Investigation and Surveillance

"The situation is even worse than we imagined."

Kumogakure's wolfish ambitions were already out in the open. All they lacked was an opportunity. Starting a ninja war required a legitimate pretext, and Konoha could not allow them to find one.

They also needed to unite the other villages.

"What worries me more right now is Sunagakure."

Holding a different view from the Third Hokage, Danzo had despised those fence-sitters from beginning to end and rejected the Third's opinion.

"Sunagakure will stop at nothing to secure support before the war arrives. That has always been their way. What worries me is that when war comes, they may not only refuse to ally with us, but even help the other villages invade us."

Danzo's words were painfully realistic, and it was a problem that could not be avoided.

But no one could say that outright right now. Nothing had happened yet, and at the very least, the two villages were still maintaining appearances.

"We'll discuss it properly once they arrive. Don't be hasty for now."

After exchanging glances, everyone present carefully considered the issue. Danzo's thinking had always been the darkest, but his proposals often succeeded. If it happened, what would they do?

"Have Hatake Sakumo lead a unit to station at Sunagakure's border. If anything unexpected happens, we'll be able to respond in time."

The village elders' arrangements were not passed down to the lower ranks. The war had not come yet, so there was no need to escalate the situation further.

Meanwhile, after a grueling journey, they finally arrived at Konoha as night fell.

Yuu observed the Sunagakure ninjas' expressions. The envy and greed in their eyes were unmistakable. They had come here to demand resources.

"They really are a bunch of insatiable bastards."

Once Sunagakure's people arrived in the village, their mission was considered complete. After a brief rest, Orochimaru had other matters to attend to and did not stay with them.

Having gone through a life-and-death ordeal together, the three of them had clearly grown closer.

They found a barbecue restaurant and prepared to relax.

"We're both among the Five Great Ninja Villages, so why do they feel like they've never seen the world before?"

Hyuga Reiko looked down on Sunagakure from the bottom of her heart, especially seeing how smug they looked.

She also knew that quite a few people in Sunagakure coveted the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.

Fortunately, they had covered their foreheads with their forehead protectors during the mission, making them think she was from the Hyuga branch family. That was why nothing unexpected had happened.

"The Land of Wind's geography is completely different from the Land of Fire's. It is a desert, and a village built in the middle of a desert naturally cannot compare with Konoha in terms of resources."

Understanding the reasons behind Sunagakure's founding, Uchiha Yuu did not look down on them. He patiently explained to the two of them.

"Don't underestimate them. The fact that they grew into one of the Five Great Ninja Villages in such a harsh environment means their Puppet Technique and poisons are extremely troublesome for ordinary ninja."

Fortunately, during this mission, Sunagakure had been allied with them. Otherwise, with Ebizo appearing, Orochimaru alone would not have been able to protect all three of them.

Stuffing two pieces of grilled meat into his mouth, Nawaki listened to their discussion and chimed in at the right moment.

"Are they really that strong?"

"You'll know once you fight them. Like I said, don't underestimate any ninja. We don't have room for mistakes."

Some matters were too heavy to discuss with the two of them, but Uchiha Yuu did tell them that in terms of poisons, Tsunade was actually more capable than Chiyo. If they encountered the enemy's poisons on the battlefield, it would not become too serious a problem.

After arriving in Konoha, Ebizo did not immediately head to the conference room. Instead, he went to the accommodations Konoha had arranged for them, surrounded by several ninja.

"You all saw what happened today. Konoha truly has many talented people. By comparison, Sunagakure is far behind."

Those words weighed heavily on them. Many Jonin lowered their heads, not daring to meet Ebizo's gaze.

"Also, we came to Konoha with a mission. Let us carry out what Lord Third Kazekage instructed us to do."

"Investigate information on Konoha's recent geniuses and prepare for the future."

The Third Kazekage was known as the strongest Kazekage. Whether in strength or political skill, he had shown signs of reviving the once-weak Sunagakure. At his repeated insistence, they had temporarily formed an alliance with Konoha in order to gain greater benefits.

"Yes, sir!"

Their first priority was identifying the geniuses born from the major clans. The three they had encountered today were all talented, especially the last young man. He was definitely not some nobody.

Ebizo had sent people to monitor him in advance. They could not kill Konoha ninja within the village, but that did not mean they could not investigate them.

The three of them, eating barbecue, still had no idea that the Sunagakure ninja had already made a move against them.

For several days, they had been sleeping in the open and eating whatever they could find, while remaining vigilant in case enemies appeared at any moment.

"Yuu, can you share your method for getting stronger with me? Then I'll beg my sister to teach you some powerful secret techniques!"

Nawaki leaned close to Uchiha Yuu. He was amazed that Yuu could throw the Monster Strength Fist, but he believed his talent was no less than Yuu's. Yuu must have mastered some unknown method.

"What method for getting stronger? I just train seriously every day."

Yuu told the lie without even blushing. Was he supposed to say that basking in the sun could make him stronger? That would probably be the last straw.

"Really?"

Nawaki fell into brief confusion. Thinking of the iron blocks Uchiha Yuu had removed before the fight, the terrifying weights were enough to shock anyone.

Could a normal person really do that?

"Of course it's true. When I studied Medical Ninjutsu under Lady Tsunade, I also trained my chakra control."

"At the Uchiha Compound, Jonin Fugaku teaches me."

"Genius is ninety-nine percent sweat, plus one percent talent."

Seeing stars shine in their eyes, he knew they had been completely fooled.

Without that one percent of talent, ninety-nine percent sweat was useless.

Under Uchiha Yuu's coaxing, Nawaki readily agreed to treat them to this meal.

But an accident occurred when it was time to pay. Nawaki stared blankly at the long list of charges, then looked at the two of them with a pained expression.

"Why did you eat so much?"

One meal had nearly bankrupted him. Looking at his empty purse, the money he had only just received had said goodbye to him like that.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"How could it be on purpose? It wasn't me who ate it all."

Uchiha Yuu had eaten very little. Most of it had gone into Reiko's stomach.

Under the two of them's stares, Reiko, who was still eating, suddenly flushed red. Lowering her head, she said, "Sorry, I was hungry."