The Legend Of The Kyubi - Volume 2: Naruto Shippuden Chapter 267 Cap 245: How I Hate This Job

“What happened?!” – exclaimed Tsunami when she realized how exhausted her son was.

“He trained hard” – responded Kurama with a forced smile as he saw how Inari was sleeping in front of his mother – “I sincerely did not expect him to complete today’s training”

“What did you make him do, Kurama-kun?!” – exclaimed Tsunami as she frowned grimly. She knew that her son was training with all his might, but he had never before been so exhausted that he fell asleep long before he came home.

“Uh… it’s better if you don’t know…” – said Kurama as he scratched his cheek – “But in my defense, I didn’t plan for him to complete everything, he was the one who decided to finish”

“. . .” – Tsunami frowned even more, but she quickly shook her head because she knew what the redhead said was true, after all, she knew her son.

* * * * *

“How’s it going?” – asked Zetsu as he looked at Obito with his eyes closed as if he were meditating.

“Nothing out of the ordinary… I need a little more practice because the chakra consumption I have from using so many Jutsus makes me unable to use the Rinnegan for long” – answered Obito with neutrality as he looked at his colleague – “Tell me… How is the situation with our small group?”

“Menma is slowly regaining his lost strength, although it still cannot be compared to the strength he had with the Reibi… As for Nagato, he is getting weaker and weaker” – answered Zetsu coldly as he looked at his colleague.

“What about the Nibi and the Kyubi?” – asked Obito coldly as he remembered the pain the Uzumaki had caused him.

“I don’t have a clear idea of their situation, but what I can assure you that they went to Uzushiogakure no Sato in Uzu no Kuni” – answered black Zetsu – “It’s a pity that I can’t sneak inside because of those damned seals”

“Isn’t there anything you can do?” – asked Obito seriously because there was nothing worse than facing an enemy without information from them because anything could happen and they would have no way to prepare themselves for it.

“I will try again but I am not promising anything,” answered Zetsu before the place disappeared.

* * * * *

“Nagato…” – said Konan as she observed how her friend was in complete silence.

Immense concern overcame the girl because she knew that things were starting to get out of control with each passing day.

“Relax, Konan” – said Nagato as he opened his eyes for the first time in a long time – “I’m just gathering energy to prepare for the worst…”

“. . .” – Konan was silent when she heard this because she could feel the bad intentions the Uchiha had for them after revealing his true identity.

“I don’t know what this Uchiha Obito is planning, but I can tell you that he is not good for us,” said Nagato seriously as he closed his eyes again. “I don’t know when I will wake up again, Konan, but you better think of an escape plan in case things get even more out of hand”

“. . .” – Konan stared at him for a few seconds before sighing ruefully and leaving Nagato’s room. She understood that there wasn’t much she could do at now – “Nagato…”

* * * * *

“Gaara…” – Kankuro said as he watched his brother – “It is time that we send the next group to train in the [Hyperbolic Time Chamber]”

“I know… and this time I will go personally” – said Gaara seriously – “I’ve had a bad feeling lately, Shukaku thinks the same thing too… that’s why we decided it was time for us to take the next step…”

“Are you sure about this?” – Kankuro asked with concern. He had read the information Kumo had provided regarding the training of his Jinchurikis, which only caused problems for Gaara because to control and strengthen his bond, he had to face his hatred, and frankly, Gaara was the one who was worst off with all the hatred and madness he had endured during his childhood years, not to mention that Shukaku was not the calmest of the Bijuu.

“Yes…” – Gaara nodded seriously as he clenched his fists firmly – “Shukaku assured me that nothing would go wrong, and I trust him”

Shukaku inside the seal was remaining silent as he remembered his former Jinchuriki, the only one who had fully trusted him and considered him his friend.

“Okay, I’ll trust your decision and Shukaku’s” – said Kankuro seriously. As skeptical as he was about the situation, he knew that the Bijuu wouldn’t do anything unusual about how shady things were.

