Tonton and Tonsuke can't be brought along; if those two entered Hidden Cloud Village, it would be very difficult for them to leave.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku were ruthless individuals who would rush to bite the Nine-Tailed if they saw it, and this excellent tradition has continued to this day. Can Tonton and Tonsuke combined be as thick as a single hair from the Nine-Tailed? Their going to Hidden Cloud Village would basically be providing extra food for others.
Ino certainly didn't want Tonton to become the fuse for the Fourth Shinobi World War; that would sound too terrible!
The two pigs would stay in the Land of Vegetables, which looked weak and actually was quite weak.
Traveling light, without any messy animals causing trouble, the blind date team arrived at Hidden Cloud Village a day later.
Hidden Cloud Village is situated atop mountains, surrounded by swirling clouds, and the muffled sound of thunder can occasionally be heard from the sky.
Hidden Cloud Village doesn't have the abstract concepts of the will of fire or the will of stone; if one were to insist on a 'will,' what they believe in should be the will of muscle.
Originally, Yugito was still discussing the cuteness of cats with Ino on the way, but upon arriving at the Village, the older sister immediately put on a stern face, her expression severe, and her footsteps became two points heavier when she walked.
Ino immediately pouted, "What's with the sudden heavy footsteps? Sister, elegance! We were just talking about the elegance of cats two minutes ago."
Yugito raised an eyebrow, "What do you know?"
Arriving at the main gate of Hidden Cloud Village, they saw the Fourth Raikage standing there like an iron tower.
"Raikage-sama, long time no see."
Ino did not act disrespectfully despite the tense relationship between the two sides; her demeanor was very polite.
She represented Konoha Village, and the Fourth Raikage also showed her corresponding respect, nodding and saying, "You've come a long way; it must have been difficult."
He glared at the three people behind Ino.
Shikamaru was lazy, as if he hadn't fully woken up. Choji was fatter than a pig. Kiba? Kiba seemed to love his dogs more than his own life; could such a person truly cherish a wife?
The Fourth Raikage snorted, very dissatisfied with Konoha's chosen candidates, but he said nothing, as it wasn't his blind date.
"I've already spoken to Bee, and to Karui. The rest will be handled by C." Dropping the words stiffly, the Fourth Raikage turned and left.
Ino looked at Jonin C, who possessed all three abilities of Genjutsu, Perception, and Medical Ninjutsu. Among those who didn't cheat, this guy was considered an elite talent.
Ino, like a teacher bringing three students to a competition, confirmed the next day's blind date schedule with C, then returned to her room to explain the key points to the three.
"Here's a picture of Karui; all of you take a look."
Kiba still cared about Xiao Huan, so he only glanced at the photo and then paid no more attention.
Shikamaru had seen the photo before, but now he looked at it a couple more times, pouting. She was too dark.
Choji was an honest person; when Ino told him to look, he looked very seriously.
After they finished looking, Ino tapped the table, hinting, "What are everyone's thoughts? You can speak up. Although you are competitors in this matter, you are all Konoha Ninja, and at this time, unity is important."
Shikamaru rested his chin on his hand, not entirely agreeing with the 'competitor' idea. He truly had no interest in Karui.
He asked, "What is the Village's intention?"
"The Village's intention is to never come back empty-handed—no, it's not to disappoint this good marriage. I know Karui; she's a very straightforward girl. No matter which of you marries her, you won't lose out."
Kiba's attitude was the most resolute; he had Akamaru, and that was enough. At most, he'd include Xiao Huan, that cat slave. A blind date? Impossible.
Shikamaru also subtly shook his head at Ino. It wasn't that Karui was bad, but he truly couldn't do it!
Without Choji knowing anything, the three exchanged glances and decided that Choji would be the groom. Tomorrow's protagonist is you!
The four returned to their rooms to rest.
Ino strolled around outside her room. Night came relatively early in Hidden Cloud Village; it was dark by a little after six.
She stood at her doorway, gazing into the distance. C stood like a door god nearby, "protecting" their group's safety.
Ino pointed at the Village and asked, "Hidden Cloud Village is a powerful Ninja Village, so why do I feel that the number of civilians in your Village is a bit low?"
What other reason could there be? Of course, upon hearing you were coming, the civilians all fled to the mountains for refuge!
Now, even Genin are scarce in the Village, and after nightfall, the lights are naturally sparse, making the entire Village seem lifeless.
C, of course, wouldn't state the real reason. He used the excuse of a harsh environment and fewer villagers to fob her off, and he stated very directly that there was a Perception Squad in the Village, and Konoha Ninja should not casually use perception abilities within the Village.
Ino readily agreed, stating that she was a peace-loving Medical Ninja and knew nothing about any perception Ninjutsu.
No one would believe that, but C didn't say much more.
Ino returned to her room, comfortably took out a novel to read, and after it got late, she simply washed up and then went to sleep.
C was very busy and couldn't stand guard for her. This Jonin from Hidden Cloud Village would conduct unscheduled checks, not allowing Ino to spy on Hidden Cloud Village. Logically, Hidden Cloud Village shouldn't spy on the four of them either.
C stood at the door, forming hand seals, and used his perception ability to check. As a result, he "saw" dense Sealing Technique formulas in his perception. If he forced his way through, it would definitely alert the four.
He withdrew his hand in time, then instructed the Kumogakure Ninja to remain vigilant and quickly left the area.
Two Kumogakure Ninja stood at the door chatting. As they talked, both felt a chill on their necks, with cold wind blowing in.
"This is weird. Why is it so cold tonight?" one Kumogakure Ninja complained, which drew a sneer from his companion. The companion was so cold his nose was running, but he deliberately opened his chest, revealing his strong pectoral muscles. Cold? A joke! I'm so fit, how could I be cold? Not cold at all! In fact, I feel hot!
The two began a competition: 'You take off your hat,' 'I take off my gloves,' baring their chests, just to prove their robust physique. In Hidden Cloud Village, to say someone's pectoral muscles were exaggerated was a compliment, equivalent to political correctness in Hidden Cloud Village. To say someone was effeminate? No need for nonsense; that guy must be a Konoha Village spy, and arresting him would definitely be correct.
Two muscular brothers were competing with their pectoral muscles at the door.
Inside the room, Ino was performing the Summoning Technique: Soul Call! Cold wind poured in from all directions.
In the center of her Summoning Technique was a sealed scroll, containing a basketball-sized ball of dark red Chakra—that was Yang Kurama's Chakra.
Ino moved slowly, her jade-like fingers gently plucking the prayer beads given to her by Shinigami. She was using this Nine-Tailed Chakra to search for and summon the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers from back then, or rather, their souls.
According to her understanding, the effects of the Six Paths Ninja Tools were too overbearing and posed a threat to her, so they had to be contained!
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"