Shinigami in the Ninja World

The Land of Lightning is located on the far eastern side of the continent.

Starting from the Land of Fire, one must pass through the Land of Hot Water and then traverse the Land of Frost.

A week later.

The border of the Land of Lightning.

A blond-haired young man with two fiery red foxes clinging to his left shoulder and a red-haired young woman appeared. The young woman looked troubled.

"Naruto, are you sure this technique will work?" she asked, sighing as she held a scroll.

Ever since they left the Land of Fire, she had been training in this "modified summoning technique" that had even piqued Orochimaru's interest, but she had made no progress.

The blond-haired young man didn't respond.

The darker-furred Yin Nine-Tails sneered, "Even though you're both from the Uzumaki clan, how is there such a big difference in talent?"

Yang Nine-Tails flicked his tail. "I was born as a powerful tailed beast. I don't need to learn all those complicated techniques to grow stronger like you humans do."

Karin ground her teeth in frustration.

When it was just one small Nine-Tails, it was actually quite cute, aside from its bad temper.

But when there were two of them, it wasn't cute at all.

These two foxes always worked in tandem, and she couldn't win a debate against them with her single mouth against their two.

She was sure that the reason humans had clashed with the Nine-Tails in the past wasn't just because they feared its power and size, but also because of its sharp tongue.

"Don't worry," Naruto said with a reassuring smile. "This technique is a bit difficult for you."

"But if you can master it, you'll catch a glimpse of another interesting realm."

"Shinigami's power, right? I know," Karin muttered. "If you ask me, Naruto, you might as well just stab me with a sword."

"Even though my constitution isn't as good as yours, I have strong regenerative abilities. I probably won't die."

She looked at him with determined, fearless eyes.

Naruto shook his head. "No rush, that's a last resort."

"We still haven't found the Pure Land, and I haven't figured out how to deal with the Sage of Six Paths' abilities yet."

If it failed, Karin would lose her life.

Even though the distinction between the living and the dead didn't mean much to him, he couldn't bring himself to trample on the life of an innocent person, especially when that person was his family.

Only cold-blooded people like Orochimaru or Kabuto could do something like that without hesitation.

"I'm not afraid," Karin said with a pout. "At worst, I'll spend a few more years in the Pure Land and get to see my mom."

"And I can spend some time with the Fourth Hokage and the Fourth Hokage's wife."

"The First Hokage also said the Pure Land is a good place."

"Besides, Naruto, you'll come eventually."

Naruto smiled.

Yang Nine-Tails could sense how sincere her words were but still couldn't resist the urge to mock, "If you're so determined, why not put that resolve into studying the technique?"

"If you had been this steadfast all along, you would have mastered it by now."

Karin sneered coldly without changing her expression.

A fox that didn't need to study really knew how to make snide remarks.

She stopped worrying and reluctantly picked up the scroll again.

Land of Lightning, Cloud Village.

Raikage Building.

An Anbu member was reporting intelligence to the Fourth Raikage, A.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has entered the Land of Lightning?" A raised an eyebrow, his tone surprised. "Is this information accurate?"

The Anbu member nodded. "Very accurate."

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the red-haired member of the Uzumaki clan didn't conceal their movements. They left the Land of Frost yesterday afternoon and entered the Land of Lightning."

A nodded thoughtfully. "Can you determine their objective?"

The Anbu member shook his head. "We've mapped out their movements from yesterday and today."

"But the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's sensing ability is very strong. If we get too close, within his visual range, he warns us off."

"Three of my subordinates have been injured by him."

"So, we have to rely on ordinary people without chakra to gather intelligence."

"But the information we've obtained is limited, and we haven't been able to analyze their goal."

"However, based on intelligence from within the Land of Fire, I suspect they might be here for a shrine."

A tapped the table with his hand.

A shrine…

These words stirred something within him.

He recalled hearing about two names when he was a child: "Kinkaku" and "Ginkaku." These brothers were once the most renowned heroes of the Cloud, but they also became the most notorious rogue ninjas in the village's history.

They were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, and they possessed several of the Sage's inherited tools.

However, when they rebelled, those items were lost.

Could the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki be after those lost tools?

"Have there been any signs of other ninjas around them?" After pondering for a while, A asked.

The Anbu member shook his head. "No."

