Chapter 169

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Cloud Shinobi Camp.

It can't be said to be gloomy, only that no one knows what the future holds.

They are not lacking in zeal, but in front of Kyomu, that zeal is merely trivial, failing to even touch him.

They are simply outmatched.

With the help of Yugito, Kyomu can utilize his spatial abilities to the fullest, overpowering not only the Eight Tails but also the Fourth Raikage and the other elite Cloud Shinobi, unable to contain Kyomu.

Because he's too cunning.

Now, Kyomu's main focus is merely on how to slaughter more Cloud Shinobi, sparingly engaging with the few elite among them.

Even though he could engage and kill many, knowing his forces are few, he chooses to maximize the preservation of his own ninjas' lives.

"The restrictions on Yugito have been lifted," the Fourth Raikage frowned, discussing with others in the tent, "but Yugito has issues, she..."

"List her as a rogue ninja." 

Samui, who previously had a good relationship with Yugito, calmly said, "Yugito is not the same as before. As long as Kyomu lives, it seems that she..." (It's really Samui here talking, I checked it 3 times because I thought it was Dodai)

"Then list her as a rogue ninja." The Fourth Raikage closed his eyes in agreement, "It's just the Two-Tails inside Yugito..."

"There are only two ways," Samui, now the brain of the Fourth Raikage, stated, "Either we gather all our strength and kill Kyomu, or we send a peace negotiation request to Konoha, asking them diplomatically to hand over Yugito.

The former is unlikely, but the latter...

Given the irreparable rift between Kyomu and the high ranks of Konoha, the chance of success is high."

The Fourth Raikage considered for a moment, "But peace talks need leverage, and given our current predicament, we likely won't achieve the desired outcome."

The trend of peace talks had been popular among the Cloud Shinobi ever since Kyomu devastated their frontline forces, though not yet vocalized.

Even the Fourth Raikage and others were considering the peace talks.

War is merely a means to an end. With Kyomu as an insurmountable obstacle, stopping the losses is clearly the best choice for the Cloud Shinobi now.

But as the Fourth Raikage said, negotiating without a significant advantage could turn the talks into a surrender, akin to the unconditional surrender of the Sand Shinobi.

"We must find a way to limit Kyomu or hold him off on the frontline again," the Fourth Raikage stated his plan, "Only then will Konoha offer us favorable peace terms, otherwise..."

"Fourth Raikage, this is something we all understand," Samui hesitated, "but after nearly a month of analysis, we simply can't find a way to counter Kyomu.

As long as he remains bound to Yugito, he is perfect in offensive and defensive, leaving us powerless."

"How is the development of the space-sealing jutsu coming along?" the Fourth Raikage asked about this.

"Based on the reverse-engineering of the Heavenly Transfer Jutsu, the progress is not promising, and we simply don't have enough time. By the time we develop it, Kyomu might have already led his army to our doorstep."

Samui's words were disheartening, but they were the truth. Kyomu, leading his troops or even alone, could break into the Hidden Cloud Village, and no one could stop him.

"I think we still have time," the Fourth Raikage cautiously spoke, "Kyomu is a strong leader who never acts alone and likes to keep his group together.

During this ceasefire, he has been rigorously training the Leaf's Genin. I think we can extend this ceasefire for another two months."

Kyomu cares for his subordinates and values his friends highly, which is no secret in the ninja world.

To everyone, this is a mark of excellent leadership but also the best way to manipulate and restrain Kyomu.

As long as his subordinates remain threatened, Kyomu will always prioritize his own people, never charging into battle alone and disregarding the lives of his men.

"But Lord Raikage, even if we give the sealing team another two months, they are almost unlikely to successfully develop the space-sealing jutsu," Samui coldly stated, "The power of space is not something that mortals can touch."

The Fourth Raikage fell silent, a flash of anger in his eyes.

Bang.

He smashed his fist on the table in front of him, "Have you all forgotten my father's performance before he died? We can possess the power of space too!"

Samui remained calm, "But not now."

The Fourth Raikage deflated, "Samui, I was impulsive just now. Continue."

