In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was intently examining a scroll in his hand.
A rhythmic knock sounded at the door, and Nara Shikaku, a Jonin with two scars on his face and wearing a standard flak jacket, entered.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Ah, Shikaku. Perfect timing… take a look at this." Hiruzen put down the scroll in his hand, and puffed smoke from his pipe.
Shikaku approached the desk, picked up the scroll, and carefully read through it. As his eyes scanned the contents, his brows gradually furrowed.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen refilled his pipe with tobacco and continued leisurely exhaling smoke.
"Hokage-sama, how can we verify the authenticity of this request?" Shikaku voiced his first doubt after finishing the document.
The scroll was signed by none other than the leader of Hoshigakure, the Third Hoshikage, Yosei!
"Moreover, it's said that the Land of Bears is embroiled in civil strife. Hoshigakure's Ninjas have reportedly attacked the daimyo and other nobles. If this request claims that Hoshigakure is being controlled by mysterious Ninjas, then were those who slaughtered the Daimyo working under these outsiders, or were they Hoshigakure's Ninjas themselves?"
As the Hokage's trusted strategist, Shikaku possessed not only high intelligence but also keen strategic judgment. Having long served as the Jonin Commander, he had also been a frontline commander during the Third Great Ninja War.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, as the Allied Ninja Forces' Chief Strategist, Shikaku temporarily assumed command as Acting Supreme Leader after the Fourth Raikage left to reinforce the frontlines. He ultimately met his end in a long-range Tailed Beast Bomb attack from the Ten-Tails.
Within Konoha Village, Shikaku is undoubtedly a high-ranking figure with access to much of the village's intelligence.
He had naturally heard of the recent upheaval in the Land of Bears, which is located in the distant western region of the continent.
However, due to the Land of Bears' remote location, as they are separated from the Land of Fire by several nations, information traveled slowly, and Konoha's intelligence was limited.
Some of the information was even sent back by Konoha's spies planted in Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
Exhaling a slow stream of smoke, Hiruzen spoke deliberately: "Killing the Daimyo is an unforgivable crime of rebellion. Iwagakure and Sunagakure will undoubtedly be questioned by their respective Daimyo and ordered to dispatch Ninjas to investigate the situation in the Land of Bears and Hoshigakure. They might even suppress Hoshigakure's rebellion."
"Originally, I had no intention of sending our Ninja to interfere in such a distant matter, but our Daimyo has asked for it..."
Hearing that their own Daimyo had intervened, Shikaku nodded in understanding.
After all, Konoha was, at its core, a military organization that answered to the Daimyo.
"Then who do you plan to send to lead the investigation?" Shikaku pondered.
Given the nature of the request, whether Hoshigakure was being controlled by powerful Ninjas or had rebelled on its own, it was clear the enemy would not be weak. Sending ordinary Chunin would likely make the mission difficult to complete.
"It's been a while since that boy Shisui went on a mission." Hiruzen mused, lightly tapping the desk with his fingers.
"You intend to have Uchiha Shisui lead the team?" Shikaku immediately recalled this particularly unique Uchiha.
During the Third Great Ninja War, while Shikaku was commanding frontline forces against Kirigakure, Shisui had earned the moniker [Shisui of the Body Flicker] for his exploits, becoming a celebrated war hero!
However, because he was still too young, Shisui was only promoted to jonin after the war ended.
Recently, Shikaku had heard that Shisui had taken up a position in the Konoha Military Police Force, rarely undertaking missions outside the village and instead focusing on mediating conflicts between his fellow clansmen and the villagers.
"Shisui's combat prowess is unquestionable. I recommend adding a sensor-type Ninja and a Taijutsu specialist to the team." Shikaku expressed his thoughts.
Hiruzen nodded and said, "Then let's assign Hyuga Hoheto and Shirakumo Hayama to accompany him."
Both Hoheto and Hayama were Ninjas who performed outstandingly in the Third Great Ninja War. The fifteen-year-old Hoheto had been promoted to Special Jonin. And while Hayama was still a Chunin, he was highly skilled in Taijutsu and only a step away from Special Jonin rank.
"Understood. I'll summon the three of them immediately." Shikaku had no objections to this lineup.
Shisui has the strongest combat ability, Hoheto possessed the Byakugan for unparalleled reconnaissance, and Hayama was known for his calm, meticulous demeanor and strong leadership in numerous battles. His adaptability on the battlefield was exceptional.
Most importantly, unlike other Uchiha, Shisui was not arrogant. If Hayama offered advice, Shisui, as team leader, could objectively analyze the situation and decide whether to accept it.
Soon, the three were brought to the Hokage's office, where they personally received this S-Rank mission from Hiruzen himself!
After making their preparations, the team set out.
——————
Two days later.
In the forests west of the Land of Birds, three figures darted swiftly between the trees.
"Being assigned an S-Rank mission like this… I'm really riding on your coattails." Hayama, who carried a longsword on his back and had a scar on his right lip, chatted casually with his teammates.
S-Rank missions came with a minimum reward of one million Ryo and were typically reserved for Jonin, let alone a mission to investigate an entire Ninja Village.
"You flatter me, senior. Your Vacuum Sword was even praised by Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. I'm sure after this mission, you'll be promoted." Shisui replied with a sincere smile, glancing sideways at Hayama.
The three had fought side by side during the Third Great Ninja War, and with their complementary skills, they had quickly developed a sense of teamwork.
Shisui then brought up a question, "I've heard Hoshigakure has some kind of treasure coveted by many nations?"
"Haha, that thing?" Hoheto, the oldest of the three by two years, chuckled at Shisui's question.
Shisui looked at Hoheto with some confusion.
"Calling it a treasure is a stretch. It's not like Hoshigakure has produced many powerful Ninjas because of it." Hoheto explained patiently: "While their village has a Kage, it is just a self-proclaimed title. Whether in terms of combat power or comprehensive strength, Hoshigakure is just a small Ninja Village."
"At least Takigakure was recognized by the First Hokage and given a Tailed Beast. Even Amegakure produced a powerhouse like Hanzo of the Salamander. But Hoshigakure? Honestly, I've never heard of anything remarkable from them."
Hoheto explanation piqued Hayama's interest as well, "If that Star is so useless, why would mysterious Ninjas attack them for it?"
"Well, we'll find out once we investigate." Hoheto replied. By then, the trio had reached the border of the Land of Bears, and Hoheto activated his Byakugan.
Their mission was to investigate the situation in the Land of Bears and the rebellion in Hoshigakure. If it was true that the village had been taken over by outside forces, they were to engage the enemy, if their strength allowed, and assist Hoshigakure in reclaiming control.
If they could complete this mission before the Ninjas from Iwagakure and Sunagakure arrived, Hoshigakure would become an ally of Konoha in the western part of the continent, helping to divert some of the two Great Ninja Villages' military pressure.