NARUTO- CH-110. Where is she?

Karai reluctantly explained, "Don't worry, this place is far from the Hidden Cloud Village, and it will take some time to get here."

"Stop talking," the Fourth Raikage said sharply, glaring at him.

He was impatient by nature, and witnessing another guard killed in front of him last night had made him restless. It was impossible for him to sit down and wait quietly.

The Fourth Raikage was annoyed. He hadn't expected things to spiral so quickly. The process of stealing the secret scroll from Sugino Village had initially gone smoothly. If he had wanted to, he could have destroyed a small ninja village like that by himself.

However, after their departure, Sugino Village had invited the group to hunt them down. His two guards, being careless, had been caught by the so-called exploding insects.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

The Fourth Raikage appeared at the door in a flash. When he opened it, he saw a man and a woman standing outside.

The man was Xi, a rare all-round jonin from the Hidden Cloud Village, skilled in illusion, medical treatment, and sensory techniques. Medical ninjas were scarce in all five great ninja villages. For instance, in the original case of Kankuro being poisoned by Sasori, the entire Sand Village had been helpless, and it was Haruno Sakura who had ultimately saved him. This demonstrated just how advanced Tsunade's medical ninjutsu was.

The woman was Mabui, the Fourth Raikage's trusted aide and external brain. Calm and resourceful, she wore a green jacket and a tight skirt. With her long white hair, dark skin, and a folder in hand, she looked every bit like an efficient secretary.

"Lord Raikage," Mabui and Xi greeted in unison.

"Save Karai first," the Fourth Raikage ordered, waving his hand.

"Let me take a look," Xi said, stepping forward. When he saw the huge lump on Karai, he raised an eyebrow.

"Is there any hope?" Karai asked anxiously, noticing Xi's expression.

"Don't say discouraging things," Xi replied, placing his hands on the lump. After a moment, a light green chakra began to glow.

"The secret technique of Sugino Village," the Fourth Raikage muttered, handing a scroll to Mabui. "If I'd known people would die, I wouldn't have gone."

"It's a necessary sacrifice," Mabui said, sighing as she put the scroll away. "And it has already happened."

"Have you found the location of the group?" The Fourth Raikage's dark face twisted with anger. "If I don't kill them, I won't be able to relieve my hatred."

"We're still searching," Mabui replied calmly. "They are skilled at hiding. Although we've found some traces, we haven't pinpointed their exact location yet."

"Do it as soon as possible," the Raikage commanded grimly.

Mabui nodded. She was used to his temper. The Fourth Raikage's fiery nature required her to remain composed at all times.

"How is it going?" the Raikage asked, glancing at Karai on the bed.

"It's troublesome," Xi admitted after a moment of silence. "There's explosive chakra in the lump."

"Will it explode?" the Raikage demanded. "When?"

"When it reaches its limit, it will detonate," Xi replied worriedly. "If Karai refrains from using ninjutsu, we can extend the time, but only until tomorrow at most."

"Damn it!" The Raikage raised his fist, but Mabui's warning look stopped him. He snorted and lowered it reluctantly.

"What now?" he asked, his tone laced with helplessness.

Xi was the most skilled medical ninja in the village. If even he couldn't save Karai, then it seemed there was nothing left to do but wait for the inevitable.

"One more day," Mabui said thoughtfully, "There are two possible solutions."

"What are they?" the Raikage asked impatiently.

"First, capture the group. They should know how to remove the explosive insects. Second, find a stronger medical ninja. After all, Xi is not a specialist in medical ninjutsu."

"Do whatever it takes," the Raikage ordered. "Mobilize all the ninjas in the Hidden Cloud Village if you have to."

"Understood." Mabui nodded.

The Hidden Cloud Village, with its strong emphasis on combat and unity, had far fewer rogue ninjas compared to other villages. Even when disputes arose, such as with Kinkaku and Ginkaku, they were more about political power than outright betrayal.

After Mabui left, the Raikage muttered, "I hope..."

He turned to Xi. "Try to delay his pain as much as possible."

"This is my duty," Xi said humbly, though shame clouded his features. "My abilities are limited."

"It's not your fault," the Raikage said, waving a dismissive hand.

Xi resumed his healing attempts, his hands glowing with chakra.

