Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement. "I'll make the arrangements."
After she left, the Third Hokage asked, "What's the situation with the Hidden Cloud?"
Homura Mitokado held up a document. "Killer Bee is out of danger after receiving emergency treatment. With the constitution of a Jinchuriki, he should be discharged soon."
"Yugito's letter has been delivered to the Cloud Village. They've all been obediently staying in the embassy, not going anywhere."
The Third Hokage nodded. The Cloud had truly been cowed this time. They probably never expected the Uchiha to publicly support Konoha.
Although Konoha had gained some advantages in the peace talks, the Hyuga Clan... The Third Hokage felt a headache coming on. How did the Uchiha produce such an anomaly like Kawasaki? This entire series of changes within the Uchiha clan had been triggered after Kawasaki became vice-chief.
Now, his faction, the Hokage's line, had lost the Hyuga as an ally. Recalling Jiraiya had been a move of desperation. If only Orochimaru were still here. The Third Hokage was naturally aware of Orochimaru's disposition, but his scientific prowess and intellect were second to none.
If Orochimaru were to become Hokage... The Third Hokage was lost in thought for a moment.
"Sarutobi? Sarutobi?"
Homura's voice pulled the Third Hokage back to reality. He shook his head. He was really getting old. How could Orochimaru possibly return?
The Third Hokage collected himself. "Right. What has Danzo been busy with lately?"
Homura hesitated slightly. "Ever since Root was integrated into the Police Force, Hizashi has only assigned them tasks related to maintaining public order."
"Due to numerous complaints, Danzo personally went to discipline his forces."
"His specific movements lately are unclear, but he has been frequently sending his men to scout around Uchiha territory."
"Hmph. The Uchiha of today are not to be trifled with."
The Third Hokage had a love-hate relationship with Danzo. They had been teammates in their youth. Later, when they became leaders, he took the role of Hokage while Danzo handled the darker side of things, and they worked seamlessly together. But in recent years, Danzo's ambition had grown, and the number of Root members had swelled beyond imagination. Even he, the Hokage, had no idea how many Root operatives were lurking in the shadows.
Previously, Danzo had coveted Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, only to have his plans exposed by Kawasaki and suffer a humiliating defeat. Yet even now, he had not given up.
"Hmm..." The Third Hokage thought for a moment. "Relay this information to Kawasaki. Let them deal with each other."
Homura nodded in approval. He too had seen Danzo's ambition in recent years. His former teammate had grown arrogant. With the Uchiha as powerful as they were now, Danzo was likely to suffer a great loss.
...
The Land of Rice Paddies.
After many days of travel, Itachi, Shisui, and their group finally arrived in the Land of Rice Paddies. It was an inconspicuous minor country, not even a tenth the size of the Land of Fire. Resources were scarce, and its national power was weak.
However, after trekking through the wilderness for so long, all they wanted was to rest and gather some information.
Upon arriving in a small city, the Uchiha group promptly booked out the entire inn. The innkeeper, who had been on the verge of closing down, was so overjoyed by the sudden windfall that his eyes crinkled into slits. He was exceptionally hospitable to Itachi and his companions, quickly agreeing to every request.
The group rested for a full day, their spirits and energy restored. The next morning, Elder Takuya began asking around for news about the Land of Rice Paddies.
"I hear your country has recently built a new ninja village, is that right?"
"Oh, you've heard about that, have you?" the innkeeper said in surprise. "A few years ago, the Village Hidden in the Sound was established here. It's not large, but they're quite formidable. Many shinobi from other lands have gone there. Their mission efficiency is said to be exceptionally high. Our daimyo is also a big supporter and has supposedly given them a lot of funding."
After Takuya had inquired about the Sound Village's location and other minor details, the Uchiha contingent, now fully rested, set out immediately. The Land of Rice Paddies was small, and within two days, they reached the territory of the Village Hidden in the Sound.
To avoid any accidental harm to their own, Itachi had the others settle in a nearby town while he and Shisui went ahead to scout.
The Village Hidden in the Sound looked rather shabby. Its grounds were smaller than the old Uchiha compound, and only a few hundred people were seen coming and going. But as Itachi and Shisui entered the village, they could clearly sense many powerful chakra signatures hidden within—all belonging to Jonin-level shinobi.
The two remained vigilant, following the client's instructions to the mission center. There was only one service window, behind which sat a plump, ordinary-looking woman.
Shisui approached her. The woman smiled. "Welcome to the Village Hidden in the Sound. How can I help you two?"
Shisui replied politely, "We're looking for someone who might be in your village."
"Oh? And who might you be looking for?" the woman asked curiously.
"They're looking for me."
A smiling, bespectacled man walked in from outside. It was Kabuto Yakushi.
"Please, follow me." Kabuto exchanged a word with the woman and led Itachi and Shisui toward the back of the village.
The rear of the village was backed by a small mountain. As they walked, the surroundings grew quieter until only the sound of their three sets of footsteps remained. Soon, Kabuto stopped in front of a mountain hollow.
"May I ask what business the famous Shisui of the Body Flicker and the young master of the Uchiha have in our Village Hidden in the Sound?"
As his words fell, several figures leaped out from the sides, wearing an assortment of forehead protectors. They were all followers Orochimaru had gathered from other villages, every one of them a Jonin. They stared at Itachi and Shisui with hostility.
Ignoring the glares, Itachi took a step forward. "You're Kabuto Yakushi, I presume. Where is Orochimaru?"
Itachi's tone was calm and devoid of emotion, but the Jonin reacted as if provoked. "How dare you speak Lord Orochimaru's name with such disrespect!"
One of them lunged at Itachi, lashing out with a sudden kick.
"Well, well..."
With a caw, Itachi's entire body dissolved into a flock of crows. As the crows scattered, he reappeared in mid-air via the Body Flicker Technique. Shuriken rained down, clashing against each other to change their trajectories. It took the combined effort of four Sound ninja to block the assault.
In the next instant, Itachi closed the distance and sent one of the ninja flying with a single kick. The remaining three quickly engaged him in a fierce battle.
Meanwhile, two others charged at Shisui. With a single glance from him, both collapsed to the ground, incapacitated.
Kabuto stood by, observing without interfering. These Jonin were skilled shinobi Orochimaru had personally recruited. Their abilities were not to be underestimated.
Even so, Itachi defeated them with little effort, using nothing more than his Crow Clone Technique. Shisui, having neutralized two opponents with a single genjutsu, hadn't even participated in the rest of the fight.
Before long, the Sound Village's Jonin were all lying on the ground.