"Get ready, Shikaku."
"One last thing, Lord Hokage—if the Rain Ninja ask why we're invading, what should we say?"
"Just tell them a rogue ninja from our village escaped with top-secret documents, and we must pursue him ourselves."
"Understood."
With just a few brief exchanges, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Shikaku settled on a justification for the attack. The reason didn't matter. Back in the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha had started the war with an even more absurd excuse—and in the end, no one remembered.
The Land of the Rain wasn't large, but there were a few key strategic points that both Iwa and Konoha had to seize—military frontlines and economic hubs—to weaken the Rain Ninja's numbers and resources.
The advance units included many Hyuga clan members tasked with scouting terrain and gathering intelligence.
Five squads were dispatched in different directions.
Kiyo Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi formed a team again. Alongside them were a branch family Chunin and a member of the Inuzuka clan—Inuzuka Hana.
The branch family ninja following Kiyo, though technically a Chunin, had strength comparable to an elite Jonin in the clan—he simply hadn't taken the promotion exams.
In addition to scouting and gathering intel, Kiyo's team would also be responsible for capturing Rain Ninja for interrogation with Genjutsu if needed. The additional branch family ninja was Kiyo's request—she preferred reinforcing their strength over using the reconnaissance ninja assigned by Shikaku.
"Captain, rainy weather really dulls my sense of smell. If it rains, I'd like to postpone the mission."
Inuzuka Hana spoke up. The Inuzuka weren't the only ones affected—rain also hindered the Aburame clan's insects. This was precisely why the Byakugan was considered the best scouting dojutsu. Even smokescreens couldn't block its vision.
Kiyo glanced at Hana and replied calmly, "Then let's complete the mission tonight while the rain holds off."
Kurenai chuckled beside them. "Captain already took that into account. If it rains, he'd usually delay scouting."
"No need to explain further. Mission comes first."
Kiyo frowned at Kurenai, but she noticed and deliberately straightened her posture, accentuating certain full features—annoying Kiyo so much that she huffed and strode ahead.
Still as infuriating as ever!
Kiyo thought, deciding not to talk to Kurenai beyond what was necessary.
Infiltration was simple—civilians in the Land of the Rain rarely noticed Konoha ninjas slipping through.
Kiyo's team took half a day to reach the outskirts of Echikawa Town in the Land of the Rain. Based on older intel, this place should have a heavy Rain Ninja presence. Their mission was to confirm that.
"We're verifying intel from over ten years ago? Isn't that basically collecting it all over again?"
Inuzuka Hana complained. No one could tell what the intel division was thinking, assigning such a questionable task.
"Can't be helped. After the Second War ended, the Rain Village stopped interacting with the outside world. After the last war, they sealed up even tighter. Since they've caused no trouble, the village relaxed intel gathering on them."
Kurenai had done her homework before leaving Konoha. For a village that hadn't participated in war for over a decade, fresh intelligence was a must.
In ninja warfare, information made all the difference.
"My Byakugan has a max range of four kilometers. From here on, Hana—if you catch any unfamiliar scents, alert us immediately. Kouta, you and I will alternate using the Byakugan."
Kiyo paused to think, then issued orders. She had actually trained her range to six kilometers but didn't reveal that.
"Understood, Captain."
Hyuga Kouta and Inuzuka Hana nodded. Kouta's max range was three kilometers, and Hana's nose was the best for early warning.
Kurenai raised her hand with a smile. "If you two get tired, I can help. I learned a Chakra sensing technique back in the village. It only has a one-kilometer range, though."
So she's been training in secret...
Kiyo gave Kurenai a look. Knowing her well, she found it unlikely Kurenai had actually studied Chakra sensing. Still, now wasn't the time for questions.
"Then you'll handle perimeter watch during rest shifts."
With tasks distributed, Kiyo began laying out a scouting plan based on Echikawa Town's size and layout.
Thanks to the Byakugan, their team's scouting was far more efficient than most.
Both Kiyo and Kurenai had trained under Hyuga Mirai and picked up a lot. For infiltration and recon, they used makeup and disguise—never Transformation Jutsu.
The most important thing in recon was staying calm. No matter what, maintain composure. Even if spotted, act like a large force is backing you. Exposing yourself meant death.
After nearly two days of scouting, Kiyo exchanged intel with her teammates and found something odd about the Rain Ninja's behavior.
"Only about thirty Rain Ninja in Echikawa Town?"
Kouta nodded. "To avoid counting the same ones twice, I compared details with Lady Kiyo. It checks out."
Kurenai's ruby-red eyes studied the map. "Thirty Rain Ninja is enough to protect the town. But against us… don't they know Konoha and Iwa are on the move?"
"With all the activity, we weren't even trying to hide our intent in the end. Rain Village must've received the intel. I just don't get why they haven't reacted."
Kiyo shook her head. They had initially hidden troop movement to deceive the Sand Federation. But after the Federation openly declared war, Konoha and Iwa had no reason to stay covert.
"If we can't get useful intel here, we'll head deeper. Let's scout this spot."
Kiyo pointed to a location on the map, farther inland than Echikawa. Though marked by Konoha's intel division, it wasn't part of their mission.
Kouta immediately objected. "Lady Kiyo, please don't. The deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets."
"I understand. But the Rain Ninja's behavior is just too strange. Sure, we could return now and technically say we completed the mission. But if our intel is wrong, the mission's a failure—and we'll be held accountable."
Rather than use her authority, Kiyo explained her reasoning.
"That makes sense. I support Captain's decision. With our team's capabilities, we can stay alert and minimize risk."
Kurenai nodded after thinking it over. Hana, listening nearby, agreed with both sides and raised her hand in support.
With three in favor, Kouta had no choice but to give in. He sighed and said solemnly, "Lady Kiyo, if we run into danger, please allow me to cover the rear."
(End of Chapter)