The Land of Lightning is located at the easternmost side of the continent.
Setting out from the Land of Fire, one must pass through the Land of Hot Water and then cross the Land of Frost.
A week later.
The border of the Land of Lightning.
A blond-haired boy carrying two fiery red foxes on his left shoulder appeared, accompanied by a red-haired girl.
The girl looked worried.
"Naruto, is this technique really going to work?" she sighed, holding a scroll.
Since leaving the Land of Fire, she had been practicing a "Revised Summoning Technique" that even Orochimaru showed interest in, but she hadn't made any progress.
The blond boy did not reply.
The slightly dull-furred Yin Nine-Tails taunted, "You're both from the Uzumaki clan, yet there's such a talent gap."
"Shut up!" Karin snapped, glaring at it, "You didn't learn it either."
Yang Nine-Tails flicked its tail, "I am a naturally powerful tailed beast and don't need to learn cumbersome knowledge like you humans to get stronger."
Karin gritted her teeth even more.
When there was just one little Nine-Tails, it was cute despite its bad temper.
But with two of them, there was no cuteness to be found.
These two foxes, constantly chiming in together, made it impossible for her to win an argument against them.
She was certain that the humans originally had conflicts with the Nine-Tails not only out of fear of its power and size but also because of its sharp tongue.
"Don't worry." Naruto spoke gently, smiling to reassure her, "This technique is indeed a bit challenging for you."
"But mastering it will open a door to another intriguing realm."
Karin muttered, "The power of the Reaper, I know."
"Why don't you just stab me, Naruto?" she quipped.
"My physique isn't as good as yours, but my self-healing ability is strong, so I probably won't die."
Her eyes showed determination, fearless.
Naruto shook his head, "No rush, that's a last resort."
"The Pure Land is still undetectable, and I haven't quite figured out how to handle the Sage of Six Paths yet."
"What if it fails," Karin considered, "it would be my life on the line."
Though for herself, the difference between the living and the dead wasn't that significant, she couldn't bring herself to trample on the life of an innocent, especially if it were her own kin.
Only cold-blooded individuals like Orochimaru or Nemu Yakushi could do such a thing without any burdens.
"I'm not afraid," Karin pouted, "At worst, I'll spend a few more years in the Pure Land and meet my mom."
"I could even hang out with the Fourth Hokage and his wife."
"The First Hokage also said the Pure Land isn't such a bad place."
"Besides, Naruto, you'll end up there sooner or later."
Naruto chuckled.
Yang Nine-Tails, with its sense of perception, could tell how sincere her words were, yet couldn't resist a snide remark, "If you're so resolved, why not channel that belief into studying the technique?"
"Had you been this determined all along, you would've mastered it by now."
Karin laughed dryly, offering a couple of sarcastic chuckles, mask unfazed.
The fox that didn't need to learn had a lot to say.
No longer troubled, she painfully picked up the scroll again.
Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village.
Inside the Raikage's office.
An Anbu member reported intelligence to the Fourth Raikage, A.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has entered the Land of Lightning?" A raised an eyebrow, surprised, "Is this information accurate?"
The Anbu nodded, "It is very accurate."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, accompanied by members of the red-haired Uzumaki clan, didn't hide their tracks. They left the Land of Frost and entered the Land of Lightning yesterday afternoon."
A nodded thoughtfully, "Can we determine their objective?"
The Anbu shook his head, "We have mapped their movements for yesterday and today."
"But the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's sensing ability is very strong. Just getting close enough to observe within sight range would earn his warning."
"Three of my subordinates were injured by him."
"Thus, we rely on ordinary people without chakra for intelligence gathering."
"Yet the information obtained this way is limited, and we have not been able to analyze their target."
"However, according to the intel from within the Land of Fire."
"I suspect they might be heading for the shrine."
A lifted his hand and tapped the table lightly.
The word "shrine" touched something within him.
It reminded him of two names he heard in his childhood: "Kinkaku" and "Ginkaku." These brothers had once been the most renowned heroes of the Hidden Cloud and the most infamous renegade shinobi in its history.
They were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths and had wielded several ninja tools passed down from the Sage himself.
Yet, when they rebelled, those items were lost.
Was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's goal those lost ninja tools?
"Are there any signs of other shinobi with them?" After pondering for a while, A questioned.
ANBU shook his head, "No."
"It's just the two of them?" A's eyes glimmered with a hint of eagerness. "I'm considering attempting to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"What do you think?"
