86-90

Chapter 86: What a Huge Frame-Up

"This bastard—!"

Even for Kakuzu, a veteran with decades of battle experience, the sheer power of this lightning release was enough to make his scalp tingle.

Just how monstrous is this kid’s Lightning Style?!

BOOM!

Another deafening explosion. The earth itself seemed to scream as Kakuzu was forced back yet again.

Meanwhile, behind the water clone, Hidan lunged with a manic grin.

"Hey, brat! Let me show you the power of Lord Jashin!"

His scythe flashed, aiming to carve through Yoru’s body—

SHING!

But in the next instant, the clone blurred past him like a phantom.

THUD.

Hidan’s head hit the ground before he even realized what happened.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Three more strikes. Hidan’s body was diced into pieces before he could even curse.

"You little shit! How dare you treat my body like this?!"

Thanks to his immortality, Hidan’s head remained alive and furious. But the clone ignored him, turning its attention elsewhere.

("Come on, hurry up! They should’ve caught up by now!")

Originally, the plan was simple: the water clone would lure the three villages’ shinobi away, then disperse—leaving no trace behind.

But then Kakuzu and Hidan showed up.

And a new plan took shape.

Let the three villages fight these two. Let them take the blame for stealing the Nagi Stone Tablet.

Perfect. No one would ever suspect the real me.

Yet… where were the pursuers? They should’ve arrived by now.

("Did something delay them?")

Unbeknownst to the clone, Kimimaro and Haku had "kindly" intercepted the three villages’ teams—a twist of fate that would’ve left the real Yoru torn between laughter and tears.

"Whoops! Looks like I accidentally beat one of you!"

The clone smirked at Kakuzu, twirling its blade.

"Brat. Are you trying to provoke me?" Kakuzu’s voice was glacial.

"If that’s how you want to take it, sure!"

"Lightning Style: Gratitude Wave!"

Unlike Falling Thunder Formation, this technique consumed less chakra. In an instant, a surge of electricity erupted from the clone, racing toward Kakuzu.

"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"

Kakuzu countered with his own lightning.

CRACKLE—!!!

The clash illuminated the battlefield like a miniature sun.

Meanwhile, one kilometer away…

The three villages’ shinobi saw the flashes and immediately sped up.

"Move! He’s being held up—this is our chance! Don’t let anyone else take the tablet!" Ringo barked.

The teams surged forward.

Back at the battlefield…

As the lightning faded, the clone’s eyes narrowed.

("They’re close!")

With a burst of speed, it dodged a swarm of black tendrils—Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear—then retaliated with chakra-infused slashes, forcing the immortal back.

("300 meters… 200… Now!")

Time for the grand finale.

The clone charged straight at Kakuzu—directly into the writhing mass of tendrils.

("8… 7… 6…")

Behind Kakuzu, the first figures of Ringo’s team appeared.

("Perfect. Exit stage left.")

Deliberately, the clone "slipped."

STAB!

A tendril speared through its chest.

But instead of panicking, the clone grinned.

"Damn it… I lost. The Nagi Stone Tablet… is yours now!"

Then—*POOF!*—it vanished in a burst of water.

Kakuzu: "…?!"

Before he could process the clone’s words, a chorus of furious shouts erupted behind him.

"STOP RIGHT THERE! HAND OVER THE TABLET!"

Kakuzu: "…What tablet?"

Oh.

Oh.

He’d been framed.

("That little—!")

Ringo, Zabuza, Kakashi, and the others surrounded him, weapons drawn.

Explaining would be pointless.

("Fine. I’ll remember that brat’s face.")

With a growl, Kakuzu unleashed a storm of tendrils, forcing the attackers back.

"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!"

A monstrous mask on his back spewed an inferno, engulfing the battlefield in flames.

"Zetsu. We’re leaving."

The earth split open. Zetsu emerged, swallowed both Kakuzu and Hidan’s dismembered body, and vanished underground.

Aftermath:

The flames died down.

