Ninja

Early the next morning, Uchiha Yan left Jinghai Town alone on his mission. Seeing this, the Root ninja who had been watching him went straight back to report.

"Lord Danzo, Uchiha Yan has left. Should we keep following him?"

"No! He won't run. Go carry out your own missions."

"Yes!"

Danzo looked at the list of jonin in his hand, the corners of his mouth slowly rising. This was the key to victory, but he could not rush.

I hope it isn't Genji. If it really is Genji, Kirigakure's ninja will have to come get this list themselves, and Konoha will have to lose a few jonin too.

But I can make some preliminary preparations first. Once the time comes, it will be the day the Kirigakure Ninja are wiped out.

The identity of Kirigakure's commander this time was unusually mysterious. Even the Root ninja could not uncover it, something that had never happened before.

After leaving Jinghai Town, Uchiha Yan did not head for the Land of Whirlpools, where Kirigakure ninja appeared from time to time. Instead, he went north toward the Land of Hot Water.

More precisely, he wanted to set sail from the Land of Hot Water for the Land of Sea, out in the middle of the ocean.

This place had never taken part in the war. If the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning really were forming an alliance, it would undoubtedly be where they held their talks.

And judging by all the intelligence together, no jonin in all of Kirigakure was suited to negotiating except Genji. Even the Fourth Mizukage would not do.

As for who the commander was, Uchiha Yan was not worried. If there were talks, Genji would definitely be the best choice, because both battlefields had to be taken into account. An ordinary person would not be suitable.

If there was no alliance, then it would certainly be the Fourth Mizukage. To help the Fourth Mizukage mature as quickly as possible, Genji would definitely not come out himself.

That way, he could free himself up to guard against cooperation between Kumogakure and Konoha in the Land of Sea.

Throughout the journey, Uchiha Yan did not look like he was on a mission at all. He looked more like a tourist, taking in the scenery and eating local specialties.

The two White Zetsu following him were almost numb to it. "Has this guy deserted? Why is he getting farther and farther from the battlefield? Now he's even soaking in hot springs."

"Yeah! Why would he come to the Land of Hot Water? Even if he were deserting, he should go to the Land of Rain!"

"This is so boring. He keeps asking passersby boring questions, like how the fishing has been lately, or whether there are many fishing boats at sea."

"Exactly! Isn't that pointless? We're already by the sea. How could there not be lots of fishing boats? The Land of Hot Water doesn't make money only from hot springs."

Suddenly, disbelief appeared in both White Zetsu's eyes as they watched Uchiha Yan board a ship bound for the Land of Sea.

"Th-this... isn't that a ship to the Land of Sea?"

"He... he... he hasn't figured something out, has he? He's practically inhuman. Hurry back and tell Obito."

When Obito, hiding in a cave, received the news from White Zetsu, he was utterly dumbfounded. Even Zetsu stood stunned for a long while.

Only after quite some time did Obito roar:

"What is he going to the Land of Sea for? What is he trying to do? The Fourth Mizukage is clearly in the Land of Whirlpools. Everyone knows that! Why is he going to the Land of Sea to investigate the commander-in-chief?"

"Obito, why are you getting so worked up?"

"If Konoha finds out Kumogakure and Kirigakure are forming an alliance, what are we supposed to do next?"

Zetsu was unconcerned. "So let them find out. It won't stop you from getting revenge. What, do you really want to destroy Konoha this time?"

"Can't I? The Sannin aren't there, and Minato Namikaze is dead. This is the perfect time to destroy Konoha."

Zetsu looked at Obito suspiciously. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Are you sick in the head? What could I possibly hide from you? The most important thing right now is to keep Uchiha Yan from reaching the island."

"Why not have the Fourth Mizukage notify Genji? Can't they kill a single genin?"

"No! He can't die yet!"

At those words, suspicion rose in Zetsu's mind again, growing stronger and stronger.

Feeling Zetsu's gaze, Obito hurried to explain, "Uchiha Yan is a genius. With him around, we can carry out our plan better.

"Zetsu, we have to admit that our minds don't work as fast as his."

"No! Something really isn't right. Before, I wanted to recruit him, and you did everything you could to stop me.

"Ever since you met Uchiha Yan, you've become the one who wants to recruit him.

"Obito, are you sure you aren't hiding anything from me?"

"I'm not! We have the same goal. Why would I hide anything from you?"

"Fine! I'll trust you this once."

Zetsu nodded slightly. "Leave Uchiha Yan alone. We won't notify Genji or stop him. Whether he survives is up to him."

"All right!"

Afraid of arousing Zetsu's suspicions, Obito could only agree in a low voice, silently praying that Uchiha Yan would not die so easily.

Couldn't he be a little stupider? How did he guess the Land of Sea? So many people have forgotten about that island. How did he know?

At that moment, Uchiha Yan was lying on the deck sunbathing, looking indescribably relaxed. He was not afraid of being recognized, either. After all, he had long since removed his Konoha forehead protector and Uchiha clothing.

Even if he came face-to-face with a Kirigakure ninja, he could handle it calmly and leave them bewildered with his patter.

"Little fellow, are you all alone?"

Uchiha Yan opened his eyes to see a woman of around thirty looking down at him with a smile.

"Hello, ma'am. My dad is resting inside."

"Really? Why did I see you boarding alone? Good children don't tell lies."

"You're very observant, ma'am!"

Uchiha Yan slowly sat up straight. "Any man who marries a woman as beautiful and attentive as you would be blessed beyond belief.

"Ma'am, do you have any clan members my age? I'd like to marry a girl like you too.

"I've traveled to so many places, and you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Your clan members must be just as beautiful as you."

Clunk!

As he spoke, a kunai dropped onto the wooden deck. Uchiha Yan quickly picked it up, then rubbed the back of his head.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am! I've always liked ninja tools. It's normal to carry them around, right?"

"Hehehe! Of course. Perfectly normal. My son likes kunai too."

Clatter!

Some shuriken dropped onto the deck as well. This time, Uchiha Yan picked them up slowly.

"Ma'am, like I just said, I like ninja tools. Don't let it bother you."

"Gulp! It doesn't! Why would it bother me?"

Looking at the woman's pale face, Uchiha Yan pointed at the island not far away.

"Look, ma'am, we're here! You should go back and pack your luggage. Shall we talk another time?"

"Yes, yes, of course!"

Watching the woman walk away, Uchiha Yan frowned slightly. Am I overthinking it? Her forehead is clearly paler than the rest.

Just then, Uchiha Yan saw the woman suddenly raise her right hand and make a gesture.

Not good!

Without a second thought, Uchiha Yan threw an Explosive Tag Kunai at the woman, then plunged headfirst into the sea.

The woman reacted quickly too, leaping away from where she stood before jumping into the sea after Uchiha Yan.

The instant the woman jumped, two other men aboard ran to opposite ends of the ship, their eyes fixed on the water, the chakra in their bodies ready to burst forth.

The two White Zetsu hidden among the crowd were dumbstruck by the sight.

"That woman's a ninja? How did Uchiha Yan figure it out? Even if he did, shouldn't he have fought her first? Why did he just run?"

"Yeah! That woman was clearly frightened by the ninja tools just now!"

"I think I'm an idiot!"

"I think I am too! So is Black Zetsu! So is Obito!"