Shiro pulled his arm back, shaking his head with a dismissive air. "The Kugutsu clan… they weren't so tough after all. Then again, perhaps I'm just too strong."

His mount, Danzō, immediately chimed in with a series of enthusiastic barks, as if to agree with his master's assessment.

"Hmph." Shiro retracted the crackling lightning chakra that enveloped his body, taking a deep, steadying breath. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode was an incredible power, but his body had not yet fully adapted to it. His heart was still pounding in his chest like a war drum.

"Let's go, Danzō," he commanded. "Find Yakumi!"

"Woof!"

With a powerful leap, Danzō took off, flying through the forest with Shiro on his back. It wasn't long before they found the Uchiha shinobi resting beneath a large tree.

Shiro landed beside him. "How did it go? Did you retrieve the scroll?"

Yakumi hung his head, his voice full of frustration. "I am sorry, Shiro-dono. It is my failure. He was a sensory ninja, and he used an escape technique I have never seen before. I… I lost him."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Shiro said, his tone reassuring. "There's nothing to be done. He's one of the Raikage's elite, after all. His skills are bound to be exceptional. Come on, let's keep moving."

"Shiro-dono? Do you have a way to find him?"

"Something like that," Shiro replied. "In any case, follow me! We're heading to the nearest town! Hurry!"

From his past life, Shiro recalled that the Raikage's team, wounded and desperate, had taken refuge in a nearby town. There, they had happened to meet the legendary Sannin, Tsunade. It was only thanks to her and Shizune's unparalleled medical skills that the explosive insects had been removed. To find them now, their only option was to go to the nearest town and try their luck.

That evening, in a small town, in a dark, rented room, Omoi lay on a stone bed, groaning in pain. The explosive insect in his body had grown to a grotesque size and looked as if it could detonate at any moment.

Raikage A stood beside him, his face a mask of helpless fury. He felt a deep sorrow for his subordinate, but for all his immense strength, there was nothing he could do. This was a problem that only a master medical ninja could solve. All he could do was watch, his hands clenched in a fist of impotent rage.

"Lord Raikage!"

Samui's voice sounded from outside the door. The Raikage quickly opened it. "Samui, you're finally back."

Samui raised her hand, presenting the scroll to her leader. "It was only thanks to you attracting the enemy's main force that I was able to escape, sir."

The Raikage took the scroll, but his face showed no joy. "We have the ancestral scroll of the Sugi, but we cannot return to the village just yet." As he spoke, he glanced back into the room. Hearing the groans from within, Samui's heart tightened, and she rushed inside.

"Omoi! What happened to you?!"

"Hehe…" Seeing her, Omoi forced a weak smile. "I'm… I'm fine."

Samui placed her hands on his chest, her palms glowing with the green light of medical ninjutsu. "You idiot! How is this fine?! Hold on, I'll treat you now! By the way, where is Karui?"

"He's dead," the Raikage gritted his teeth, his voice a low, pained growl. "He was killed by the Kugutsu clan. He suffered the same fate as Omoi."

Hearing of Karui's death, Samui had no time to grieve. Her expression turned deadly serious. "Lord Raikage, please tell me everything that happened after I left. The details will help me treat Omoi's injuries."

"Right. I understand."

The Raikage nodded and began to recount the story.