Yugito's betrayal left the higher-ups of Kumogakure in a somber mood. The Third Raikage snorted coldly, "This Yugito, she actually dared to publicly kill our villagers and even injured the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki before leaving Kumo. This is an absolute disgrace!"
A shivered. The old man was furious! But then again, it was understandable. After all the effort spent nurturing the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, only for her to run away just like that—anyone would be furious.
'Could there be some misunderstanding here?' No, a sudden realization struck A, and his expression darkened. He suddenly remembered what Yugito had asked him yesterday afternoon.
'Could she have discovered the truth from back then?' A narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and said, "Father, Yugito must be captured. Otherwise, the damage to Kumo's reputation would be the least of our worries. If the Two-Tails Jinchūriki falls into enemy hands, it would be a disaster!"
His words appeared to be out of concern for the village, but he deliberately emphasized the word "reputation." Others might not notice, thinking A had simply misspoken.
But the Third Raikage took it to heart. "List Yugito as an S-rank missing-nin with a bounty of one billion ryo. I want her alive or dead!"
"Yes!" The Kumo Anbu bowed and immediately carried out the order. In an instant, the entire village—and even the outside world—was shaken!
After everyone in the hall had left, the Third Raikage finally spoke again. "A, did she learn the truth from you?" His tone carried dissatisfaction.
A shook his head. "Yesterday, she asked about her parents, but I didn't answer. She must have heard something from somewhere else."
The Third Raikage snorted. "For the sake of the village, all sacrifices are necessary! Even if it means parents, even if it means childhood! If she can't understand this principle, then she's completely unworthy of being the Two-Tails Jinchūriki!"
"More importantly, she's affecting Kumo's morale! The plan was to end the war in one decisive battle. But her? She caused the loss of over a thousand shinobi in a single battle. I think she's had rebellious intentions for a long time!"
"Father, father, calm down. Maybe things aren't as you think!" A frowned. Though he also leaned toward his father's judgment, he couldn't openly agree.
If his father was already angry, and he got angry too, no one would be left to think rationally. The conflict would only escalate!
"Calm down? Will calming down bring the Two-Tails Jinchūriki back? Will calming down make her loyal to Kumo again? I say we capture her and execute her, then wait for the next Jinchūriki to emerge. That's it! Don't say another word, or I'll beat you up!" The Third Raikage was domineering, leaving no room for A to argue.
A's expression was complicated. After one last glance at the Third Raikage, he said, "Understood!" Then he walked out, grabbed Killer B by the collar, and said, "Let's go!"
Killer B grinned foolishly, but that didn't mean he was stupid. Deep down, he felt disheartened. After all, he was also a Jinchūriki of Kumo. Though A treated him well as a sworn brother, he couldn't show his true feelings.
He could only sigh inwardly. Meanwhile, Gyūki shook its head. 'B is a good man, but the Third Raikage is just a warmonger. I hope A doesn't betray B. Otherwise, I'll make sure he pays for it!'
No wonder Gyūki was considered the most emotionally stable among the Tailed Beasts.
At that moment, a spy rushed over from the direction of Konoha. A quickly stopped him. "What's the situation? Why did you abandon your mission early?"
"Reporting, Young Master! I—I spotted Yugito in Konoha. But she was wearing a Konoha headband!"
A's mind felt like it had been struck by lightning, leaving him momentarily stunned. He grabbed the spy by the collar. "Nonsense! It's only been a day since Yugito defected, and Konoha already took her in?"
"Big bro, don't be mad, let go, talk properly…" Killer B rapped in his usual doubtful tone. But A was in no mood for it. He shoved Killer B, who stumbled and fell to the ground.
A flicker of loneliness flashed in Killer B's eyes, but it vanished instantly. A, distracted by the commotion, released the spy and stormed back into the meeting hall to report the news to the Third Raikage.
The Third Raikage was furious. 'Konoha, Konoha again! Why is Konoha causing so much trouble this year?'
'Fine, I won't pick a fight over other things. But the moment I declare Yugito a missing-nin, you take her in? What's the meaning of this? Are you deliberately opposing Kumo?'
"Send out an official statement to the entire shinobi world, condemning Konoha for this unethical behavior!" the Third Raikage ordered coldly.
"Huh? Wait—Father, we're not going to war?" A was confused.
The Third Raikage slapped him. "Fight, fight, fight—is that all you know? Do you want your father to die in battle so you can take over sooner?" The Third Raikage glared at him.
A laughed awkwardly. "I'll go arrange it right away." With that, he took the Raikage's seal and prepared to issue the condemnation.
He left without even glancing at Killer B, who was still sitting on the ground, covered in dirt. Killer B chuckled and resumed his awkward rap.
Gyūki glared furiously at A within Killer B's mindscape, ready to attack. But then a voice echoed in the mental space: 'Gyūki, big bro, don't—don't do it. I think A must have been in a hurry. That's why he didn't notice me.'
'Kid, you're too kind. Just say the word, and I'll teach that brat a lesson for you,' Gyūki said, treating Killer B like a little brother. If his little brother was wronged, how could the big brother not act?
'Let's just forget it, Gyūki. I don't think A meant it.' Seeing Killer B still defending A, Gyūki was so angry it kicked Killer B out of the mindscape.
Killer B's face was still smiling, but no one knew the darkness in his heart. He stared blankly in the direction A had left, then turned and walked the opposite way.
Konoha
"What? Kumo is condemning us? Publicly, in front of the whole shinobi world?" Uchiha Ryun rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Ryun, take a look!" Hiruzen handed him the letter and newspaper. Ryun glanced at them and smirked.
"Hokage-sama, let's write a response too! We'll say: 'I love seeing how much you want to kill me but can't. Go ahead, declare war if you dare!'" Ryun laughed.
In the past, Hiruzen would never have agreed to such a provocative statement. But now? Might as well enjoy it. The two exchanged glances and grinned.
Meanwhile, Yugito saw the flood of slander from Kumo—against Konoha, against the village that had willingly taken her in despite her being a missing-nin. She finally made up her mind to leave.
But just as she was about to go, Tsunade suddenly appeared at her door. She waved at Yugito and said, "Hello, my name is Tsunade. I'm Ryun's girlfriend!"