Rain fell steadily over Kumogakure, the distant rumble of thunder muffled by the thick walls of the Raikage Tower. Inside the high command war room, the air was dry, the atmosphere tense. A circular table dominated the room, with Ay, the Fourth Raikage, seated at its head, flanked by Cee and Darui. Mabui stood to the side, arms folded, observing silently. A handful of shinobi and analysts from the Sensory Division filled the remaining seats.
"Multiple reports from the eastern and southeastern borders," Cee began, unfurling a scroll covered in red markings. "Chakra signatures: unidentifiable. Not human. Not summon. Patterns resemble... constructs. But there's no summoner nearby."
"Define 'constructs,'" Ay said, voice low.
"Dense, compact chakra entities. They behave like living beings. They've attacked patrols, but don't speak. They vanish when damaged."
Darui scratched his head. "Sounds like summons. But you said no summoner?"
"None. Our scouts searched wide radius fields. No chakra trail matching a summoner's pattern."
A silence passed. Then one of the Sensory Division analysts cleared her throat. "Forgive the suggestion, but... doesn't that match the behavior of Rai's chakra monsters?"
All eyes turned to Ay.
He didn't flinch. Didn't blink. "...Yes."
Another elder spoke up. "Raikage-sama, could the boy have lost control of one? Or worse, duplicated the technique?"
Ay's jaw tightened. He stood slowly. "He hasn't left the village perimeter in days. I've reviewed his team records."
Darui leaned back. "Then we've got something new on our hands."
"Or old," Mabui added softly.
---
Rai wiped sweat from his brow, crouched in one of the elevated training platforms near the edge of the village. His control was improving. He could feel it. Even now, when he summoned La Jinn, the chakra strain wasn't as sharp as before.
But just as he let the monster vanish again, something flickered in his mind—a pulse from the system.
[Subpool Resonance Detected.]
He blinked. "What does that mean?"
No answer. Only the usual ambient hum of the Reliquary resting within his chakra network.
Before he could push further, a hawk circled overhead. A scroll dropped cleanly into the grass at his feet.
Rai unsealed it.
To: Rai of Kumogakure
Report to Raikage Tower immediately.
He sighed, stood, and dusted off his palms. "Guess training's over."
---
Raikage Ay stood with his back to the window, arms crossed as Rai entered. The room was quieter than usual. No aides. No guards.
"You're here. Good," Ay said. "Sit."
Rai obeyed.
"I'll be brief. We've had multiple reports from remote posts. People are seeing chakra-based entities. Constructs. Like yours. But they're not yours, are they?"
Rai shook his head immediately. "Impossible. My cards don't act without me."
Ay grunted. "That's what I thought."
He stepped forward, laying a blank scroll on the desk.
"Your mission is simple. Head to the southeastern forests. You'll have one sensor with you. Track the sightings. Determine if these things are natural, artificial, or tied to your... system."
Rai stared at the scroll.
"And if they're hostile?"
"Then you eliminate them."
A beat passed.
"Am I going alone?"
Ay nodded. "Yes. I want to see how you operate on your own, with a real assignment. This will be your first solo field mission."
Rai stood slowly. A flicker of anticipation sparked behind his eyes.
"Understood, Raikage-sama."
Ay's gaze hardened, but not unkindly.
"Don't underestimate what you're about to face. You may not be the only one out there with pieces of whatever it is you carry."