Hearing Yuto-sama's words, Momochi Zabuza couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Although he didn't quite understand the meaning behind Yuto's words, Momochi Zabuza could tell that Yuto-sama had probably already formulated a plan in his heart.
As for the matters he was worried about, judging by Yuto-sama's expression, he seemed to actually welcome them.
Just now, Yuto hadn't deliberately lowered his voice when speaking, not concealing anything at all.
Therefore, Yugito, who was following behind the group, could completely hear what Yuto was saying.
Yugito's originally calm expression changed slightly, before returning to calm once more.
However, no one noticed that Yugito's palms had broken out in a layer of dense sweat.
Or rather, Yuto and Momochi Zabuza simply couldn't be bothered to pay attention. Only Ranmaru glanced at Yugito with some confusion.
"Yuto-sama, are we returning directly to the village next?"
Momochi Zabuza asked softly.
"Since we've already come out, we might as well make a trip to Takigakure and bring back the Seven-Tails jinchūriki as well."
Yuto's expression was calm, his tone indifferent.
Among the nine tailed beasts, the Eight-Tails and Five-Tails had been taken by Uchiha Madara, the Nine-Tails was in Konohagakure, and the Four-Tails' whereabouts were unknown.
That left only the Seven-Tails jinchūriki still outside. Not taking her away at this time would, in Yuto's view, simply be giving her away to Uchiha Madara.
Yuto wouldn't do such a thing.
Takigakure was some distance from the Land of Lightning.
However, fortunately, none of Yuto's group were weak in strength. Their traveling speed was far faster than ordinary ninjas.
Along the way, Yugito was surprisingly well-behaved, not only making no small movements but actually being quite cooperative.
Yuto didn't pay much attention to this. Compared to Yugito, Yuto was more concerned about the still relatively prosperous scenes they encountered on their journey.
"A pity, such prosperity probably won't last much longer."
Yuto said to himself, his tone indifferent.
Takigakure.
As soon as the group stepped into Takigakure's territory, they heard the sound of rushing water from the waterfall.
In the lush forest, a waterfall came into view.
Although it wasn't his first time here, Yuto still couldn't help but sigh that Takigakure's environment was indeed quite nice.
"It really hasn't changed at all."
Yuto walked toward the waterfall while looking around.
Compared to the calm Yugito, Momochi Zabuza and Ranmaru were somewhat surprised, apparently both were visiting Takigakure for the first time.
After surveying the surroundings, the corner of Yuto's mouth lifted in a faint smile, and he raised his hand to make several hand seals.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several sounds of cutting through the air suddenly rang out from the distant dense forest.
Hearing the sudden sounds, Momochi Zabuza and Ranmaru reflexively prepared for battle.
However, soon, when the two saw the figures approaching.
The tense aura on Momochi Zabuza and Ranmaru instantly disappeared.
Standing behind everyone, Yugito instead narrowed her eyes slightly, saying to herself in a voice only she could hear:
"Kirigakure's ANBU? It seems Takigakure has been under Kirigakure's surveillance for some time."
"In that case, the First Mizukage Yuto started collecting intelligence on the tailed beasts quite a while ago."
Thinking this, Yugito quietly raised her head, looking at Yuto standing straight ahead.
Uchiha Madara's actions were collecting tailed beasts, and the First Mizukage Yuto before her eyes was also collecting tailed beasts.
What exactly was their purpose in collecting tailed beasts?
After all, whether it was Uchiha Madara or Yuto, their power had already surpassed that of the tailed beasts.
If they just wanted to borrow the power of the tailed beasts, that seemed unlikely.
After all, for the major hidden villages, the tailed beasts were more like strategic-level weapons. After so many years of development, the major hidden villages all had some methods to deal with tailed beasts.
Moreover, merely relying on the power of tailed beasts wouldn't have much significance for someone like Uchiha Madara or Yuto.
So this was where Yugito was truly puzzled, and the same went for what the major hidden villages wanted to know.
Unfortunately...
Yugito thought of how when she asked this question to the Two-Tails Matatabi, the Two-Tails just fell silent, and she couldn't help feeling somewhat helpless.
If the Two-Tails Matatabi could answer this doubt, many problems would probably be much simpler.
A secret that even the tailed beasts weren't willing to speak of—from another perspective, this matter probably did hide an enormous secret.
"Greetings, Yuto-sama!"
These several Kirigakure ANBU who appeared knelt on one knee before Yuto, speaking respectfully.
"How is the Seven-Tails jinchūriki?"
Yuto glanced at these ANBU ninjas, asking softly.
"Report to Yuto-sama, the Seven-Tails jinchūriki Fū has been staying in Takigakure, with no outings or unusual behavior."
"Some time ago, a strange white ninja was discovered, but then the other party suddenly disappeared."
Among them, the ANBU captain who was clearly the leader spoke first to answer.
A strange white ninja?
It could only be Zetsu. Interesting.
The corner of Yuto's mouth quirked slightly. Zetsu must have come to investigate the Seven-Tails jinchūriki's intelligence.
However, Zetsu probably discovered the Kirigakure ANBU he had placed here first and had no choice but to retreat.
"Starting today, there's no need to continue monitoring Takigakure."
Yuto looked at this Kirigakure ANBU captain, speaking softly.
The ANBU captain was slightly stunned, then hurriedly spoke respectfully:
"Yes, Yuto-sama."
Yuto gently waved his hand while raising his head to look toward the waterfall.
Seeing Yuto's action, those several ANBU ninjas lightly nodded and quickly disappeared.
Not long after these ANBU ninjas left, at the entrance of Takigakure's waterfall, two figures walked out from the entrance.
These two people were Takigakure's leader Shibuki, and the Seven-Tails jinchūriki Fū.
Shibuki and Fū's eyes flickered with cautious gazes as they walked toward Yuto's group.
Yuto's group's brazen behavior, even with Takigakure's poor intelligence system, would have detected the arrival of outsiders.
"Leader, it's that guy."
Fū looked at Yuto ahead who had a smile on his face, and puffed up her cheeks slightly.
Shibuki didn't speak, only nodding.
However, from Shibuki's grave expression, it was clear that Yuto's group's previous visit hadn't left a very good impression.
"Long time no see, Shibuki, Fū." Yuto had a smile on his face as he looked at the two.
"Yuto-dono, may I ask what brings you to Takigakure this time?"
Shibuki stopped not far in front of Yuto, his face filled with doubt and caution.
"No need to be so tense, it's not our first time meeting."
Seeing Shibuki's tense appearance, Yuto shrugged helplessly.
Hearing Yuto's words, Fū stepped forward, not showing any tension at all. Instead, she stared at Yuto and said:
"Hmph, you guy, what exactly do you want with our village this time?"
"How can you speak to Yuto-sama like that!"
Ranmaru looked at Fū, his face showing anger, equally widening his eyes and glaring back fiercely.
[
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