A day later, Yūno Ryōma arrived in the Land of Rain, filled with resentment and unwillingness to accept what had happened.
But as a fairly dedicated Konoha intelligence specialist, Yūno Ryōma still couldn't stop worrying about the situation on the front lines, even after arriving in the Land of Rain.
After setting up the new base, he gave his subordinates these instructions: "The Land of Rain borders the Land of Wind. Even here, don't let up on keeping an eye on Sunagakure's movements. Notify me immediately if you get any important information!
"As for the Rain shinobi, just make a cursory investigation. There's nothing here worth watching out for besides Hanzo the Salamander."
It was arrogant, but it also came from experience.
Yūno Ryōma had been in charge of Konoha's foreign intelligence work for many years. At times, he knew the major shinobi villages better than their own Anbu did.
But this time, a variable from outside fate was destined to bring him a little surprise that went beyond the timeline!
On the original timeline, the entire Land of Rain remained defenseless, with its gates wide open, until Nagato turned evil.
But now, at Shiba Seika's suggestion, the Akatsuki Organization's intelligence division, overseen by Nagato, had been established a full year ahead of schedule, building an intelligence network for the Land of Rain.
On the third day after Yūno Ryōma entered the Land of Rain, Shiba Seika received a report.
"Captain Seika, a group of Konoha shinobi arrived near Anru Village a few days ago without giving any notice. They've set up camp in the woods outside the village."
At the mention of Konoha, Shiba Seika immediately grew alert, and a faint excitement stirred within him.
So you've finally come?
I've been waiting for you!
He immediately summoned the Akatsuki Organization's key members to discuss the matter, then issued an order.
"Write to Hanzo the Salamander and report this. Ask if he's received any notice from Konoha."
Then he quickly picked out several loyal subordinates. "Masuda Ikki, Karasuba, Ajisai, get ready. You'll come with me to scout the area. Let's try to capture one or two Konoha shinobi, dead or alive."
Yahiko had arrived by then. Hearing this, he asked in surprise, "If you're writing to ask Hanzō, shouldn't we wait for his reply before taking action?"
Shiba Seika smiled.
Yahiko really was as naive as ever.
"I'm writing to show him respect. But of course, we'll make our own decisions. Do you really think the Akatsuki Organization is an appendage of Hanzo the Salamander?"
Respecting you doesn't mean I actually plan to do what you say. That distinction settles it.
Yahiko's mouth fell half open. Clearly, he hadn't followed Shiba Seika's reasoning again.
But when he saw everyone around him nodding in agreement, he belatedly realized that Shiba Seika had outshone him once more.
Each comparison like this chipped away at the authority Yahiko had worked so hard to build as their leader.
Yahiko could see it and feel it, yet every time he was powerless to stop it, unsure how to win back what he'd lost.
Character determined fate.
Yahiko's kindness and perseverance had helped the Akatsuki Organization rise quickly in its early days, but his naive idealism meant he was bound to be outplayed by Shiba Seika as he was now.
The next moment, an even more obvious change took shape before their eyes.
Kenjiro stepped forward and said, "Captain Seika, please take me along on this mission."
This time, Yahiko hadn't instructed him to do so, and no one else had arranged it. Kenjiro, who had once been a staunch member of Yahiko's faction, had actually offered on his own to follow Shiba Seika.
Shiba Seika smiled faintly and said something meaningful to Kenjiro. "Kenjiro, do you remember what I taught you?"
In the eyes of the others, Kenjiro had always served under Shiba Seika. They assumed "what I taught you" probably referred to some field experience or tactical advice.
Only Kenjiro's fingers trembled slightly. He knew exactly which words Shiba Seika meant—
"If your loyalty isn't absolute, then you're absolutely disloyal!"
That was the lesson Shiba Seika had given him on the night before they returned from the Land of Grass.
Now Kenjiro raised his head resolutely and finally made his choice.
"Yes, I remember, Captain Seika!"
"Good. Then you're coming with us."
Yahiko watched, disheartened.
He didn't know the story behind it, but instinctively felt as though he had lost another important pillar of support.
Konan and Nagato then asked with concern, "Seika, do you need us to back you up?"
Shiba Seika shook his head. "Not this time. I'll lead the team over to scout first. Once we know what's going on, we can decide on our next move."
Though he had already decided to show no mercy to Root and leave none alive, Shiba Seika still stuck to his usual cautious approach when it came to carrying out the plan.
After gathering the team, the five-man squad led by Shiba Seika set out that same day and reached the area near Anru Village to scout in person.
Ajisai used the Summoning Technique to call in a flock of birds to search the woods, while Shiba Seika summoned Tama and sent her to look around.
The others asked around in the village.
Thanks to the Akatsuki Organization's good reputation in the area, the villagers were happy to share what they knew.
"Some strangers dressed like shinobi definitely came by three days ago. At first, they paid to stay in the village, but they packed up and left the day before yesterday."
"They asked us about Hanzo the Salamander, about recent shinobi battles, and about that Sunagakure business.
"Oh, right, they asked about you, too! If you ask me, that bunch of shinobi can't be up to any good. They hurried out of the village as soon as they heard the Akatsuki was in the area!"
The villagers talked over one another, quickly revealing nearly everything they knew about the Konoha shinobi who had visited a few days earlier.
After hearing them out, the team's expressions grew grave.
"This group of Konoha shinobi might really be after us!" Ajisai said worriedly.
Shinobi weren't masochists. Unless they were on a covert mission, they wouldn't normally camp outdoors for long. If they came across a village or town, they would usually find lodging there.
But this group of Konoha shinobi had promptly left the village after learning that the Akatsuki Organization was in the area. And they hadn't gone far—instead, they'd chosen to camp in the nearby woods. It all looked suspicious!
Root hadn't imagined that the people of the Land of Rain would be so friendly toward the Akatsuki Organization. Though they'd withdrawn decisively, they'd still given themselves away completely.
Shiba Seika was the only one in the squad who wasn't surprised by the result.
Perhaps it was fate.
"Don't alert them yet. The people from Konoha may not have realized they've been exposed. Ikki, go tell the villagers not to say anything if they run into Konoha shinobi again. Ajisai, have your birds found any—"
Before Shiba Seika could finish speaking, White Cat Tama suddenly sprang out of the ground with a "whoosh," interrupting him.
"Found them, meow~ It's a big haul, meow~"
Both Ajisai and Shiba Seika were stunned.
Ajisai had just been about to say that her birds hadn't found anything yet, but the very next moment, Captain Seika's Ninja Cat reported that she'd found someone!
They were both Summoning Beasts. Could the difference between them really be that great?
Was it really impossible without intelligence?
Ajisai was so jealous she felt like gnawing on her hand again!
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