Between Water Walls, Earth Barriers, and Lightning Armor, the three villages’ shinobi survived mostly unscathed—but their faces were grim.

Kakuzu was gone.

The water clone was gone.

And the Nagi Stone Tablet…

Was gone.

"Seijō! Can you track them?!" a Cloud ninja demanded.

The sensor shook his head. "Nothing. They vanished without a trace."

*Chapter 87: You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me*

"Hey, Konoha’s sensor-nin! What about you?"

Kiyoshi turned to the sensor-nin from Konoha and asked.

If he were the only one speaking up, his words wouldn’t carry much weight—instead, the other two factions might suspect him of hiding the truth. But if someone from the opposing side also confirmed his findings, whether their conclusions aligned or not, it would at least shield him from excessive suspicion.

"Nothing. I can’t sense anything either!"

The Konoha sensor-nin’s expression darkened as he answered.

Hearing this, the faces of everyone present soured. They exchanged glances before collectively deciding to retreat and report the situation as it was.

"Damn it!!"

Zabuza slammed his fist into a tree, his face twisted with frustration.

---

Meanwhile, with Kakuzu…

"That brat better hope I never run into him again. Next time, I’ll make him pay!"

Even as he burrowed through the earth, wrapped in his earth-style technique, Kakuzu muttered vengefully.

What he didn’t know, however, was that the face he remembered—belonging to the water clone—would never lead him to Yoru.

Because—

"Sorry, ‘Sasuke.’ I promise this is the last time I’ll use your face for mischief."

Leaning against a tree, resting as Kiyoshi and the others returned with their report, Yoru chuckled to himself.

Far away in Konoha, seven-year-old Uchiha Sasuke—completely unaware—suddenly shivered in the middle of class.

"Why do I feel so cold all of a sudden? Did I not dress warmly enough?"

He had no idea a certain old monster had just dragged his name into trouble.

---

"To think it all ended up being a wild goose chase!"

Kisame grinned, his shark-like teeth glinting. "We thought that fake ‘White Flash’ was our real target, but then an even stronger player showed up. Never underestimate the shinobi world."

"I’m going to ask Lady Mei for details once we’re back," Zabuza muttered. "If Yoru’s back from his mission and joined this operation, that would explain the insane-level Mist Jutsu we saw. Otherwise… who the hell could replicate that?"

He had almost been convinced it was Yoru. After all, in his entire life, he’d only ever seen one person wield the Hidden Mist technique with that kind of mastery.

---

"Hey, wait a minute—what if this was all a setup by your village?"

A Cloud ninja suddenly spoke up, suspicion dripping from his voice. "Think about it. That ‘White Flash’ was crazy strong, so how’d some mystery guy just show up, beat him, and vanish without a trace? And those two missing-nin were from your village, right? How do we know they weren’t plants?"

The accusation instantly put the Mist ninja on edge.

"You got proof?" Suigetsu shot back, voice dripping with sarcasm. "We’re just as confused as you are. Our White Flash is still on a mission—he hasn’t even returned yet. And if he were one of ours, why go through all this trouble? He could’ve just handed the artifact to us and bolted. You think you land-lubbers could catch us on the water?"

He scoffed. "Besides, your sensor-nin—both Konoha’s and Cloud’s—confirmed they couldn’t track the enemy. That’s why we all came back empty-handed. But now that the trail’s cold, you’re pointing fingers? Pathetic."

The Cloud ninja bristled, but before he could retort, Tōrō stopped him.

"Enough. The two missing-nin were from Kirigakure. As for whether that White Flash was real… if he was, someone of his caliber wouldn’t need convoluted tricks. He could’ve just handed the artifact to his allies and escaped."

His tone turned flat. "That Mist Jutsu alone bought enough time for a clean getaway. Mission’s over. We’re leaving."

With that, the Cloud team vanished into the trees.

---

"What about you, Konoha?" Suigetsu smirked at Kakashi. "You think we’re in cahoots with that impostor too?"

Kakashi studied them for a long moment before turning away.

