Sand Shinobi Visit

Land of Fire.

Within Konoha Village.

"Is this Konoha Village?"

"It really is impressive. No wonder so many countries have been attacking this place."

Seventeen-year-old Rasa stood tall, with handsome features and eyes filled with determination and confidence. His reddish-brown hair fluttered in the wind, adding to his dashing air.

Rasa had a steady personality and acted decisively, possessing a maturity beyond his years.

He had a clear understanding of his goals and worked hard toward them. He trained diligently in ninjutsu, continuously improving his strength.

Granny Chiyo spoke at this moment.

"Stop marveling. Our Sand Shinobi Village will only get better and better."

"And don't forget why we came here. Do your job properly."

Chiyo and Rasa were the leaders of this Sand Shinobi study group.

Their purpose in coming here was more or less what Sakumo Hatake had previously guessed.

To learn and gather intelligence.

Besides that, there was another purpose.

They would hold small-scale sparring matches to gauge the gap in strength and skill between the ninja.

The two people they absolutely had to test were Uchiha Yato and Sakumo Hatake.

At this moment, Koharu Utatane, Danzo Shimura, and Uchiha Kei stood at the gates, welcoming the Sand Shinobi delegation.

Uchiha Yato arrived last, and he had even brought a gift.

He held a huge red banner, with two beautiful Uchiha women following behind him to help carry it.

When it was unfurled, the words on it were plainly visible.

<Welcome, Sand Shinobi Friends and Family Delegation, to Konoha for Study>

Immediately afterward, festive wedding music began playing from all around. Then Konoha Village children appeared, offering candy and blessings to their guests who had traveled from afar.

That was right. Uchiha Yato was stirring things up again.

The moment they saw Uchiha Yato arrive, the two Chunin in the Sand Shinobi study group instantly recognized the devil who had tortured them on the battlefield.

Their bodies trembled involuntarily, unable to suppress that indescribable fear.

At last, Chiyo saw the unusual Uchiha mentioned in the intelligence reports.

In terms of appearance alone, Uchiha Yato was extraordinarily handsome. Even Chiyo, a woman well past her prime, could not help appreciating that face.

And according to intelligence gathered by the Sand Shinobi ANBU, Uchiha Yato was also extremely powerful in his own right.

At that moment, the hearts of Konoha F4 all turned cold.

Danzo and Koharu Utatane were completely stunned by the atmosphere Uchiha Yato had created. Still, it was indeed lively and festive, and it met the requirements they had initially set.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado, meanwhile, were furious at how shameless Uchiha Yato was.

Previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed to provide Uchiha Yato with event funding, only for the guy to immediately demand ten million.

Good lord, was he supposed to hand over the reward for ten S-rank missions just like that?

Of course not. After Uchiha Yato and Homura Mitokado haggled for a while,

they successfully drew Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention, and Hiruzen Sarutobi joined the bargaining battle as well.

In the end, Uchiha Yato still won decisively, but he had to make the Sand Shinobi suffer and ensure they would never forget it.

When everything was over, he even deliberately handed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado a bottle of fast-acting heart pills each.

Using the Telescope Technique, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the scene outside and once again reached for the fast-acting heart pills by his desk.

Though the welcome was grand, something about the occasion felt strange, though he could not quite put it into words.

Uchiha Yato directly cut in front of the others and said, "My apologies, everyone."

"I was delayed because I was preparing all this. Please forgive my lateness."

Only then did Rasa turn his gaze toward this Konoha Village ninja who was the same age as him.

They had already read Uchiha Yato's intelligence report, and Rasa also knew that the bizarre dances occasionally seen in Sand Shinobi Village had been caused by Yato's genjutsu.

However, he did not speak ahead of Chiyo, allowing her to speak first. After all, Chiyo was still the main leader of this delegation.

Chiyo said, "Konoha Village truly is hospitable. This old woman has certainly felt your warmth."

"Thank you all for your hospitality along the way."

Uchiha Yato immediately caught the implication behind her words.

But this was not the time for him to continue the conversation. Danzo Shimura said,

"The journey is long, and it is normal to encounter wandering ninja in the mountains. They are not like us, the two great nations, who keep to ourselves and abide by the rules. Those people are not so considerate."

