Changes Beyond the Timeline

A day later, Yūno Ryōma arrived in the Land of Rain, carrying a heart full of resentment and grievance.

But as a fairly pure Konoha intelligence specialist, even after arriving in the Land of Rain, Yūno Ryōma still couldn't let go of his worries about the situation on the main battlefield.

After establishing a new base, he instructed his subordinates like this: "The Land of Rain borders the Land of Wind. Even here, don't let up on monitoring Sunagakure's movements. Report any important intel to me immediately!

As for the Rain Ninja, just do a cursory investigation. There's nothing worth keeping an eye on here except Hanzo the Salamander."

This was arrogance, but also experience.

Yūno Ryōma had been in charge of Konoha's external intelligence work for many years, and his understanding of the major ninja villages sometimes ran deeper than even their own Anbu.

But this time, a variable from beyond fate was destined to bring him a surprise that transcended the timeline!

On the original world line, until Nagato turned dark, the entire Land of Rain was wide open and defenseless.

But now, at Shiba Seika's suggestion, the intelligence division of the Akatsuki Organization, overseen by Nagato, had been set up a year early, building an intelligence defense line for the Land of Rain.

On the third day after Yūno Ryōma entered the Land of Rain, Shiba Seika received word.

"Captain Seika, a group of Konoha Ninja with no prior notification arrived near Anru Village a few days ago and set up camp in the woods outside."

At the mention of Konoha, Shiba Seika immediately grew alert, and a faint excitement stirred within him.

Finally here?

I've been waiting for you!

He promptly notified key members of the Akatsuki Organization to come discuss, while giving orders.

"Write to Hanzo the Salamander to report this news, and ask him if he's received any notice from Konoha."

Then he quickly selected a few loyal subordinates. "Masuda Ikki, Karasuba, Ajisai, get ready. You'll come with me shortly to scout the area. Try to bring back one or two Konoha Ninja—alive or dead, it doesn't matter."

Just then, Yahiko arrived and, upon hearing this, asked in surprise: "Since you're writing to ask Hanzo, shouldn't you wait for his reply before acting?"

Shiba Seika smiled.

Yahiko was as naive as ever.

"I wrote the letter to show him respect, but the actual decision is still ours to make. You don't really think of our Akatsuki Organization as Hanzo the Salamander's vassal, do you?"

I respect you, but that doesn't mean I plan to listen to you—the inequality cancels it outright.

Yahiko's mouth hung half-open, clearly failing to keep up with Shiba Seika's train of thought again.

But seeing the approving looks on everyone else's faces, he belatedly realized he'd been outdone by Shiba Seika once more.

Every such comparison silently eroded the authority Yahiko had painstakingly built as the leader.

Yahiko could see it, feel it, yet each time he was powerless, unsure how to turn things around.

Character determines fate.

Yahiko's kindness and persistence had driven the Akatsuki's rapid early rise, but his naive fantasies also doomed him against the current Shiba Seika.

The next moment, a more tangible change manifested before their eyes.

Kenjiro stepped forward and spoke: "Captain Seika, please include me in this operation too."

This time, without Yahiko's approval or anyone's arrangement, Kenjiro—once a steadfast Yahiko loyalist—voluntarily offered to follow Shiba Seika.

Shiba Seika gave a slight smile and said something meaningful to Kenjiro: "Kenjiro, do you still remember that phrase I taught you?"

To outsiders, Kenjiro had always been a member under Shiba Seika's command, so "the phrase I taught you" probably referred to some operational experience or tactical guidance, right?

Only Kenjiro's fingers trembled slightly, knowing full well which phrase Shiba Seika meant—

Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty!

That was the lesson Shiba Seika had given him the night before they left the Land of Grass.

Now, Kenjiro lifted his head firmly, finally making his choice.

"Yes, I remember, Captain Seika!"

"Good, then you're in on this operation too."

Yahiko watched from the side, feeling a pang of loss.

Though he didn't know the details, he instinctively felt as if he had lost some important support once again.

Then Konan and Nagato both asked with concern: "Seika, do you need our backup?"

Shiba Seika shook his head. "Not this time. I'll lead the team to scout first, assess the situation, and then decide the next move."

Though he had long resolved to slaughter Root without mercy, leaving none alive, Shiba Seika still adhered to his cautious style in actual execution.

After assembling his personnel, the five-man team led by Shiba Seika set out that very day, arriving near Anru Village for on-site reconnaissance.

Ajisai used her Summoning Technique to call many birds into the forest to investigate, while Shiba Seika summoned Tama and sent her out to search.

The others gathered information in the village.

Thanks to the Akatsuki Organization's good reputation and standing in the area, the villagers were happy to share what they knew.

"Three days ago, some strangers dressed like ninjas did come by. They paid to stay in the village at first, then packed up and left the day before yesterday."

"They asked us about Hanzo the Salamander, about recent ninja battles, and about that so-called Sunagakure."

"Oh, right, they were asking about you too! If you ask me, those ninjas are probably no good—they only hurried out of the village after hearing that you Akatsuki were nearby!"

The uncles and aunties in the village chattered away, quickly spilling all the details about the Konoha ninjas who had come a few days ago.

After listening, everyone's expressions turned serious.

"That group of Konoha ninjas might really be after us!" Ajisai said worriedly.

Ninjas aren't gluttons for punishment. Unless they're on a covert mission, they normally wouldn't camp out in the wild; they'd stop in towns and villages when they come across them.

But this group of Konoha ninjas, upon learning that the Akatsuki was nearby, immediately and decisively pulled out of the village—and instead of leaving far behind, they chose to camp in the nearby woods. How suspicious could it be!

Only Root couldn't have imagined that the civilians of the Land of Rain would be so friendly toward the Akatsuki. Even though they withdrew so swiftly, they were still completely exposed.

Only Shiba Seika in the team was unsurprised by this outcome.

Perhaps this was fate.

"Let's not tip them off first. Those Konoha ninjas might not realize they've been exposed. Ichi, go tell the villagers not to say anything reckless if they run into Konoha ninjas again. Ajisai, have your birds found—"

Just then, before Shiba Seika could finish speaking, White Cat Tama shot up from the ground with a "whoosh," cutting off his question.

"Found them, nya~ Big haul, nya~"

At that moment, both Ajisai and Shiba Seika were stunned.

Just a moment ago, Ajisai was about to answer that her birds hadn't found anything yet, and the next second, Captain Seika's ninja cat reported back that they'd located the targets!

Were summoning beasts really that different? Was it really that much of a gap?

Could it be that without intelligence, it just doesn't work?

Ajisai was so jealous she couldn't help but want to nibble on her own hands again!