"Move out."

The mission might have failed, but it wasn’t a total loss. At the very least, he’d caught a glimpse of the other villages’ strengths.

"The major villages still have formidable shinobi. We can’t afford to slack off."

The world might be at peace on the surface, but beneath it, the shadow wars never stopped.

---

"Let’s head back," Zabuza grumbled. "Though I doubt HQ’s gonna be happy."

No kidding. Failed missions meant consequences—especially for high-stakes operations like this.

"Tch. Konoha and Cloud still have scouts tailing us."

"Stubborn bastards. We told them White Flash wasn’t one of ours."

Of course, he’d have done the same in their shoes. But being watched still grated on his nerves.

In the end, neither village uncovered anything useful. With no other options, they all dispersed—back to their own homes, their own leaders.

---

"The deception worked… but I could’ve handled the identity reveal better."

Yoru sighed. "Still, can’t blame them for not trusting a stranger who popped up out of nowhere."

But overall? The mission was a success.

With the ancient artifact now in his possession, Kirigakure’s revival was within reach.

---

Chapter 88: Even Lying Down, I Get Hit by a Stray Bullet

Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village)!

"What do you mean, we failed?"

"Hah? The other two villages failed too? Some fake 'White Flash' showed up and stole it?"

"And then the White Flash was killed by a mysterious powerhouse?"

The Fourth Raikage stared at Tōrō with a look that said, "Are you messing with me? Do I look like I was born yesterday?"

This was way too ridiculous!

Where did this mysterious powerhouse come from? And what was the deal with the fake White Flash?

No matter how you looked at it, they had to be working together!

"Are you sure the mysterious powerhouse and the fake White Flash weren’t allies?" The Fourth Raikage pressed Tōrō for confirmation.

"Maybe. But one thing’s for sure—that White Flash wasn’t the real deal."

"The Kirigakure team’s wariness toward him didn’t seem fake."

"The Konoha team and I tailed them for days, and their behavior showed no signs of deception!"

"So, our focus should be on that mysterious powerhouse."

"I remember the markings on his clothes. They can’t hide forever. We should send out search teams immediately!"

"If we track them down, we can follow the trail back to their hideout and reclaim the Namekuji Monument to complete the mission!"

Hearing this, the Fourth Raikage nodded. "Do you remember any specific details about him? The more, the better."

Tōrō replied, "Absolutely. Even though I only saw him for a few seconds, his features were distinct."

"He wore a black cloak with red cloud patterns, had a mask, and green eyes."

"Oh, and he was a missing-nin from Takigakure—he wore their叛忍 (renegade) forehead protector!"

The Fourth Raikage’s eyes lit up. "A Takigakure missing-nin strong enough to kill the White Flash?"

"Hmm… There can’t be many who fit that description. He’d have to be at least an A-rank叛忍."

"Good. Investigate all A-rank and higher missing-nin from Takigakure!"

Tōrō immediately acknowledged the order and left to carry it out.

Meanwhile, Kirigakure and Konohagakure were doing the same.

Eventually, all three villages reached the same conclusion:

"Takigakure missing-nin… Kakuzu, age 83?"

"Wait, seriously? How is there someone that old?!"

Eighty-three years old—what did that even mean?

That meant he had lived through the Warring States era, the founding of the hidden villages, and all three Shinobi World Wars! A literal old monster!

"Who even lives that long?"

The oldest living shinobi—Chiyo of the Sand, Ebizō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ōnoki of the Two Scales—were all around 70 at most.

But Kakuzu was 14 years older than Ōnoki, the current oldest Kage!

"This is terrifying!"

"A real ancient demon. No wonder he could kill the fake White Flash and steal the Namekuji Monument. With that kind of experience, it’s no surprise."

The Fourth Raikage couldn’t help but sigh before immediately issuing a bounty on Kakuzu.

Soon after, the Kage of Kirigakure and Konoha did the same.

In an instant, the name Kakuzu shook the shinobi world—and Takigakure gained notoriety by association.

