Hokage Office.
Danzo said, "I've heard of you for a long time, but this is my first time seeing you. I'm counting on you for this mission. You must bring back the intelligence, at all costs, even if there are sacrifices."
Satoru was undoubtedly Konoha's elite. His Mind Reading Technique's ability to extract intelligence surpassed even Inoichi Yamanaka's, and he was also proficient in Sealing Technique. Danzo greatly admired him.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't been in the way, he would have truly wanted to recruit him and give him a higher position.
"Sacrifice?"
Satoru was speechless. As expected of Danzo, did he mean that dying was acceptable?
How ruthless!
It also showed how much Danzo valued this mission, as he emerged from his lair to speak personally.
Was he coveting the power of the Rinnegan?
Undoubtedly, the internal conflict must have been the incident between Nagato and Hanzo. At this moment, the Akatsuki Organisation should have completely controlled the Hidden Rain Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Danzo's words and sternly said, "Danzo, don't always talk about sacrifice. The order I gave was to bring back the intelligence under the condition of a safe retreat."
"Pedantic. Minor sacrifices are for the greater good of Konoha. Hiruzen, you're getting senile." Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, full of retreat, greatly disappointed Danzo.
Indeed, only he was the best candidate for Hokage.
As long as he obtained the power of the Rinnegan, the Hokage position would be his.
"Hmph, I am the Hokage, Satoru, I'm counting on you. Go back and tell your family. You'll depart tomorrow. This mission might take a long time, so don't neglect your family," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Understood."
Satoru also witnessed a famous scene. He took the intelligence in his hand, turned around, and slowly retreated.
As he passed Danzo, he could feel his cold, emotionless gaze.
...
Satoru's House.
"Tenyu, Maki, Daddy is going on a mission tomorrow. You two must listen to Mommy, okay?" Satoru looked at the twins in the cradle, his cerulean pupils gazing at them.
Both children inherited the colour of their pupils; their blue misty eyes looked bright and lively.
After much debate among the four, they finally agreed on the children's names: Satoru Tenyu and Satoru Maki.
They were very common names, without grand implications or being overly rustic, just easy to pronounce.
The truth was, no one, including Ayame, was good at naming.
Maki and Tenyu seemed to hear him, both showing baby smiles, their small eyes staring at him lively, as if saying, 'We'll take care of Mother, you go.'
"They truly are my children; their perception is so keen."
Satoru smiled as he looked at the two children.
As expected, the two little ones inherited his sensory talent, possessing a keen nose for adult emotions.
They knew exactly when to cry and when to smile, completely captivating their two parents.
Ayame watched the father-children interaction from the side and smiled, "You haven't had a mission outside the village for a long time, have you? Is this one going to be very long?"
She was used to Ninja going on missions. Living in Konoha, this was expected; it was normal for Ninja to go on missions.
Ayame didn't feel any sense of parting, only concern for Satoru's safety.
Satoru apologised, "Yes, it's been several months. This mission outside the village might be a bit long. I'm counting on you to take care of the two little ones, wife."
This was an intelligence mission, and Satoru couldn't even estimate how long it would take him to complete.
Especially when facing a Ninja of Nagato's calibre.
He didn't think that having read the original work would allow him to smoothly obtain any intelligence; that would be foolish. The original work didn't describe these details at all; at most, he knew about the Rinnegan and Nagato controlling the Six Paths.
Moreover, he couldn't just wander around and then claim he obtained certain intelligence. Konoha had an organisation for verifying intelligence to prevent people from being afraid to die and then making false reports after a casual stroll.
Besides, he wasn't alone this time; there was also his disciple, and very likely two people under Danzo.
"Don't worry, they're not just your babies, they're my babies too. Of course, I'll take care of them," Ayame said.
Wah-yi~
As if sensing their emotions, the two babies made a 'wah-yi' sound.
"Alright, Tenyu, Maki, during my absence, they will keep you company." Satoru took out two figurines, polished them perfectly smooth, and placed them next to the children's bedding.
The figurines were exactly in his likeness.
Both figurines contained a large amount of Chakra.
Such items were also with Hiroshi and Ayame.
At critical moments,
They could release pre-prepared Ninjutsu to protect them.
Night.
Satoru formed hand seals, engraving countless Sealing Technique formulas onto the headband on his head, ready to reduce casting time when needed.
Various Ninja tools, antidotes, radios, binoculars, and all usable items.
This mission would be his most difficult S-rank mission, facing an enemy who possessed the Rinnegan. Knowing some of the opponent's intelligence, he naturally had to prepare countermeasures.
Satoru dared not claim to possess all of Nagato's intelligence, and at present, his Genjutsu was still quite suppressed by the Six Paths of Pain.
"But in terms of combat experience, I've never feared anyone, let alone a mere Nagato."
Satoru was full of confidence.
The main reason was that his orders were to gather intelligence under safe conditions; if he couldn't win, he could run.
He wasn't an old stubborn man like Jiraiya, whose Will of Fire was overflowing, who wouldn't run even if he couldn't win. He had no psychological burden whatsoever about escaping.
He still had elders and young ones at home, and only a few hundred thousand a month. Why risk his life?
...
Second-story apartment.
"I'm going to fight alongside Sensei again. This time, I must show Sensei what I can do." Ibara Keisen checked his Ninja tools, tied his forehead protector, and smiled.
After two years of training, he was no longer the same person he once was; he was a Chunin who could stand on his own.
Both his experience and combat power were incomparable to before.
As the most talented Ninja in the three-person team, Ibara Keisen was full of confidence.
This mission was an S-rank intelligence mission, and it would also be his first S-rank mission. He couldn't disappoint Sensei Satoru.
He also wanted to show off in front of Sensei.
...
"Your mission is to gather intelligence on the person with the Rinnegan. Use Satoru's strength to draw the enemy's attention. You are all Root's elite; I think you know what to do," Danzo instructed the two people in front of him.
"Understood."
Both wore masks, but their tone was completely indifferent.
Bang!
The two disappeared from Danzo's sight.
"The legendary power of the Rinnegan truly exists. Hiruzen, time will prove that I am right."
Danzo looked at the sky, a smile on his lips.
...
Everyone had their thoughts.
But as the sun rose, everyone was ready and arrived at the meeting point.
After greeting his family, Satoru arrived at the meeting point early.