Natsume and the other three cautiously circled around the main camp of the Hidden Cloud Village.
They didn't find anything unusual.
Returning empty-handed was only normal.
If it were really that easy to spot something, it would be too suspicious.
If Tsunade were alone, she'd probably risk sneaking in herself.
But now, with Uchiha Shisui's squad assisting, she didn't need to act personally—she just had to wait.
"So quick?"
Shizune was surprised to see Shisui's team return so soon.
After all, they were going in to capture someone; a single misstep could mean being discovered.
She could only chalk it up to good luck.
But Natsume knew it wasn't luck—it was skill.
The normal activation of the Mangekyo Sharingan didn't cause a stir.
If you weren't looking directly at their eyes, you probably wouldn't notice anything different.
Fooling Mitarashi Anko and Uzuki Yugao was child's play.
"Looks like the situation isn't good."
Tsunade noticed Shisui's serious expression. Once he got close, she asked, "What did you find out?"
"It's a water attack."
Shisui pointed at the distant embankment. "They plan to release the water and flood the downstream areas."
"Huh?"
Tsunade instinctively looked at Natsume.
"That's just the first step."
Shisui took a deep breath. "Step two is lightning. They've developed some sort of device, placed at the riverbed, to amplify Lightning Release chakra. It can instantly electrify all the river water."
Ninjas can walk on water, but not defend against lightning.
If this tactic worked, many ninjas would be paralyzed, giving the enemy a huge advantage.
As for the device, it wasn't surprising.
In the original story, the Hidden Cloud Village even created high-tech weapons like the Space-Time Chakra Cannon, allegedly able to blast the moon.
Creating a lightning amplifier was no big deal.
In the absence of prior knowledge, it was very possible to fall into this trap.
Ninjas aren't afraid of water.
Even if Lightning Release was added, instantly covering such a large area is difficult.
So, their guard would be down.
But now that they knew the plan, stopping it was much simpler.
One: destroy the lightning amplifier.
Two: inform Fugaku and the others to relocate.
But merely stopping the plan was letting the Cloud Village off too easily.
"Shizune, Kabuto, Anko, you three go back to camp right away and inform Fugaku of the situation."
Tsunade made a prompt decision.
She picked the three whose abilities were more ordinary.
Those staying—Natsume, Uchiha Itachi, and Uzuki Yugao—all had jonin-level strength.
"Lady Tsunade, what about you all?"
Anko looked unwillingly at Yugao.
Itachi relied on his own talent and Sharingan, but Yugao's power came from a curse seal given by Orochimaru.
What annoyed Anko was that Orochimaru hadn't given her one.
She was there first—why was Yugao favored?
"We'll try to destroy the lightning amplifier. If possible, we'll also give the Hidden Cloud a little surprise."
Tsunade waved her hand. "Your mission is just as important, don't slack off."
"Yes."
With that, Anko and the others didn't dare linger and quickly left.
"What about the details of this lightning amplifier?"
After watching them leave, Tsunade asked.
"The main control is in the Cloud's camp. It requires nine Lightning Release jonin to operate, channeling their chakra through cables to the devices at the riverbed, then releasing it all at once."
Shisui knew this because he had interrogated a jonin with his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Troublesome."
Tsunade fell into thought.
They only had five people here—no way to gather nine lightning jonin.
Using the enemy's plan against them was nearly impossible.
Unless they transferred people from the Konoha main camp.
But going back and forth would surely alert the Cloud.
Not to mention, they'd need to relocate their own camp.
Plus, the Cloud had plenty of scouts and spies.
Moving nine lightning jonin at once would be very obvious.
Shisui hesitated for a few seconds, choosing not to reveal his Mangekyo Sharingan.
He was cautious because of what happened to him at Orochimaru's hands—he couldn't blindly trust Tsunade.
Actually, with the Mangekyo's ability, controlling a few jonin wasn't hard.
He could even use Kotoamatsukami to alter the Fourth Raikage's subconscious, giving Konoha an unprecedented victory.
"I have a question."
After listening for so long, Natsume finally spoke: "Does the device require nine Lightning Release jonin specifically, or just the chakra of nine jonin?"
"It just needs the chakra of nine jonin, as long as it's Lightning nature."
Shisui answered immediately.
Tsunade's eyes suddenly lit up—she understood Natsume's idea.
If that was the case, with her Yin Seal, she alone had enough chakra to rival nine jonin.
If not, she could use the First Hokage's necklace.
"Shisui, lead the way."
Tsunade possessed five chakra natures: Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water, and Yang.
Though she wasn't specialized, she could convert her chakra to Lightning.
Very few people knew about the Yin Seal.
Shisui had never heard of it, but if Tsunade said so, she must be confident.
He immediately led them to the location of the amplifier.
As expected, many people were patrolling.
Sneaking in quietly was almost impossible.
"Natsume has Water and Earth Release—he can open the embankment, redirecting the river to the Cloud's main camp, then cut the cables."
Tsunade knew he also had Wood Release, which would be even more useful in a pinch.
If nothing else worked, he could use the First Hokage's necklace to perform Nativity of a World of Trees and go all out.
"I'll activate the amplifier, but the three of you will have a tough job—holding off the Fourth Raikage and the others."
Tsunade already felt it was unlikely.
There were hundreds of ninjas at this base, many of them jonin.
Just three of them—holding out even for a while would be hard.
"Wait, have you learned Summoning Jutsu?"
Tsunade suddenly remembered she had two of Orochimaru's students here.
A slug and two snakes—three giant beasts. Defending would be no problem.
"Yes."
Itachi and Yugao nodded at the same time.
Orochimaru wasn't stingy with his teachings.
In the original, he taught Sasuke everything he could.
The stronger they were, the more useful they were to him.
"Looks like we're about to make a major contribution. If we succeed, the old man will definitely reward us."
Tsunade smiled. She didn't really care, but the others did.
Shisui and Itachi believed in the Will of Fire—they wouldn't miss a chance to make Hiruzen Sarutobi happy.
Yugao was straightforward—she just wanted to become stronger.
Besides rewards, there was fame.
Fame is an intangible asset; it can be very useful.
Like this, Tsunade would be one step closer to becoming the Fifth Hokage.
Perhaps even sooner than in the original.
Natsume's small goal—to become Hokage—was also within reach.
Not bad.