"Just the two of them?" A gleam appeared in A's eyes, and he seemed eager. "I'm thinking of attempting to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"What do you think?"

He looked at the other two people in the office.

A fair-haired, delicate-looking man spoke, "I agree with Raikage-sama."

"I agree as well," nodded another man, thin and elderly, with only one eye.

A slapped the table and laughed heartily. "Since none of you oppose, it's settled!"

"He's a ninja of the 'Sannin' level and can fully wield the power of the Nine-Tails. We cannot underestimate him."

"Summon B and Yugito as well."

"We shall discuss the plan!"

They couldn't help but be tempted.

The allure of capturing a "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" alone wasn't quite enough, but the benefits that would come from it were far too tempting.

After Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush Plan," Cloud Village had already considered the idea of war.

However, the power displayed by Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, left them astonished.

Without knowing the true intentions of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Cloud Village dared not rashly provoke a war.

Even now, though it's clear there is a rift between the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Konoha, what if the Jinchuriki is the type who, despite his grievances, wouldn't allow others to harm Konoha?

But if they captured the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Cloud Village wouldn't have such concerns.

Konoha would lose the Nine-Tails and the protection of a ninja of the "Sannin" level.

Cloud Village could then, without hesitation, join forces with Rock Village to launch an assault on Konoha, carving up the fertile lands and abundant resources of the Land of Fire.

At the very least, they should secure a few Byakugan.

They had long coveted that Kekkei Genkai.

Unlike Konoha, even though the Raikage had advisors around him, they were merely "staff," only offering their opinions when needed and keeping quiet otherwise.

Their suggestions were for reference only.

The final decision was entirely up to the Raikage, with no room for others to meddle.

In just one day, they had devised a final plan.

Although some did not entirely agree, the Raikage was determined to proceed.

The operation would be led by the Jonin "C" and "Darui," the two advisors by the Raikage's side.

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, "Yugito Nii," and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, "Killer B," were also mobilized.

In addition, ten Jonin and ten squads of Chunin were deployed.

They mobilized nearly enough manpower for a full-scale war, determined to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

After the decision was fully implemented and the others had left the meeting room, the blond man "C" finally voiced his doubts. "Isn't Raikage-sama being overly cautious? After all, it's just one person."

As for Karin, they didn't take her seriously at all.

Based on the intelligence from the Land of Grass, the red-haired Uzumaki was just an ordinary woman of average talent.

Although nearly two years had passed, what progress could an average person make? At best, she might have advanced from Genin to Chunin, or perhaps even Jonin.

But an ordinary Jonin posed no threat to Cloud Village, a village on par with the Five Great Ninja Villages.

The Fourth Raikage laughed heartily. "C, you're still young."

"You haven't seen what a true powerhouse is like."

"Someone who is like Orochimaru, with the assistance of the Nine-Tails', must be incredibly strong."

"I might even struggle to defeat him in a one-on-one fight."

C was stunned.

Raikage-sama finds it difficult to defeat him?

In his mind, the Fourth Raikage was the strongest ninja in the world.

"And that's the Nine-Tails," the Fourth Raikage continued. "The most powerful of all the tailed beasts."

"If it weren't for the village, I would want to personally handle this, just to be safe."

C nodded gravely.

Darui spoke up from the side, "Don't be so tense. After all, he is just one man."

"We're deploying so many elite ninjas this time, and on our own territory. The advantage is ours; there's no doubt we will succeed."

The Fourth Raikage gazed into the distance.

"I will remain in the village, ready to support if any unusual situation arises."

"Let's fight together for a brighter future for the village."

"Cloud Village will be revived under our hands."

C and Darui eagerly agreed, prepared themselves, and immediately set out.

Naruto and Karin were searching for the "Falls of Truth."

Since it's a waterfall, it naturally had something to do with mountains.

With a clear idea in mind, the reality, however, was daunting.

The Land of Lightning has no shortage of mountains.

After climbing one, standing at the peak, they could see a dozen more connected in the distance.

There was no shortage of waterfalls either, but no matter how majestic and awe-inspiring they were, they were still just ordinary waterfalls, not those that could reflect the heart or reveal the truth.

After conquering yet another mountain, Naruto looked up at the distance and spoke calmly.

"Someone's coming. Forty-four people."

"Two of them are Jinchuriki."

"Fifty kilometers away."

~~~

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