The news of Funi's death spread across the shinobi world at an astonishing speed.
Konoha knew.
Sunagakure knew.
The Akatsuki knew.
The black market knew...
And finally, Kiyoshi, who was in the middle of grueling negotiations with Danzō, learned of it as well.
"It seems you no longer wish to continue these talks, then. Please leave."
Seeing the dazed look on the woman's face, Danzō withdrew his aggressive demeanor. Under the escort of ANBU, he left the room specially prepared for negotiations.
What a stubborn woman. She clearly knew that Konoha would never hand over the Seven-Tails, yet she still tried everything she could to resist.
Unfortunately, the gap in power between Konoha and Takigakure wasn't something one or two people could overturn with sheer effort.
"No... impossible..."
Only after Danzō walked away did Kiyoshi's face twist into despair. She shook her head again and again.
The Takigakure shinobi who had come to deliver the message couldn't bear to see her like this, but he had no choice but to force his comrade to face reality.
"It's true. The village head, the sealing unit, and the guards—they were ambushed. All of them were killed on the border near the waterfall."
"No! No, stop! Don't say it!"
Suddenly springing to her feet, Kiyoshi shoved away the comrade beside her and bolted from the room.
"What a pitiful person."
Watching through the window as Kiyoshi ran frantically down the street, Hyūga Hizashi shook his head.
He had been ordered to keep watch over Kiyoshi's group, and had personally witnessed the exhausting back-and-forth she had endured with Danzō over these past few days.
She truly was pitiable.
In stark contrast was Kisame, who left negotiations laughing as brightly as he had entered.
After several rounds of secret talks, Kirigakure had finally regained the right to reform its Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Never again would they be mocked as the "Seven Swordsmen Without Swords."
"Hokage-sama, Kirigakure's people have taken the blades away."
Hakuyun Sōken reported to Takeshi after seeing Kisame off.
"Is that so."
Takeshi didn't even lift his head, eyes fixed on the interrogation record of the Sky Ninja, searching for the answers he wanted.
Most of what he'd heard so far, he could understand. But the Snow Ninja's techniques were entirely unfamiliar to him.
And then there was the darkness that had swallowed Yōwan in the end.
It was like Yomotsu Hirasaka...
Takeshi quickly dismissed the thought.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi hadn't happened. Kaguya shouldn't be resurrected.
Other than the Ōtsutsuki, who else from the original story could wield such power?
Hopefully, Obito's infiltration into Amegakure would bring some answers.
...
In a drainage channel in the Land of Rain, a toad suddenly poked its head out.
Its mouth opened wide, and a hand reached out from deep in its throat.
Then came the shoulder, the head, the legs...
Finally, cloaked in a coat and wearing a tiger-striped mask, Obito emerged fully onto the soil of the Land of Rain.
Adjusting his clothes, Obito still didn't understand why Takeshi insisted he wear such an outfit to sneak into Amegakure.
"Looks like no one noticed... Next step is to gather intel."
Turning his head to scan the area, Obito saw no enemies nearby. Shaking off the rain from his clothes, he strode toward the nearest cluster of buildings.
Compared to many years ago, when he'd first sought the Akatsuki, today's Amegakure was full of order and rules.
The shinobi wearing forehead protectors no longer acted arrogant or overbearing. Toward civilians, they always maintained polite, respectful manners.
The tall tax platforms once seen in every town were gone too, replaced by guard posts maintaining public order.
"What should I do now...?"
As Jiraiya's disciple, Obito had learned infiltration techniques, but had little experience in actual intelligence gathering.
Not wanting to seem suspicious, he decided to act as a traveler and quietly observe the habits of the locals.
...
Far away in Konoha, Jiraiya shared the same worries.
With his weaknesses held tightly in the village's hands, the former wanderer could now only toil like a workhorse, throwing himself into Konoha's reconstruction.
But when he heard that his foolish disciple had been sent by Takeshi on an infiltration mission, the master could no longer sit still. He confronted Takeshi as the latter was preparing the next operation.
"That idiot Obito is not suited for this kind of mission. I don't understand why you'd rather send him than me."
Jiraiya leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, voice stern.
"What we need now is to quietly gather intelligence on the Land of Snow, without drawing their attention—especially on how they've colluded with Uchiha Yōwan."
Takeshi ignored the complaint and instead continued explaining the mission.
The Land of Snow's location was far too remote, and much too distant from Konoha. It was impossible to muster a large force there in a short time.
Luckily, Kakashi had once been sent to the Land of Snow on a mission, so Takeshi entrusted this infiltration to him with confidence.
He had also given Kakashi powerful teammates:
Uchiha Hachidai, Nara Hōen, and Yamanaka Akira.
All were veteran jōnin of the village. Especially Uchiha Hachidai—before the police force was reorganized, his rank was second only to Fugaku.
"This time, you can decide as you see fit on-site. Don't hesitate when it's time to act."
Takeshi made a slicing motion across his neck.
Though Kazahana Dotō had usurped the throne, the true heir of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Koyuki, was still alive.
If things went wrong, Konoha could always claim to be "restoring the rightful heir" while doing whatever dirty work was necessary.
"I understand."
Kakashi nodded, then glanced at Jiraiya, who still hadn't left, before stepping back.
He too didn't understand why Takeshi was so fixated on Amegakure. Since Hanzo's death, that village had plunged into isolation.
Catching Kakashi's look, Takeshi knew the man was waiting for his answer.
"I suspect that's Yōwan's main base."
Gesturing for Jiraiya to close the door, Takeshi pointed to the chair before him.
"Then all the more reason I should go. I am one of the Legendary Sannin—you know what that name means."
Jiraiya sat down, brows furrowed, emphasizing once more: "Do you really think I'd lose to a bunch of Uchiha?"
Actually... you just might.
Takeshi bit back the words. Saying it aloud would only wound him too deeply.
"Obito's eye technique is far more suited for this situation."
"But he has no experience in intelligence work. And with his personality..."
"I think so too." Jiraiya had barely finished before Kakashi added his agreement.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo