Chapter 097: Me, a Konoha ninja, part of Kumogakure's leadership?

Yugito Nii, whose body had been severely corrupted by the Two-Tails' chakra, began receiving emergency treatment from the medical team.

Kei Yamanaka acted fast—if he hadn't, the medics would've wrapped his arm up tight in bandages the second they took Yugito from him.

With the regeneration power of Sage Mode, he'd probably be fully healed before the medical ninja even got a chance to examine him.

"This recovery ability…"

Kei glanced at his right arm and hand, now completely wrapped in bandages.

He'd always aimed to complete missions without a scratch and had never actually experienced the healing speed of Sage Mode before.

It was regeneration you could actually see—right before your eyes!

If others saw this, it'd be impossible not to raise suspicion.

"Jinchuriki heal fast? Your care's the best medicine? Oh yeah~!"

B's rap was still as unpleasant as ever, enough to make anyone roll their eyes. Yet he himself seemed completely unaware, continuing to sing quite happily.

"Ugh… I left home against orders."

Kei continued skillfully playing the role of a cautious middle-aged ninja.

That slightly bitter and helpless expression, however, made B's smile grow even more sincere than before.

Someone who rushed here without caring about their own safety, the moment trouble struck…

He could already feel that sincerity!

"Darn it, love and courage are the greatest traits! Idiot, no one will blame you! You're an awesome ninja! Hmm, the rhyme feels off though—write that down, gotta fix it…"

B casually pulled out a notebook and brush pen from within his robes.

Spitting out ink like an octopus does, he concentrated solely on refining his rap rhythm in his little book.

"…"

Kei silently sighed—this guy's thought process was anything but normal.

Also… Ink written with octopus ink usually fades over time, right?

Or does Eight-Tails' ink not fade at all?

The more than ten Jonin who had handled the combat moments earlier were swiftly cleaning up the battlefield.

Survivors were hauled off for immediate interrogation, while bodies were reassembled for further inspection and intelligence collection.

The six Anbu who previously maintained the barrier remained close around Yugito.

Seeing the medical team had just finished the emergency treatment and getting ready to transport the Jinchuriki to Kumogakure Hospital, the Anbu squad leader—who had known Kei Yamanaka beforehand—without hesitation grabbed him along as he passed.

The Jinchuriki's condition remained unstable.

Nobody could predict what might happen once she woke up again.

Only a fool would let go of someone who can stop a Jinchuriki's rampage.

The hospital smelled strongly of disinfectant—a smell no one particularly liked.

Kei didn't rest until Yugito's condition gradually stabilized, after which he found a nearby care bed and drifted off for a bit.

A long, chaotic night finally passed.

As the rising morning sun replaced the all-night lights, bathing the cloud-village in golden light,

The Kumo ninja, known for always acting decisively and efficiently, had largely cleared out all known threats within the village.

Though the Anbu were still interrogating those assassins captured last night.

Raikage Headquarters had gradually stabilized overall.

This morning, orders to inventory and prepare supplies were being issued at Raikage Headquarters.

Perhaps due to the village's recent major operations increasing the workload, and with war drums already beating,

The Third Raikage A did not personally visit Nii.

Instead, he sent an Anbu messenger to instruct Kei Yamanaka to temporarily take care of Nii.

Originally planning to return home early in the morning, Kei Yamanaka had no choice but to remain at the hospital, staying by Nii's side while she recovered.

"Dad?"

Musai's hushed voice came from the crack in the door.

Kei shot the sneaky kid a sideways glance, nodded to the Anbu squad leader beside him, then rose and stepped out of the ward.

Musai circled around him twice, letting out a soft sigh of relief.

"Just got a minor injury? Whew, that's a relief! For a second there I thought I'd have to collect your death benefits."

Smack~

Upon hearing this, Kei slapped the back of the kid's head without hesitation.

"If you don't know how to talk, just keep quiet. Seriously, seeing you makes my head ache every day."

"Hehe~ Dad, you're the best!"

