Naruto SI: Kaito Red Lightnin Chapter 159
Mei's eyes widened. "This is…" She looked up at him and nodded. "Thank you again."
Kaito gave a small nod before his expression turned serious again. "And I meant what I said before—neither of you are strong enough to take on Yagura as you are now. I'd suggest laying low and gathering support from the rest of the village before making your move."
He then turned to Mangetsu and pointed at him. "And you—you're way too weak to fight him right now, especially with that dumb sword of yours. Ditch the damn thing and start learning techniques from your late Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki. If you do, maybe you'll stand a chance against Yagura."
Mangetsu scowled but didn't say anything.
Kaito rummaged through his pouch and pulled out a small seal, handing it to Mei. "This is a one-time-use seal designed to counter powerful genjutsu. When you fight Yagura, use it on him."
This was a seal Kaito had specifically designed to counter Kotoamatsukami and Tsukuyomi.
Mei took the seal, nodding in understanding. "I'll make sure to use it wisely. Thank you."
With that, Kaito turned to Tenzo. "Alright, let's go." He placed a hand on Tenzo's shoulder, and in the next instant, they vanished from the field.
…
The snow-covered clearing stretched under the glow of the high-hanging moon.
With a faint flash, Kaito and Tenzo arrived in the clearing. A moment later, five of Kaito's shadow clones, still disguised as Kiri shinobi, appeared one after another, carrying the unconscious Yuki clan members.
Tenzo took a cautious step forward, glancing around before turning to Kaito. "So… where are we? I assume we're no longer in the Land of Water?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah. We're in the Land of Tea. I placed a Hiraishin marker here a while back during a mission."
Tenzo hummed in understanding, but his brows furrowed as he turned to Kaito again. "Alright, I'll ask again—what exactly is your plan here? Why did you bring them with us?" He gestured toward the unconscious Yuki clan members being carried by the clones. "Don't tell me you're planning on taking them back to Konoha. If that's the case… how do you plan on convincing the Hokage? And for that matter… them?"
Kaito exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know how it looks, but this was the only way to keep them safe. I couldn't just stand by and let the Mizukage wipe them out, ya know? And as for leaving them with Mangetsu and Mei…" He shook his head. "I considered it, but let's be real—what do you think would've happened to them? They would've been used as sacrifices or treated like disposable pawns."
Tenzo remained silent, listening.
Kaito continued. "Kiri has a caste system. The other two clans were from the higher caste, while the Yuki Clan has been at the bottom for generations. Now that all their shinobi are most likely dead, they would've been treated even worse. These are just civilian women and children. They don't deserve to be thrown into a fight they don't want any part of. I couldn't turn a blind eye to that, ya know?"
Tenzo sighed. "Okay, I get that you want to help them. But bringing them to Konoha? Even if they want refuge, this could turn into a massive political mess for the Hokage. And if Kiri finds out that Konoha's harboring them, they might see it as an act of aggression."
He crossed his arms. "And if what you said about the masked man controlling the Mizukage is true… don't you think he'd use this as an excuse to start the next war?"
Kaito nodded. "I don't think it'll cause that much of a problem. They're all civilians, ya know. The oldest kid here is five—by the time he even becomes a genin, and rest of the world find out that Konoha is harboring them. enought time would have passed that we can just say they escaped from Kiri and came seeking refuge."
He crossed his arms, his voice steady. "As for Lady Tsunade, I'm sure she'll permit them to stay."
One of Kaito's clones, who was carefully holding a Yuki clan baby, shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, boss… not to interrupt, but can we speed things up? I'm not sure how much longer we can keep them out here in the cold, ya know."
Kaito blinked. "Oh, right." Kaito looked sheepish before turning to Tenzo. "Umm… can you build them a temporary house in the clearing? Just for the night?"
Tenzo exhaled, already knowing he wouldn't get out of this. "Fine," he muttered, his tone resigned. "But you owe me for this, Kaito."
"I know, I know," Kaito grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "I owe you big time."
With a sigh, Tenzo stepped forward, rolling his shoulders before forming a series of hand seals. Pressing both palms to the ground, he called out, "Mokuton: Shichūka no Jutsu!"