Of course it did! An 84-year-old monster was terrifying enough on its own.

Rumor had it that the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning even tried to blame Takigakure for the mission’s failure, demanding an explanation.

The Takigakure leader was completely baffled. "Kakuzu’s been a missing-nin for decades! What does that have to do with us? How are we getting dragged into this?!"

Thankfully, the Land of Fire—ever the peacekeeper—stepped in to mediate, finally putting the matter to rest.

But beneath the surface, the storm only grew stronger.

Countless rogue shinobi now had their eyes on Kakuzu’s head, eager to claim the 300 million ryō bounty jointly issued by the Land of Lightning, Land of Water, and Land of Fire.

Akatsuki Hideout

"Damn those Five Great Nations… And that brat! Making me the scapegoat—I won’t let this slide!"

Kakuzu seethed, barely holding back curses.

Behind him, the leader of Akatsuki, Pain (Deva Path), spoke coldly:

"This incident has taught me one thing: The existence of the Five Great Nations is the root of this world’s chaos."

"Our purpose is more justified than ever. If we want to change the world, it must be through our hands."

The other members reacted differently—some nodded in agreement, others remained indifferent.

"Continue strengthening our organization. Once we’re ready, we move to the next phase."

The next phase?

Capturing the tailed beasts, amassing power to shake the world—and forcing peace through fear.

With that, the meeting ended.

As Kakuzu turned to leave, Pain added:

"Lay low for now. The shinobi world still has formidable fighters."

Kakuzu grumbled internally—"Do I look reckless to you?"—but nodded anyway.

Kirigakure

"Who was that impostor pretending to be Yoru (夜良奈)? How could their techniques be so similar?"

"Is there really someone else who can use the Hiding in Mist Technique at that level?"

"Yoru… Where are you now? I’m worried."

Terumī Mei frowned.

She was certain the fake "White Flash" who stole the Namekuji Monument wasn’t her younger brother, Yoru.

After all, Yoru had been spotted with the Kumogakure team.

She was sure the shinobi that Hoshigaki Kisame mentioned—"Kikyō"—was actually Yoru.

Besides, the fake White Flash’s strength didn’t match Yoru’s.

If Kisame’s report was accurate, that mysterious figure was stronger than even Mei herself.

No matter how much of a prodigy Yoru was, he couldn’t have grown that powerful in just four months.

"Please be safe, Yoru… I’m waiting for you to come back and help me change Kirigakure."

She closed her eyes and prayed.

Kumogakure

"Hah? I’m being transferred out of the assassination squad? I’m leaving ANBU?"

After two days of rest, Yoru—now fully recovered—received the news from Tōrō.

From today onward, he was officially reassigned.

No longer part of the assassination squad or ANBU, he would return to his original name—*"Kira"*—and be promoted to Special Jōnin.

His new mission?

Guarding the Two-Tails’ Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, at the Dragon’s Confinement Cave.

Chapter 89: Guarding the Two-Tails

"Hah? Guarding the Two-Tails' jinchūriki?"

"Captain, you can’t be serious. That’s a tailed beast! With my strength, how am I supposed to—"

"This frail body of mine probably couldn’t even take a single hit from a jinchūriki! The Raikage wouldn’t be this cruel, would he?"

Yoru blinked innocently, his face a perfect mix of flattery and pitiful pleading.

Tōrō sighed. "Sorry, but it’s real. I tried reasoning with the Raikage, but his mind’s made up. You’re being assigned to the Dragon’s Prison Cave."

It was honestly a little disheartening. Despite all Yoru had done for Kumogakure, the Raikage’s trust in him never solidified—only his demotions did.

But orders were orders.

"Tch. Can’t even let me catch a break, huh?" Yoru groaned. "Hey, Captain, is there any job in the village worse than babysitting a jinchūriki? Just so I can mentally prepare myself."

"Y’know, in case I get demoted again in a few months. Wouldn’t want the shock to kill me."

