Cipher

"Most of the people currently living in the Land of Uzushio are concentrated in the outer areas. Due to the devastation of the battles that took place there, few people are willing to live in the central region."

In the wilderness, Saint Simon summarized the intelligence he had gathered in the Land of Uzushio: "This place is also the ruins of Uzushio Village."

"In that case, we'll investigate this area tomorrow, and then set off back to the village."

With his finger tracing a circle around the center of the Land of Uzushio on the map, Kazashiro, feeling somewhat worried about the village's current situation, conducted his final investigation on the last day.

The group, each with their own thoughts, rested for a night and packed their bags at the crack of dawn, heading towards the ruins of Uzushio Village.

Just as the intelligence report indicated, the closer they got to the center, the fewer people they encountered. They didn't even have a single conflict along the way, and soon the group stood on the ruins of Uzushio Village.

Although it's called a ruin, apart from some remaining walls that are still visible above the ground, most of the area is covered by weeds.

Everywhere you look, there is nothing but barren land.

"After the destruction of Uzushio Village, Konoha also sent ninjas to search for survivors, but unfortunately, they found nothing."

He crouched down and touched a piece of the ruins with his hand. Saint Simon did a quick search but found no trace of the secret passage.

"Yes, everything usable was taken away by the intruders, and even what they couldn't take was destroyed."

The Fugutake Tonbo did discover a secret passage, but after exploring it for a while, it found that the passage had already collapsed and was no longer usable.

"Earth Release - Core of the Moving Earth"

Just to be on the safe side, Kazashiro used Earth Release to lift the soil and rocks in the area where the secret passage was located to confirm whether it was truly blocked.

Several broken skeletons were brought out using Earth Release, clearly indicating that the secret passage was indeed unusable.

That's good, because this way, they can return to the village without any problem.

Kazashiro dispelled the Earth Release is a technique in Chinese fantasy novels), letting the earth and rocks fall back to their original positions before clapping his hands and preparing to explore in another direction.

"Huh?"

Just as Kazashiro lifted his foot, he heard the Fugutake Tonbo make a puzzled sound.

Turning his head, Kazashiro saw Fugutake Tonbo looking down at one of the skeletons.

"What were the findings?"

Kazashiro asked casually.

However, he didn't hold out much hope, since those invaders back then wouldn't have left any crucial information for him and his group.

The Fugutake Tonbo didn't answer; instead, it reached out and tore off the already rotting outer layer of the skeleton.

Saint Simon also noticed the other party's attitude.

"Huh?"

Making a sound exactly like that of Fugutake Tonbo, Saint Simon also carefully examined the piece of cloth in the other person's hand.

"Captain Kazashiro, is it possible to raise this area again?"

Just when Kazashiro was about to lose his patience, the Fugutake Tonbo finally spoke.

"Hmm? Okay."

Kazashiro was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded.

Did they really discover something?

Did the invaders back then really not thoroughly examine the bodies they killed?

"Earth Release - Core of the Moving Earth"

As Kazashiro lifted the area again, Fugutake Tonbo and Saint Simon immediately began digging away the soil blocking the secret passage.

Kazashiro couldn't stand it any longer, so he used his Ice Release to create a digging tool and threw it to the other party.

Soon, the two of them gathered up a pile of tattered cloth pieces and laid them on the ground, gradually piecing them together into a whole.

"No mistake, it's a code."

Although the final product was still missing a part, Fugutake Tonbo nodded in satisfaction.

A sense of accomplishment also arose in my heart.

After all, the search teams back then hadn't found such crucial information, which was enough to prove their capabilities.

"Signal?"

Kazashiro examined the somewhat blurry pattern on the piece of cloth, but unfortunately, he couldn't make out anything.

"Yes, a code, but this isn't the code from Uzushio Village."

Fugutake Tonbo explained, "It's normal that Captain Kazashiro doesn't understand, because this isn't a Konoha code. It's a code used by the Sarutobi Clan during the Warring States period, and it stopped being used long ago when Konoha was founded."

"I see, no wonder I couldn't decipher it." Saint Simon had a look of sudden realization.

Although he realized that this was likely some kind of code, he didn't know how to decipher it.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a code from the Warring States period, and one used by the Sarutobi Clan.

Why would a code belonging to the Sarutobi Uzumaki Clan appear in the ruins of the Sarutobi Clan?

"Yes, I also learned about the existence of this code when I was looking at a textbook called <Cipher Interpretation Logic> published in the early days of Konoha. Because that book is so old, some of the ideas are outdated, so basically no one reads it."

"Fortunately, I still remember the interpretation method recorded above. Although some parts are missing, I can still decipher some information."

Taking out paper and pen from his pocket, Fugutake Tonbo sat cross-legged on the ground and began to decipher the text on his own.

After listening, Kazashiro first nodded, then shook his head.

Wait a minute, this is a code from the Warring States period, and who knows what outdated information it might contain. Is there really any point in deciphering it?

If it's deciphered and turns out to be a secret of the Sarutobi Clan, wouldn't you, as someone in the know, be sent by Teacher Sarutobi to attack Kirigakure alone?

Kazashiro felt that this was a complete waste of time. Rather than deciphering this nonsensical code, he would rather head back to the village immediately.

After all, the current Clan Head of the Sarutobi Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is still alive. Giving him this code directly will surely yield an answer soon.

However, Kazashiro decided to give the other party half a day.

It was evening.

Beside the campfire, Fugutake Tonbo, clutching his notebook, tirelessly deciphered the codes he had discovered during the day. His absorbed state was so impressive that even Saint Simon had to admit his admiration.

Only Kazashiro secretly complained about the other person in his heart.

How did this guy manage to read the writing and codes when his head was wrapped in bandages?

After dinner, just as Saint Simon was about to send a message to the village as usual, a cry of an eagle drew everyone's attention.

Even the Fugutake Tonbo stopped what it was doing and looked up at the sky.

The Ninja Hawk, flapping its wings, circled once before landing steadily on Kazashiro's shoulder, shaking its head as it sized him up.

The village's Ninja Hawk?

Having identified the species, Kazashiro reached out and untied the small pouch tied to the Ninja Hawk's leg, then took out the letter from inside.

Having witnessed Kazashiro finish everything, the Ninja Hawk flapped its wings again and flew into the sky once more, leaving Kazashiro sitting there examining the contents.

What does it say on it?

Akimichi Shidou was somewhat curious.

A hint of gloom flashed in Kazashiro's eyes as he forcefully crumpled the letter.

"The village wants us to return immediately, regardless of whether the mission is over."

Hearing this, the people present were somewhat surprised.

Saint Simon and Fugutake Tonbo are about the same age Kazashiro and don't quite understand the meaning of the sentence, but Akimichi Shidou knows the power contained in it.

Something big is about to happen.