Chapter 10: A New Path

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting its golden light over Kumogakure as Ei made her way toward the Ninja Academy. Today was a significant turning point in her journey—not because of the training she would receive, but because of the connections she planned to build. It wasn't just about becoming the strongest shinobi anymore. Ei had learned from her father's words and the recent mission that strength wasn't enough. If she was to lead the village one day, she needed allies, people she could rely on. And most importantly, she needed a partner.

Her mind wandered briefly to her brother, A, and his legendary partnership with Killer B. The two of them formed the perfect duo—A's raw power complemented by B's unorthodox yet devastating techniques. Together, they were unstoppable. Ei knew she needed someone who could balance her abilities, someone who could stand beside her, just as B stood beside A.

She had given it a lot of thought, and there was only one person in the academy who stood out: Yugito Nii. Yugito had just been named the new jinchūriki of the Two-Tailed Beast, Matatabi. With that immense power came great responsibility, and Ei recognized the potential in Yugito. They both carried heavy burdens—Yugito as a jinchūriki, and Ei as the future Raikage. Together, they could forge a bond that would not only strengthen them as shinobi but also solidify Kumogakure's future.

As she entered the academy, the usual bustling energy of the students filled the hallways. Ei walked with a quiet confidence, her eyes scanning the crowd. She noticed the curious glances from some of the other students, whispers of her recent mission with A spreading through the academy like wildfire. But Ei paid them no mind. Her focus was clear—Yugito.

She found Yugito sitting by herself in the corner of the training grounds, her golden eyes glowing faintly with the power of the Two-Tails. There was a certain loneliness about her, despite her formidable strength. Ei approached slowly, her footsteps soft but deliberate. She could sense Yugito's awareness of her presence long before she spoke.

"Yugito," Ei said, her voice calm but direct. "Mind if I join you?"

Yugito glanced up, her expression guarded at first, but she nodded. "Sure."

Ei sat down beside her, the two of them sitting in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the other students sparring and training. Finally, Ei spoke again.

"You've been the jinchūriki of Matatabi for a few months now, haven't you?"

Yugito's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't shy away from the question. "Yeah. It's… been an adjustment. But I'm managing."

Ei nodded. "I know how that feels. Being given a responsibility that comes with expectations, power, and consequences."

Yugito gave her a curious look. "What would you know about that?"

Ei smiled faintly. "I'm the daughter of the Raikage. And one day, I'm going to take his place. There are a lot of eyes on me, watching every move I make."

Yugito's expression softened slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "I guess you would understand then."

"I do," Ei replied, her tone serious. "Which is why I'm here. We both carry a lot of weight, Yugito. And we're going to need allies who understand that if we're going to succeed. I've been thinking… about forming a partnership."

Yugito blinked, clearly surprised. "A partnership? With me?"

Ei nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes. Like A and Killer B. They're an unstoppable force together. I believe you and I could be the same."

There was a brief silence as Yugito considered Ei's words. She had always been a loner, preferring to handle her training and her responsibilities as a jinchūriki on her own. But the idea of having someone who understood her struggles, someone who could stand by her, was tempting. And Ei wasn't just anyone—she was the Raikage's daughter, a warrior in her own right.

"What makes you think we'd make a good team?" Yugito asked, her tone challenging but not dismissive.

Ei smiled, sensing the shift in Yugito's attitude. "You're strong, Yugito. You've mastered control over the Two-Tails in a way that most jinchūriki only dream of. And me? I've been training under my father's guidance since I was four. I've already mastered the Lightning Chakra Mode. We're both forces to be reckoned with individually, but together, we could be unstoppable."

Yugito considered this, her eyes studying Ei carefully. "And what do you want out of this partnership?"

"I want a teammate I can trust," Ei said simply. "Someone who understands the weight of power and responsibility. Someone who will stand beside me when the time comes to lead this village. I'm not looking for a subordinate, Yugito. I'm looking for an equal."

The sincerity in Ei's words caught Yugito off guard. She had expected someone like Ei to be all about status and ambition, but there was something genuine in her offer. A partnership of equals—it was rare, especially for someone of Ei's position.

Yugito's eyes met Ei's, and she nodded slowly. "Alright. I'm in."

A smile tugged at Ei's lips. "Good. We'll start training together tomorrow."

As they stood up to leave, Ei felt a sense of satisfaction. The first step in building the political connections she needed had been taken. But more than that, she had found someone who could be her partner in battle and beyond. With Yugito by her side, Ei knew they would forge a bond just as strong as the one between A and Killer B.

As they walked back toward the academy building, Ei spoke again. "You know, this isn't just about training or power. It's about trust. If we're going to be partners, we need to rely on each other completely."

Yugito smirked. "I'm not the easiest person to trust, Ei."

Ei raised an eyebrow, amused. "Neither am I. But that's what makes this interesting."

Yugito chuckled, the tension between them easing. "Fair point. I guess we'll see how this goes."

Ei smiled. "I think we'll do just fine."

The two of them continued their walk, side by side, as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead. Ei had always known that she would rise to become the Raikage, but now, with Yugito by her side, she could see a clearer path to that future—a future where they would lead Kumogakure together, not just as warriors, but as equals.

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End of Chapter 10.