Night had fallen over the woods outside Kusagakure.
Yugito stood before sixteen shinobi, eyes brimming with pride as she looked at her sensei.
"How about it? These are all my subordinates."
"Not bad, right?"
Kazuyama Gekkō's gaze swept across the group. Fifteen in total—six clearly from Kusagakure, the rest likely wandering ninjas. That was hardly surprising. The Land of Grass, scarred by years of conflict, was a natural gathering point for drifters.
One particularly large man caught his attention. If he wasn't mistaken, that was the same fat man who once served as the Preta Path of Pain's Six Paths. Yugito had taken him in too?
Still, it didn't matter. Every one of them was here for the same purpose—to help build an intelligence network.
"Not bad."
He stepped forward. "I'm Yugito's sensei. You don't need to remember my name. What matters is that Yugito has already told you your mission."
The group eyed him with curiosity. His appearance was already altered by Transformation Technique—now he looked like a wild, defiant rogue.
"We're here to establish an intelligence network in Kusagakure. The war is over. From here on out, intelligence is the real battlefield. Whoever controls information controls the world.
"Intel on the Land of Grass is especially important. This country thrives on information. Those of you from Kusagakure know that better than anyone."
The Kusagakure shinobi among them nodded immediately. The village's business of selling intelligence was no secret.
"So here's what I want: from now on, you'll gather intel from everywhere—the village, the Daimyō's manor, outsiders passing through. If it's useful, collect it.
"You won't be working for free. Every compiled report will earn you payment. I don't care if some of the intel turns out useless—everything will be sorted and graded, and rewards given accordingly.
"Understood?"
Faces lit up. Paid work with no real danger—what was there to complain about?
"Yugito, I'll speak with you about the details later. No need to rush."
At the mention of money, Yugito's eyes went wide. Money? She had none.
Kazuyama Gekkō didn't need to read her mind—he simply shut her down with one look.
"That's all from me. Yugito stays in charge."
"Yugito."
She caught the cue—it was time to dismiss the group.
"You guys head over to the canyon and wait there. I'll come find you in a bit."
"Got it!"
Soon, only the two of them remained.
"Don't rush things. Set up a dojo in some nearby town and take on challengers all day. It'll make you money and sharpen your skills—perfect for you.
"I'm sure you've got enough to start with. I don't need to fund you, right?"
Yugito, who had been about to ask for money, gave an awkward grin. She had been hoping to get some out of him—it wasn't easy for her to earn.
"Hmph. Without long-term vision, you'll never amount to much.
"Don't underestimate this plan. People will pay to challenge you, and you keep that money. Of course, intel expenses come out of your pocket, but the rest is yours.
"Anyway, I'll be in Kusagakure for the next few days. If something comes up, find me."
With that, the Flying Thunder God whisked him away, leaving Yugito scratching her head.
...
The next day, Kazuyama Gekkō strolled lazily through Kusagakure's streets.
It didn't take long before he spotted his target—a modest medical clinic.
"Boss, got any snakeberries? I'll take the lot."
The previously bored shopkeeper perked up immediately, grinning as he began packing the order.
"Here you go, all the snakeberries I have."
Kazuyama Gekkō paid, glanced at the several large baskets, then casually asked,
"Say… are there any red-haired shinobi in Kusagakure?"
"Red hair? Why are you asking?"
The man's tone shifted—surprise, yes, but mostly caution. In Kusagakure, caution was survival.
"Heh, just looking for an old acquaintance. Judging from your face, I'd say you know who I mean. Care to tell me where she is?"
Kazuyama Gekkō offered his friendliest smile. To the shopkeeper, it only looked more dangerous.
"Customer, you've finished your purchase. You should leave now. Asking questions in Kusagakure is forbidden. Out of respect for your business, I won't call the patrol. Please go."
The sudden chill in the man's demeanor caught Kazuyama Gekkō off guard. He hadn't expected Kusagakure to be this tight-lipped.
But he wasn't the type to quit halfway.
"Ah, why make this difficult…"
"Chōmei."
"Gotcha! Sleeping powder—coming right up!"
A wave of shimmering powder spread through the air. The shopkeeper didn't even have time to gasp before collapsing.
Clang!
The fall was anything but graceful—his head clipped the cabinet, then the table. Looked painful.
And bleeding, too.
"…Talk about bad luck."
"Whatever. I just want some intel, not his life."
"Coiling Serpent Technique… Tagitsuhime, come on out!"
A crimson shimmer swirled as Tagitsuhime's serpentine body emerged.
"What's the—"
"Whoa! Snakeberries!"
Kazuyama Gekkō's mouth twitched as she bolted toward the baskets.
Right. He'd forgotten about that.
"Hey! Work first, then you can take all of them back with you!"
"Wait—slurp—so good!"
"Stop eating!"
With his patience evaporating, he grabbed her and dragged her over to the unconscious shopkeeper.
"Use Genjutsu. Make him tell us about the red-haired woman."
"Oh? You want me to use Genjutsu to help you chase a girl? In your dreams!"
She'd thought it was something serious—turns out it was about a woman. That meant the price just went up. One basket? Not enough. Five.
"Don't mess around. She's a highly talented kunoichi. Leaving her in Kusagakure is a waste.
"We're taking her with us."