Ninja Recruitment System

Was Karui happy to see Zhang Miao?

Without a doubt, the answer was no!

Seven years ago, after the Third Shinobi World War ended, Kumogakure's economy and military strength were among the top in the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

However, the incident involving the attempted kidnapping of Hinata and Zhang Miao's subsequent appearance caused Kumogakure to suffer a heavy blow, and its overall strength dropped significantly.

Karui could never forget the scene of two Nine-Tails rampaging along the Grass Wave Coast, slaughtering Cloud Ninja. Every night, in his nightmares, he could still hear the roar of the Tailed Beast Bombs and the screams of the Cloud Ninja.

Karui often wondered if things would have turned out differently if he had managed to persuade the Fourth Raikage better back then.

Because of this guilt, Karui felt responsible towards the Fourth Raikage and his comrades in Kumogakure. For the past few years, he had been traveling with the Raikage, collecting various jutsu and secrets to make amends for his mistakes.

As for Zhang Miao, the main culprit, Karui did not harbor much hatred.

He believed that if he were in Zhang Miao's position, facing an invasion from an enemy nation, he would have done the same, if not worse.

The shinobi world respected strength. If Zhang Miao had only been somewhat robust, the many Cloud ninjas he killed would have been filled with hatred, constantly seeking revenge.

But Zhang Miao's overwhelming power created such a vast gap that it left all the Cloud ninjas, including the Fourth Raikage, feeling utterly helpless.

Thus, although Zhang Miao inflicted heavy damage on Kumogakure, most Cloud ninjas felt more awe than resentment towards him.

Karui felt the same way. So when Zhang Miao asked, "Are you happy to see me?" Karui's lips twitched a few times, and he forced a smile.

"Ha... ha ha, after seven years, it's an honor to see you again, Lord Ryunosuke. May I ask why you are here?"

Karui's biggest concern was that Zhang Miao might be here to harm them. With Zhang Miao's strength, they would be powerless to stop him.

Seeing Karui's worry, Zhang Miao smiled again.

"Ha ha, don't worry. I just happened to be here and saw you in trouble, so I helped you out. Now, you should rest as you're still recovering. Leave the rest to your Raikage."

With that, Zhang Miao turned to the Fourth Raikage and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Isn't that right, Raikage?"

"Yes!" The Fourth Raikage nodded immediately. "Of course. Karui, you should rest well. We'll be back soon!"

With that, before Karui could say anything, the Raikage walked out of the room. Zhang Miao shrugged and followed him.

Outside, Zhang Miao and the Raikage followed Shino Aburame to a ruin a hundred meters away, where they found the bodies of the Hyena Clan.

The five members of the Hyena Clan lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies without any wounds. However, their shriveled skin and terrified expressions indicated they had experienced something truly horrifying before their deaths.

Having fought the Hyena Clan, the Raikage immediately recognized them.

"Yes, these are the Hyena Clan members who have been hunting us. But what happened to them?"

As he asked this, the Raikage kept his eyes on Shino Aburame. Seeing this, Zhang Miao grinned.

"Heh heh, the details aren't important. What's important is that I solved this problem for you. How much are you willing to pay me?"

"Hmph, I never asked you to deal with them for me!"

Before Zhang Miao could finish, the Raikage snorted coldly.

"And speaking of payment, I already sent three billion ryo to Konoha, which was handed over to your people. But Killer B's seal hasn't been lifted yet. What do you have to say about that?"

"Uh... well, about that... I haven't forgotten!"

Though Zhang Miao possessed great strength, he wasn't the type to be unreasonable. He couldn't just take someone's money and refuse to deliver his promises.

So, hearing the Raikage's words, Zhang Miao looked a bit embarrassed.

"I just wanted to give Killer B more training. Now it seems the time is right. The reason I'm here is to go back with you and help lift Killer B's seal!"

The Raikage: "..."

Damn it, I'd be an idiot to believe you!

Though he knew Zhang Miao was bluffing, the Raikage didn't expose him. Instead, he nodded.

"Alright, in that case, come back to Kumogakure with us!"

The Raikage had his reasons. Out of the four people who came this time, Nii Yugito was dead, Karui was injured, and he couldn't use ninjutsu due to the Hyena Clan's explosive bugs. Only Amai, a medical ninja, was left, weakening their combat strength.

Zhang Miao's appearance was timely. With him around, they could safely return to Kumogakure, so the Raikage pretended to believe his words.

Zhang Miao knew the Raikage intended to use him as a "free bodyguard," but since he had accepted the money first, he didn't mind. He smiled at the Raikage.

"Heh heh, that's no problem. We can leave when you're ready. By the way, you seem to have explosive bugs in you, Raikage?"

"Mm?" Hearing Zhang Miao's question, the Raikage frowned and nodded.

"Yes, there are explosive bugs in my body. But as Tsunade said, they're too small to be removed surgically now. Do you have a way?"

"Heh heh, I don't have a way."

Hearing the Raikage's words, Zhang Miao smiled and shook his head, then turned to Shino Aburame.

"But this bug expert here does. Right, Shino?"

"Yes!" As soon as Zhang Miao finished, Shino nodded. "It's simple. I just need to send my female tracking bugs into his body to eat the explosive bugs."

"Did you hear that?" Zhang Miao smiled at the Raikage. "How about it? Want to give it a try?"