"Kagura-kun."
"We've spent too much time here."
Uchiha Itachi disregarded the advice from Akihara Kagura once again.
Like most of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Itachi also had a stubborn and obsessive side, completely ignoring Akihara Kagura's counsel.
The squad set off towards the Land of Earth.
Shortly after their departure, the Kaguya clan infiltrated the forest, discovering that the defenses of the Land of Grass had vanished without a trace. These frenzied ninjas did not care whether it was a trap or not, directly attacking the Grass Village and simply occupying the deserted village.
Many years ago.
Due to a guy named Uchiha Madara being too powerful, leading the Uchiha clan to be more warlike than the Kaguya clan, they directly drove the Kaguya clan to the Land of Water.
The Kaguya clan had always been looking for a place to settle but were not accepted by other ninja villages due to their warlike nature. They even discussed attacking the Mist Village. This time, acting as mercenaries to attack the Land of Grass, might not be without the intention of returning to the mainland of the ninja world.
Now, the Kaguya clan finally had their own foothold.
Even though it was just a small village, it was a place for them to reside, and they immediately sent people to bring their clan members from the Land of Water.
Konoha, the Hokage building.
The incident in the Land of Grass drew Konoha's attention.
The entire ninja world knew that the Kaguya clan had a warlike gene in their bones, inevitably worrying some that these people would overestimate themselves and crazily attack Konoha.
"Let Hizashi go on a diplomatic mission."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a deep understanding of the clan history during the Warring States period, said: "I remember, isn't the Hyuga clan a distant relative of the Kaguya clan?"
Just like the relationship between the Senju clan and the Uzumaki clan, the Hyuga clan and the Kaguya clan also had a familial relationship, and even occasionally maintained Warring States-era nobility-style interactions between the two clans.
"Hmph..."
Shimura Danzo, who always liked to hold opposing views to Sarutobi Hiruzen's normal perspectives, said: "The Kaguya clan will cause trouble sooner or later. It's better to find an opportunity to eliminate them..."
"Danzo, you're being a bit extreme."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, continuing: "Many things, if handled properly, could actually bring greater benefits to Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took out his pipe, exhaling a swirl of smoke: "Have you talked with Itachi last time? Is he willing to help us intervene in the Uchiha clan's attitude towards Konoha?"
"We'll know when the little guy comes back from the Rock Village."
Shimura Danzo, squinting his eyes, was satisfied with his assessment of Uchiha Itachi: "If he's willing to become our eyes and ears, dealing with the Uchiha clan's matters will be much easier."
Land of Earth.
The entire geographical environment is rocky mountains.
On one hand, the geographical environment has made it difficult for the Rock Village to communicate with the outside world; on the other hand, this environment also greatly reduces the likelihood of the Land of Earth being invaded.
The Rock Village only needs to defend the narrow paths. Unless invaded from the coastline, it is difficult for other villages to attack the Land of Earth from the land, and there is even the risk of a total annihilation of the invading forces.
The location of the Rock Village is known for its strong defenses, surrounded by dense fortresses of rocks, making infiltration extremely difficult.
Furthermore, the Rock Village has the highest number of ninjas among the five great ninja villages.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the Rock Village was engaged in multiple fronts, sending troops to attack the Land of Fire, nearly breaking through the Land of Fire's defenses; and deploying tens of thousands of troops to besiege the ninja forces of the Cloud Village. If it weren't for the sacrifice of the Third Raikage of the Cloud Village, the elite forces of the Cloud Village might have been completely annihilated.
Similarly, it is very difficult for the ninjas of the Rock Village to recognize their own, as ninjas need to undertake missions to sustain their livelihoods, many Rock ninjas hardly have the chance to encounter a comrade they have met before.
After Yakushi Kabuto infiltrated the Rock Village, he had been trying to find the Dean Nono, who was also hiding in the Rock Village, hoping to meet with his Dean to inform her about the conspiracy from Shimura Danzo and about Akihara Kagura, whom the head had forgotten.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time.
Yakushi Kabuto was also unclear about the code name of Nono.
In case Nono was no longer posing as a wandering priestess in the Rock Village, inquiring rashly might expose the Dean's identity, and to avoid exposing his own identity, Yakushi Kabuto had to live as a normal ninja.
As a result, the Rock Village experienced chaos triggered by Uchiha Obito controlling the Five-Tails Jinchuriki to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, leading to the village being locked down for a week.
This made Yakushi Kabuto's actions even more difficult.
Fortunately, the lockdown of the Rock Village was finally lifted.
Yakushi Kabuto, fearing to attract attention, dared not take any action and could only continue to undertake missions in the Rock Village.
Recently, Yakushi Kabuto had been carrying out escort missions in a border town of the Land of Earth, thinking that the Dean, Nono, might appear there, as Konoha might request information about the Rock Village and Uchiha Obito from them.
As expected.
Yakushi Kabuto found the contact code left by a Konoha intelligence officer in the border town and had to rush to meet.
As a result…
Yakushi Kabuto met a black-haired boy at the rendezvous point.
"Uchiha Itachi…"
Yakushi Kabuto felt somewhat relieved.
Fortunately, it was Uchiha Itachi who came at this time, not Akihara Kagura.
After Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi arrived in the Land of Earth, he let them find a place to stay first, while he tried to contact the Intelligence Division personnel of the Land of Earth.
Luckily, there was an intelligence officer here.
Yakushi Kabuto casually walked towards Uchiha Itachi, approached the boy, suddenly grabbed him fiercely, and pulled the young boy into an alley!
"I am Yakushi Kabuto, a member of the Intelligence Division."
