In the gloomy underground cell, Yugito crouched in a corner, curled in on herself.
This was how the defeated were treated, and she had little to complain about. A jinchūriki, she had ultimately lost to an unknown ninja, while that serpent of a ninja, Orochimaru, had not even bothered to fight.
As she struggled to recall the battle, Yugito felt increasingly ashamed. A proud Cloud Ninja warrior, she had failed even to die in battle and had instead suffered the humiliation of capture.
Footsteps sounded from the distant corridor, drawing Yugito's attention.
Yugito stood up. Though the chains made her arms ache, she still wore an icy expression as she watched the visitors beyond the bars.
One visitor wore a black outfit embroidered with red clouds-the uniform of the Akatsuki. Yet the mask covering his face was merely the kind seen everywhere at festivals.
For some reason, though, the sight of that utterly ordinary mask made Yugito's heart pound.
Accompanying him was Shinnō, the traveling physician who had visited many nations and stolen Kumogakure's secrets. Yet the strength he had displayed in their earlier battle surpassed that of most of her village's elite ninja.
And Orochimaru.
Yugito did not know who the masked man was, but anyone accompanied by Shinnō and Orochimaru had to be a ninja on at least their level, perhaps even an important figure within the Akatsuki.
"Good teeth, and not much damage to the body. She should fetch a good price."
Hearing this, Yugito gave him a bewildered look. She was a proud Cloud Ninja warrior, yet now they were discussing her like livestock. Humiliation welled up inside her.
Unable to hold back, Yugito cursed, "Lord Raikage will save me, you bastards!"
Her words immediately drew everyone's attention. Amusement appeared on their faces, and Shinnō spoke