After a moment's thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up and said, "Genma, tell Sakumo to infiltrate the Land of Rain and find out who was behind the mission."
"Another squad will head to the border immediately to take over."
Genma nodded. "Understood!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Go!"
Genma bowed, then vanished with a poof.
At the border, Genma opened his eyes beneath a tree and rose from his seated position to approach his teacher, Hatake Sakumo.
"Does Lord Hokage have an order for us?"
Hatake Sakumo opened his eyes and asked.
Yamashiro Aoba and Shizune, who were on watch, also turned to look.
Genma nodded. "The Third ordered you to infiltrate the Land of Rain and find out who was behind the mission."
"Another squad will come and take over here."
At that, Hatake Sakumo stood. "In that case, I'll leave immediately. Genma, you'll lead the team here. Once the replacement squad arrives, take them to the border of the Land of Rain to meet me."
Shizune and Yamashiro Aoba were both taken aback.
Genma said calmly, "Teacher, under normal circumstances, that arrangement would make sense."
"But in fact, I'm better suited to investigate."
"My Transformation Technique gives me a decisive advantage."
Hatake Sakumo patted his student on the shoulder and said warmly, "The Transformation Technique is only one factor. You're still young. There's no need to rush."
The situation in the Land of Rain was far too complicated. He didn't want to put his student in danger.
But Genma had other ideas. "Teacher, I may lack experience, but my abilities make up for it."
"And there's something even more important: this place needs you more."
"Intelligence is important, but preventing infiltration at the border is even more so."
Hearing this, Shizune hesitated to speak.
Yamashiro Aoba opened his mouth, then closed