From sunrise to sunset, Kageyama Kokugetsu worked the mission by that rhythm, and by the time he returned to camp the sky was already dim.
Seeing him come back safe, the shinobi at the gate hurried to report to Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
He did not need the announcement, since he meant to go anyway. He had earned merit, and to leave it unreported would be marching in brocade at night.
In the command tent Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Nara Shikaku were deep in discussion.
"You are finally back. I was a little worried."
Shinnosuke's features bore a faint resemblance to Konohamaru grown up, only less handsome, beard on his face, giving him a steady, mature air.
"Thank you for the concern, Senior Shinnosuke. Overall it went rather smoothly," Kageyama Kokugetsu said with a smile.
"Oh? Sounds like results," Shikaku said with an easy grin, catching the pleased tone in his voice.
"Yes. Though Kumo set a barrier at the center of their camp, I found a gap during shift change.
"Judging by chakra levels, I infiltrated their camp and assassinated seven tokubetsu jōnin and five jōnin.
"I used their blood to write Dog Kumo, die to break their will.
"It was vengeance for my parents. A most satisfying hunt."
The tent fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. Shinnosuke and Shikaku looked at each other, shock in their eyes.
Kokugestu's stealth and assassination were terrifying.
To succeed in the heart of a camp guarded by heavy troops and barriers, and to kill so many Kumo elites, exceeded expectation.
Fortunately he belonged to Konoha, or the thought alone made the scalp prickle.
"Good work."
"Keep it up, and the post of ANBU Commander will one day be yours," Shinnosuke said with open approval.
He knew they were not just drawing him a pie, yet ANBU Commander alone would not be enough. Outwardly he kept his voice steady. "I will continue to give my best."
"Your stealth and assassination already stand alone in the shinobi world," Shikaku said. "In a few years Konoha may see a mighty secret arts lineage rise again. We would be glad to see it.
"And your strike at their hearts was well used.
"Shinnosuke, perhaps we should adjust the plan."
"Yes, an adjustment is due."
"You mean destroying Kumo's supply depots," Shikaku said with a faint smile and a deep look.
"Even if Kumo tightens defense now, it is worth a try.
"Kokugetsu, this is not a must-complete mission. Act at your discretion. There is no time limit.
"If you judge it unworkable, abandon it without hesitation. Do not take excessive risks.
"You are already one of our trump cards, and in time a pillar of Konoha."
"I understand," Kageyama Kokugetsu said in a low voice.
"If it cannot be done, I will lead ANBU to hit Kumo's ANBU, recon, and logistics."
"A wise course," Shikaku said with a raised thumb.
Little wonder the Hokage and the others valued him so highly.
Such results, yet without arrogance, his head still cool and his caution intact. This was a born leader.
Danzō's idea to fold him into Root had indeed been overreach.
"Leave ANBU matters to you and I am at ease," Shinnosuke said. "You have worked hard. Go rest."
"I will take my leave. You two should rest as well."
They nodded with smiles, their goodwill only rising. Kageyama Kokugetsu bowed slightly and turned to go. The two lowered their heads to continue debating tactics. With the enemy's mid and high tiers thinned, the plan had to change. Before their strength could be replenished, Konoha would seize what advantage it could.
The next morning in Kumogakure, perched atop high peaks where thunder rolled year round, in the Raikage Building, in the Raikage's office.
After morning training and a satisfying breakfast, the Fourth Raikage came to his office in good spirits. He sat and casually picked up the single file on the desk.
There was only one, worth noting. Mabui had placed the rest in a cabinet to the side.
He flipped it open and his smile froze. His face went blank, then muscles twitched, veins stood out on his brow, and anger filled his features.
With a slam the newly replaced desk split into quarters under his palm.
"Kageyama Kokugetsu, bastard, I will go to the front myself and kill you."
His eyes bulged with fury, his expression fit to devour a man.
"Please calm yourself, Lord Raikage, unless you wish to see the war swell and let Iwagakure reap the spoils."
Mabui, in black-rimmed glasses, a gray blazer above a gray skirt, dark smooth skin and a graceful figure, pushed the door open, face cool and voice steady.
"Ōnoki," he growled.
"Hmph, I will kill him sooner or later." The Fourth Raikage paused, then dropped heavily into his chair.
Mabui bent to pick up the file and handed it back.
"Commander Dodai not only begs your pardon, he has requests."
"I do not want to read it. It only stokes my anger. Tell me."
"Yes," Mabui said with a nod.
"First, he requests reinforcements. Beyond replacing losses, he needs more barrier squad shinobi.
"Investigation shows a flaw at shift change. With more personnel the barrier will have no gaps."
"Approved," the Raikage said with a wave.
"Second, he hopes Lord Killer B can go in secret."
Dodai had first thought to send Yugito, but she could not yet achieve full tailed-beast transformation and had relatively little battle experience.
Should she be assassinated, he would be a sinner to Kumo and the village would suffer huge loss.
Suitable jinchūriki are not easy to find. When a tailed beast dies it needs a period before revival, leaving a strategic vacuum.
Re-sealing costs heavy manpower and resources. After much thought, Dodai chose the safer way.
"Since the enemy has Byakugan, standard transformation will not work, but a tentacle clone disguise will.
"Lord Killer B's tentacle clones are nearly indistinguishable from his true body. The enemy should not see through it.
"Finally, Dodai suggests finding a master of cosmetics here or in the Land of Lightning to alter Lord B's skin tone and features."
Killer B's octopus tentacle clones were indeed something. Even Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan could not catch the flaw.
The Raikage pondered a moment. "Approved.
"B is training at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, but a short delay will not matter.
"Hmph, B will act only once. I do not believe Konoha will fight us to the bitter end over a dead prodigy."
Mabui smiled with confidence. "Konoha is still ruled by the same people. By their temperaments the chance of a death match is close to zero."
Indeed, with the Konoha F4, no matter how highly they valued a single man, they would not gamble the village's future.
If he died, he died. When their strength recovered and a chance arose, they might take revenge.
"Good. Then begin."
"I will speak to B myself. You handle the rest."
"Yes, Lord Raikage."
Composed again, the Fourth Raikage left through the door rather than the wall. Mabui had the office cleaned and a new desk brought in, then went to her tasks.
The roles of hunter and prey are never fixed, always shifting. A plot began to quietly brew.
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