this mission. The Raikage had granted him a great deal of autonomy; as long as it wasn't overly excessive, they could agree to Konoha's terms.

Shikaku Nara and Shi began their strategic game of wits, and in the end, the Nara Clan emerged victorious.