Ambush

As for Madara, he still hadn't made a move. That proved the situation hadn't slipped beyond his control.

It seemed worth a try.

The chance to gain power far beyond a Jonin's was right in front of me. I had to consider whether this was the only chance I'd ever get.

"If it's good for the Ninja World, how could I refuse just because my own interests are involved?"

Uchiha Mai delivered the line on the spot, then said, "Since it's Lord Hokage's order, I have no reason to refuse.

Give me a moment to make arrangements, and I'll be ready to leave."

This side job would probably take a while. He needed to put everything in order before he went.

Once he had made all the arrangements, Uchiha Mai hurried away from the front with the trio, bound for Amegakure.

The Land of Rain was neither especially large nor especially small. It stretched several hundred kilometers across, with Amegakure at its center.

The battlefield where Iwagakure and Konoha fought lay near the Land of Rain's border, deliberately avoiding Amegakure. After all, neither side wanted to provoke Hanzo the Demigod for no reason.

The trio were in high spirits throughout the journey. Yahiko, especially, grew more excited the closer they got to Amegakure. His dream was about to come true.

Uchiha Mai traveled at an unhurried pace, keeping watch on their surroundings while making occasional small talk with the three of them.

They discussed nothing important. It was only small talk.

The worst mistake in a new acquaintance was getting too personal too soon. Uchiha Mai's only connection to the trio was that they had all been taught by Jiraiya.

That alone wasn't enough reason to warn them.

*Who the hell are you? The leader of the Land of Rain