Time crawled by as the Raikage waited anxiously. Eventually, there was another knock at the door.

"Any news?" the Raikage asked immediately upon opening it.

"Yes," Mabui replied. "We've located Tsunade."

"Tsunade?" The Raikage was surprised. "Where is she?"

"In a casino in Jinglei City," Mabui answered.

"I'll go get her," the Raikage said without hesitation.

"Wait," Mabui interjected. "It would be better if I went instead."

Given the history of friction and blood feuds between Konoha and Kumogakure, Mabui worried that the Raikage's temper might cause trouble, especially considering Tsunade's own fiery demeanor.

The Raikage hesitated but eventually agreed. Mabui breathed a sigh of relief.

"You stay here and wait for my news," she said before leaving.

When Mabui arrived at the casino, she ignored the inquiries of a young woman at the door and went straight inside. Scanning the room, her eyes quickly locked onto Tsunade. The legendary kunoichi's distinctive features made her hard to miss.

At that moment, Tsunade appeared like a gambler who had lost everything, her face a storm of frustration.

Mabui hesitated briefly before approaching, bracing herself for the encounter.

Fortunately, there was no direct contact.
　　
This is definitely going to bring bad luck.
　　
Shiki opened his eyes.
　　
He felt hungry.
　　
When he looked at the time again, it was already twelve o'clock noon.
　　
Shiki sighed.

___________

A huge thanks to William Reid, Luck George, Osman Gomez, David Aderoju, Wesely_Teixeira, reso60 gomes, Kieron Haydon, thunderwalker123, Romel Rivera, Cesar Montemayor , Victor Perez, Devor, Imen, LazyAsh, Joe Thigpen, Ding dong, Mightyowl1767, Emilio Gonzalez, Nathan Hill, Alexis vasquez, Luca, tsuko leelane, Osiel, Matt, A, ParallaxDawn, Marick Mendoza , Philippe Techer, Chelsea2valve, Onemanarmy, Reed Pace, id wyrm, Rafael Borges, RealReader743, Thomas Desrosiers, Ryan, Chaos420, matt griffin, isaiah ramirez, bikash gurung, Joseph Bishop, arthur Jones, Raiden Allen, Noname09, Gabe Smith, Rome, Benoit Valtin, Ichdaboom, Whitewolf, EmptyBeing, Smithy Boy 420, Atticus Chea Jamaal King, multiverse right, Colin Hilterhaus, nick reisch, Aryan Singh, PhantomNite, Jessie, Chaos, Kds89, BR, Wes Ferrell, Eugene sivila, M.C, Random, Ownin Tarabi Yare, The Meta, Car Crash, Maybay, Gary, Gregg, Velzura, Carlos, greenDUECES, TheEntityAbove, Skulllnight43, Cristher Medina, Adrian, WyrmDragon, kl, Tanner Johnson, Andres Saavedra, john lowry-davis, WMAF Enjoyer, Cade Atkinson, Darius Collins, Josh, Kenechukwu Nkem-ossai, JackM, Scarlet Mars, Justin Barnes, Umbra Paco, Tariel Khalvashi Mr.goldenweek, John, Brennan Tubbs, Sung Jin woo, mike panos, Kobin Philip, brian price, wolfram, Wilnet Duverne, Joe Thingpen, eduardo tellez, Panera employee, Mandy G, Shadow King, Caio Lacerda, abs, Ecokane 0, Auzzo, Taz_231, solo _le, Velzura, Alexander Martinez, Marvin Lynn, OMG X WAFF3LZ, Denacious, idk5231, Drake, Georg Tasche, Maurice, MM, Luis, Alireza Akram, Chamar Ellis, Daniel Thomsen, Kiddeath1998, Jonay, Doomsdaylover321, pop_tarts, Niklas, Red Dragon, Tanner Johnson, Jesus, AIM ABLE, Paul Auke, Stephen, Placid, Origin, Lunar, Tarabi Yare, Sebastian, Lith Vehen, Josh, James Brown, Cranky Chart, semir adam, YoungPhxntom, BOBADAY, Jaz, Lachlan and Trippy, Jose Espinoza, Arctic961, cade hue, KingDre_22, Austin, Danny C, Lord of Mysteries, Chamar Ellis, Piet and Robert Hernandez for supporting me.