"If we want to fight a battle that looks decent on the surface, to use as a bargaining chip for negotiations, I think we can use the Six Paths Tools."

"You mean... the Amber Purifying Pot?"

"Not just the Amber Purifying Pot, but also the lost Gold and Silver Horns, the Seven Star Sword, the Banana Fan, and the Red Gourd," Samui suggested.

"We've been searching for over twenty years," the Fourth Raikage shook his head, "We have no clues where Kin and Gin have hidden them, or where they might have discarded them. After all, no one who was involved in the ambush of the Second Hokage survived."

"Try to find them, but the Amber Purifying Pot can be used for now," Samui provided her rationale, "As long as we can restrain the Two-Tails with the Amber Purifying Pot, Kyomu's spatial abilities will be limited due to a lack of chakra, and we will have a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Even if Kyomu slaughters, our remaining six thousand can still severely damage his forces."

"What are the odds?" the Fourth Raikage weighed the options.

"Thirty percent," Samui revealed a very low success rate, "Without the other Six Paths Tools to complement it, the Amber Purifying Pot cannot perform to its full potential."

"In that case, if we fail, our frontline six thousand will suffer severely," the Fourth Raikage hesitated to gamble, "If Kyomu slaughters us again, I don't think our situation will be much better than that of the Sand Shinobi."

Silence.

After a long while, Samui proposed a compromise.

"Fourth Raikage, we can try to negotiate with the Leaf's high command first, to buy time."

Samui's suggestion brightened the Fourth Raikage's eyes, "This could work, and maybe, we can even sow discord between Kyomu and Konoha.

And of course, with the Uchiha."

Raikage nodded, "This is indeed a good strategy, but in the meantime, we should still be cautious in battle, even avoiding it if necessary."

"Pull the army back another twenty kilometers," the Fourth Raikage decided, "and on the day we retreat, have the Daimyo send a negotiation delegation. I don't think Kyomu will block them."

A formal delegation is different from ninjas; whether it's Kyomu, the Fourth Raikage, or anyone else, they would not easily interfere.

This ties deeply with the power structure of the ninja world.

Although the Daimyo are not very visible, their political status is higher than that of a ninja village.

"I'll arrange it now," Samui nodded, "Lord Raikage, you should also prepare, in case Kyomu takes any drastic actions."

The Fourth Raikage nodded, wearily waving his hand to dismiss everyone.

Who could have imagined that Kyomu would push the Cloud Shinobi to such a state? And who could have imagined that Yugito, one of the Jinchuriki, would betray her village to become a close associate of Kyomu?

Despite the distorted relationship, the fact remains undeniable.

——

Yugito's eyes gleamed with excitement as she launched an attack on Kyomu while he was asleep at night.

In less than ten minutes, Kyomu wrapped the excited Yugito in a blanket, pinned her down under him, and went back to sleep.

Twice a day, at random times and places, these attacks have become a routine part of Yugito's day.

Repeated battles, repeated defeats, but Yugito is not disheartened, her excitement renewing day after day.

It's fun.

The process of trying to kill Kyomu gives her a sense of purpose.

As for other things, such as the village, comrades, the war, or other noble causes, they have become mere backdrops to her.

The next day, Kyomu went about his usual routine, inspecting the progress of his subordinates.

The Uchiha might not be the best at making friends, but they are born teachers.

Strict, knowledgeable, although harsh in words, they are adept at pinpointing and resolving various training issues.

But the observant Uchiha also noticed that the Leaf Genin were not only influenced by themselves but significantly by Kyomu as well.

Many were combining sword techniques with speed skills, and their talent was decent, not top-notch, but given time, many of them could become special Jonin with a particular skill set.

Apart from those practicing sword techniques and speed, another group of Leaf Genin seemed to have an epiphany, or perhaps their physical development accelerated, enhancing not only their physique but also their aptitude for ninjutsu.

Not to become ninjutsu cannons, but the widely taught and versatile C-rank ninjutsu, they had mastered and become proficient in just a month.

The remaining few, originally above-average in talent among the Leaf Genin, were the most loyal to Kyomu and resembled him the most.

