"Kagura-kun."
"We've been delayed here for too long."
Uchiha Itachi once again ignored Akihara Kagura's advice.
Like most of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi had a stubborn and obsessive side, and he wouldn't heed Akihara Kagura's counsel at all.
The team set off toward the Land of Earth.
Not long after they left, the Kaguya Clan infiltrated this forest and discovered that the defensive line of the Land of Grass had vanished without a trace. These mad ninjas didn't care if it was a trap; they directly attacked the Hidden Grass Village and promptly occupied the empty village.
Many years ago.
Due to someone named Uchiha Madara being too powerful, the Uchiha Clan he led was even more belligerent than the Kaguya Clan, directly driving the Kaguya Clan to the Land of Water.
The Kaguya Clan had been striving to find a settlement, but due to their warlike nature, they weren't accepted by other Ninja Villages. They even discussed attacking the Hidden Mist Village, and this time, acting as mercenaries to attack the Land of Grass might signify their intention to return to the Ninja World Continent.
Now the Kaguya Clan finally had their own foothold.
Even though this foothold was just a small country, it was still a place to settle for them, so they immediately sent people to bring their clansmen from the Land of Water.
Konoha, Hokage Tower.
The turmoil in the Land of Grass caught Konoha's attention.
The entire Ninja World knew the Kaguya Clan had a belligerent nature in their very bones, and there was some concern that these guys might overreach and crazily attack Konoha.
"Let Hizashi make a diplomatic visit."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a deep understanding of family histories from the Warring States Era: "I remember, wasn't the Hyuga Clan a distant relative of the Kaguya Clan?"
Just like the relationship between the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan, the Hyuga Clan and the Kaguya Clan also had a familial connection, and the two clans sometimes maintained Warring States-era aristocratic interactions.
"Hmph..."
Shimura Danzo always liked to hold contrary opinions to Sarutobi Hiruzen's conventional views: "The Kaguya Clan will inevitably cause trouble; let me find an opportunity to get rid of them..."
"Danzo, you're being a bit extreme."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and continued, "If handled properly, many things can actually bring more benefits to Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took out his pipe and exhaled a puff of swirling smoke: "Have you spoken with Itachi yet about whether he's willing to help us influence the Uchiha Clan's attitude towards Konoha?"
"We'll know once that little fellow returns from the Hidden Rock Village."
Shimura Danzo squinted his eyes, satisfied with his evaluation of Uchiha Itachi: "If he's willing to be our ears and eyes, the Uchiha Clan's issues will be much easier to handle."
Land of Earth.
The entire geographical environment was rocky mountains.
On one hand, this geographical environment made it difficult for the Hidden Rock Village to communicate with the outside world; on the other hand, it greatly reduced the possibility of the Land of Earth being invaded.
The Hidden Rock Village only needed to defend narrow roads, and unless invaded from the coastline, other villages would find it difficult to enter the Land of Earth from the land, and even if they penetrated deeper, there was a risk of their entire army being wiped out.
The Hidden Rock Village's location was known for its strong defenses, surrounded by densely packed fortress rocks, making infiltration incredibly difficult.
Aside from this.
The number of ninjas in the Hidden Rock Village should be the highest among the Five Great Countries' Hidden Villages.
During the Third Ninja World War, the Hidden Rock Village fought on multiple fronts, sending troops to attack the Land of Fire and nearly breaking through its defenses, while also dispatching tens of thousands of troops to besiege the Hidden Cloud Village's ninjas. If not for the Third Raikage sacrificing his life to hold the line, the entire elite force of the Hidden Cloud Village might have been wiped out.
Similarly.
It was difficult for the ninjas of the Hidden Rock Village to recognize their own ninjas; they also needed to carry out assigned tasks to maintain their livelihoods, and many Hidden Rock ninjas went through life rarely encountering a comrade they'd only seen once.
After infiltrating the Hidden Rock Village, Yao Shidou had been trying to locate Dean Yakushi Nonou, who was also lurking in the Hidden Rock Village, hoping to meet with her to inform her of Shimura Danzo's plot and the forgotten Akihara Kagura.
Unfortunately, time was short.
Yao Shidou was not aware of Yakushi Nonou's code name.
If Yakushi Nonou was no longer operating as the wandering witch in the Hidden Rock Village, his hasty inquiries might expose the dean's identity, and to avoid exposing himself, Yao Shidou had to live as a normal ninja.
As a result...
Another upheaval occurred in the Hidden Rock Village when Uchiha Obito controlled the Five-tails Jinchuriki to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, causing chaos that locked down the entire Hidden Rock Village for a week.
This made Yao Shidou's actions all the more difficult.
Fortunately, the lockdown of the Hidden Rock Village finally lifted.
Fearing drawing attention, Yao Shidou dared not take any action and had to continue quietly performing commission tasks in the Hidden Rock Village.
Lately, Yao Shidou had been executing escort commissions in the border towns of the Land of Earth because he believed Yakushi Nonou might appear there, and Konoha was very likely to seek information about the Hidden Rock Village and Uchiha Obito from them.
As expected.
Yao Shidou discovered a contact code left for him by Konoha intelligence personnel in the border town and hurriedly went to meet them.
As a result...
At the rendezvous location, Yao Shidou saw a black-haired young boy.
"Uchiha Itachi..."
Yao Shidou felt a bit relieved.
Fortunately, the one who came was Uchiha Itachi, and not Akihara Kagura.
After arriving in the Land of Earth, Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi Hatake let their group find a place to settle while attempting to contact the Land of Earth's Intelligence Department personnel.
