Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template-Chapter 182

Hydrangea was originally a kunoichi from Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain). As its name implied, the village was shrouded in perpetual rain—sunlight could only be seen on rare Sundays.

Geographically, Amegakure was far from advantageous. Situated at the junction of the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Fire, it was often used as the primary battleground for war among the great nations.

If not for the reign of Hanzō the Salamander, Amegakure would have likely met the same fate as many small villages wiped out by conflict. However, Hanzō had not been seen for years. The outside world remained unaware of this absence; they only knew the village seemed embroiled in internal strife. What they didn't know was that Amegakure's leadership had long since changed—now under the control of Pain, the enigmatic leader of Akatsuki.

What Hydrangea didn't realize was that her home village had become the very stronghold of the Akatsuki organization.

—--

Pain remained seated motionless atop the colossal Buddha statue, eyes closed, as raindrops fell onto his expressionless face. Several black receivers pierced his skin, making his already eerie form appear more corpse-like and sinister.

Behind him, five figures with identical orange hair and clad in Akatsuki cloaks emerged from the shadows. One by one, they opened their eyes—Rinnegan—glowing with divine detachment and merciless judgment.

In the next instant, the six Paths of Pain vanished from atop the statue, their silhouettes flickering through the drizzle, heading straight for their target.

Meanwhile, in another location...

"Please exit the venue in an orderly manner and collect your prizes," Hyuga Neji instructed as he maintained order. The rankings were finalized, and the awards were ready to be distributed.

"Hyuga Hinata... this is your prize. Take it." Neji handed her a gleaming electromagnetic shield. He had come to realize that it was not Hinata or the branch family that were flawed—it was the Hyuga clan system and perhaps even the entire shinobi world.

"O-Okay... thank you," Hinata said softly, timidly accepting the shield. She wasn't sure of her cousin's mood—once quick to anger, he now seemed distant and restrained.

Hiashi Hyuga observed with a complex expression. He knew Hinata's award should have been a standard ninjutsu scroll, which meant this advanced equipment was Neji's personal gift.

"Next up... Rock Lee," Neji called, his tone neutral.

"You sure you're not coming back to Konoha, Neji?" Lee asked, accepting his prize with that ever-burning fire in his eyes. "We were teammates, you know? We belong together."

Neji shook his head. "I have no intention of returning. Not yet... not until this world changes."

"Tch. You geniuses are hard to figure out," Lee muttered, remembering the intense training days alongside Zixu. "Though, that guy Zixu... he's on par with the Kage now. What a monster."

"Genius... that word is meaningless when it comes to people like him," Neji muttered self-deprecatingly.

As Neji continued organizing the exits for the daimyōs and Kage, Zixu walked the grounds with a smile. He had seen many promising shinobi in this battle—future stars ready to be recruited. With the right tools, even the hardest soil yields.

"Yo, Neji, Lee. You're both here," Zixu greeted them with ease. Hyuga Hiashi stiffened upon seeing him. When did he get here?

"Speak of the devil..." Lee grinned. "Next! Uzumaki Naruto," Neji continued.

Zixu stretched lazily but inwardly remained troubled. Ever since the system had failed, a nagging anxiety plagued him. He felt something critical was missing—forgotten.

"What do you think of Uzushiogakure? There's a banquet tonight. You should all come before leaving," Zixu offered. As the host, it was only proper. Besides, the dishes of the former Whirlpool Country were unmatched.

"This isn't appropriate..." Hiashi began, but young Hanabi, trailing behind him, was already licking her lips. Hiashi's stern expression couldn't mask his growling stomach.

"I already informed Jiraiya. Relax—everyone's invited." Zixu smiled again before walking off.

"Wait, Zixu!" Naruto called. "Is it true you're a Jinchūriki too? Is there a tailed beast sealed in you?"

"...Who knows..." Zixu replied, a pained expression creeping onto his face. His eyes clouded with distant sorrow, his back framed with solitude. He didn't wish to discuss it.

"S-Sorry..." Naruto said, guilt-ridden. He knew the pain of being a Jinchūriki better than most. He hadn't meant to reopen a wound.

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"It's fine. The food's almost ready. Let's go." Zixu wore the same bright smile—but beneath it, pain lingered, unseen. The group fell silent and followed Neji to the banquet.

Elsewhere, Aburame Hatsuizumi was overseeing the departure of various daimyōs. They had signed cooperative pacts with Uzushiogakure. In return, Zixu and his allies provided parasitic insects capable of controlling shinobi.

As she watched them accept the insects, Hatsuizumi smiled darkly. She had already released the insects into their bodies. In a few days, she'd fully subdue several of them.

Of course, she wouldn't normally use such a trump card unless absolutely necessary. The aftereffects were far from trivial.

"Spring and Autumn... just how much chakra must you consume before you're satisfied..." she murmured.

The bloated daimyō of the Land of Water stepped up, dismissing his guards and reaching out to rub her temple.

"Get your filthy hand away," Hatsuizumi said coldly. His hand froze in midair. Her glare was like a kunai piercing through flesh.

"What are you still standing there for? Do you want me to escort you out?" she added, flicking her hand disdainfully as if purifying the air.

The daimyō slinked away in shame, thoroughly humiliated.

Meanwhile, in the outskirts of Kumogakure...

Two of Pain's Paths stood in the rain, their grips locked around the necks of the struggling Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails—Yugito Nii.

"Feel pain... then accept it. Only those who have suffered can understand peace," the Deva Path declared, towering like a god, gazing upon the Jinchūriki as if they were insects.

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