How could the information about a village's leader be so easily acquired? Even Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't let spies from another ninja village easily find out his whereabouts, right?
If it weren't for being a seer, this task would be utterly impossible to complete.
If the mission can't be accomplished, it might allow Uchiha Yoichi a bit of a respite, or he might persuade Uzumaki Minami to join the medical unit, thus providing him another opportunity for the Jonin assessment.
Considering their relationship, Uchiha Yoichi could only think slightly more darkly.
However, he knew that the Third Generation Kazekage might have died at Sasori's hands, which made things easier; knowing the result, he just needed to investigate the process based on the outcome.
Uchiha Yoichi remembered that the Third Generation Kazekage seemed to have been missing for a long time, and because no body was ever discovered, the Hidden Sand Village did not believe that the one hailed as the strongest Kazekage had met with misfortune.
Eventually, due to excessive efforts to search for the Kazekage, village conflicts erupted, and finally, they had no choice but to initiate combat.
For this Jonin assessment mission, they only needed to find clues about Sasori; as for the rest, if Konoha's high-ranking officials wanted to know, they would have to investigate themselves.
After all the details were settled among the ninja, Nara Shikaku asked, "Jiraiya-sama, when do we set off?"
"It's eleven o'clock now. Depart precisely at two in the afternoon, but after reaching the border of the Land of Rivers, you'll have to separate from us."
Jiraiya directed the final sentence towards Uchiha Yoichi and the other ninjas assigned to reconnaissance missions, but apart from Uchiha Yoichi, the other five people all had task teams, focusing primarily on intelligence gathering.
This was precisely why Uchiha Yoichi could maliciously speculate about the intentions of Konoha's higher-ups.
"So, prepare yourself and gather at Konoha Gate."
With that, the ninjas present, including Uchiha Yoichi, left individually to prepare the necessary mission supplies; this was a long-term mission, and they had to fully prepare soldier pills, kunai, shuriken, and so on.
Apart from leaving Lightning Fang at home, Uchiha Yoichi made sure everything else was packed fully, including medical supplies prepared by Uzumaki Minami, which were sufficient for treating common external injuries.
"Before leaving, I should inform Minami."
Uchiha Yoichi thought to himself, given that he'd be gone for at least one or two months, and he only received this mission suddenly in the morning.
Upon arriving at Konoha Hospital, Uchiha Yoichi learned that Uzumaki Minami was in surgery, so he waited outside the hospital for her to finish.
After waiting for over ten minutes, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly spotted a familiar person; a snowy white figure, heavy-set, catching a great deal of attention under the sunlight.
When Tsunade reached the hospital entrance, she also noticed Uchiha Yoichi. They had worked together in some capacity before, and Tsunade had received three million ryo from Uchiha Yoichi, which had eased her financial woes.
So she wasn't as overtly hostile as she had been the first time. Approaching him, she asked, "Uchiha brat, are you waiting for Minami?"
"Yes, I have to leave the village this afternoon and might not be back for a long time, so I came to inform Minami. Tsunade-sama, did you just...finish drinking?"
Uchiha Yoichi sniffed twice, noticing she seemed to have just sobered up outside, but there was still a faint scent of alcohol.
"Don't talk so much; I can't let it go to waste, can I, brat!"
Tsunade waved a fist in warning after scrunching her face, thinking, what's it to a brat to sniff the scent on her? Besides, there were only a couple of drinks left yesterday, which she hastily drank this morning.
Tsunade had come to Konoha Hospital today to check if there were any treatment commissions since the last three million ryo had nearly been lost after only two gambling sessions.
Uchiha Yoichi didn't plan to intervene, and just as he was about to leave, suddenly thought of something and stopped, asking Tsunade, "By the way, Tsunade-sama, do you want to take on a commission? There's money involved."
"What commission?"
Tsunade was about to leave, but when she heard about money, she paused. If it were like last time, where taking a couple of pictures earned her three million ryo, she might consider it.
"Just guide Minami in medical ninjutsu, one hour a day for two months, a hundred and fifty thousand ryo per month."
He suddenly thought of the commission due to concerns that Uzumaki Minami would have a gap period after finishing her studies with Morimoto.
In Konoha Village, when it comes to those not fearing Konoha's upper echelons, Tsunade ranks first.
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Tsunade spoke with some annoyance, "Brat, at that time, I wanted to take her as a disciple, but got rejected. Now you're actually paying me to guide her, is it regret?"
"Not really, it's not considered discipleship, more like guidance from a Jonin Captain to squad members. If you're unwilling, forget it."
Uchiha Yoichi just casually asked, as Tsunade wasn't the only option; if there was a pathway through Elder Kenji, he wouldn't need her.
"Hmph, since you're offering money, I naturally don't mind!"
Tsunade huffed, then continued, "I've told her before she can come to me for guidance, yet I've come to Konoha Hospital several times, and she hasn't come once. Is she worried I'll persuade her to join the medical unit?"
Uchiha Yoichi didn't answer, but Tsunade could tell just by his expression.
"I asked about it once, and you're all so wary. Tell that little girl not to worry; I'm already too lazy to interfere with your matters."
Clicking her tongue, Tsunade added, "Bring the money, tell that little girl Minami to find me when she's available."
Last time, on seeing that Uzumaki Minami's Chakra was unique, she had intended to take her on as a disciple out of curiosity but hadn't expected the girl to be so reliant on this Uchiha brat.
Had it not been for that bizarre incident of turning into a pig, she wouldn't even know this Uchiha brat, nor would she care to get involved in these village matters.
"I didn't bring any money; I'll have Minami give it to you tomorrow."
Seeing Tsunade extend her hand for money, Uchiha Yoichi rolled his eyes, but when he looked at Tsunade's fair and tender hand, he suddenly remembered he hadn't used his 'Stealing' ability today.
The Senju's Yang Release Chakra, medical ninjutsu, Monster Strength...stealing any of these would be a gain.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Yoichi reached out and grabbed Tsunade's hand, distracting her, saying, "It's settled then, Tsunade-sama."
Stealing, activate!
Once the ability was activated, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly felt something appear in his other hand, something like fabric, cotton, with warmth....
What he stole this time gave Uchiha Yoichi a bad feeling.
He quickly let go, saying, "Since it's settled, I have some matters to attend to; I'll take my leave."
Saying this, Uchiha Yoichi turned and left immediately. As he walked, his left hand clenched tightly into a fist, afraid to open it.
"Heh, this brat even made handshakes so formal. But wasn't he supposed to wait for that girl Minami?"
Tsunade chuckled softly, then shook her head, preparing to enter Konoha Hospital. "Oh well, it's not my business... huh??"
'Something feels off....'
Tsunade hadn't taken more than two steps when she suddenly felt something missing below, a slight sense of emptiness.
"No, it can't be... did I forget to wear them when I left? Impossible, absolutely impossible, how could I not be wearing...."
Tsunade's face changed, she pressed her legs tightly together and rushed to her office.
Once in the office, Tsunade locked the door with a bang, drew the curtains, and reached down with her hand.
"M-My panties, where did they go?"