Team 46 reached their designated area within the Land of Grass, each member quickly falling into their assigned tasks.
Yagami: (turning to Ryu)
"Captain, I'll move around the village using Shadow Clones under the Transformation Jutsu. I'll pose as different Kiri shinobi and children to gauge the villagers' reactions and gather information. Kids might also share useful details if I ask the right questions."
Ryu: (nodding approvingly)
"That's a solid plan. Meanwhile, Torune, send your bugs into the forest to gather intelligence. Tokuma and I will handle procuring food for the team."
With the tasks decided, the team dispersed efficiently.
Yagami created multiple Shadow Clones, each taking on a unique disguise before blending into the village.
Shadow Clone as a Kiri Shinobi: (approaching a group of villagers)
"Hey, have you seen any of my comrades around here? We were supposed to regroup, but I've lost track of them."
The villagers exchanged wary glances, visibly uncomfortable. One older man finally spoke.
Villager:
"No Kiri shinobi have come through here recently… but if you're lost, you might want to try the eastern forest. Most of the intruders go that way."
Shadow Clone as a Kiri Shinobi: (approaching a group of villagers)
"Hey, have you seen any of my comrades around here? We were supposed to regroup, but I've lost track of them."
The villagers exchanged wary glances, visibly uncomfortable. One man finally spoke.
Villager:
"I noticed some new faces in the forest do east, but they were 10-20 members in group, Kiri shinobi have come through here recently"
Shadow Clone as a Little Boy (Age 4): (running up to a group of women carrying baskets)
"Excuse me, have you seen a lady with red hair? Like… bright red, like a tomato?"
One of the women frowned, her gaze turning cautious.
Woman:
"Red hair? No… I haven't. Why are you looking for someone like that, kid?"
The clone pouted, scratching its head in confusion.
Shadow Clone as a Little Girl (Age 4): (skipping near a group of children playing)
"Hey, have any of you seen a girl with really weird tomato-colored hair? Like, super red? My dad's looking for her!"
One of the older kids looked thoughtful, then leaned in.
Random Child:
"There was someone like that! A lady with red hair sometimes comes to the market early in the morning. She buys a lot of herbs. My mom said she's not from here, though."
Torune's bugs scouted the surrounding forest, detecting faint chakra signatures and a trail leading eastward. The insects noted several hidden tripwires and traps, likely set by experienced shinobi to deter or track intruders.
The team regrouped later in a secluded part of the village. Yagami's clones dispelled, feeding him their gathered intel.
Yagami:
"The villagers are cautious. One old man told he saw some new faces towards the east, hea count probabily 10-20 kiri nin"
Torune:
"My bugs detected traps in the eastern forest—shinobi-grade setups. There might be a hidden encampment or a group trying to stay off the radar."
Ryu: (stroking his chin)
"The numbers are variable, they can use Shadow clones or they can be of the same numbers you said, I think the Anbu squad we have assigned in here may not be enough"
Torune "Should I ask for more people in Konoha"
Ryu "No, most probabily Kiri will find the traces of us in the village, so it is not recommended, if anyone have summon it will be nice, root cannot make it as well, but we can really the information to them"
After regrouping with the team, Yagami decided to act on the lead about the red-haired woman spotted in the village market. Following the vague directions given by the villagers, he arrived at a modest home tucked away in the quieter part of the settlement.
Yagami: (knocking gently on the door)
"Hello, Aunt? I'm Yagami from Konoha."
The door creaked open slightly, revealing a cautious woman with striking red hair. Her expression hardened upon hearing "Konoha."
Karin's Mom:
"Konoha? What business does a shinobi from that traitorous village have here?, who are you to call me aunt?"
Before Yagami could respond, a subtle ripple of chakra spread through the air as he activated the Eye of Kagura. The moment the kekkei genkai flared to life, a shock passed through Karin's mother. Her gaze narrowed, a mix of suspicion and recognition flickering in her eyes.
Karin's Mom:
"That chakra… how do you possess the Eye of Kagura? That's an Uzumaki bloodline trait."
Yagami: (calmly)
"I am half Uzumaki. My father's name is Kaito Uzumaki."
Her eyes widened, and she visibly tensed.
Karin's Mom:
"Kaito? Your are Kaito's son???"
Yagami:
"Yes. I've come not just as a shinobi of Konoha but as family. I know what happened to our clan and the hardships we've faced. But I believe we can change things. Konoha needs your strength, and the Uzumaki legacy shouldn't remain hidden or scattered."
Karin's Mom: (bitterly)
"Konoha abandoned us when we needed them the most. They watched as our clan was wiped out, doing nothing. Why should I trust you or your village?"
Yagami's expression softened, his voice steady yet filled with conviction.
