"Enough with the pleasantries," the horse-faced elder said, glancing coldly at Kai. "I didn't expect the Akatsuki leader to be so eloquent."
"No wonder you were able to gain a foothold in Hanzo's territory. But as your employer, we hope your strength matches your words. Otherwise, this price isn't worth it."
His words changed the atmosphere.
Kai laughed. "Perhaps you'll be disappointed, Elder. I gained Hanzo's respect with my fists."
"As for talk, that depends on the person. If you can solve things with your fists, why waste words?"
You!
The horse-faced elder was speechless.
Before they could respond, Akihiko Kusano hurriedly intervened. "Elders, weren't you eager to inspect the refugees for spies? Let's go together."
The four elders, giving Akihiko Kusano a modicum of respect, turned and left.
Watching them leave, Akihiko Kusano wiped sweat from his brow. "Please forgive them. They're just concerned about Kusagakure. Their intentions are good."
"Since you're also interested in our village's talent, let's go see them," Akihiko Kusano said, leading the way.
They traveled through Kusagakure, eventually reaching what used to be a wasteland.
Seeing the crater left by the Heavenly Meteor and the dilapidated buildings, Kai sighed.
They were back where they started.
"Do you see this place?" Akihiko Kusano said, his voice reverent. "You must be surprised to see such a desolate place in our village."
"Let me tell you a secret. Our previous village head and some of the elders were controlled by a mysterious force. About six months ago, a ninja resembling someone from Konoha fought a decisive battle with the mysterious force, saving Kusagakure…"
Akihiko Kusano looked back. "It sounds unbelievable, but if you saw someone summon meteors and someone else shatter them with a series of chakra balls, you'd never forget it…"
Watching Akihiko Kusano turn into a Kai fangirl, Orochimaru's lips twitched.
Compared to Akihiko Kusano, Orochimaru had suffered at Kai's hands multiple times.
The pain was unforgettable.
If Akihiko Kusano knew that the person he was praising was standing right next to him, he might faint.
"Swish!"
A sound cut through the air. An ANBU ninja landed before them.
The sudden appearance disturbed Akihiko Kusano. "What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?"
The ANBU ninja hesitated, glancing at Kai and the others.
Akihiko Kusano's face darkened. "These are honored guests who are here to help us quell the rebellion. Speak freely."
Honored guests!
The ANBU ninja was surprised, but seeing their black cloaks with red clouds, he said quickly, "It's the injured people. They want to try a special healing method, but the woman doesn't have enough chakra, so…"
The ANBU ninja trailed off.
"Those bastards!" Akihiko Kusano said angrily, then rushed off.
Orochimaru smiled slyly, then, remembering Kimimaro's glare, changed his expression. "It seems we've stumbled upon something interesting."
"I'm curious about the person you're interested in."
Seeing Orochimaru's playful expression, Kai didn't explain. If Orochimaru knew that he was trying to recruit his future subordinates, he wouldn't be smiling.
Kai followed.
If he could rescue the person without a fight, that would be ideal.
But if he had to fight, Kai wouldn't hesitate.
As Kai expected, the refugees were housed near the ruins.
As he approached the dilapidated camp, he saw two figures surrounded by hostile ninja.
A red-haired girl, no more than two or three years old, was rubbing her tear-filled eyes.
Despite her tears, she made no sound.
Standing before her was a red-haired woman in her early twenties.
Malnutrition and war had made her gaunt.
However, the most disturbing thing was the countless bite marks covering her body.
Every inch of her skin seemed to be covered in teeth marks.
Even Orochimaru and Kimimaro were taken aback.
"Please, give my daughter her glasses back. She's still young and has poor eyesight. She hasn't awakened her healing abilities yet. Once I recover, I can continue to heal you," the red-haired woman pleaded.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan, she possessed the gift of life.
Unfortunately, they were given this incredible healing ability without the power to protect themselves.
Their abilities made them tools for others.
For them, war was a demon that drove people to madness, making them tear at their flesh.
She had watched her comrades die in this inhumane torment.
She had accepted her fate, but she couldn't bear to see her two-year-old daughter suffer the same fate.
The thought of those monsters greedily devouring her daughter's skin was unbearable.
She felt powerless against the tragic fate of the Uzumaki clan.
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