Perfect Infiltration, Raiding Konoha

Snow and wind raged together, while a cold wave ravaged the area outside Konoha's main gate.

Gales swept shards of ice against the heavy solid-wood gates, producing sharp crackling sounds.

Twelve figures draped in cold-weather cloaks bearing the royal crest of the Land of Fire stopped amid knee-deep snow outside the gates.

The Iwagakure jonin at their head yanked off his hood and pulled a rosewood box from his robes.

He strode forward and slammed the box heavily onto the Uchiha Police Force's duty desk.

Snow dust scattered amid the dull thud.

He flicked open the lid with his thumb, revealing a travel permit stamped with the dazzling golden seal of the Daimyō Mansion.

"Special envoy of the Daimyō Mansion. Here under imperial orders to audit Konoha's accounts."

The Iwagakure jonin held his chin high, his gaze openly contemptuous as he raised his voice at the Konoha guard behind the desk.

"Open the barrier. Let us pass without inspection. Follow the regulations."

The Uchiha squad captain on duty swept his gaze over the golden seal, and his expression immediately darkened.

The muscles along his jaw tightened as he ground his molars, veins throbbing on the back of his hand.

After glancing at the clansmen behind him, who had already gripped their sword hilts with fury in their eyes, he forced several words through clenched teeth. "...Please wait."

The squad captain raised his right hand and made a downward gesture. "Open the gate."

The winch turned, and the thick iron chains scraped noisily.

Konoha's massive metal gates let out a deep rumble as they slowly pulled apart, while the Sensor Barrier covering the village obediently opened a gap.

At the rear of the group, a Hidden Cloud spy lowered his voice and sneered over the Tactical Channel.

"See that? Those Uchiha