How Strikingly Similar

Somewhere in the Land of Waterfalls, a Stone Ninja Battalion was searching for a Konoha scouting squad.

This battalion was unusual: two of its companies were hired Rain Ninja, not Stone Ninja.

Sumashi studied the two unusual companies. Still uneasy, he went to see Battalion Commander Changshi.

"Jonin Changshi, will hiring Rain Ninja really help in a war of this scale?"

Changshi looked toward the Rain Ninja in their gas masks and saw no problem. "We're up against Uchiha Ling, the Uchiha Clan's prodigy in Fire Release.

"Most Stone Ninja specialize in Earth Release, not Water Release.

"Amegakure's ninja specialize in Water Release, so the Command Center hired them to fight for us."

"Can we trust the Rain Ninja's strength in a war of this scale?" Sumashi asked. "I'm still worried."

"You're young, Sumashi," Changshi said. "You didn't live through the Second Shinobi World War.

"Hanzō of Amegakure made more trouble than anyone in that war.

"Konoha's Sannin earned their title after surviving an encounter with him.

"The Rain Ninja are strong. There's no need to worry about their abilities."

Seeing how certain Changshi was, Sumashi pressed no further. Instead, he raised another matter. "Our spy in Konoha is remarkable. He sent us accurate intelligence on over fifty Konoha scouting squads.

"Konoha's Spy Chief is Shimura Danzō, but he's clearly failed at his job.

"No one knows who Iwagakure's Spy Chief is. By that measure, Shimura Danzō has failed too. An intelligence chief ought to remain a mystery."

Changshi smiled. "I've been a Jonin for years, and even I don't know who our village's Spy Chief is. Seems Shimura Danzō has quite a need for recognition."

A Stone Ninja suddenly appeared with the Body Flicker Technique.

"Battalion Commander Changshi! We've found the target squad!"

"Good! Put the plan into action!"