With one sentence, Yakushi Kabuto calmed Uchiha Itachi down.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi heard the name of Yakushi Kabuto but did not immediately trust it. Instead, he seriously exchanged the secret code exclusive to Yakushi Kabuto of the Konoha Intelligence Division.
"Connection successful."
It was only then that Uchiha Itachi's expression relaxed, and he began to inquire, "I am here to request the assistance of intelligence personnel to help us investigate the intelligence regarding Uchiha Obito's control over the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki. Do you have any information on Uchiha Obito's whereabouts?"
"I know some."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, speaking softly, "When the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki, Han, attempted to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, he was subdued on the spot by Ōnoki. Ōnoki discovered that Han was controlled by the Sharingan, and Uchiha Obito suddenly appeared…"
"The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, attempted to capture Uchiha Obito unsuccessfully, and Uchiha Obito escaped, claiming that he would completely destroy Rock Village next time, which enraged Ōnoki…"
"The entire Rock Village was locked down for a week, with everyone searching for Uchiha Obito's whereabouts. I haven't found out the results of this capture operation yet…"
"Maybe he was caught... maybe not…"
"This is a secret known only to the higher-ups of Rock Village, and as a low-ranking ninja, I can't find out any specific information. Please give me a little more time."
"That's acceptable."
Uchiha Itachi nodded.
Such matters were never easy to investigate.
Hearing that the person sent by his superiors was willing to give him more time, Yakushi Kabuto felt slightly relieved. As long as Konoha still needed his intelligence, the crisis for himself and the Dean, Nono, should be delayed for a while.
"By the way."
Uchiha Itachi took out a red scroll and handed it to Yakushi Kabuto: "This is the latest mission from Lord Danzō to you."
"I understand."
Yakushi Kabuto took the red scroll, as if he remembered something, suddenly asked, "By the way, I want to ask about someone, Akihara Kagura in the Anbu. How is he doing? I remember you and he were both candidates in the Chunin Exams. Did he pass?"
Uchiha Itachi hesitated.
This spy's information was too outdated!
At this moment, Uchiha Itachi did not know whether he should say more. He knew about the close relationship between Yakushi Kabuto and Akihara Kagura, but if he revealed that Akihara Kagura was also there, would it be a violation of the rules of the Konoha Intelligence Division if these two people contacted each other privately?
However…
Uchiha Itachi soon no longer needed to worry about this issue.
"Yakushi Kabuto, your question is too impolite."
Akihara Kagura quietly appeared beside Yakushi Kabuto, seemingly opening his mouth carelessly to say: "Uchiha Itachi standing before you will, in the future, take over the position of the head of the Root Division from Lord Danzo. Asking him about the Chunin Exam, isn't that poking at his wound?"
"Akihara Kagura!"
Yakushi Kabuto's face suddenly became somewhat panicked.
Although he had always been concerned about the news of Akihara Kagura, he definitely did not want to meet him here, especially at this time and place!
"Kagura-kun!"
Uchiha Itachi stepped forward, cautioning Akihara Kagura for violating Konoha's rules: "Unless permitted, it is forbidden to make private contact with members of the Intelligence Division, this violates the Konoha's regulations, right?"
Uchiha Itachi looked at the somewhat trembling Yakushi Kabuto and softly said: "Yakushi Kabuto, you can go now."
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto immediately wanted to leave this place, he could not continue to waste time here, he must find the Dean as soon as possible!
Yakushi Kabuto knew about Akihara Kagura's lawlessness in the Root Division, he did not believe Akihara Kagura would follow any rules, nor did he think Akihara Kagura would not dare to kill him and the Dean!
However...
Yakushi Kabuto was faintly curious...
How did Uchiha Itachi become Shimura Danzo's successor? Could it be that Shimura Danzo is about to die? And what identity does Akihara Kagura hold?
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave..."
Akihara Kagura, with great interest, watched Yakushi Kabuto stop and smiled amiably to say: "Yakushi Kabuto, you should know what it means for me to appear here, right?"
"I know..."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly lowered his head.
"That's good."
Akihara Kagura then satisfactorily nodded his head, glanced at the red scroll in his hand: "It seems you have a new mission, go and complete your mission first!"
"As for our matter..."
"There's no rush for this moment."
Akihara Kagura, looking at the somewhat uneasy Yakushi Kabuto, wore a playful smile in his eyes.
"..."
Cold sweat slowly slid down Yakushi Kabuto's forehead.
Akihara Kagura watched Yakushi Kabuto with an increasingly intense smile: "Now that you're here, the people who should be met, must be met. The people who should be killed, must be killed…"
"…"
Uchiha Itachi felt that things might not be as simple as he had thought.
Was the relationship between Akihara Kagura and Yakushi Kabuto really as good as Hatake Kakashi had said?
Why did Akihara Kagura speak with sarcasm, and why did Yakushi Kabuto seem so scared upon seeing Akihara Kagura here?
"Yakushi Kabuto, you should go first."
Uchiha Itachi stood firmly in front of Akihara Kagura, signaling Yakushi Kabuto to leave first.
"…"
Yakushi Kabuto stood still, not daring to move.
Compared to Uchiha Itachi, what Yakushi Kabuto was more worried about was Akihara Kagura's attitude.
"Yakushi Kabuto, you can go now."
The words spoken by Akihara Kagura granted Yakushi Kabuto a great reprieve.
Just as Yakushi Kabuto was about to leave, Akihara Kagura looked at Uchiha Itachi, as if speaking to him: "Whether anyone can stop me from killing in the future, will depend on your luck…"