Koharu Utatane said, "How embarrassing, allowing our honored guests to be frightened at the gates."

"We have specially prepared a meal today. Please follow the Uchiha to your accommodations and rest."

"Later, we will finalize your future travel arrangements. We will make our preparations first, and we hope you all rest well."

Koharu Utatane had directly dumped the matter onto the Uchiha, and Uchiha Kei, as clan head, had no choice but to step forward.

"The two elders are correct. During your three months of study, the Uchiha Clan will provide accommodations for everyone."

Chiyo suddenly became interested.

The Uchiha Clan was famous for its ocular techniques, and its Sharingan bloodline limit was highly valued by the other great nations.

This would undoubtedly give the Sand Shinobi a chance to come into close contact with the Sharingan, allowing them to understand it and find its weaknesses.

Interests went both ways. Hiruzen Sarutobi had naturally considered this, but in exchange, the Uchiha Clan could help monitor the Sand Shinobi without harming Konoha.

Or, to put it more narrowly, without harming the Sarutobi Clan. At most, the Uchiha Clan's secrets would be observed and their abilities understood.

Seeing Chiyo continue trying to probe for information, Uchiha Yato jumped directly in front of the two Sand Shinobi leaders.

Uchiha Yato said, "I heard that Sand Shinobi jujubes are delicious. Did you two happen to bring any? I would be willing to buy some from you."

Uchiha Yato used his usual trick, changing the subject to redirect their attention.

Rasa did not have much political awareness yet. He naturally took out some jujubes from his storage pouch.

Then he said politely, "They are only ordinary things. There is no need for payment. Consider them a little novelty."

Chiyo also said, "Then we will trouble the Uchiha Clan. Please lead us to our accommodations, and we will see each other again tonight."

Near the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

This was where the Sand Shinobi would be staying. It could be considered the center of Konoha Village, which showed them considerable respect.

At this moment, a room was covered in barrier talismans.

Chiyo and Rasa were talking inside.

Rasa said, "The attacks we suffered on our way here should not have been the work of the Uchiha Clan."

"I strongly suspect they were arranged by one of Konoha's elders, the man named Danzo Shimura."

At the moment, Rasa was doing all the talking while Chiyo listened.

Naturally, this was Chiyo's way of testing Rasa and cultivating his political awareness and judgment.

After listening to Rasa, Chiyo posed a question.

"Then do you think there is a rift between the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage's upper ranks?"

"Who do you think will be the greatest obstacle in this mission?"

Rasa thought for a while before saying, "I think there is a rift."

"Judging from the attitude of the man named Uchiha Yato today and the attitude of Konoha's higher-ups, I think there should be some conflict between them."

"The greatest obstacle should be that elder from today."

Chiyo was fairly satisfied with Rasa's answer, then gave her own.

"There is a rift, but it is one that can still be adjusted."

"The greatest obstacle should be Uchiha Yato. He may seem like a clown, but he has some wisdom."

Rasa was extremely puzzled. How had Elder Chiyo discerned so much?

Chiyo took a sip of tea and continued, "From Uchiha Yato's actions and the spectacle he arranged today, along with the intelligence we previously obtained, we can see what kind of person he is."

"His actions are absurd, but there is method to them."

"Did you see what those children were holding today?"

"Sand Shinobi children would never get to eat such things. It was a subtle show of force."

"If I am not mistaken, tonight's banquet should also have been prepared by the Uchiha, and it will feature things we have never seen before."

Rasa understood, then added, "To display the richness of their land and mock us?"

Chiyo nodded slightly, but after a moment, she shook her head again.

"More or less. But we must be especially wary of Danzo Shimura."

"Uchiha Yato has already ruined Danzo Shimura's reputation before. We must be careful as well."

"That man is despicable and shameless. Many people will probably attend tonight's banquet. Listen and observe more, but speak less. Do not fall into their trap."

Just as their conversation was winding down, they heard a Sand Shinobi outside say,

"Lord Rasa, Elder Chiyo."

"The Uchiha Clan says the banquet is ready and asks you both to follow them to dine."

Seeing that Rasa was somewhat nervous, Chiyo said, "All right, don't be nervous."

"This old woman is here. We will deal with soldiers as they come and block water with earth. Let us go take a look."

With that, the two left their accommodations and headed for the banquet.