Several months had passed since the disaster that could only be called a natural calamity.
The rebuilt streets of Konoha were neater and wider, and smiles had returned to the residents' faces, as though the disaster that destroyed the village had never happened.
After all, people had to look ahead. Those who stood still would only be left behind by the times.
On the village streets.
Three members of an ANBU squad, wearing forehead protectors, moved through the streets, occasionally scanning the pedestrians around them.
They had received orders from the Hokage to investigate spies hiding within the village. The huge influx of people during reconstruction made it the perfect opportunity for spies to infiltrate.
Previously, reconstruction had left them short-handed. Now, the Third finally had time to spare.
"These rats aren't easy to clean out. I really wish they'd show themselves."
After scanning the crowd out of the corner of her eye and finding nothing, Oto Uchiha gave a bored yawn.
"They won't show themselves that easily. We just need to go through the motions..."
With that, Zou Hyuga bought two sticks of apple candy from a nearby shop. He took a bite of his own, then offered them to Oto. She gave him a disdainful look and took the untouched one.
"This apple candy is a little too sweet..." Oto Uchiha frowned slightly.
"A little. You're paying next time."
Nodding lightly, Zou Hyuga surveyed their surroundings. He, too, found no signs of spy activity.
On reflection, that was hardly surprising. Spies sent to Konoha operated on timelines measured in years.
During that time, they lived like ordinary people until they obtained sufficiently important information.
Nor did spies disguise themselves only as civilians. There could even be spies among Konoha's ninja, whether driven by profit or controlled by some