Tōrō thought for a moment. "Well, there’s always weeding duty. Or cleaning the sewers."

"But yeah, guarding a tailed beast host is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. Dangerous, too."

Yoru shrugged. "Welp. Guess this is goodbye, then. Take care, Captain."

With a nod, Tōrō vanished in a flicker of movement.

"Raikage… Raikage… So you still don’t trust me, huh?"

"Fine. If that’s how it is, then whatever."

"It’s not like I came here just to gather intel anyway."

A slow grin spread across his face.

"If you’re gonna stick me on Two-Tails duty… well, that just means I’ll have a really nice souvenir when I leave."

"Heh. ‘Accidentally’ letting a jinchūriki escape sounds like fun."

Raikage’s Office

"Kira, congratulations! Consider this your promotion out of the ANBU. A rare opportunity!"

The Fourth Raikage clapped Yoru on the shoulder, oozing faux benevolence. "Keep up the good work for the village, understood?"

"YES, SIR!" Yoru responded with exaggerated enthusiasm, eyes practically sparkling with gratitude.

Then, he set off for the Dragon’s Prison Cave.

Dragon’s Prison Cave

"Well, well. Never thought they’d send us a kid as a replacement."

One of the three veteran shinobi guarding the cave smirked. "What’d you do to piss off the Raikage this much?"

Another chuckled. "Bet he gave you that whole spiel too, huh? ‘Congrats on leaving the dangerous ANBU life behind! Keep serving the village!’"

"Ahhh, takes me back. We were just as naive once."

Yoru ignored their teasing, his silence eventually making them lose interest.

"Your job’s simple," one finally said, waving lazily. "Go inside, check on the Two-Tails’ host. If she acts up, calm her down. Easy, right?"

Without a word, Yoru strode straight into the cave.

"Oi, wait—!"

One guard moved to stop him, but another grabbed his arm, grinning.

"Let him go. Teach him a lesson about respecting his elders."

"That jinchūriki’s feral. Anyone steps into her space uninvited? Gets mauled."

"Heh. Can’t wait to see how fast he comes running back out."

The third guard smirked. "First newbie in years. This’ll be entertaining."

Inside the Cave

The air was damp, the walls slick like a sewer.

And there, in the dim light, sat Yugito Nii—the Two-Tails’ jinchūriki.

Her eyes snapped open as Yoru approached.

"New guard, huh? You’re… young."

She stood slowly, her presence suddenly oppressive, heat radiating off her like an open furnace.

"You do know no one’s allowed in here unless absolutely necessary, right?"

Yoru tilted his head. "Why not? My job’s to monitor you. Hard to do that from outside."

"Heh. Cocky brat." Yugito’s lips curled. "You’re the first one to talk back."

"Fine. Prove you’re worth my time. The cowards outside just hide at the entrance—you? Let’s see if you can handle me."

In a flash, she lunged, claws aimed straight for his throat—

"Kinbaku no Jutsu."

Yoru didn’t move.

Only his right eye flickered.

For one second, Yugito’s body locked up.

A blade pressed against her neck before she could blink.

"So… do I pass, Yugito-san?" His smile never wavered.

"This swordsmanship… Wait. I’ve seen you before."

Her eyes narrowed. "Two months ago. You fought me. Struck my tailed beast form with lightning."

"That hurt like hell, by the way."

Yoru threw up his hands. "Nope! Must be someone else. No way I could do that."

His terrible lying only confirmed her suspicion.

"For someone like you to get dumped here…" Yugito crossed her arms. "What’d you do? The Raikage’s an idiot, but even he wouldn’t waste talent like this."

Yoru shrugged. "Failed a mission. Guess he took it personally."

Chapter 90: Senior, I’m Doing Just Fine

Dragon’s Confinement Cave

"An important mission? What kind of failure gets you demoted to a place like this?"

"Don’t tell me you’re the only one who got punished!"

Yugito Nii’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Inside the Dragon’s Confinement Cave, years could pass without anyone speaking to her. Her only company was the Two-Tails—and the beast wasn’t exactly the chatty type.

