Nara Shikakuro, Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and two thousand Konoha shinobi headed toward the Land of Rivers.
There was no send-off, no ceremony.
The shinobi departed Konoha silently, leaving in groups behind their squad captains.
The Yellow Dog Platoon would act as the Hokage's eyes on the Land of Rivers front, representing the Hokage at the battlefield.
Shinmei had hidden inside a cave for a long time. Once his injuries healed, he made his way to the construction site of the forward base.
The base was built in central Land of Rivers, protecting the eastern grain-producing region.
The perimeter walls and watchtowers were already completed, and squads were erecting their tents.
Shinmei waited a long time until Hatake Sakumo exited the command tent.
"Shinmei!"
The tension on Sakumo's face melted into joy. "I thought something went wrong with your mission. I'm glad you returned safely."
Shinmei handed over the mission scroll he had written.
"Sakumo-sama, I discovered some hidden intel. I'd like to report to you alone."
Sakumo glanced at the Nara-clan staff shinobi behind him.
"Go get some rest."
The Nara strategist gave Shinmei a long look but left without comment.
Once they reached an empty area, Shinmei spoke in a low voice:
"Sakumo-sama, this mission was a death sentence. Captain Sarutobi Senjin ordered the three of us chunin to infiltrate the Oasis separately. That was no different from sending us to die.
But for the mission, we still went.
An ANBU operative appeared and saved me. We had no prior connection. He only asked me to deliver a message to you."
Sakumo's expression instantly turned cold.
"Never mind the ANBU for the moment, did you say Sarutobi Senjin had three chunin infiltrate the Oasis guarded heavily by the Hidden Sand?"
This was exactly the kind of thing Hatake Sakumo despised.
Killing intent quietly filled the air. Sakumo treated comrades kindly, but he showed no mercy toward enemy villages.
"As deputy commander, I'll investigate the mission thoroughly."
Shinmei continued:
"Sakumo-sama, my experience isn't the important part. Captain Sarutobi died during the mission as well.
What the ANBU said is far more important.
He said the village elders believe you have a faction of followers around you.
ANBU is investigating all of us.
Sakumo-sama, we know we aren't a faction… but to the higher-ups, any group not explicitly loyal to the Hokage is considered a tumor in the village.
The Uchiha clan being continually suppressed proves that. The Senju clan also disagrees with the elders on certain matters and is in decline.
Sakumo-sama, please be careful."
Sakumo replied:
"ANBU investigating a faction that doesn't exist? And that ANBU used you to warn me?
That is not ANBU behavior. ANBU operatives obey the Hokage absolutely."
As Shinmei predicted, Sakumo would not trust such a thing easily.
Shinmei said:
"The operative wore a fox mask and was very strong. He said he was a supporter of yours and believes the merit-based promotion system should replace recommendation-based promotion. Maybe he worked with you before joining ANBU.
All of us gathered because we once carried out missions under you, didn't we?"
Sakumo nodded. "I understand. I'll be cautious of the elders' little schemes. You all must be careful as well."
Inside the ANBU captain's tent, Yoru received a new assignment.
Yellow Dog said:
"The main battlefield doesn't need ANBU support for now. There are two troublesome nobles in the Capital of the Land of Rivers who must be eliminated.
With the Hidden Sand declaring war on Konoha, certain nobles have become opportunists.
Some Land of River nobles already pledged to the Hidden Sand early, expecting to inherit Konoha's interests if the Hidden Sand wins.
Fox, you will assassinate these two nobles. They are the core figures supporting the Hidden Sand.
According to our treaty with the daimyo, Konoha cannot openly harm nobles. So this assassination must be clean. No one can know it was Konoha."
Yoru skimmed the scroll.
Assassinating nobles was one of ANBU's most common tasks. There were always fools who thought they could play both sides between ninja villages.
Yellow Dog continued:
"They will have the Hidden Sand shinobi guarding them. Be careful, especially avoid large-scale structural damage or civilian casualties. If we overdo it, the Land of Rivers daimyo will instantly know it was us."
"Understood."
Yoru returned to the ANBU camp section and summoned White Ram.
"White Ram, your squad is coming with me."
White Ram's kikaichū (parasitic insects) were perfect for reconnaissance.
The Capital of the Land of Rivers spanned both sides of the Yoshimizu River.
The river roared through a canyon dozens of meters deep, with wooden bridges linking the two sides.
The canyon's edges housed living districts, merchant quarters, noble estates, and the daimyo's castle keep.
Yoru and White Ram's squad entered Kyoto disguised as merchants.
After settling into an inn, Yoru instructed:
"White Ram, you track the two nobles, the Captain of the Left Imperial Guard and the Middle Palace Minister. Gather their movements, hobbies, and guard strength. Be cautious, their bodyguards include Hidden Sand shinobi.
Do not contact Konoha's guardian shinobi in the daimyo's castle. They must remain entirely uninvolved.
During the assassination, we cannot cause excessive destruction, otherwise the daimyo may turn this into a political weapon."
White Ram nodded. "Understood. I'll begin gathering intel."
Once they departed, Yoru removed his ANBU mask, put on a merchant's face covering, and walked out.
Masks were common in the shinobi world; his disguise raised no suspicion.
ANBU's pitiful budget didn't permit actual shopping. Yoru wandered around looking without buying.
Eventually he stepped onto a large bridge.
Below, the river surged in white foam.
Yoru noticed a bounty notice posted at the railing and became interested.
It stated that due to war between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass, the Land of Earth's coal transport routes were cut off. The Capital faced a severe shortage of coal for power generation.
The Land of Rivers Treasury was offering 1 million ryō to anyone who could solve the coal shortage.
Yoru glanced at the raging river below and had an idea.
Isn't this a free million?
And entering the Treasury would give him access to nobles, closer to his assassination targets.
Following the instructions, Yoru went to the Land of Rivers Treasury Office.
It functioned like a finance ministry plus central bank, extremely powerful.
Yoru told an official:
"I can solve your electricity problem. Take me to the Chancellor of the Treasury."
Seeing the sword on his back, the official assumed he was a wandering shinobi.
Soon, several officials entered with a woman.
She had the aura of a refined mature woman, around thirty, with her hair pinned high, revealing a pale neck.
She wore a fitted white dress cut perfectly, formal yet elegant.
What caught Yoru's attention most was her rimless glasses, which made her features even more striking.
"I am Koi Chisa, Chancellor of the Treasury of the Land of Rivers. My subordinates say you can resolve our power-generation coal shortage?"
Yoru said, "I cannot solve the coal shortage."
Koi Chisa frowned slightly. "If you can't solve it, why are you here?"
"Even the strongest trade guilds in the Land of Fire cannot transport coal from the Land of Earth right now, not even with dozens of Konoha shinobi escorting them," Yoru replied.
"But I can sell you hydroelectric power technology. Using Land of Rivers's terrain, you can abandon coal entirely and switch to hydroelectricity."
"Hydro… electric?"
Koi Chisa's eyes brightened. She had never heard the term, and became interested.