Getting to Work

"Itachi, you can move now!"

At four o'clock in the afternoon, all the students who remained had left the school.

The once bustling school suddenly became deserted, empty and desolate, as faculty and staff gradually left for the day.

However, the Sand Village delegation has not yet left.

In the school's reception room, the dean of academic affairs, who had received orders from Katsuki, did everything in his power to forcibly keep Rasa and his group there. As for the Rain Ninja delegation, they had already finished their visit and left before the students finished school.

"Lord Rasa, it's almost time. We have other scheduled activities today."

The secretary leaned close to Rasa's ear and whispered something.

Rasa put down his teacup and was about to speak.

"Bang!"

The room door was violently opened.

"Oh, Rasa, it's been a long time!"

Katsuki strode in, and the head of the teaching department tactfully stood up and gave up the seat opposite Rasa.

"... It really has been a long time, Katsuki." Rasa's face twitched, then he revealed a slightly stiff smile.

The two had interacted many times. In the fifteen years since the end of Third Shinobi War World War, there had been frequent exchanges between Konoha and Sunagakure. As the former Anbu Chief Katsuki, Mizuki had dealt with Rasa, who served as the ambassador, quite a bit. In addition, there was the complicated relationship they had formed during the Second Shinobi World War, which made their friendship quite peculiar.

"Katsuki, what does this mean?"

Rasa looked at Katsuki, who was sitting opposite him.

Behind Katsuki, Itachi led a group of Root ninjas in, spreading out along the walls to form a clear encirclement.

Seeing this group of guys wearing plant-patterned masks and exuding a murderous aura, the Sand Ninja instinctively became wary.

The stiff smile on Rasa's face vanished, replaced by a somber, cloud-like expression.

"Well, Rasa, don't be nervous, I mean no harm."

Katsuki said with a smile.

Rasa: "..."

This is what you call no malicious intent? Then just get rid of these bastards at the Root! Are they some kind of special exhibit here?

He was inwardly grumbling, and a dark cloud lingered on his face.

"Hmm--! Let's get down to business! Itachi..."

Katsuki gestured as if to introduce someone.

"Rasa, let me introduce you. This is the Deputy Chief of Root, Uchiha Itachi, a genius junior whom we are very proud of!"

Rasa stared blankly at Uchiha Itachi.

He had heard of Itachi's reputation; Konoha's intelligence was always a key focus, and Uchiha Itachi, hailed as one of the two rising stars of the Uchiha Clan, was naturally someone he couldn't possibly overlook.

That's a really strong guy!

At first glance, unlike the blurry photos, at such close range, he could clearly sense the beast-like power hidden within the other person's seemingly frail body.

He glanced at them quickly, then lowered his eyes, not daring to look any longer. He wouldn't make such a foolish mistake as making eye contact with someone from the Uchiha Clan.

"Lord Itachi? What is the meaning of your actions? Does attacking us mean you intend to destroy the alliance that has lasted for over a decade?"

All the ninjas around were from Root. Although Katsuki was also there, it was clear that the person in charge was the Deputy Chief of Root, a young man from the Uchiha Clan.

In particular, Katsuki also displayed a detached, observing attitude, which gave the impression of mentoring younger generations.

"Breaking the alliance? Rasa overestimates me. I am merely a lowly Deputy Chief of Root." Itachi smiled slightly. "It was only because of an incident that occurred in the village yesterday that I had no choice but to resort to this tactic and come to meet with Rasa."

"What is it? We just arrived in Konoha yesterday and have been staying at the embassy without leaving. You must have made a mistake."

Rasa narrowed his eyes, looking at Itachi's hands hanging limply at his sides.

"It has indeed been confirmed from all aspects that you have all remained at the embassy. However... this matter is quite interesting. Would you like to hear it, Rasa?"

Itachi said calmly.

Rasa didn't reply, but his eyes were still wary of Katsuki, who looked relaxed and carefree.

Itachi didn't seem to mind, continuing, "Last night, a minor section chief in the village Administration Department was poisoned in the tavern with an extremely complex synthetic poison, a deadly poison unlike anything I'd ever heard of."

Highly poisonous?

Rasa's pupils contracted. He now understood why they had come looking for them. The Sand Village was renowned for its skill in using poison, and on their very first day in Konoha, someone had been poisoned to death, and with a complex and potent poison at that? If he were in Itachi's position, he would surely have become suspicious as well.

However, no one left the embassy last night.

He himself was a sensory ninja, so he wouldn't be unable to keep an eye on his subordinates.

"The poison's composition is extremely complex. The medical elites spent an entire night trying to formulate an antidote, but to no avail. Just recently, my subordinates reported that Lady Tsunade personally intervened and finally deciphered the poison's composition and clarified the formulation process..."

At this point, Itachi paused, took a breath, and took the tea offered by the dean of academic affairs to moisten his throat.

"Lady Tsunade doesn't use poison, but her skill in detoxification is incredibly profound. Moreover, there are many familiar traces in the preparation of this poison... According to Lady Tsunade's judgment, it must be related to Chiyo of the Sand."

"How utterly ridiculous! Chiyo has long since retired from public life. How could she possibly come to Konoha to kill someone?"

A young, strong Sand Village ninja in his thirties couldn't help but loudly retort.

"That's right." Itachi nodded, not annoyed by the other's sudden interruption, and said calmly, "Indeed, there is no intelligence indicating that Chiyo of the Sand has left Sunagakure. However, isn't Lady Chiyo's only grandson in your delegation? Sasori of the Red Sands's reputation is not much weaker than that of Chiyo of the Sand; in fact, he should be said to have surpassed his master. As for the Puppet Technique and poison-making techniques passed down through the same lineage... it's not surprising that they are somewhat similar."

In an instant--

All eyes turned and fell upon Scorpion.

Sasori of the Red Sands, with a handsome face that resembled that of a young man in his early twenties, stood behind Rasa like a withered tree, seemingly oblivious to the scrutinizing gazes directed at him.

"Lord Itachi, occasionally geniuses appear, and it's not impossible for them to concoct complex poisons. I chatted with Sasori and Baki until very late yesterday. He couldn't have left the embassy without my knowledge, not even Shadow Clone."

Rasa spoke slowly, vouching for Scorpion.

"I did not say that His Excellency Scorpion had left the embassy."

Itachi shook his head.

"... So what exactly do you mean? Are you trying to play us for a fool?"

Rasa's words carried a hint of anger, and his eyes no longer concealed the flames of fury.

"I have no interest in playing pranks. If I could, I'd rather go home quickly. I promised my brother I'd exercise with him after dinner, but it looks like I'll have to break my promise again today..."

Itachi gave a wry smile. (To be continued)