The steam rose from Konoha's bathing springs in thick clouds that morning, but the Hokage Tower simmered with a sharper heat—pressure, tension, and the rustle of paperwork as Tsunade pushed through the long night, sorting through the wreckage Danzo had left behind.
With the council finally stabilized and ROOT assets locked down, her focus turned outward—toward the world watching from the shadows.
She tapped her finger on a map pinned with red and black markers. "Land of Hot Springs…" she muttered, then called over her shoulder, "Shizune."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"Summon Team 11."
Shizune blinked at the weight in her tone but didn't hesitate. Within minutes, messenger was sent across the village sky.
By midmorning, Naruto Uzumaki stood in front of her desk, arms folded, flanked by Shikako Nara and Nejire Hyūga. The three looked alert, and more than a little curious.
"You're sending us to the Land of Hot Springs?" Shikako asked, scanning the scroll Tsunade had handed her.
Tsunade leaned back with a sigh. Her eyes were sharp, but the lines beneath them betrayed long nights and heavier thoughts.
"There's been a rise in caravan raids along the neutral towns bordering the Hot Springs," she said. "Nothing official from Kumo, but intel says the culprits aren't your run-of-the-mill thieves."
Nejire tilted her head slightly. "Then who?"
Tsunade didn't miss a beat. "Kumogakure shinobi. Or someone wearing their colors."
Silence settled over the room.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "You think they're scouting?"
Nejire frowned. "This is not the part of the border watch agreements."
"Exactly," Tsunade replied. "They're poking at the edge of our reach, and I don't like it. Especially now that word of the Kyūbi's death is starting to spread."
She leaned forward, her tone hardening. "I will not accuse another village of anything, without evidence—but that's where you three come in. Observe and Report."
Her gaze settled on Nejire.
"And be careful, Hyūga. You know their history."
Nejire's jaw tightened for a moment. She gave a sharp nod. "Understood."
Two days later, Team 11 arrived in Yubune, a quiet town nestled in the valleys of the Hot Springs. The mist hung low in the trees, and the scent of minerals and moss filled the air. On the surface, everything looked peaceful.
But something felt off.
People were guarded. Doors shut a little too quickly. Traders whispered about missing convoys and stolen goods. No bodies. No blood. Just... gone.
They checked into a modest inn near the town's edge—two floors, creaking floorboards, and a spring-fed bath out back. The innkeeper welcomed them with a tight smile. But Naruto noticed the way the man's eyes lingered—not on him, but on Nejire.
It wasn't awe.
It was calculation.
"It's too clean," Shikako said that evening, sitting in the tea room with her knees drawn up. "They're targeting specific gear—chakra seals, ration kits, ink scrolls. No interest in gold or coin. These aren't bandits."
Naruto nodded, seated across from her. "And no one sees a thing. No chakra residue, no witnesses."
Nejire sat nearby, arms folded. "It's like they're trained to disappear, means they're shinobi either from particular village or rogue."
The next morning, they set up an escort operation. A decoy merchant cart filled with marked supplies—subtle bait. They followed it at a distance, hoping to draw out whoever had been watching.
And someone took the bait.
Just past the old stone bridge to the south, three shinobi stepped from the woods—tall, composed, dressed in vests muted grey and black. Their hitai-ate bore Kumo's cloud insignia.
"State your business," the leader said, his tone even, his stance alert.
Naruto stepped forward calmly. "We're from Konoha. Escorting a shipment. You?"
The three exchanged glances.
"On patrol," the leader answered.
Shikako stepped up beside Naruto. "Didn't realize Kumo had patrol routes in neutral territory."
"We're tracking mercenaries," the man said smoothly. "There's been trouble near the border."
Shikako raised an eyebrow. "No raids reported in your border mission logs send to Konoha. We checked."
The Kumo-nin didn't blink. "Maybe you missed something."
"Maybe," Naruto said evenly. "Or maybe we didn't."
Tension simmered.
One of the Kumo shinobi—a broad-shouldered man with a heavy frame—let his gaze linger on Nejire. He didn't speak. Just watched her too long.
She noticed.
Her back straightened slightly. Her chakra stirred just beneath her skin, cool and sharp.
"Something wrong?" she asked flatly.
The man said nothing, but his teammate—taller, leaner—spoke up.
"You're Hyūga," he said. "Didn't know Konoha put branch family members on field squads."
Naruto took a step forward. "And you think we need your opinions?"
The squad leader raised a hand, feigning civility. "I meant no offense. The Byakugan is a... valuable asset."
Naruto's jaw tightened. "That sounds like a threat."
"It's an observation," the leader said with a cool smile. "One shinobi to another."
Shikako cut in, her voice low and firm. "Then here's another observation—if you so much as mention her clan again, I'll let her send you back to your Raikage with a dislocated jaw."
The comment hung in the air.
Then, slowly, the Kumo leader gave a nod. "Enjoy your mission, Konoha."
With that, the trio turned and disappeared into the trees—no wasted movement, no goodbye.
Naruto exhaled quietly and glanced at Nejire.
She hadn't moved, but her eyes were hard.