Meticulous

When Shinzhen received Tsunade's orders, he was somewhat surprised as well.

With war imminent, investigating a jonin who was not even an enemy was truly strange.

The thought that this man might be Orochimaru in disguise was rather amusing.

Three years ago, during the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru, disguised as the leader of Otogakure's delegation, should have gone through the same thing.

Back then, it had still been peacetime, so there would not have been such detailed investigations. Now, though, it was probably just going through the motions.

Even if they really found something suspicious about this so-called "Shigure," could they take any action against him or refuse Amegakure's support?

Clearly, that was impossible.

"Just routine business!"

Mizuki smiled and handed the mission assignment to Tenzō.

"Pack up and get ready to leave!"

With the war drawing near, this three-man squad had recently been assigned quite a few reconnaissance missions.

Akatsuki's main forces were the Impure World Reincarnation army and the White Zetsu Army. All the peripheral organizations had effectively been abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

Their missions during this period had gone quite smoothly, with barely any challenges.

In Tenzō's eyes, this mission to investigate a jonin from the Land of Rain should not have been much trouble either.

"Actually, we don't need all three of us to go. I alone would be enough."

"Of course that would be fine. You can go by yourself, provided Lady Tsunade has no objections!"

Making a show of running over there would be a bit of a waste of time. He might as well stay behind and improve his mastery of Yin-Yang Release.

"You're joking, sir," Tenzō said with an awkward smile.

Sending him here, as someone proficient in Wood Release, was also meant to keep watch nearby. Leaving alone like