---
Mabui had already completed the detailed intelligence reports and letters requesting assistance—four in total. Among them, the letter addressed to Konohagakure was the most comprehensive. She carefully packed them into four iron boxes, each the size of a small table.
Seeing this, Tutai raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is this? Why pack the intel like that?"
Mabui replied, "Because I plan to use the Heavenly Transfer Technique to airdrop these four iron boxes into the Hidden Villages. It's the fastest way to deliver the information."
Tutai blinked, realization dawning. So that was her plan.
She intended to utilize the Heavenly Transfer Technique—a powerful jutsu developed during wartime for rapid transportation of materials and supplies.
As long as the exact coordinates—longitude and latitude—of the destination were known, the technique could instantly teleport an object to the designated location. While not as versatile as the Flying Thunder God Technique used by the Fourth Hokage, the Heavenly Transfer was highly effective for inanimate objects. Living beings, however, couldn't endure the massive strain of spatial transfer through this technique.
Years ago, some of Kumogakure's senior strategists had attempted to apply the technique to transport personnel during battle. The result had been catastrophic—most of the test subjects either died instantly or suffered severe internal injuries. Very few survived the process.
The only known successful subject was the Third Raikage, who managed to endure a one-time transfer due to his near-indestructible physique. As the man hailed as the strongest spear of Kumogakure, his durability was beyond comparison. Even so, it had left its mark.
Encasing the documents in a sturdy iron box ensured the scrolls remained intact even if the impact was violent. A box of that size crashing into a village would no doubt attract the immediate attention of any nearby shinobi.
To ensure swift recognition, Mabui also instructed several ninja to inscribe the iron containers with Lightning Release chakra, engraving the words: "Kumogakure Diplomatic Dispatch" on the exterior. That way, even enemy forces could identify the source before reacting with hostility.
Once all preparations were complete, Mabui had the boxes placed on the Heavenly Transfer Platform one at a time. She moved into position and began weaving hand seals.
"Heavenly Gift!"
A sharp crackling noise burst from the platform—lightning surged and sparked, and in a blinding flash, the iron box disappeared from sight.
The first transmission was directed to Konohagakure.
Immediately after the technique concluded, Mabui staggered slightly. She was visibly exhausted.
The jutsu consumed a massive amount of chakra, and she was pushing herself to transmit all four without pause. By the time she completed the third dispatch, her body was trembling, her knees buckling.
Tutai stepped forward, concern etched into his face. "Mabui, that's enough. Take a break."
But she shook her head firmly, accepting a canteen of water from a nearby shinobi. After a quick gulp, she caught her breath.
"Kumogakure is in crisis. Lord Raikage and C have fallen, and now Captain Darui has been kidnapped. Time isn't on our side. I have to finish this!"
She bit her lip so hard it bled, but she pushed forward, forming seals once more.
"Heavenly Gift!"
Another surge of lightning. The final iron box vanished from the platform.
And then Mabui collapsed.
Tutai rushed to her side. "Get her to the medical unit immediately!" he shouted.
As Mabui was carried off on a stretcher, a heavy weight settled over Tutai's shoulders. He was now the highest-ranking active shinobi in the entire village.
Just as he was trying to process this, Samui approached with Karui and Omoi flanking her.
"Lord Tutai, we have new intel!" Samui announced.
Tutai turned toward them, setting aside the rice ball he hadn't even realized he was holding. These three were Killer Bee's disciples—at least some of the next generation was still standing. Samui, in particular, bore a strong resemblance to Mabui in her composed demeanor. She was a level-headed and elite kunoichi, well-suited for critical missions.
"What is it?" he asked.
Samui's brows furrowed. "The Daimyō is summoning you."
Tutai's frown deepened. Of course—the Daimyō would want explanations after the recent attack.
He sighed. "Samui, the Raikage is unconscious, and Mabui just passed out from overusing her chakra. I'm the only one left in the chain of command."
He paused, then added, "I'm temporarily appointing you as acting commander. Look after Mabui. Once she recovers, coordinate care for Lord Raikage and C."
Samui nodded crisply. "Understood, Lord Tutai."
Tutai turned to Omoi and Karui. "You two, come with me to meet the Daimyō."
Omoi: "Yes, sir."
Karui sighed heavily. "Ugh… The Raikage is down, Darui's missing—are we cursed or something?! Agh, my head hurts just thinking about it!"
SMACK!
Omoi delivered a hard punch to the back of Karui's head.
"Quit it with the jinx talk, you idiot! Lord Raikage will pull through. He always does!"
Karui clutched her head in pain, face twisted. "Ow, dammit! That hurt!"
Tutai exhaled again, muttering, "Mabui… for now, I'm counting on you."
Mabui, in her unconscious state, barely managed a weak breath as the medics carried her away.
With that, Tutai, Omoi, and Karui departed for the Daimyō's palace.
---
Land of Fire – Konohagakure
A sudden distortion tore through the sky above the village.
BOOM!
A massive iron box appeared midair and plummeted into a residential sector, demolishing part of a house upon impact. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the explosion drew the attention of nearby villagers, who rushed out in alarm.
In the Barrier Unit's Sensing Division, the sensor-nin immediately picked up the intrusion.
"High levels of Lightning Release chakra detected! Activate the alert!" one of them shouted.
Within seconds, a squad from the mobile unit was dispatched. At the same time, ANBU operatives mobilized to investigate the impact zone.
A perimeter was established around the collapsed structure. Morino Ibiki, captain of the Torture and Interrogation Division, arrived swiftly, stepping over the cordon.
Kneeling beside the iron box, Ibiki ran his hand over the surface and sniffed it.
"Burnt metal," he muttered. "Smells like spatial friction burn."
His years in intelligence made it easy to identify anomalies. The box bore scorched marks from extreme heat, and though some of the writing was damaged, he could faintly make out the characters for "Kumo"—Kumogakure.
"Could this be a diplomatic missive?" he speculated.
The intense spatial shift must've created friction, searing the box's surface and fading the engraving.
"Hyūga Rijū, come here," Ibiki barked. "Use your Byakugan. What's inside?"
"Yes, Captain!" The young Hyūga formed a seal.
"Byakugan!"
The veins around his eyes bulged as chakra surged.
"There's a smaller container inside… it looks like a scroll—red-colored!" Rijū reported.
Ibiki's eyes narrowed. "Red? That's bad."
In the Warring States Era, red scrolls were emergency diplomatic pleas—requests for military assistance. Only the highest-ranking leaders were allowed to issue them.
"Get me a crowbar!" Ibiki barked.
A shinobi handed one over. Ibiki tossed it to Rijū. "Open it carefully."
Guided by his Byakugan, Rijū identified the weakest joint and pried the box open. Inside was another container, which he unsealed to reveal the red scroll.
In clear lettering, it read: "Urgent—To be opened only by the Hokage."
Ibiki's frown deepened.
Hyūga Rijū also frowned. "What's Kumogakure up to? Not long ago they were pressuring us to surrender Hinata-sama, and now they're begging for help?"
Ibiki stood up. "We'll let Lord Hokage decide."
Without wasting another moment, he turned and headed straight for the Hokage's office.
---
Land of Earth – Iwagakure
High in the sky, riding atop a massive clay bird, Deidara cackled madly.
"Hahahaha! Yo, old man Ōnoki, guess what? Deidara is back, yeah!"
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