Night.
Tsunade's team and Shisui's team—eight people—gathered.
They'd left Konoha camp and traveled all afternoon.
Now it was rest time, time to get to know teammates.
"I'm Uchiha Shisui, jonin, three-tomoe Sharingan, specializing in Fire Style, kenjutsu, and genjutsu."
Shisui took the lead with introductions.
Knowing your teammates' strengths was crucial for missions.
Otherwise, you'd waste time or fail to help in a crisis.
For example, with Shisui, there was no need to worry.
But Shizune was different.
"Tsunade, medical ninja."
Tsunade kept it brief.
Everyone knew her reputation—no need for details.
"I'm Uchiha Itachi, chunin, two-tomoe Sharingan, same specialties as Shisui."
Itachi was clearly stronger than at the same point in the original.
Thanks to Orochimaru's teaching and frequent special tonics.
Plus, the war had made him grow a lot.
And Shisui's guidance helped too.
"I'm Anko Mitarashi, chunin," she said enthusiastically. "I can use Fire Style, but my best skills are the snake jutsu my teacher taught me."
A young girl playing with snakes—already on the wrong path.
"Yugao Uzuki."
The purple-haired girl was cool and aloof. "I'm good at my teacher's snake jutsu and taijutsu."
Natsume wasn't sure what her personality was in the original, but she felt a lot like Orochimaru now.
But she was pretty. Pity her future sickly boyfriend wouldn't enjoy it.
"I'm a genin for now, but with a special technique my teacher taught me, I can reach near-jonin level for a short time."
Yugao paused, revealing her secret.
It wasn't really a secret; she'd used it several times over two years, so many people knew.
Natsume narrowed his eyes.
That description sounded a lot like a cursed seal.
After getting Jugo, Orochimaru started researching it.
Natsume didn't know the progress, but by now, some results were expected.
Maybe not Cursed Seal of Heaven, but the lesser Cursed Seal of Earth was possible.
And only Yugao had it.
Clearly, she was the test subject.
She wasn't as important as Itachi's Sharingan or Anko's emotional bond.
Just a bonus.
Orochimaru wouldn't care if she died.
Dangerous, yes—but for an ordinary civilian like Yugao, it was acceptable.
It was a rare chance to get stronger.
Most people didn't even get to be test subjects.
Natsume thought of something else.
Had Orochimaru tampered with her curse seal?
Knowing his nature, it was almost certain.
And having Shisui lead the team—obviously suspicious.
Anything could happen on the battlefield, even Shisui could be killed.
Like if they ran into the Fourth Raikage.
If a wild Orochimaru appeared during the chaos and ambushed Shisui, he might just get his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"I'm Natsume. I specialize in Water and Earth Style, have a lot of chakra, and am close to jonin level."
"Kabuto Yakushi, genin, medical ninja."
"Shizune, chunin, medical ninja."
Shisui was surprised—two medical ninja? That was a luxury.
His team had none, but they were strong enough not to need one.
"Everyone go rest," Tsunade said. "Keep your strength up. The next mission will be dangerous."
"Yes," the others replied in unison.
Natsume and Itachi didn't sleep—they took the first half of the night watch.
"It's been years, old classmate. I've heard a lot about you. You're quite the star among the younger generation," Natsume said, jumping onto a tree, back against the trunk.
"Thanks," Itachi stayed alert, scanning the area. "You're also not bad either."
"...Also?" Natsume was startled.
What does that mean?
Did someone leak my info?
"The Hokage often praises you in front of me, and even showed me your 'Will of Fire' essays. They were impressive."
Itachi's attitude softened—less cold than before.
Anyone who endorsed the Will of Fire earned his respect.
And Natsume not only endorsed it, but offered new ideas—rare indeed.
"The Hokage flatters me. I'm still far behind," Natsume smiled. "When it comes to the Will of Fire, the Hokage is our role model."
Ugh!
That was tough to say.
But earning Itachi's trust could be useful.
He wasn't interested in saving the Uchiha clan.
Given their personalities, even if he saved them, they wouldn't be loyal or serve him.
Unless he had the power to suppress them.
But if you're that powerful, why bother?
Still, Natsume was interested in the Sharingan.
A plug-and-play upgrade.
Letting Danzo have it would be a waste.
Danzo couldn't even beat Mangekyo Sasuke; in the end, he traded his life to seal half a bridge.
You're a disgrace, leave the group!
But to get fate points, Natsume have to maneuver the named Uchiha side characters a bit.
They chatted for half an hour.
Thanks to Natsume's talk no jutsu, Itachi's opinion of him improved greatly.
At midnight, Shisui and Kabuto took over.
Natsume crawled into his sleeping bag for the rest of the night.
…
Next day.
The eight set out again.
Shisui and Itachi handled scouting.
Sharingan couldn't see as far as Byakugan, but was more versatile.
Since it was an infiltration, they avoided enemies rather than fighting.
Finally, they reached their destination.
Cloud Village's main camp.
Upstream by the river.
"Do you think they'll use a water attack?" Natsume asked.
"Nice idea, but impossible," Shisui explained. "Most ninja can walk on water. There might be brief chaos, but once they react, it's meaningless."
"True," Natsume nodded.
In fact, this terrain favored Water Style users.
Konoha had more water-style ninja than Cloud.
"After dark, we'll split into two teams to investigate. Our team will check for anything unusual nearby," Tsunade ordered. "Shisui, try to capture two people without alerting the enemy and use your Sharingan to interrogate them."
"Yes," Shisui nodded.
He liked this order.
Ordinary Sharingan had trouble hypnotizing jonin, but he had Mangekyo.
He'd quickly learn what Cloud's real plans were.