Seeing the Fourth Raikage about to lose control again, Dodai quickly held him back and urged,
"Lord Raikage, you cannot leave the village. Everything so far proves that someone is deliberately targeting Kumogakure."
"You must remain here to oversee the village, just in case."
"I suggest leaving the coastal matter to Bee. His control over the Eight-Tails has improved greatly."
"Consider it a trial."
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and younger brother of the Fourth Raikage, had made a name for himself on the battlefield as part of the legendary A–B Combo. But since becoming the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, his time with his brother had grown scarce.
Bee spent his days in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, suppressing the Eight-Tails while practicing the Tailed Beast Ball. Without the training grounds of Turtle Island, however, his progress had slowed.
Dodai's words calmed the Raikage's temper for the moment. He gave a heavy nod.
"Dodai, have Motoi lead Samui and Mabui to accompany Bee."
"They're all responsible for looking after him. Samui is even his disciple. With them there, I can be at ease."
After some thought, the Raikage chose the squad. Motoi knew Bee well—they were friends, though they had once fallen out. That was long past now. Motoi had been assisting Bee in his training at the valley. The other two were talented kunoichi, careful and sharp-minded.
And Bee—he always treated women with respect. The Raikage had completely grasped his brother's psychology.
"Also, send out the ANBU squad at once!"
"Find the others! Alive or dead, I want results!"
"If necessary, I'll go myself!"
The Raikage slammed his fist into the table, smashing it to pieces, his entire body like a lit firecracker ready to explode. Dodai could only sigh helplessly. It wasn't his lord's fault—recent events had been too strange and too frequent. Even he felt the pressure mounting unbearably.
...
The news soon reached the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. Killer Bee leapt with joy.
"Yo! Yo! Finally getting out! Whoa!"
"Motoi! Let's put on a concert!"
Motoi shot him a glare, folded the mission letter, and said,
"Can you drop that awful rap?"
"We'll leave once the other two arrive. Don't you need to pack?"
Bee wasn't listening. He was already bouncing in excitement. After being cooped up in the valley for so long, he couldn't wait to cut loose.
The ocean? A perfect natural stage! Sea serpents? Hah! Could a sea serpent ever be stronger than a giant octopus?
High above, Kazuyama Gekkō watched their every move.
"Oh? So the Eight-Tails is moving..."
"And those two as well..."
That trademark wicked grin spread across his face. Whenever he smiled like that, disaster always followed. Without exception.
"Tch, the stinking octopus is heading out. Kazuyama, those sea serpents you left in the ocean won't hold up."
"Once he hits the water, his strength skyrockets. He is a giant octopus, after all."
Chōmei's mocking tone carried a trace of amusement at seeing his partner flustered. It was hopeless. Completely hopeless. Chōmei had been thoroughly led astray by Kazuyama Gekkō, no longer the pure creature he once was but now a bad bug through and through.
"Hmph. Chōmei, think carefully. Your dinner's still with me."
Kazuyama Gekkō afraid of him? Impossible! One retort was enough to shut Chōmei up—unless he didn't want dinner anymore.
"You're cruel!"
"Fine, let's go! I wanna fight that Gyūki!"
Chōmei roared with frustration. He was done holding back! He needed to vent! Even if he couldn't win against the Eight-Tails, he didn't care! Kazuyama wouldn't just sit by and watch—he'd definitely back him up!
"What a coincidence."
"I was thinking the same!"
"And those two? What a waste, leaving them in Kumo."
Through the insect's vision, two graceful figures appeared in his sight. Seeing them, Kazuyama Gekkō knew it was time to return to his old trade. Sometimes, abducting people really was addictive.
Mabui, the future Kumogakure jōnin and secretary to the Fourth Raikage. Her wheat-colored skin and gray hair gave her a sharp, capable presence. Her Heavenly Transfer Technique was extraordinary. How could such talent remain in Kumo? No! Absolutely not!
Samui, Bee's sword disciple. With her refined, cold features and short pale-yellow hair—it wasn't her looks that mattered, but her potential. Still just a young girl now, but in the future, a kunoichi whose physique could rival Tsunade's. She couldn't be left to the Raikage either!
"Chōmei, get ready. We fight, then we take them!"
"Fine! Fight! But take them??? Who this time?"
Chōmei's use of "again" was perfect. After all, this wasn't the first or second time Kazuyama Gekkō had pulled such a stunt. Kumo snatched, Rain snatched, Mist snatched. Which village hadn't he stolen from?
Kazuyama Gekkō only grinned wider before flying toward the sea. He would wait for Bee there, and there was still time for a detour to Amegakure. He wondered how things were going—had Hanzō of the Salamander finally gone to the Pure Land?
...
Amegakure.
Hanzō's great tower lay in ruins. Collapsed walls and shattered stone showed at a glance how fierce the battle had been. The massive salamander Ibuse was being pummeled.
"Tch! Just a salamander, and its hide's so tough!"
"My claws can't even kill it?"
Yugito spat, her hands aching from the strain of her claw technique.
"No surprise—it's Hanzō's summoning beast."
"Pick it up, Yugito! Konan needs help!"
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
A torrent of acidic fluid surged toward Ibuse. Knowing how dangerous it was, the beast stomped the ground, sending shards of rock flying to block Terumi's attack.
"Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Ninja Art, Fire Rat Jewel!"
Fire and water burst forth at once. It was unbelievable that such overwhelming attacks were aimed at a single salamander.
On another battlefield, blades clashed as a kenjutsu duel raged.
"Hmph, Mifune. Didn't expect it. You've improved a lot over the years."