"Because I was once a Shinobi of Konoha," Megumai stated.
"A Shinobi of Konoha?!"
Yugito Nii cried out in surprise, filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Konoha was the victor of the Third Shinobi World War, holding an esteemed position in the new era, even surpassing Kumogakure.
With such a background, why would Shopkeeper Tojo betray Konoha and defect to Kumogakure?
Could it be due to the Nine-Tails attack three years ago? Or perhaps the death of the Fourth Hokage and the return of the Third Hokage led to a power struggle that marginalized the new generation?
With her mind racing, Yugito Nii asked, "Shopkeeper Tojo, why did you leave Konoha?"
"My Uchiha clan suffered discrimination and suppression from the Third Hokage's high-level staff. I felt deeply pessimistic about the future of the Uchiha and my own future in Konoha. I wish to join Kumogakure, which I believe is a village that respects talent more."
"You are an Uchiha!"
Yugito Nii's eyes widened, feeling that the surprises were relentless tonight!
Megumai did not speak. The Three Tomoe appeared in her eyes.
In the moonlight, the scarlet pupils and black tomoe possessed a quality that was profoundly captivating.
A tidal wave surged in Yugito Nii's heart, and her fingertips trembled with excitement.
Kumogakure had always coveted Konoha's numerous bloodline limits, especially the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
Both played an exceptional role on the battlefield.
To this end, the Fourth Raikage had recently drafted a plan to kidnap the Hyuga Clan's heiress, set to be enacted when the peace treaty was signed next year.
Yet now, a living Uchiha mother and son were voluntarily offering to join Kumogakure!
A heaven-sent gift!
How could Yugito Nii not be excited?
She smiled broadly, quickly stepped forward, extended her right hand to Megumai, and said, "My apologies! I am Yugito Nii, the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails of Kumogakure. I haven't asked for your true name."
Megumai smiled faintly and shook her hand. "Megumai is my current name. My original name is Uchiha Megumi."
"A pleasure to meet you!" Yugito Nii's face was warm, completely shedding her previous aloofness.
"Megumi-senpai, if you don't mind, please allow me to escort you both to Kumogakure."
Megumai was very pleased with her change in attitude. She asked, "So, I can join Kumogakure?"
Yugito Nii nodded, then shook her head, explaining, "I personally welcome you to join Kumogakure. However, I am not in charge of the immigration assessment. This matter is too significant; I'm afraid it will require the Raikage-sama's personal decision."
Despite saying this, Yugito Nii was very certain that the Fourth Raikage would agree to Megumai joining Kumogakure.
Kumogakure dared to risk another major war just for a pair of Byakugan! Why wouldn't they accept a rogue Uchiha Shinobi who volunteered to join?
Especially when she brought an Uchiha baby with her.
No, it should be said that the Uchiha baby was the main reason!
With him, Kumogakure could procreate a new Uchiha clan!
In an instant, Yugito Nii had mentally planned out the next few dozen generations of Seiya's descendants.
However, out of caution, she did not overpromise, leaving some room for doubt. If the Raikage-sama refused Megumai for some reason, the situation would become awkward.
While the two spoke, young Seiya, overcome by fatigue, had long since fallen asleep.
Meanwhile, a female Shinobi finally climbed up the mountain from below.
She wore a Kumogakure forehead protector and was the same Shinobi who had accompanied Yugito Nii on the streets of Kumogakure.
As soon as she reached the summit, she spotted Megumai from afar, her reaction identical to Yugito Nii's.
"Shopkeeper Tojo, why are you here?!"
"Samui, you made it up. Come over, let me introduce you!"
With that, Yugito Nii briefly recounted the events that had just transpired.
An Uchiha descendant joining Kumogakure?
A pie falling from the sky?
Samui had lived for over thirty years and had never witnessed such a scene. Her thoughts were simple: This is Kumogakure's chance to soar!
They must hold onto the Uchiha who had been driven out of Konoha!
After a warm exchange of greetings, Yugito Nii and Samui embarked on the journey to escort Megumai and Seiya to Kumogakure.
As for the full Tailed Beast transformation training, it could be interrupted and resumed at any time.
The immediate priority was to safely bring the Uchiha descendants back to the village!
Since Seiya was sound asleep and should not be jostled, the group traveled a short distance before finding a secluded spot to set up camp and rest.
Now that she was leaving the Tetsu no Kuni and heading to Kumogakure, Megumai was essentially saying goodbye to her life of anonymity and no longer needed to maintain her disguise.
The next morning, she did not apply her plain makeup, openly revealing her stunning beauty.
Before leaving the tent, Seiya, ever perceptive, noticed this and reminded her, "Mama, you forgot to put on your makeup!"
Megumai smiled faintly and patted her son's small head. "I didn't forget, baby. I don't need to anymore."
"Oh!" Seiya nodded happily, touching her face. "Can Mama go out looking beautiful every day now?"
"Yes, she can."
Megumai answered with a smile.
After a brief playful moment with her son, she carried him out of the tent.
"Megumi-senpai, good mor..."
Yugito Nii greeted her warmly, but her voice abruptly cut off.
Her lips parted slightly in disbelief as she stared at the woman before her.
How did Megumi-senpai become so beautiful overnight! It's like she's a completely different person!
Had it not been for the faint, recognizable outline of her features, Yugito Nii would never have believed this was Megumai!
Yugito Nii herself was considered a recognized beauty, but facing Megumai now, she couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy.
"That was a disguise for traveling in the shinobi world. I apologize for the poor impression," Megumai said lightly.
"Megumi-senpai is always full of surprises!"
Yugito Nii genuinely admired her, then greeted Seiya, "Good morning, little one!"
"Good morning, Sister."
Seiya was polite and reserved. He wondered why this unfamiliar woman was so enthusiastic.
Yugito Nii noticed his reserve and asked, confused, "Little one, don't you remember me? I fought someone on the street before, and you even praised me for being amazing!"
"..."
Seiya thought for a moment, then shook his head blankly.
Megumai explained, "He's still young, he doesn't remember much."
Yugito Nii nodded in understanding, then smiled and reintroduced herself, "Baby, I am Yugito Nii, a Kumogakure Shinobi. We are travel companions for the journey ahead, so please take care of me!"
"Hello!" Seiya nodded seriously, pointing to his own nose. "My name is Seiya!"
He then added, with all seriousness, "I am Mama's baby!"
What an adorable child! Yugito Nii chuckled, then turned to Megumai to discuss serious matters.
"This location is less than a hundred li from the Tetsu no Kuni's border. To avoid any incidents, once we leave the country, we will quickly pass through the smaller villages like the Land of Hot Water and enter the Land of Lightning. The next few days might be a bit strenuous."
Megumai nodded in agreement. "No problem."
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