The ground rumbled as thick wooden pillars burst from the soil, twisting and bending into the framework of a broad, sturdy structure. Within minutes, beams connected, walls rose, and a roof took shape. By the time the chakra settled, a simple yet durable two-story house stood in the clearing, large enough to shelter the entire group.
Panting slightly, Tenzo straightened up, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Alright," he said, his voice a little strained. "That should do for now."
Kaito's shadow clones immediately carried the unconscious Yuki clan members inside. Meanwhile, Kaito placed a hand on Tenzo's back. "Thanks, Tenzo. You really helped a lot today," he said, smiling before channeling some of his chakra into him.
Tenzo let out a relieved sigh as the chakra flowed through him. "Appreciate it. I used up way too much chakra," he admitted, his voice sounding more like himself again.
As Tenzo caught his breath, he watched Kaito's clones carefully lay the Yuki clan members onto the wooden floor, covering them with blankets Kaito had pulled from his storage seals.
"So," Tenzo said, turning back to Kaito, "your plan is to keep them here while you go back to Konoha to ask the Hokage for permission?"
"Yeah. Can't just bring them into Konoha without telling Lady Tsunade first," Kaito muttered, a nervous sweat drop forming at the thought of that conversation. "She'd kill me, ya know"
Tenzo crossed his arms. "Alright. Makes sense."
"But first," Kaito added, "I'm heading out to pick up Hotaru and the others. They're still in the Land of Water."
Tenzo nodded, his expression firm. "Go. I'll keep an eye on them."
Kaito gave a grateful nod, lifting his hand off Tenzo's shoulder. "I'll be back, thank for watching over them, ya know"
Tenzo sighed, running a hand through his hair before walking into the wooden house to help the clones. "Yeah, yeah…" he muttered. while Kaito vanished, teleporting away.
….
Kaito arrived back in the alleyway where he had teleported from earlier.
Immediately, he activated his Mind's Eye of Kagura, scanning for familiar chakra signatures. Within seconds, he located Hotaru and the others in their rented inn room.
"Good, they're are in the inn," he muttered to himself before vanishing once again.
Inside the Inn Haku, Guren, and Kimimaro stood in the room, each with a small backpack strapped to their backs, ready to leave.
Meanwhile, Hotaru paced back and forth in front of them, biting her nails anxiously.
Haku glanced at her before speaking. "Hotaru-nee… do you think Kaito-nii is in trouble?"
Hotaru stopped pacing and turned to him. She forced a small smile. "No, I don't think so, Haku-kun. I think… something just needed him to go personally." But in her mind, worry lingered. I really hope Kai-kun is okay…
Guren, leaning against the wall, glanced at Kimimaro. "Do you think it has something to do with the Hidden Mist Village?"
Before anyone could answer, Kaito suddenly appeared right beside Hotaru.
"Hey, guys."
Hotaru whirled around. The moment she saw him, she quickly stepped closer. "Are you okay? Did something happen?" Her eyes were filled with concern.
Kaito gave a reassuring nod. "Yeah, everything's fine. I'll explain later, but first, we need to get out of here." As he spoke, a shadow clone popped into existence beside him. "Are you all packed?"
Hotaru nodded. "Hai! We're ready."
"Alright then." Kaito placed a wad of cash on the table, placing a glass cup on top to keep it from scattering.
The shadow clone extended chakra chains, wrapping them securely around Guren and Kimimaro, while the real Kaito placed a hand on Haku's and Hotaru's shoulders.
The clone swiftly formed a series of hand signs before vanishing, teleporting Guren and Kimimaro away.
A moment later, Kaito disappearing with Hotaru and Haku.
…
They arrived in the clearing in front of the large wooden house. Haku, Guren, and Kimimaro stumbled slightly, disoriented by the sudden shift in location.
Hotaru raised an eyebrow as she took in the sight of the unfamiliar structure. "Kai-kun, where are we?" she asked.
"We're in the Land of Tea," Kaito replied as he walked toward the house and pushed open the door.
Hotaru, Haku, Guren, and Kimimaro followed closely behind him. As they stepped inside, Hotaru's snow-white hair slowly shifted back to its natural dark indigo as she released her transformation.