He looked at the other two in the office.
A blond, handsome man spoke up, "I agree with Lord Raikage."
A smacked the table and laughed heartily, "Since none of you object, it's settled!"
"It's a guy at the level of the Sannin, and he can fully utilize the Nine-Tails' power. He's not to be underestimated."
"Call Bee and Yugito here."
"Let's discuss our plan!"
They couldn't help but be tempted.
While the allure of a "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" wasn't quite enough on its own, the benefits of capturing him were impossible to ignore.
After Orochimaru's "Leaf Destruction Plan," the Hidden Cloud had already considered sparking a war.
However, the power displayed by the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki, was truly astonishing.
Until they were certain of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's intentions, the Hidden Cloud was wary of easily inciting a conflict.
Even though it's now confirmed that there is indeed a rift between the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Leaf Village, what if the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is the type to think, "I can criticize the Leaf and I can attack it, but no one else is allowed to do so besides me"?
However, if we capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Hidden Cloud won't have such worries anymore.
The Leaf Village will completely lose the protection of the Nine-Tails and a Sannin-level ninja.
Hidden Cloud can then freely ally with Hidden Stone to wage war against the Leaf and carve up the fertile lands and rich resources of the Land of Fire.
At the very least, we should get a few Byakugan.
They've been envious of that bloodline limit for a long time.
Unlike the Leaf Village,
although there are assistants by the Raikage's side, their role is merely as "advisors."
They offer their opinions when the Raikage needs them, and keep their mouths shut when he doesn't.
Their suggestions are solely for consideration,
and the final decision is entirely made by the Raikage without others meddling in.
In just one day,
they've already decided on the final course of action.
While some did not fully agree, the Raikage was resolute in his decision.
Under the leadership of Jonin "Shee" and "Darui," who are the two advisors by the Raikage's side,
they will be joined by the Two-Tails Jinchuriki "Yugito" and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki "Bee,"
as well as ten other Jonin and ten Chunin squads.
Deploying a force capable of waging a full-scale war, they are determined to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Isn't Raikage-sama being a bit too cautious?"
After the decision was fully released and everyone had left the meeting room, the blond man "Shee" finally voiced his doubts, "It's just one person after all."
As for Karin,
they don't really consider her a threat.
According to the intelligence from the Land of Grass, the red-haired member of the Uzumaki clan was merely a woman of ordinary potential.
Although nearly two years have passed,
what progress could someone with ordinary potential make? At most, she could have grown from a Genin to a Chunin, or at best to a Jonin.
But an ordinary Jonin poses no threat whatsoever to Hidden Cloud, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
The Fourth Raikage burst into hearty laughter, "Shee, you're still young."
"You haven't truly witnessed what real strength looks like."
"A guy like Orochimaru, who wields the power of the Nine-Tails, must possess extraordinary capabilities."
"I might even have to put in considerable effort to take him down one-on-one."
Upon hearing this, Shee was taken aback.
The Raikage himself thinks it's tough to deal with him?
In his view, the Fourth Raikage is the most formidable ninja in the world.
"And then there's the Nine-Tails," the Fourth Raikage continued, "the most powerful among the tailed beasts."
"If it weren't for the village's sake, I'd prefer to personally step in for more assurance."
Shee nodded solemnly.
Tutai chimed in from the side, "No need to be so tense, at the end of the day, he's only one person."
"We're deploying so many elite ninjas this time, and it's on our own territory, where we have a significant advantage, so there should be no problem."
The Fourth Raikage gazed into the distance.
"I'll be ready at the village, and if any special situation arises, I'll provide immediate support."
"Together, let's fight for a brighter future for our village."
"Kumogakure will be revitalized in our hands."
Shee and Tutai both responded with excitement, ready to set out immediately.
Naruto and Karin were searching for the "True Waterfall."
Since it's a waterfall, it naturally involves mountains.
They had a plan in mind, but reality was burdensome.
The Land of Lightning has no shortage of mountains.
After just climbing one peak, they stood at the summit and looked out to see another ten-odd peaks connected together.
There were plenty of waterfalls, but no matter how magnificent and grand the scenery, they were just ordinary waterfalls and couldn't provide insight into one's heart or reveal the truth.
After conquering yet another mountain:
Naruto looked up, gazing into the distance, his tone calm.
"Someone's coming, forty-four people."
"Two of them are Jinchuriki."
"They're fifty kilometers away."
(End of Chapter)