Luck was on their side.
There happened to be an intelligence operative here.
Yao Shidou nonchalantly approached Uchiha Itachi, walked up to the young boy, suddenly grabbed him and dragged him into a small alley!
"I'm Yao Shidou, a member of the Intelligence Department."
With just those words, Yao Shidou managed to calm Uchiha Itachi down.
"..."
Hearing Yao Shidou's name didn't immediately earn Uchiha Itachi's trust. He carefully exchanged the Konoha Intelligence Department's unique code belonging to Yao Shidou.
"Connection established."
Uchiha Itachi finally relaxed his expression and asked, "I'm here to request the assistance of intelligence personnel to help us investigate information about Uchiha Obito controlling the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Do you have any information on Uchiha Obito's whereabouts?"
"I know a little."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said softly, "When the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, attempted to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, he was subdued on the spot. Onoki discovered that Han was being controlled by the Sharingan, and suddenly, Uchiha Obito appeared..."
"The Third Tsuchikage Onoki tried to capture Uchiha Obito but failed. Uchiha Obito escaped, claiming that next time he would completely destroy the Hidden Rock Village, causing Onoki great anger..."
"The entire Hidden Rock Village was on lockdown for a week, searching for Uchiha Obito's whereabouts. So far, I haven't learned the outcome of this capture operation..."
"Maybe they caught him... maybe they didn't..."
"This is a secret that only the high-level of the Hidden Rock Village knows, and as a Genin, I can't find any specific information. It's best to give me a little more time."
"Okay."
Uchiha Itachi nodded.
Such matters are never easy to investigate.
Hearing that the person sent by his superior was willing to give him more time, Kabuto's heart relaxed a bit. As long as Konoha still needed his information, the crisis for himself and Dean Yakushi Nonou should be delayed for a while.
"By the way."
Uchiha Itachi took out a red scroll and handed it to Kabuto, "This is the latest mission given to you by Lord Danzo."
"I understand."
Kabuto reached out to take the red scroll, as if remembering something, suddenly asked, "Oh, I want to ask about someone. How is Akihara Kagura doing in the Root organization? I remember you and he were both participants in the Chunin Exams. Did he pass his exam?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi hesitated.
This spy's information was too outdated!
At this moment, Uchiha Itachi didn't know if he should say more. He knew that Kabuto and Akihara Kagura were close, but if he revealed that Akihara Kagura was also here, and they made contact privately, wouldn't it violate Konoha's intelligence department rules?
However...
Uchiha Itachi soon didn't need to worry about this issue.
"Kabuto, your question is quite disrespectful."
Akihara Kagura quietly appeared next to Kabuto and said, somewhat nonchalantly, "Standing in front of you is Uchiha Itachi, who in the future will take over the leadership of the Root organization from Lord Danzo. Asking him about the Chunin Exams doesn't it feel like you're poking at his wound?"
"Akihara Kagura!"
Kabuto's face suddenly turned somewhat anxious.
Although he had always been concerned about Akihara Kagura's news, he definitely didn't want to see him here, especially not at this time, and place!
"Kagura-kun!"
Uchiha Itachi stepped forward, admonishing Akihara Kagura for violating Konoha's rules: "Unless permitted, private contact with intelligence department members is prohibited, isn't this against Konoha's regulations?"
Uchiha Itachi watched Kabuto's slightly trembling body and said softly, "Kabuto, you can leave now."
"Yes."
Kabuto immediately wanted to leave here, knowing he couldn't waste time any longer; he must find the dean quickly!
Kabuto knew Akihara Kagura's lawlessness in the Root organization, and he didn't believe Akihara Kagura would adhere to any rules, nor did he think Akihara Kagura wouldn't dare to kill him and the dean!
However...
Kabuto felt a faint curiosity...
How could Uchiha Itachi become Shimura Danzo's successor? Could it be that Shimura Danzo was about to die? And what exactly was Akihara Kagura's status?
"Don't be in such a rush to leave..."
Akihara Kagura looked at Kabuto with interest, smiled as he said, "Kabuto, you should know what it means for me to appear here, right?"
"I know..."
Kabuto slowly lowered his head.
"That's good."
Akihara Kagura nodded in satisfaction and glanced at the red scroll in Kabuto's hand, "Looks like you have a new task; go ahead and complete it first!"
"As for our business..."
"It can wait for a while."
Akihara Kagura looked at Kabuto, who was somewhat uneasy, with a playful smile in his eyes.
"..."
Cold sweat slowly dripped down Kabuto's forehead.
Akihara Kagura stared at Kabuto, his smile becoming more pronounced, "Since you're here, the people you need to see, you should indeed meet, and those who you need to kill, you should definitely take out..."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi felt that things might not be as simple as he imagined.
Was the relationship between Akihara Kagura and Kabuto really as good as Kakashi Hatake claimed?
Why did Akihara Kagura speak with such a hint of sarcasm, and why would Kabuto be so terrified to see Akihara Kagura here?
"Kabuto, you should go now."
Uchiha Itachi stood firmly, blocking Akihara Kagura, signaling for Kabuto to leave.
"..."
Kabuto stood still, not daring to move.
Compared to Uchiha Itachi, Kabuto was more concerned about Akihara Kagura's attitude.
"Kabuto, you're free to go."
The words of Akihara Kagura made Kabuto feel as if he had received amnesty.
Just as Kabuto was about to leave, Akihara Kagura, looking at Uchiha Itachi, seemed to be speaking to him as he said, "Whether anyone can stop me from killing in the future will depend on your luck..."