Terumi Mei's lips curled into a sly smirk at Ye Liangnai's suggestion. "Oh, absolutely," she said, her voice dripping with mischief. "Yuan Long will 'agree' whether he likes it or not."
The Next Day, Yuan Long's Estate
"Damn you, you insolent brat! Don't push me too far!" Yuan Long's voice was a venomous hiss, his face purple with rage as he glared at Ye Liangnai. The boy stood before him, a smug grin plastered across his face, holding a scroll bearing the Mizukage's seal. The order was clear: Ye Liangnai is granted two days' access to Elder Yuan Long's Treasure Vault to study all techniques, excluding forbidden jutsu. No obstructions permitted.
Yuan Long's hands trembled, his knuckles white as he gripped the scroll. What kind of nonsense is this?! Ye Liangnai was Mei's brother, his sworn enemy, and now he was forced to aid the boy's growth? The indignity burned like acid in his chest. There was no greater humiliation.
"Lord Mizukage, what are you thinking, approving this absurd request?!" he muttered under his breath, his mind reeling. But defiance wasn't an option. Yagura's authority was absolute, and Yuan Long, for all his power, couldn't risk open rebellion. With a snarl, he waved Ye Liangnai toward the vault. "Get in there, and be quick about it!"
Ye Liangnai's grin widened, his tone mockingly polite. "Much obliged, Elder Yuan Long. I'll be sure to visit often—"
"Get out!" Yuan Long roared, cutting him off. The outburst was too much—his face contorted, and he coughed violently, a spray of blood escaping his lips before he collapsed, unconscious from sheer fury.
Ye Liangnai raised his hands, feigning innocence as the surrounding guards stared in shock. "Hey, don't look at me like that—this isn't my fault!" With a shrug, he sauntered into the Treasure Vault, his heart racing with anticipation.
His goals were twofold. First, to master Lightning Style ninjutsu, a perfect cover to mask his recognizable fighting style in Kumogakure. Second, and more crucially, to study sealing and barrier techniques. Infiltration demanded utmost caution—eavesdroppers, traps, and unforeseen threats lurked everywhere. Barrier jutsu offered tools for detection, entrapment, and concealment, while sealing techniques were his ace against Uchiha Obito's Kamui, a power no ordinary ninjutsu could counter. And, of course, rubbing salt in Yuan Long's wounds was a delightful bonus.
Mizukage's Office
"A vindictive little brat, aren't you?" 'Yagura'—Uchiha Obito in disguise—chuckled, his voice low and amused. "Yuan Long sets you up, and you turn it around on him in a heartbeat. I'm curious to see what surprises you've got in store." His eyes gleamed with dark intent. "But if you die in Kumogakure, that'd be even better."
Obito's mission from his true self was clear: sow discord between Mei and Kirigakure, pushing her toward rebellion. Killing Ye Liangnai was the perfect catalyst, a spark to ignite her fury. The infiltration mission was a death trap, and Obito relished the chaos it would unleash.
Two Days Later, Treasure Vault
Ye Liangnai emerged from the vault's shadowy depths, stretching as sunlight hit his face. "Man, that's bright," he muttered, squinting. The Treasure Vault had been a goldmine, its shelves brimming with scrolls. "Not bad at all—some real gems in there."
Yuan Long stood waiting, his face a mask of barely restrained contempt. Ye Liangnai bowed theatrically, his voice dripping with false gratitude. "My deepest thanks, Elder. Your generosity has taught me so much. Truly, I'm forever in your debt."
Yuan Long's response was a cold snort. "Hmph. If you learned anything, it's no skin off my back. Lord Mizukage and I went to great lengths for you, so don't waste it. The Cipher Corps is ready—get to training, then execute your mission. Botch it, and neither I nor the Mizukage will let you off lightly."
Internally, Yuan Long scoffed. Two days? You think you learned anything worthwhile? A few C-rank jutsu at best, maybe one measly secret technique if you're lucky. In his mind, Ye Liangnai's gains were negligible, a drop in the bucket that posed no threat. No need to feel bad about 'strengthening' an enemy if his gains are this pathetic.
Ye Liangnai gave a mock salute. "As expected of the great Elder—everything's perfectly arranged. Farewell!" With a leap, he vanished, heading for the Cipher Corps.
Yuan Long watched him go, then entered the vault, curiosity piqued. Let's see what this fool picked. He smirked, imagining Ye Liangnai overwhelmed by the vault's vast collection, scrambling to choose. Faced with so many options and only two days, you'd grab the nearest C-rank scrolls, wouldn't you? No sense of strategy.
His eyes scanned the shelves, and his smirk grew. A-rank jutsu were untouched, only two B-rank scrolls disturbed, but the C-rank section was heavily rifled—exactly as he'd predicted. "Hah! Just a shortsighted kid," he muttered, triumphant. "No vision, no foresight. You'd rather learn a dozen C-rank jutsu than master one good one. Quantity over quality—what a moron."
He moved to the secret techniques section, spotting scrolls on barrier and sealing jutsu that Ye Liangnai had studied. His laughter was sharp, derisive. "Barrier jutsu? You're dumber than I thought. Piling on C-rank jutsu was bad enough, but this? You're just a brainless brute without your sister's guidance. A nobody."
Yuan Long left the vault, his mood buoyant. Ye Liangnai's apparent stupidity was a balm to his wounded pride. Let him flounder in Kumogakure. He's no threat.
On the Road to the Cipher Corps
Ye Liangnai's thoughts were far from Yuan Long's assumptions. "Who knew most C-rank jutsu had such high enhancement potential?" he mused, a sly grin spreading. "If I'd had more time, I could've checked the A- and B-ranks too. No rush, though—with enough points, I'll make C-rank Lightning jutsu outshine A-rank techniques."
He chuckled, imagining Yuan Long's smug dismissal. "You think I'm a fool, old man, underestimating me like that. You've got no clue what I've gained." The C-rank jutsu, with their latent potential, were a strategic choice, primed for his unique enhancement system. Barrier and sealing techniques were the real prize, tools to outwit Kumogakure's defenses and counter Obito's schemes. Yuan Long's arrogance blinded him to the threat brewing under his nose.
At the Cipher Corps, Ye Liangnai met Kisame Hoshigaki up close for the first time. The shark-like shinobi's towering frame and jagged grin were intimidating, but Ye Liangnai's excitement shone through, his smile so eager it unnerved Kisame slightly. What's with this kid?
Training began under the tutelage of Fuguki Suikazan, wielder of Samehada and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Kisame served as an assistant, moving mechanically through drills. Ye Liangnai absorbed the lessons like a sponge—codes, signals, and espionage tactics, each vital to his survival. No slacking when my life's on the line.
Between sessions, his mind wandered to Kisame. How will you respond to my offer, Kisame? He'd crafted his pitch, banking on Kisame's loyalty and disillusionment from the original story. The question was whether this Kisame would be as receptive.
During a Break
At a quiet corner of the Cipher Corps' training room, Ye Liangnai moved like a shadow, his voice low. "Kisame, a moment? I've got a question for you."
Kisame paused, his sharp eyes narrowing as he turned to face the boy, curiosity tinged with wariness. What's this kid playing at?