“Okay, send a message to Uzu to inform them that I want to use the [Hyperbolic Time Chamber] … it’s time for me to move forward too or I’ll end up in a bad situation because of how things are changing,” said Gaara.

“No… we’ll go” – said Kankuro seriously – “I can’t stay behind and let my little brother do all the work…”

“. . .” – Gaara stared at him for a while before a small smile appeared on his face, although it disappeared soon after – “Ok, it’s time for me to go prepare to open the seal to communicate thoroughly with Shukaku…”

“Ok, I will make sure to leave all the doc.u.ments and information necessary to use those two days calmly and without worry” – answered Kankuro as he went to work.

As an assistant to the Kazekage and brother of Gaara, he had the authorization to perform the tasks of the Suna leader while he was indisposed or busy.

“Thank you, brother,” murmured Gaara as he retired.

“So this is what a brotherly relationship feels like?” – murmured Shukaku as he closed his eyes as if he were sleeping, although what he was doing was thinking as he remembered the past.

* * * * *

“Chojuro…” – said Ao as he looked at the blue-haired young man.

“Tell me, Ao-sama,” replied Chojuro as he arranged his glasses.

“Son, we’ve known each other for years so I hope you won’t treat me with such formality” – said Ao as he shook his head.

“. . .” – Chojuro remained silent for a few seconds before sighing – “I know, Ao-san, but remember that you are now the Mizukage of Kirigakure no Sato”

“I didn’t want to be Mizukage!” – exclaimed Ao as he felt the tears about to run down his cheeks – “It was all Mei-sama’s fault! She left me this job that nobody wants!”

“It’s been a while, it would be a good idea if you accepted your situation already” – said Chojuro as he rolled his eyes at his leader, companion, and father figure.

“Right, sorry about that” – said Ao as he shook his head – “Anyway, I sent for you because I wanted you to gather all the Swordsmen of the Mist, or possible candidates, to come and receive the information for their next mission”

“May I know something about the mission?” – asked Chojuro as he raised an eyebrow.

“Of course,” Ao nodded as he handed the doc.u.ment to Chojuro, who only frowned.

“Are you sure about this, Ao-sama? – asked Chojuro with a serious tone that he only had when there were people around or when the subject was extremely serious.

“Yes… we can’t stay behind even though we have an alliance with the Uzumaki clan” – said Ao seriously while he took a cigarette, something he hadn’t done since the Bloodline Massacre and the whole rebellion business – “If we don’t do this, our forces won’t be able to get ahead… so we have to take a chance”

“But if you send in all the high-level shinobi, we will run out of strength to defend ourselves,” Chojuro said seriously because he knew that if Akatsuki attacked them right now, they would be powerless to do anything.

“If I am honest with you, even if they are in Kiri, things will not be good for us” – said Ao as he closed his eyes and grabbed his cigarette – “It is not to belittle you and the others, but Akatsuki is much harder to handle than you think… and I am sure you saw that during the attack on Kumo”

“. . .” – Chojuro remained silent for a few seconds before sighing with regret – “I understand… although I would feel much more comfortable if I stayed in Kiri”

“I’m sorry to tell you that training in the [Hyperbolic Time Chamber] is a direct order from your Mizukage…” – Ao said seriously – “Now, I want you to follow your instructions, shinobi”

“Ok…” – nodded Chojuro as he quietly left.

“I know it’s difficult for you to do it, but now you have to get stronger… not only for Kiri but for yourself” – murmured Ao as he opened his eyes slowly, only to look out the window at the cloudy sky – “As much as I love my village… its climate is horrible… at least it’s not as bad as Amegakure no Sato’s…”

“Mizukage-sama… the 6 o’clock meeting is waiting for you” – said Ao’s secretary

“Ok, tell them I’ll come when I’m done with the meeting I have with the Swordsmen of the Mist” – answered Ao calmly while the secretary left the office to inform the others about the orders of their leader.

“How I hate this job…” – murmured Ao as he sighed with regret.