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Two days later, at nine in the morning.
Shikaku and the other two, on their diplomatic mission to the Land of Demons, were enjoying breakfast at a nearby tea house.
Since arriving in the Land of Demons, they maintained a communication with Konoha in the Land of Fire every two days.
They constantly reported the situation in the Land of Demons' back lines to the high officials of Konoha.
As for these reports, the Security Team of the Land of Demons did not obstruct them, as long as Shikaku and his comrades did not display any clear intention of attack; the orders from above were to merely monitor them, giving Shikaku and his team considerable space to operate.
While eating breakfast, Shikaku was estimating the situation on the battlefield front and assessing the extent to which it had progressed.
From the information coming back from the front lines to the Land of Demons, the Ninja Squad of the Land of Demons was advancing with great momentum, rapidly occupying the northwest region of the Land of Wind and defeating the Hidden Sand forces, greatly stabilizing the internal unrest of the Land of Demons.
However, unlike the jubilant citizens of the Land of Demons, Shikaku saw the potential hidden danger behind the great victory of the Land of Demons.
The rapid advance of the Land of Demons implied that the arrangements on the Hidden Sand's side were underway and being implemented effectively. In the desire for victory, the Land of Demons was advancing recklessly, boosting morale but also extending the front line.
Once the front line is extended, it means the defensive forces of the Land of Demons become thin, potentially leading to a complete collapse of the entire war situation and allowing Hidden Sand to cut off their retreat.
The Konoha Squad hidden within the Land of Wind could also become a sharp blade piercing the heart of the Land of Demons.
Shikaku believed that this blade of Konoha would be drawn within these two or three days.
Delaying too long would miss the optimal timing.
To devise such a perfect strategy, the Kazekage is certainly not indecisive.
In this analysis, the outcome is predetermined.
"Good morning, Shikaku, and good morning to Chouza and Inoichi too."
At this moment, the laughter from the side interrupted Shikaku's thoughts.
Shikaku put down the bread in his hand and looked up to see Ayane entering the tea house alone, smiling at them.
At some point, all the customers in the tea house had left, and even the owner and staff disappeared from the tea house.
Only the four of them remained in the tea house.
"Is there something you need, Miss Ayane? We've been behaving ourselves in recent days without any provocative actions. Even as the authority overseeing the Security Department in the Land of Demons, you can't just unjustly capture foreign emissaries without reason, right?"
Shikaku joked.
Over these days, he had already figured out the structure of the upper echelons of the Land of Demons.
The Uchiha Clan controls the economic power of the Land of Demons. The president of the international large-scale merchant association, Shion Flower Merchants Association, is an Uchiha clansman not recorded in Konoha's archives and is closely related to Uchiha Ruri.
Chiba Hakushi is the Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the Land of Demons, wielding the most powerful military authority there.
As for the Security Team of various cities and towns, including those in Shion City, the highest-ranking official is Ayane.
However, not all ninjas in the Security Team are from the Hyuga Clan; rather, there are not many Hyuga Clan ninjas in the Security Team. Instead, it includes people from the Uchiha and Uzumaki Clans, as well as civilian ninjas without Ninja Clan backgrounds.
The composition is extremely complex.
"Don't worry, I'm not that petty. I'm just here to inform you of two pieces of information."
"Information? Is it news from the front lines?"
Shikaku stared at Ayane's face, trying to glean something from her expression.
Unfortunately, all he saw was a very professional fake smile.
Ayane chuckled, "No, I'm here to tell you that last night, Tsunade has left Shion City."
This news from Ayane's mouth left Shikaku and the other two stunned.
"You said Tsunade has left Shion City?"
"Yes, indeed, many from the Security Team have witnessed it."
"Did Tsunade say where she is headed next?"
Shikaku asked urgently.
In his heart, he was smiling wryly, unsure of why Tsunade made such a move, but without a doubt, if Tsunade isn't stationed here, there would be no restraint to bind the dangerous presence of Hyuga Ayane here in Shion City.
Once she is unbound and heads to the front lines of the Land of Wind, it might become a new turning point on the battlefield there.
The best hope now is for Hidden Sand to act quickly, not allowing any new alteration on the battlefield.
"I didn't ask. After all, Tsunade is a Konoha ninja; posing such a question would seem quite inappropriate, wouldn't it? And as Konoha ninjas yourselves, aren't you supposed to be the most informed of Tsunade's whereabouts? As an outsider, how could I possibly know such a thing?"
"..."
Not sure if this counts as rubbing salt in Konoha's wounds.
In any case, Shikaku sensed the malicious side of Ayane's character.
Bringing up the sorest subject.
Seeing Shikaku's disheartened face, Ayane did not stop, continuing to smile, "Regarding the second piece of information, I must first congratulate you."
"Congratulate?"
The three of them looked at Ayane in confusion.
Ayane nodded with a smile.
"Yes, congratulate you on successfully completing your mission in the Land of Demons. After breakfast, you can leave Shion City."
"What mission? We are just following the orders of the Hokage and the Daimyo to visit the priestess in the Land of Demons. Has Miss Ayane misunderstood something?"
Shikaku wondered if Ayane was trying to trick him. Without further instructions from the village, it seemed wise not to act rashly, lest Ayane perceive anything.
"Really? But I think it's Mr. Shikaku who misunderstood what I just said. What I meant was that if you hurry to the Land of Wind now, you might be able to assist in gathering Konoha ninja bodies from the battlefield there. If you understand, you can leave."
After saying this, Ayane left the tea house with a smile.
The trio beside the table felt as though they were in an ice cave, their faces pale.