Yugito was not the perfect jinchuriki that Killer Bee had mentioned.
In fact, for leaders like the Raikage and Itsuki, a perfect jinchuriki wasn't necessary.
As long as they could control the power of the tailed beast, that was enough.
As for how Yugito controlled the power of her tailed beast... a mixture of force and incentives!
Itsuki used genjutsu to control the Two-Tails, forcing the massive demon cat to dance wildly in the forest.
Meowing as it pranced around.
A day later, when the genjutsu wore off...
The Two-Tails collapsed on the ground, as if it had just been beaten by Six-Tails, battered and bruised.
"Matatabi, you don't want to be a puppet forever, do you?"
"Behave, and every few days, I'll let Yugito take you out for some fun. Don't worry, in Hidden Fire Village, no one will harm you."
The ones who would hurt you definitely wouldn't be from the Hidden Fire Village.
The Two-Tails, enraged, fully erupted and fought fiercely against Itsuki.
Then...
Itsuki used Susano'o and dragged the Two-Tails into the forest, repeatedly hammering it down.
Literally slamming it to the ground over and over!
He smashed a man-made lake into existence!
Matatabi gave in.
With tearful eyes, she placed her paw in Susano'o's massive hand.
No one likes being mistreated, and cats are no exception.
Thus, Itsuki earned the title of the "Cat Knight"!
"Lord Mokukage!"
A ninja approached Itsuki, kneeling on one knee.
"Yo, Yugao, why didn't you come yesterday? I was really hoping to play a game with you."
Itsuki greeted the ninja with a smile.
The masked ninja removed her mask, revealing an incredibly beautiful face.
It was none other than Uzuki Yugao.
She stared at Itsuki for a long moment before answering, "I didn't want to die!"
Itsuki: "..."
What did she take him for?
A human foundation-building machine?
"Lord, the intelligence report has arrived!"
Yugao handed the report to Itsuki, saying, "Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf are determined to eliminate us this time to maintain their rule, with significant help from Hidden Rock and Hidden Sand."
"That's normal. They want to preserve their unique status."
"The Five Great Shinobi Villages definitely don't want to become six!"
Itsuki glanced at the report briefly, then smiled. "Well, let's play along. We've been preparing for so long. It's time to act."
Yugao took a deep breath and replied, "Yes! I'll activate the plan right away!"
Itsuki's lips curled into a cold smile. "They think I've spent the last ten years just preparing a piece of land, gathering money, forming trade routes, recruiting talent, and readying the tailed beast…"
Yugao: "…Lord Mokukage, I'm running out of time!"
Itsuki quickly shifted his tone, "Let them see what we're really capable of!"
"Yes!"
Yugao swiftly left.
Itsuki walked over to the wall.
Hanging there was a large map of the shinobi world.
It meticulously marked all the small ninja villages and minor countries.
"There's a lot I could use here!"
"But... do I need it?"
"I'll just use it to train my troops. Otherwise, taking them all down myself with my full-body Susano'o would be too boring!"
"And besides, I still need missions!"
"These little things can be my mission fodder."
Itsuki glanced at his golden finger system.
[Mission: Lead the Uchiha clan to establish a new ninja village!]
[Mission complete!]
[Reward: Flying Thunder God Technique upgrade!]
[Flying Thunder God: Level 5 (63% → 76%)]
That's all the improvement I got?
As expected!
I'm way too strong now!
And!
The preparations were too thorough, making what seemed like an impossible task of establishing a new village bring only this small improvement!
"Time to set up two major missions!"
Itsuki muttered to himself.
He waved his hand, adding two new missions to his task list.
[Mission: Defeat Hidden Leaf!]
[Mission: Defeat Hidden Cloud!]
Will these two missions be enough to raise my Flying Thunder God to Level 6?
Minato Namikaze and Tobirama Senju's Flying Thunder God level back in the day was probably only Level 6 too!
"I'll surpass you both very soon."
Itsuki's expression shifted as his consciousness entered a special space.
Amegakure!
Where the Ten-Tails' husk was kept.
On each of the ten fingers, shadows flickered.
Everyone had arrived.
Uchiha Itsuki was the last to appear.
"Yo, everyone, this gathering isn't just for me, is it?"
Itsuki smiled at the people present.
Pain's cold voice echoed, "Uchiha Itsuki, you've been stirring up quite the commotion."
"And so?"
Itsuki asked in surprise, "You gathered everyone just to talk about my little matter? Isn't that overreacting?!"
A little matter?
The members of the Akatsuki organization were at a loss for words.
You broke away with the Uchiha clan, formed your own ninja village, and now you're going up against both Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf, and you call this a little matter?
In your eyes, what counts as a big deal?
Taking down all five Great Shinobi Villages?
"Itsuki, if you need help, we can assist you!"
Konan said softly from the side.
Itsuki's clone in Akatsuki had long disappeared.
Konan could only contact Itsuki through the ring now.
She had been worried about him lately.
Itsuki smiled and said, "Help? Do I need to pay?"
"What do you think?"
Pain nearly laughed in disbelief.
If it weren't for Konan, do you think he would even offer help?
And now you want it for free?
"No thanks!"
Itsuki waved his hand. "Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf? I don't take them seriously."
"Don't take them seriously?"
"Yeah, and it's not just those two. I've even beaten the Rinnegan before!"
Pain took a deep breath, nearly choking. "Well then, good luck!"
He vanished first.
The others followed suit.
Pain had gathered everyone with the intent of helping Itsuki.
Or rather, making a deal.
After all, the Akatsuki's missions were all about collecting money and igniting wars.
If Itsuki was willing to pay handsomely, they didn't mind stepping in.
But after such a brief conversation, they realized it wasn't going to happen.
Itsuki was firm.
"Orochimaru-sensei!"
When most of the people had left, Itsuki suddenly spoke.
Orochimaru looked up. "What is it, Itsuki-kun?"
"The emissary between Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf died. You did that, didn't you?"
Though phrased as a question, Itsuki was certain.
Orochimaru grinned. "Did I cause you trouble, Itsuki-kun?"
"Trouble's not the issue. I'm just curious why sensei did it."
No one had considered that Orochimaru might be behind it.
Orochimaru extended his tongue, laughing hoarsely, "Just wanted to give my teacher a bit of trouble."
Itsuki smiled faintly. "I'm about to go up against Hidden Leaf. Will you make a move?"
"Who knows?"
Orochimaru chuckled and left the Ten-Tails husk.
Itsuki frowned slightly.
He was another dangerous and unstable factor.
Who knew how far Orochimaru had developed his Reanimation Jutsu?
Unfortunately...
When it came to that jutsu, Orochimaru would never teach him.
Itsuki had even visited the Hokage's office to check the forbidden jutsu scroll, but it wasn't there.
Orochimaru had probably erased it from the scroll of forbidden techniques.
But!
I don't need such a thing anyway!
Itsuki let out a cold laugh, turning his gaze toward Konan, who looked worried on the side.
(End of Chapter)