Chapter 294 : The Horror Of The ŌTsutsuki Clan

Walking through the forest, Riku sighed. "Once I send you back to the Hidden Cloud Village, stay put. Don't come out again. The man I'm chasing is likely similar to the Akatsuki—he's after Tailed Beast chakra too. And he might be even stronger than they are."

Walking beside him, Yugito Nii was taken aback. "Stronger than Akatsuki?"

After experiencing battle with the Akatsuki firsthand, she knew how dangerous they were. The memory of fighting Kakuzu and Hidan was still fresh. Despite understanding Hidan's cursed immortality, she had still suffered—her blood had been used against her. The combination of Kakuzu's multiple hearts and Hidan's ritual made them an incredibly difficult pair to handle.

But if she were to face them again, she believed she wouldn't lose so easily.

Fighting Akatsuki required more than just strength—it required timely, accurate intel. As a known Jinchūriki, she and others like her had long been targeted by the Akatsuki, their information gathered and circulated among the enemy.

Even though Riku had shared intel with her in advance, reality had proven just how dangerous the duo could be.

The truth was, Yugito hadn't taken Riku's warnings seriously at the time.

"I can make it back myself," she said again, this time softer.

Riku didn't respond, only sighing again.

If she could truly return on her own, he wouldn't be walking her back.

They were only a few dozen kilometers from the Hidden Cloud Village—hardly far.

But even such a short distance could result in Yugito being captured again.

If that happened, all of Riku's efforts would be wasted.

What worried him even more was the presence of another ninja lurking in the shadows—someone connected to the Ōtsutsuki clan.

Yugito noticed his silence and sighed as well, a bit embarrassed.

She remembered now—Riku had warned her about Kakuzu and Hidan's abilities. She had ignored him.

It was no surprise he didn't trust her judgment anymore.

They walked together in silence until the gates of the Hidden Cloud Village appeared ahead.

Riku turned to her calmly. "Go back. Hide in the village and don't come out. The Two-Tails inside you may not be the main target anymore, so you should be safe—for now. But don't let your guard down."

With that, Riku turned to leave.

Before he could, Yugito suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

"…Thank you," she murmured.

She didn't linger. After a brief moment, she turned and ran toward the village without looking back.

Riku watched her retreating figure, expression unreadable, and soon vanished into the forest.

Yugito ran through the gates with a faint blush still on her cheeks.

Back in the village, the Hidden Cloud had been in a frenzy searching for her.

She had left the village alone to lure Kakuzu and Hidan away—fearing for her village's safety.

But she hadn't expected to be completely overpowered.

It wasn't the first time someone had come to capture her. She had fended off attackers before.

But this time, even with advance knowledge of her opponents, she had still fallen.

Still, her efforts hadn't been in vain. Thanks to Riku's warning, she had been able to destroy two of Kakuzu's hearts and sever Hidan's head multiple times.

The Akatsuki had paid dearly for underestimating her.

Yugito had endured hell, but luckily for her, Akatsuki wasn't interested in women. Otherwise, her fate might've been far worse.

Upon returning, Yugito went straight to the Raikage's office and reported everything to Fourth Raikage.

He clenched his fists. Kakuzu and Hidan had infiltrated the village, but thanks to Yugito luring them out, the village itself had remained unharmed.

Though furious, he was also relieved.

And surprised.

"…So, it was Riku who saved you?"

He paused, then grunted. "I didn't expect that kid to be so capable… saving a Jinchūriki from another village."

He folded his arms. "Do as he says. Don't leave the village for now. Akatsuki is getting too bold—trying to stretch their hands into our territory."

Raikage didn't want open war with Akatsuki. Not yet.

But he was definitely shifting to a defensive stance.

After leaving the Raikage's office, Yugito was greeted by Samui at the entrance.

They were close—classmates and long-time friends. When Samui heard Yugito had been captured, she had been deeply worried.

"Why are you here too?" Yugito asked with a tired smile.

"You disappeared," Samui replied flatly. "Of course I'd be here."

But then her gaze shifted to Yugito's clothes. They were far too large—and clearly not her own.

They looked like they belonged to a man.

Noticing her puzzled expression, Yugito explained, "I was taken by Akatsuki… but Riku from Konoha saved me."

Samui's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Riku?"

"He snatched me right out of their hands. My clothes were blood-soaked, so he gave me his."

Samui nodded, expression unreadable. She hadn't expected that.

"If it weren't for him," Yugito said with a slight laugh, "I'd probably be dead."

Samui's voice was colder than usual. "That guy always shows up at just the right time."

It was obvious she had feelings for Riku.

Yugito had once felt irritated by that—why should someone from another village capture Samui's attention?

But now, she felt the same way.

Still, Samui was curious. "Why was he even here?"

Yugito thought back. "He said he was hunting someone. From his tone… the guy's extremely dangerous. Even more dangerous than the Akatsuki."

"More dangerous than Akatsuki?" Samui echoed, frowning. "Who in the ninja world could he be unsure about defeating?"

"Did he say who it was?"

Yugito shook her head. "Of course not. That's a Konoha secret. No matter how friendly he acts, he'd never reveal that."

"But from what he said… this person could cause massive destruction across the ninja world."

"And he's far stronger than any member of Akatsuki."

Samui was silent.

It was hard to imagine anyone more powerful than Akatsuki. Every member of that group had Kage-level strength.

But Yugito had misunderstood something.

The "Akatsuki" Riku mentioned—he was referring specifically to Nagato.

And the enemy he was pursuing was far beyond Nagato's level.

The Ōtsutsuki Clan—every one of their members was at the Six Paths level.

Uchiha Madara had spent decades planning just to attain that kind of power.

Now, there was an Ōtsutsuki loose in the ninja world—with others likely to follow.

And that was the most terrifying part.

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