243. Disappearance
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Rōshi, a ninja from Iwagakure, was the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, Son Gokū. Often dressed in purple robes and traditional armour resembling ancient samurai, Rōshi's stubborn personality often clashed with the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
This friction eventually led him to leave the village not as a defector, but more akin to how Jiraiya and Tsunade wandered for their own reasons.
Rōshi sought solitude, training far from the conflicts of the Hidden Stone.
Despite his outwardly gruff demeanour, Rōshi maintained an unusual rapport with Son Gokū, having coexisted for over forty years.
Yet, even after decades, Rōshi refused to address the beast by name. This was not out of malice, but rather his stubborn pride, much like how Naruto himself initially struggled with Kurama. Son Gokū, however, took no offence, often proclaiming:
"I am the Monkey King of the Water Curtain Cave! Bestowed with the name Son by the Sage of Six Paths, I am Son Gokū, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven!"
Rōshi's pride often kept him from asking questions twice. If he forgot something, he'd stubbornly avoid admitting his error.
Thus, even at his death, he never achieved perfect harmony with the Four-Tails a testament to how arrogance can be a shinobi's downfall.
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Meanwhile, in Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage's office trembled with the sound of smashing furniture. The disappearance of Yugito, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, had left him fuming.
"What do you mean she's missing? Who dared to take her?!" he roared, shattering his desk with a single punch.
Mabui, his ever-composed secretary, calmly presented her findings. "Raikage-sama, please remain calm. The most important task is locating Yugito and ensuring the safety of the Two-Tails. However, we must also prepare for the worst strategies to recover the beast if necessary."
She handed him a photograph. The image depicted a strange symbol scrawled in blood: a circle surrounded by a triangle.
"What's this? Some kind of taunt?"
"No, sir. Based on our records, this symbol is linked to a cult in the Land of Hot Water, known for ritual sacrifices. Two members of this cult are suspected to have joined the Akatsuki. This could mean that Yugito's disappearance is connected to them."
The Raikage's face darkened. "Akatsuki... those mercenaries!"
Mabui continued, "We believe they're targeting tailed beasts. Reports suggest that Ōnoki of Iwagakure has used Akatsuki to disrupt our operations in the past. They may have shifted focus to Jinchūriki."
The Raikage clenched his fists, electricity crackling around him. "First my father dies at the hands of Ōnoki's army, and now this? That old schemer! I won't let Akatsuki get away with this."
Mabui remained pragmatic. "Raikage-sama, we must handle this discreetly. If news of Yugito's loss spreads, our enemies, particularly the Hidden Stone, may exploit the situation."
The Raikage took a deep breath to calm his rage. "Fine. But if they think they can touch Killer B, they've got another thing coming. From now on, no concerts or sneaking out without my permission. I'll deal with him personally!"
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Yagura's Defense of Kirigakure
In Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, received warnings from Konoha and Sunagakure about Akatsuki's activities.
Strengthening the village's defences, Yagura ensured that the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki, Utakata, was closely monitored.
Utakata, ever the recluse, spent most of his time hidden away, using his unique bubble ninjutsu to float lazily for hours. Despite his reserved nature, Utakata had recently returned to the village after resolving past misunderstandings.
What surprised Yagura most, however, was Utakata's unexpected return with the eldest daughter of the Earth Spider Clan. Though their clan's influence had waned, their reputation and secret techniques still carried weight.
For Yagura, whose tenure had seen the loss of many prominent clans, any opportunity to strengthen Kirigakure was a welcome one.
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Outside the Hidden Mist, a small Akatsuki team observed from a distance.
"Boss, this isn't working. The Three-Tails is being guarded closely, and the Six-Tails never leaves the village."
The leader frowned, considering their next move. Little did they know that Utakata, as a hermit at heart, would rather remain in his bubble domain than wander far.
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