Yagami:
"I understand your resentment, and it's justified. But I'm not here to make excuses for the past. I'm here to build a future. Aunt Kushina is facing a hardest time of her life, her Husband lord fourth died in the hands of Nine tails, now she is raising a boy alone, being a Jinchuriki, is nothing but Isolation, but if you come to the village Princess of Uzumaki, Kushina is there, she will be so happy to see you and Konoha will treat you like royalty since Mito sama left a fortune"
Karin's mother hesitated, clearly torn between her distrust of Konoha and the sincerity in Yagami's voice.
Yagami:
"I won't force you to trust me, but I ask for one chance to prove that Konoha values the Uzumaki. Let me help you and Karin. I promise that neither of you will be treated as tools or expendable pawns."
Her posture relaxed slightly, though the suspicion in her eyes remained.
Karin's Mom:
"I'll consider your words, but understand this: if I see any sign of betrayal, I'll protect Karin with everything I have, even if it means going against Konoha."
Yagami: (nodding firmly)
"That's all I ask, Aunt. I'll earn your trust through actions, not words."
As Yagami prepared to leave, Karin peeked out from behind her mother, her curious red eyes studying him intently.
Karin:
"You seem like a good person... Who are you to us?"
Yagami: (smiling warmly)
"You're my cousin, little one."
He turned back to Karin's mother, his tone softening.
Yagami:
"Aunt, if you decide to come with me to Konoha..."
Yagami unsealed a set of flares from a tools scroll and handed them to her.
Yagami:
"These are signal flares. Use them if you decide to come, and I'll return to pick you up. But remember, there's a time limit—use them within three days."
Karin's Mom: (inspecting the flares)
"You truly are Kaito's son. The knack for seals runs strong in you. This is good."
Yagami:
"I'm here for a mission to gather intel on Kiri. By the way, Aunt, have the castle guards captured anyone significant from Kiri?"
Karin's Mom:
"Yes. They arrested the Iwa Daimyo's son for attempting to rape the Grass Daimyo's daughter. They also captured Jinpachi Munashi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, for supporting the Iwa Daimyo's son."
Yagami: (thoughtfully)
"This makes sense... This situation involves both Iwa and Kiri. This is a valuable piece of information."
Karin's Mom:
"We're ready to come with you, but be quick. The village elder has been keeping a close eye on me."
Yagami:
"Don't worry, Aunt. I'll ensure your safety."
With a firm nod, Yagami left the house and rejoined his team to share the valuable information he had gathered.
Ryu and Tokuma returned with lunch, setting the food down as Yagami began briefing them.
Yagami:
"I've relayed the information about Kiri and Iwa. Also, there's an Uzumaki here in town who might help us. She has ties to the clan's history."
Ryu:
"Uzumaki... Now that you mention it, your father is an Uzumaki too, right?"
Yagami:
"Yes, Captain. It's not just that. We understand the isolation that Jinchūriki face in their villages. If they had support from their own clan, it could make a huge difference. Aunt Kushina would be happy, don't you think? As an Uchiha, I can't visit her often, but knowing there are true Uzumaki survivors out there might comfort her."
Ryu:
"That's a good point. Since we bear the Uzumaki clan symbol on our vests, it makes sense to bring her back to Konoha. It could strengthen the bonds of the clan."
Yagami:
"Thank you, Captain. The Blood Prison knows about her presence, but they have no idea about the arrests of the Iwa Daimyo's son and one of Kiri's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Jinpachi Munashi."
Torune:
"I've already relayed that information to the Root."
Ryu:
"Good work."
The team moved to the Blood Prison. Upon their arrival, Mui, the warden, greeted them.
Mui:
"Welcome, Konoha shinobi."
As Mui spoke, Yagami activated his Sharingan, carefully observing the flow of chakra within the castle. He noticed a concentration of chakra leading toward the gate.
While Mui was distracted, Yagami silently scaled the wall, examining the gate's seals. Using his Sharingan, he memorized the intricate seal structure embedded in the gate.
Later, Ryu submitted the intel to their Root allies, while additional Jōnin from the ANBU Ru squad arrived to assist the operation at the castle.
That night, Yagami devised a plan. He sent a shadow clone disguised with a transformation jutsu to approach Mui. As expected, Mui used the Heavenly Prison technique to seal the shadow clone. The instant the seal was applied, Yagami's Sharingan recorded the formula in detail.
Yagami's clone vanished, leaving Mui puzzled and muttering to himself.
Prisoners around him mocked him in unison:
Prisoners:
"Mui, you've lost it! You're losing your mind!"
Believing their taunts, Mui dismissed his suspicions and retired for the night, leaving Yagami with crucial intel on the Heavenly Prison technique.