The moment she entered, her eyes widened as she took in the sight of multiple unconscious people lying on the wooden floor.
"Kai-kun… who are these people?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Kaito exhaled. "These are the remaining members of the Yuki Clan." Then, turning to Haku, he added, "The same clan you're a part of."
Haku's eyes widened. "My… clan?"
Hotaru frowned. "But why are they here, Kai-kun? What are they doing in the Land of Tea? Aren't they part of Kirigakure?"
Kaito nodded. "Right. Remember my clone that found Kimimaro? Well, after sending him to us, he went back to Kiri to see the aftermath of the Kaguya Clan's coup d'état." His voice darkened. "It was… bad. By the time my clone got there, the entire Kaguya Clan—including the women and children—had been wiped out. Burned. Slaughtered under the direct orders of the Mizukage."
Kaito continued. "After that, the Mizukage held a meeting and stripped all the clans of their privileges. He made it clear—if any clan dared to rebel, he'd wipe them out, just like the Kaguya."
Running a hand through his hair, Kaito sighed. "The clans didn't take it well. The Yuki, Hozuki, and Terumi clans joined forces and planned to overthrow him. But… it failed." His expression darkened. "The Mizukage knew they'd try. He was waiting for them. The moment they made their move, he ordered their complete extermination."
Hotaru inhaled sharply. "And you…?"
"I managed to rescue the civilians and kids," Kaito said firmly. "I couldn't just leave them to die, ya know?"
He continued, "After getting them to safety, I decided to take the Yuki Clan members with me. They're all civilians—just women and small kids. And let's be honest, they were already being treated badly in Kiri. I doubt the other two clans would have protected them. They have no shinobi left, so they wouldn't be of any use to them."
Hotaru nodded, already understanding Kaito's plan. "So, you plan on bringing them to Konoha?"
Kaito nodded.
Hotaru then frowned, her expression serious. "But what I don't understand is why the Mizukage would do something like that. Why would he intentionally weaken his own village? Especially now, when most villages are still recovering from the Third Great Shinobi War. It… doesn't make any sense, Kai-kun."
Kaito nodded. "It doesn't make sense… unless he isn't himself."
Hotaru narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, Kai-kun?"
Kaito exhaled and crossed his arms. "One of the things my clone found out while spying in the Hidden Mist… is that the Mizukage is under a genjutsu." His expression darkened. "And I recognized the chakra signature immediately. It was the masked man's."
Hotaru's eyes widened. "The masked man?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah. My guess is he's using the Mizukage to fund his operations and destabilize a major nation in the process."
Hotaru clenched her fists, nodding in understanding before asking another question, but before she could, Tenzo walked over.
"Alright, Kaito, I'm all done here," Tenzo said before glancing around. "Where's Kakashi-sempai? I thought he was on this mission with you."
Kaito turned to him. "We split up to cover more ground. Hotaru and I took the southern part of the Land of Water while he covered the north. But I gave him a seal that lets us communicate with each other."
Tenzo nodded, but Kaito's expression turned serious. "Thing is… I've been trying to contact Kakashi for the last hour, but he hasn't responded."
Tenzo frowned. "You think something might've happened to him?"
Kaito rubbed his chin in thought. Could Kakashi have run into trouble? He dismissed the thought of Obito being involved. No… if it were him, he wouldn't go after Kakashi.
After a brief pause, Kaito looked at Tenzo. "I don't know. But I'm going to check on him. The seal I gave him has my Hiraishin marker on it."
Tenzo's expression hardened. "Then I'm coming with you. If Kakashi-sempai is in trouble, I have to help."
Kaito sighed. "Alright."
Before they could leave, Hotaru stepped forward. "I'm coming with you, Kai-kun."
Kaito shook his head. "No, Hotaru. You stay here with them. I need you to keep watch until I get back. Please."
Hotaru hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine… but keep your communication channel open."
Kaito smirked. "Yeah, yeah, sure." Then, turning to Tenzo, he asked, "You ready to go?"
Tenzo nodded firmly.
With a final glance at Hotaru, Kaito placed a hand on Tenzo's shoulder. Closing his eyes, he focused on Kakashi's Hiraishin marker—then, in a blink, they vanished.
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