Musai rubbed the back of his head with one hand while giving his dad a thumbs-up with the other.

Pride lit up his face.

Earlier this morning, when he frantically asked around for his dad's whereabouts, a young Anbu had briefly explained what happened last night.

Stopping a Jinchuriki's rampage single-handedly—an achievement any Chunin could boast about for life!

"That's damn right!"

Kei slightly lifted his chin, clearly enjoying the praise from his son.

"Why didn't you get a Medical Ninja to heal that injury?"

"Better to avoid Medical Ninjutsu—it overstimulates the cells."

"You even know you're getting old now? Dad! I hate to say this, but next time before you go pulling stunts like that, at least tell me where the bank deposit slips are. When you rushed out earlier, I panicked so bad!"

"You little—"

Whap whap! Thump thump!

Once again, the hospital hallway became the scene of a classic father-and-son moment.

"Dad! I promised some friends I'd go check building prices with them. I'm heading out first!"

Feeling from the force of the blows that his father wasn't really angry, Musai quickly darted away like a mouse escaping a trap, shouting as he ran, disappearing down the corridor in a flash.

Kei offered an apologetic smile to the young nurse trying to hide her giggle behind her hand, then turned and re-entered the ward.

Nii, who had been sleeping soundly, had already woken up.

Seeing Kei walk in, she broke into a bright smile.

"Did I wake you up?"

Kei sat down on the chair beside her. Seeing her shake her head, he asked again.

"Hungry?"

"...Mm."

Her stomach growling softly, Nii replied with a shy hum.

After helping Nii eat breakfast—her arms too weak from Two-Tails' chakra seeping into her body—Kei began telling stories to help pass the time.

Thanks in part to last night's events, Kumogakure officials now trusted him even more.

That afternoon, Kei Yamanaka received a [Tokubetsu Jonin] appointment scroll personally written by the Raikage, along with another scroll naming him [Chief Instructor] of the Ninja Academy.

Just like in Konoha, Kumogakure's Ninja Academy was officially headed by the village leader himself—A—the Raikage of the Land of Lightning.

The position of vice principal was, in name only; in practice, they were the true manager of the entire academy.

The [Chief Instructor], ranking above regular instructors, existed to assist the vice principal in managing school affairs—a clear stepping stone to becoming the next vice principal!

Kei had already stepped one foot into Kumogakure's upper echelons.

He had even been granted permission to attend the High Council meetings.

"Of course not... Me? A Konoha ninja joining Kumogakure's upper echelons?"

When Kei received the two appointment scrolls, he was utterly stunned.

How had things turned out this way? When had he quietly become an official in Kumogakure?

Moreover, now that he had become the [Chief Instructor] at the Ninja Academy, he likely wouldn't get many chances to leave the village anymore.

Then how would he ever find a chance to fake his death?

No way!

This was bad!

These concerns stayed with him until a week later, when Nii finally recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

The night before Kei was set to officially begin his new duties at the Ninja Academy,

Toroi—who bore the [Magnet Release] [Kekkei Genkai]—unexpectedly showed up, hoping Kei would join his squad as a team member for one final mission.

This time, Toroi would be leading his squad across the vast sea southeast of the Land of Lightning.

Their mission: survey maritime conditions, verify supply routes and temporary bases, and eliminate all possible threats to the impending advance of the main ninja forces.

Although Saiei—the original owner of Kei's current appearance—lacked real strength, he had been a ninja for decades and had survived both the First Great Ninja War and the Second Great Ninja War.

He was renowned for his caution and meticulousness, with far more experience than the average ninja.

In a mission involving the lives of thousands of comrades,

naturally, Toroi didn't want to pass up such an ideal teammate.

Kei gladly accepted Toroi's request.

After swiftly arranging all of Saiyuki's possessions neatly on the table at home, he departed Kumogakure alongside Toroi.

Dying in battle as a [Tokubetsu Jonin]—he could finally honor the original owner of this body!

And dying during a naval battle, leaving no corpse behind—that made perfect sense, didn't it?

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