Their core training focused on ninjutsu and body techniques, with teleportation, illusion techniques, and support ninjutsu following. (Teleportation here means jutsus like Body Flicker)

"They're practically cut from the same cloth as Lord Kyomu..."

Uchiha ninjas muttered, and not just once, "At this rate, including us, the forces under Lord Kyomu's command are now three thousand strong."

Fugaku felt the same, "Lord Kyomu's charisma is beginning to affect every aspect."

Kyomu was well aware of these changes, but he had no intention of explaining.

However, the pride and confidence in his heart were growing day by day.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, your end is near, and the era that belongs to me, I can already see its rough outline.

"Captain, the latest intelligence." A member of the First Ninja Squad approached Kyomu, "This is the information we've gathered."

The members of the First Ninja Squad, after nearly two years of war-hardened growth, the weakest among them had reached the level of special Jonin; none were mediocre.

This was truly an elite force. With them, Kyomu could save himself a lot of trouble.

Accepting the intelligence document handed over by the squad member, Kyomu glanced over it and couldn't help but grin.

Yugito also leaned in, her chin resting on Kyomu's shoulder, scanning the document briefly.

But soon, she lost interest and continued to ponder her 141st assassination plan against Kyomu.

"The Cloud Shinobi still have some brains," Kyomu handed the intelligence document back to the squad member, "Ignore him. He talks his talk, we fight our fight. Whether we stop or not, I decide, not some other people."

Patting the squad member's shoulder, "Let the delegation pass, but as soon as they do, immediately organize a battle.

Retreat twenty kilometers?

Even if the Cloud Shinobi retreat to their homeland, I still have to fight!"

"Captain, you're still the same you," the squad member said with a proud chest, "We will definitely follow by your side, fighting to every corner of the ninja world!"

"Haha, well spoken, go down and prepare, and pass the orders."

"Yes, Captain."

As the squad member left, Kyomu then took Yugito for a walk around the camp, answering questions for some Leaf Genin and casually boosting their loyalty to him.

Having a strong army was much more comfortable than fighting alone.

Strong as Madara was, had he not been so isolated, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state.

Had he had a group of brothers behind him, instead of Black Zetsu, the treachery that occurred would have been impossible.

At the end of the month, when the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning sent a delegation, Kyomu naturally did not obstruct them.

But as soon as the delegation left, Kyomu rallied his troops and pressed towards the Cloud Shinobi.

The Cloud Shinobi were baffled, not expecting Kyomu to be so unpredictable.

"Kyomu, we are in the stage of peace talks, what do you mean by this?"

"Peace talks?" Kyomu tilted his head, "When did I ever say I was negotiating peace with you?"

"Kyomu, do you really think you're the Hokage of Konoha?!" Samui provoked.

"Don't talk nonsense, I, Aragami Kyomu, am just the commander of the Cloud battlefield, I'm only responsible for here, nothing else concerns me," Kyomu did not take the bait, "And in my eyes, there's only victory, and driving you all back to your homeland!"

Turning his head, "Yugito, what do you think?"

"Hehe, Lord Kyomu is right," Yugito replied with a smile, still looking sinister.

"Yugito, have you really resolved to..."

"It's Samui, huh?" Yugito tilted her head, "I can tell you want to kill Lord Kyomu, but what if I don't agree?"

Her expression turned fierce in an instant, almost ferocious, like a cat protecting its food.

"Anyone who dares to kill Lord Kyomu, I'll kill them!" In a blink, Yugito's body was covered in the blue chakra cloak of the Two Tails.

But the next second, the cold look on Yugito's face melted away, turning to look at Kyomu, "He can only die by my hand, right, Lord Kyomu?"

This little lady is crazy.

Kyomu nodded, and Yugito's smile widened, "Come on, Lord Kyomu, let's kill those people together, and then proceed with our 141st assassination."

As she spoke, Yugito fully transformed into her tailed beast form, naturally and obediently allowing Kyomu to step on her head.

"Attack!"

Kyomu swung his sword forward vigorously.

(End of Chapter)