She had known her fate since childhood.
A jinchūriki never lived for themselves. They existed as weapons for their village.
But she had never imagined that one day she would be treated like a tribute and handed over to a man she had never even met.
"Yugito."
A familiar voice sounded behind her.
Turning around, Yugito saw Kumogakure jonin Darui.
"Senior Darui."
She nodded in greeting.
Darui walked over and looked at the scorched ground around them.
"Your control over the Two-Tails has improved again."
"What good does it do?"
Yugito gave a bitter smile.
"No matter how strong I become, I'm still just someone else's spoils of war."
Darui was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Yugito, if I told you there was a chance you wouldn't have to go to Konoha, what would you choose?"
Yugito immediately turned toward him, surprise flashing across her face.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone plans to abduct you during the escort mission."
Darui lowered his voice.
"The Raikage's intention is that we can... cooperate a little."
"Cooperate?"
Yugito frowned.
"Wouldn't that be betraying the Divine Court's orders?"
"Betraying?"
Darui sneered.
"Since when has Kumogakure needed to bow its head to an outsider?"
"Even the Hokage never had the authority to order us to hand over a jinchūriki."
Yugito fell into thought.
Of course she did not want to be sent to Konoha and become part of Uchiha Kai's collection.
But she also understood how serious the consequences would be.
"That Uchiha Kai..."
"He's certainly powerful, but no matter how strong he is, he's still only one man."
Darui interrupted her.
"And the mastermind behind this operation is Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan."
"Even if Uchiha Kai wants revenge, he'll have to get through Nagato first."
Yugito pondered for a long time before finally nodding.
"I understand."
"Good."
Darui smiled in satisfaction.
"Remember, when the time comes, all you need to do is cooperate. Leave everything else to us."
Three days later.
In a valley near the border between Kumogakure and Kusagakure.
Nagato's Six Paths of Pain hid among the rocky cliffs, quietly waiting for their target to arrive.
Alongside Pain were elite squads from Kusagakure, shinobi from Takigakure, and representatives from over a dozen smaller ninja villages.
"Lord Pain, Kumogakure's escort team will arrive in about thirty minutes."
Kusano lay prone beside Nagato as he delivered his report.
Nagato nodded.
His Rinnegan swept across the terrain of the valley.
The location was ideal for an ambush.
Steep cliffs rose on both sides.
Once combat began, the escort team would have nowhere to run.
"How are the preparations?"
"All units are in position."
"Kusagakure's forces will launch the frontal assault."
"Takigakure's shinobi will block the rear escape route."
"The remaining villages will attack from the flanks."
Kusano carefully explained the deployment.
Nagato nodded with satisfaction.
Though the participants were all from minor villages and lacked individual strength, they possessed overwhelming numbers and excellent coordination.
More importantly, they all harbored resentment toward Uchiha Kai's rule.
Their will to fight was exceptionally strong.
"Remember."
"Our objective is to capture the Two-Tails' jinchūriki alive."
"Do not take her life."
Nagato emphasized once more.
"As for Kumogakure's escort personnel, avoid killing them whenever possible."
"Our enemy is the Divine Court, not Kumogakure."
"Understood."
Everyone answered in unison.
At that moment, figures appeared at the entrance of the valley.
Leading them was Kumogakure jonin Darui.
Behind him followed over a dozen elite Cloud shinobi.
At the center of the formation stood their target—
The Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii.
"They're here."
A cold light flashed through Nagato's eyes.
The Kumogakure escort team slowly entered the valley.
At first glance, their vigilance seemed strict.
But closer inspection revealed their formation was unusually loose, and their pace noticeably slower than normal.
Walking at the front, Darui appeared to be carefully surveying the surroundings.
In reality, he was searching for the ideal location to be "attacked."
According to the plan, they needed to put up a "fierce resistance" before eventually being "overwhelmed by superior numbers."
"Senior Darui, the terrain here looks dangerous."
A young Cloud shinobi spoke quietly.
"I know."
Darui nodded.
"But this is the shortest route."
"We must arrive in Konoha on schedule."
As the escort team reached the center of the valley—
Suddenly—
Sharp whistling sounds erupted from every direction.
"Enemy attack!"
Darui shouted and immediately assumed a defensive stance.
Countless shuriken and kunai rained down from the cliffs above, covering the entire escort formation.
The Cloud shinobi scattered instantly and raised various weapons to defend themselves.
"Who's there?! Show yourselves!"
Darui roared angrily.
His acting was remarkably convincing.
"Friends from Kumogakure, there is no need to be nervous."
Nagato's voice echoed from atop the cliffs.
"We only want the Two-Tails' jinchūriki."
"Everyone else may leave safely."
As his voice faded, the Six Paths of Pain appeared simultaneously at various points throughout the valley.
A tremendous pressure immediately enveloped the entire area.
"It's Pain!"
One of the Cloud shinobi cried out.
Darui's face "changed dramatically."
He tightened his grip on his ninja blade.
"Nagato! What are you trying to do?!"
"What I want is very simple."
The Deva Path slowly descended to the ground.
"Hand over Yugito."
"And all of you may leave safely."
"Otherwise..."
He left the sentence unfinished.
The threat was obvious.
"In your dreams!"
Darui roared "furiously."
"Yugito is our comrade!"
"We will never hand her over to you!"
"In that case, don't blame me for what happens next."
The Deva Path raised a hand.
"Almighty Push!"
BOOM!
A powerful repulsive force exploded outward.
Several Cloud shinobi were instantly blasted away.
However, a careful observer would notice that although they had been thrown back, none suffered serious injuries.
Clearly, Pain had intentionally held back.
"Damn it!"
Darui "ground his teeth."
"All units!"
"Protect Yugito!"
The Cloud shinobi immediately formed a defensive circle around Yugito.
On the surface, the formation appeared airtight.
In reality, gaps had been intentionally left behind to create opportunities for the attackers.
"Attack!"
Kusano shouted and led Kusagakure's forces in a frontal charge.
Takigakure's shinobi swept in from the flanks.
The remaining villages joined the battle as well.
For a time, the valley erupted with flying ninjutsu and thunderous battle cries.
Standing in the center of the protective formation, Yugito watched her comrades "risking their lives" to defend her.
Her emotions were complicated.
She knew it was all an act.
Yet seeing everyone put so much effort into their performance still moved her slightly.
"Yugito! Watch out!"
Darui suddenly shouted.
Taking advantage of the chaos, a Grass shinobi broke through the defensive line and charged directly toward her.
Yugito "panicked" and stumbled backward.
Her foot "accidentally" caught on a rock, causing her to fall.
The Grass shinobi seized the opportunity and pressed a kunai against her throat.
"Don't move!"
The Grass shinobi threatened.
"One more step and I'll kill her!"
"Let Yugito go!"
Darui charged forward "furiously," only to be intercepted by several other Grass shinobi.
"Senior Darui!"
Yugito cried out "fearfully."
Her acting was equally convincing.
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