Catching the encrypted scroll thrown by Shinji, the Intelligence Division ninja was stunned for a moment, completely unexpected that Shinji not only broke the genjutsu in one go, but even retrieved the thing left by the caster in the Hidden Cloud ninja's brain.
Others in the ward also clicked their tongues endlessly.
Especially those few who had tried to break the genjutsu before, they knew how tricky this genjutsu was, so they were even more surprised.
"The scroll is encrypted and needs to be deciphered."
After a simple explanation, Shinji nodded to Tsunade again, then left the ward directly with Mumei.
Logically speaking, even if the task was completed, Shinji shouldn't have left without authorization since Tsunade, the Hokage, hadn't spoken. However, Shinji's departure didn't arouse everyone's resentment, as if all this was taken for granted.
Imperceptibly, this showed that everyone had begun to slowly regard Shinji as a high-level figure at the level of village advisory elders.
After Shinji left, Tsunade took the encrypted scroll from the Intelligence Division ninja.
Jiraiya and Kakashi gathered around.
Checking it, Tsunade said to the two: "Confirmed, the encryption on the scroll is an Anbu encryption method!"
Jiraiya and Kakashi nodded, confirming that the one who cast genjutsu on the Hidden Cloud ninja was indeed Itachi.
Sasuke was somewhat incredulous, even flying into a rage out of humiliation: "How could a guy like him transmit intelligence to the village! This must be fake intelligence, a trap set by the Akatsuki organization!"
Kakashi comforted Sasuke: "That possibility cannot be ruled out!"
"Correct, even if it is intelligence, it needs careful screening!"
Tsunade naturally wouldn't argue with Sasuke over such matters. Moreover, what Sasuke said was not completely impossible.
Back then, the Third Hokage indeed had an agreement with Itachi. The Third Hokage guaranteed Sasuke's safety in the village, while Itachi joined the Akatsuki organization to spy for the village.
As a result, so many years passed, Itachi seemed to have defected, serving the Akatsuki organization all along without transmitting any intelligence back to the village. So even if the village urgently needed intelligence on the Akatsuki organization, the information transmitted back by Itachi must be strictly reviewed.
On the other side.
On the way back to the Military Police Force Building, Mumei said to Shinji: "Is that brown-haired girl in the ward Kurama Yakumo?"
Shinji asked: "Mhm, what's wrong?"
Mumei looked thoughtful: "She seemed very focused on me!"
Shinji said: "Those eyes of hers are called 'Koryugan', possessing both the abilities of perspective eyes and genjutsu eyes. Perhaps she noticed something!"
Mumei was somewhat worried: "Shinji, could I have been exposed? Will it affect your plan?"
Shinji smiled: "It's fine."
Mumei was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "Could this Hokage disciple, the heiress of the Kurama clan, also be..."
Shinji didn't deny it: "You guessed right. Like Karin and Haku, she is also my subordinate, codename 'D'!"
Mumei whispered: "So that's how it is."
As her understanding of Shinji deepened, Mumei felt a bit empty inside. She originally thought she was Shinji's greatest helper, but unexpectedly, Shinji had so many strong subordinates.
Not to mention Karin and Haku, now Yakumo appeared, making her unconsciously want to compete with Yakumo.
Reminded by Mumei, Shinji said to himself: "That's right, Yakumo doesn't know your situation. If she reports to the Hokage privately, it'll be trouble, big or small. Seems necessary to explain to her!"
At night.
After washing up, Shinji lay on the bed and activated 'Jikibi' as usual, contacting Karin, Haku, Neji, Kimimaro, and other subordinates, then connecting with Yakumo.
Receiving Shinji's link, Yakumo immediately reported the operation in the Land of Rice Fields.
Shinji knew very well that the reason Karin and Haku could easily cover Hiruko's retreat this time was entirely due to borrowing the identities of 'B' and 'C'. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Yakumo and Sasuke to watch Hiruko leave swaggering with the Nine-Tails.
From this point, it could be seen that the few people still had a very strong sense of belonging to the organization.
Precisely because of this, Shinji was considering whether to reveal his identity as 'A' to core subordinates like Karin, Haku, and Yakumo.
At this stage, he actually only needed to strictly guard his identity as the 'Lampbearer'.
Because when the Overlord invades a world, it might launch attacks specifically against the 'Lampbearer' whose identity has been exposed. Before the Demon Slayer world was destroyed by the Overlord, that Hegemon of Terror once incarnated as 'Yoriichi Tsugikuni' to hunt down Ryūhei Ubuyashiki, the 'Lampbearer' of the Demon Slayer world.
Shinji naturally didn't want to repeat Ryūhei Ubuyashiki's mistakes, so he strictly guarded his identity as the 'Lampbearer' and didn't reveal a bit to anyone.
After reporting the situation in the Land of Rice Fields, Yakumo said to Shinji anxiously: "Lord, Naruto and Menma have reconciled now, and Menma knows about Ido, so I'm worried Naruto already knows about me and Ido."
Shinji was originally worried about Mumei being exposed. Now it's good, Yakumo was exposed even earlier.
Just as he was considering how to comfort Yakumo, Yakumo continued: "Lord, if my identity as 'D' is exposed, I've decided to defect!"
"!?"
Shinji was stunned.
Yakumo continued: "I always worry too much. Perhaps only by being exposed can I be my true self and become the real 'D'!"
Shinji smiled: "Let's meet!"
Yakumo was stunned: "Do you have a mission to assign?"
"Sort of!"
Saying this, Shinji agreed on a meeting place.
Not long after, Yakumo arrived at the small grove agreed upon with Shinji.
Activating the 'Koryugan' to scan the surroundings and confirm no prying eyes, Yakumo leaned against a large tree and waited.
In a short while, footsteps came from the forest.
Yakumo looked towards the sound, then her expression froze: "Shinji!? It's so late, why did you come here?"
Shinji looked at Yakumo and smiled: "I asked you to come, of course I have to show up!"
Yakumo was struck by lightning, stunned on the spot for a moment!
Soon, images flashed through her mind, images of her getting along with Shinji and 'A' respectively. Then various images gradually overlapped, and Shinji's figure gradually merged with 'A'.
Finally, she recalled that afternoon when she was most desperate.
After learning that her body could no longer support her being a ninja, she tried to ask teachers and friends around her for help, but all she got was rejection. With the last hope, she summoned up the courage to find Shinji and stated her request, but still received a decisive rejection.
However, that night, 'A' appeared with hope!