CHAPTER 137: THE LURE

The morning sun cast long shadows across the jagged peaks surrounding Kumogakure. Ren and his team observed the village from a high vantage point. The settlement was built into the mountains themselves, a testament to the Cloud shinobi's resilience.

"Boss, how are we supposed to find this Two-Tails Jinchuriki?" Suigetsu asked, scratching his head. "We don't even know what she looks like. Do we just waltz in and start asking around?"

Ren's mood seemed unusually light. "According to our intelligence, the Jinchuriki is a kunoichi named Yugito Nii. She has blonde hair, and unlike most natives of Lightning Country, her skin is fair. She's said to be quite the beauty." He glanced at Suigetsu. "But we won't need to search door-to-door. That's where Karin's talent comes in."

He turned to the red-haired kunoichi. "A Jinchuriki's chakra is unique—a massive, malignant signature intertwined with their own. It's impossible to miss for a sensor of your caliber. Locate that presence."

Karin adjusted her glasses, a confident smirk on her face. "Leave it to me."

"Tch. So that's her only use," Suigetsu muttered under his breath.

Karin shot him a venomous look but didn't retort, instead closing her eyes to focus. Her sensory abilities expanded outward, a vast, invisible net sweeping over the village below. Minutes passed, her brow furrowing in concentration. The sheer size of Kumogakure made the task more demanding than usual.

Finally, her eyes snapped open. "There! I've got her. She's in the central market district. But... there's another chakra signature with her. What's the plan? We can't just grab her in the middle of the village."

"Direct action here would be suicide," Ren agreed. "We need to draw her out. To a place of our choosing." A cold smile played on his lips. "Follow me."

He led them down from the ridge to a secluded alley just inside the village's main entrance. With a few quick hand signs from Ren, the guards at the gate slumped against the wall, trapped in a powerful genjutsu, their eyes glazed over. The infiltration was effortless.

Once hidden in the shadows of the alley, Ren produced two folded black cloaks adorned with red clouds. "Suigetsu. Jūgo. Put these on."

"Eh? The Akatsuki uniform?" Suigetsu grinned, catching on immediately. "Oh, I get it! A little false flag operation to piss her off and lure her out. Clever, Boss!"

Soon, the two were disguised as members of the very organization they sought to undermine. The robes were a perfect fit.

"Your task is simple," Ren instructed. "Walk through the market. Ensure Yugito Nii sees you. Then, immediately leave the village, heading for the rendezvous point we scouted yesterday. Do not engage. Do not draw any more attention than necessary. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear, Boss!" Suigetsu said, his excitement barely contained. "This is gonna be fun."

In the bustling market, Yugito Nii was enjoying a rare, peaceful day shopping with her friend, Samui. The tension that usually accompanied her existence as a Jinchuriki was momentarily forgotten.

Her good mood evaporated in an instant when her eyes fell upon two figures moving against the crowd. Their attire—black cloaks with red clouds—was unmistakable.

"Samui," Yugito said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Look. Those two... their outfits." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on n0velfire.net

Samui followed her gaze, her typically calm expression hardening. "The Akatsuki. They've infiltrated the village. This is bad. We need to inform the Raikage immediately."

"Inform him? Why don't we just capture them ourselves?" Yugito's fists clenched. The presence of these hunters in her home ignited a fierce protectiveness.

"Don't be reckless, Yugito!" Samui hissed, grabbing her arm. "This is a crowded market. A fight here would endanger countless civilians. Our priority is to report this."

As if sensing their attention, the two Akatsuki members turned and began walking purposefully away from the market square.

"They're leaving!" Yugito said, urgency in her voice. "There's no time! Samui, you go report to the Raikage. I'll tail them and make sure we don't lose their trail. I'll be careful, I promise."

Samui hesitated, weighing the options. Yugito was one of the village's strongest fighters, a Jinchuriki. Tracking them was less risky than a direct confrontation.

"Alright. But you are only to track them. Do not engage! I'll bring reinforcements as fast as I can!"

With a final, worried glance, Samui turned and sprinted towards the Raikage's tower.

Yugito watched her friend disappear, then turned her focus back to the retreating figures in black cloaks. A determined fire burned in her eyes. These men represented a direct threat to her and her village. She would not let them escape.

You've come to the wrong village, she thought, melting into the shadows and beginning her pursuit. She had no idea she was following a trail deliberately laid for her, leading away from safety and into the jaws of a different, equally dangerous predator.

(End of Chapter)

(The trap is set! Yugito has taken the bait. Will she realize it's a ruse before it's too late? The hunt for the Two-Tails begins in the next chapter!)

💀 WANT TO READ AHEAD? 💀

👉 JOIN MY PATREON — Patreon.com/The_Ripper_87

════════ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ════════

🔥 CURRENTLY AT CHAPTER 255: A DANCE OF PHANTOMS 🔥

💥 20% DISCOUNT ON MEMBERSHIPS UNTIL OCTOBER 9! 💥

GRAB THE OFFER BEFORE IT ENDS