Into the Land of Rivers Again

The four of them walked out of the Hokage Building. A breeze swept past, easing some of the tension they had carried out of the office.

"Who would've thought we'd get a B-Rank Mission right away? Looks like our skills have been recognized!"

The moment they stepped outside, Asuma started crowing with delight. The boy radiated a certain wide-eyed foolishness.

Of course Asuma would be this clueless. Does he really think a B-Rank Mission will be easy?

Tsukimi gave him an amused look. Kurenai Yuhi had been frowning ever since they left the office. She glanced at Asuma and spoke softly.

"Don't get carried away, Asuma. According to the Medical Department, that special toxin comes from a poisonous herb native to the deep mountains in the southwest of the Land of Rivers. It's extracted using a particular method."

Her expression grew graver as she revealed the most frightening detail.

"If they've really been operating in the Land of Rivers for a long time, and they're even there now... then when we carried out the Bluestone Town mission, we might have been under their noses the entire time."

Asuma's face stiffened. The implication finally struck him, wiping away his excitement. Cold sweat soaked his back, and a chill ran through him. "You mean they were watching that residence in Bluestone Town the whole time?"

"Get it now?" Tsukimi shot Asuma a sidelong glance and patted his shoulder. "A B-Rank Mission means we'll probably run into enemy ninja and fight for our lives. We might even be heading deep into enemy territory. If you don't take this seriously, you might not make it back."

Their previous mission in Bluestone Town had made Asuma lower his guard. With Tsukimi's warning, he finally stopped taking this one lightly.

Mostly, Tsukimi was afraid the kid would get himself killed out there.

"Ahem... I get it." Asuma coughed twice to hide his embarrassment.

Kurenai let out a long breath and continued following the clues.

"The Land of Rivers lies between the Wind and Fire Nations, and it has no ninja village of its own. Local forces probably couldn't have planned something this carefully."

"They're skilled at making poison, and the southwest of the Land of Rivers borders the Land of Wind. Could Sunagakure be behind it?"

Sunagakure had long excelled at the Puppet Technique and poison-making. During the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure's poisons had caused Konoha Ninja no end of trouble. It was only after Tsunade was sent to the Sunagakure front that she dealt with Chiyo's poisons.

Seen that way, Sunagakure did fit.

Asuma nodded in agreement. "That does make Sunagakure the prime suspect."

Seeing that the two of them had all but settled on Sunagakure as the culprit, Tsukimi spoke up lazily and pointed out the flaw.

"We can't say it's Sunagakure yet."

"Don't forget Iwagakure and Cloud Hidden. Maybe the poison-making site was placed in the southwest of the Land of Rivers to frame Sunagakure. Until we have solid evidence, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Cloud Hidden are all suspects."

"We have too few clues right now. Any guess is just speculation." Tsukimi gave his conclusion. "We can only make an accurate judgment after we reach the deep mountains in the southwest of the Land of Rivers and find traces of their poison-making operation."

Orochimaru, who stood ahead of them, turned his head slightly. Approval flickered in his narrow, snake-like eyes.

Nara Tsukimi's caution surpassed that of many Chunin who had spent years on missions, and Orochimaru appreciated it. The Shinobi World had no shortage of geniuses, but very few lived long enough to realize their potential. In the end, most lacked that caution.

"Tsukimi is right," Orochimaru said in his raspy voice, setting the course for the mission. "Jumping to conclusions when the clues are unclear will only lead us astray."

"Our first priority is to locate their poison-making base. Tracking down the force behind it comes second."

He paused and looked over the three of them. With the mission's priorities established, Orochimaru gave his final orders.

"Go back and prepare your equipment immediately. The deep mountains in the southwest of the Land of Rivers are full of miasma and insects. Remember to bring medical supplies."

"Meet at the main Konoha Gate in one hour. Then we leave for the Land of Rivers."

The three immediately dispersed and returned to their homes.

Tsukimi went back to his courtyard and packed his gear. Ninja tools, Explosive Tags, medical supplies—he made sure he had everything.

"So the Land of Rivers mission went to your team?"

Shikaku's voice came from behind him. Tsukimi wasn't surprised. This was Konoha's foremost strategist, after all. Without looking up, he kept packing.

"Yeah."

"This mission is at least B-rank. Don't let your guard down." Shikaku offered the reminder with a gentle smile.

"If you've got something to say, just say it." Tsukimi stopped packing and looked at him helplessly.

Do you think I'm Asuma?

"All right, I won't beat around the bush. The Medical Department says that special toxin came from the deep mountains in the southwest of the Land of Rivers. Have you considered something?"

Shikaku dropped the teasing, though he still looked as laid-back as ever.

"What?"

"What would happen if a rare toxin like that made its first appearance on a battlefield?"

Hmm?

Tsukimi's hands stilled. He thought for a moment before speaking slowly.

"You mean whoever's in charge might not have intended for this poison to get out?"

Shikaku smiled and nodded. "If a major nation really is behind this, the best use for a rare toxin it discovered would be on a battlefield, where it could cause the enemy serious trouble—not to kill Kawata Genji."

With that hint, Tsukimi understood. "You mean someone lower down in the organization might have used it without authorization?"

"Exactly. If that's what happened, be prepared to find nothing. Once they learn that information about the toxin has leaked, they'll pull out immediately."

Shikaku spread his hands and looked at Tsukimi with a smile.

"But if they leave in a hurry, they might slip up, right?"

Shikaku's expression turned serious. "You're right. But that's exactly why you need to be careful. They might leave traps behind, too."

"I know." Tsukimi nodded.

The hour passed in a flash.

Nara Tsukimi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yuhi arrived at the village gate on time.

Orochimaru stood by the gate, having already registered the mission. When he saw that all three had arrived, he waved them forward.

"Move out!"

The four passed through the Konoha Gate and headed for the Land of Rivers, where trouble was brewing beneath the surface.