So when Yoru showed up, she practically pounced on the chance for conversation.

"Eh, it wasn’t anything too impressive. Just a mission with… significant consequences."

Yoru sat down on a nearby rock and casually recounted the failed Namekuji Monument retrieval mission. After all, he had nothing better to do.

"I see. But even if the mission failed and the Raikage got heat from the Daimyō, it doesn’t make sense to dump you here."

"The Fourth Raikage isn’t that unreasonable."

Yoru shrugged. "Well, reality has a funny way of playing out."

"I’m here, aren’t I? That’s proof enough."

Yugito smirked. "Interesting. You’re not like those cowards outside."

"Still, since the Raikage assigned you to guard me, you’d better brace yourself."

"Watching over me isn’t easy—especially at this proximity."

"Who knows? I might lose control and go full tailed beast. And guess who’ll be the first to get crushed?"

Yoru rubbed his nose, unfazed. "I think I’m prepared. Not that it’d change anything if I weren’t."

Yugito huffed and returned to her training. Meanwhile, Yoru unsheathed his sword and began practicing his forms.

The one perk of guarding Yugito? Absolute freedom. No missions, no interruptions—just pure, uninterrupted strengthening time.

Outside the Cave

"Wait… Why hasn’t that kid made a single sound since going in? Did he faint from fear?"

"No way. The Raikage wouldn’t send someone that weak."

"Maybe Yugito already killed him. Let’s check."

"If he’s alive, we’ll teach him a lesson about respecting his seniors. If he’s dead… well, he had it coming."

The three Cloud shinobi exchanged glances before unsealing the cave’s entrance and stepping inside.

"U-uh… Is this a bad idea?"

"W-what if Yugito goes berserk? We’re dead meat!"

Despite their earlier bravado, their legs trembled the moment they crossed the threshold.

"I-I agree…"

"B-but we can’t just turn back now! That’d be pathetic!"

"Y-yeah…"

Backs pressed together, they inched forward like terrified mice.

With each step, their faces grew paler, sweat dripping like they were facing a monster.

Fifteen minutes later…

They finally reached Yugito’s chamber—and froze.

The scene before them defied logic.

Yugito sat cross-legged, deep in meditation, while Yoru swung his sword calmly nearby.

No chaos. No violence. Just eerie peace.

"What the…?"

The three exchanged stunned looks.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go!

Every time they entered, Yugito would unleash a suffocating aura, sending them fleeing in terror.

So why was Yoru exempt?!

"Oh? Did you three come to check on me?" Yoru’s cheerful voice nearly gave them heart attacks. "Don’t worry, seniors—I’m doing just fine!"

Behind him, Yugito’s eyes snapped open.

"GYAAAAH—!!"

The trio bolted, their screams echoing through the cave.

Yoru scratched his head. "Was that really necessary? She’s not a monster."

Outside the Cave

"SEAL IT! SEAL IT NOW!!"

"If Yugito rampages again, we’re finished!"

They scrambled to activate the Tailed Beast Containment Barrier—a specialized Kumo-nin jutsu that could withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb and self-repair. Only two Special Jōnin were needed to maintain it.

Once the barrier flared to life, they finally caught their breath.

"Screw that kid! If he dies, we’ll just report it and get a replacement!"

Inside the Cave

"Pathetic." Yugito rolled her eyes. "All I did was look at them."

"Well, brat, since you’re stuck here, you’re now my punching bag."

"Don’t expect mercy."

Yoru grinned. "Looking forward to it. I’ve always wanted to spar with a jinchūriki."

Truthfully? Yugito stood no chance against him.

Aside from the hassle of dodging Tailed Beast Bombs, she posed little threat.

"Cocky little shit. You’re the first to talk to me like that." Yugito’s lips curled. "Don’t disappoint me."

With that, she closed her eyes again, communing with the Two-Tails.

One Week Later…

Total peace.

Food was delivered daily, but no one dared enter.