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"Ah, what a wasted opportunity. If only I could have drawn Yang Release Chakra or a ninjutsu."
Yōichi sighed. The Senju and Uchiha were almost at opposite ends; one lacked the talent for Yang Release, while the other lacked talent for Yin Release. Simple techniques were manageable, but delving deep into these areas was challenging.
As for the item he had just pilfered, Yōichi found a secluded spot to examine it.
A pink cotton panty, quite delicate-looking, no wonder it felt warm in his hand.
"If I took this to Jiraiya, I could probably exchange it for at least an A-rank ninjutsu, or sell it for ten million ryō."
But he was more likely to be hunted down by two of the Sannin.
Such an item couldn't be kept; it would be trouble no matter who found it. Yōichi immediately destroyed it with Fire Release.
Yōichi felt Tsunade probably didn't realize he was behind this prank, but he didn't wait openly in front of Konoha Hospital. Instead, he waited quietly around a corner for Mina to come out.
After Mina finished her surgery, Yōichi told her about his mission and asked her to take three million ryō from home to learn medical ninjutsu from Tsunade-sama for two months.
This time it was paid for, and Yōichi made it clear that he heard from Tsunade herself that she didn't want to get involved in village affairs. Such words from a Sannin held some credibility, so it was safe to learn from her.
After speaking, Yōichi went back to grab Raijin and headed straight for the village gate.
He arrived about an hour early and was not the last to get there. As the time for assembly approached, everyone finally arrived.
Leaving the village, Jiraiya gathered everyone and pulled out a map, pointing to a location, "After here, the negotiation and reconnaissance teams will split up.
If any intelligence is found, let the Anbu pass back the message. If information about the Third Kazekage is discovered, you can return directly."
Jiraiya briefly issued the command before ordering to move out.
Although they were within the Land of Fire, the entire team maintained a formation suitable for reconnaissance, support, flank guards, and rear defense until they split up.
Long marches were nothing to ninjas as long as chakra was distributed properly to maintain a steady pace.
Since Jiraiya and his team were not in a hurry, it took them two days to reach the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire.
Jiraiya halted the team, addressing those with reconnaissance tasks, "Alright, this is where we part ways. Be extra careful."
After saying this, he led the negotiation team towards the Land of Rivers.
The remaining individuals, apart from Yōichi, were six reconnaissance squads.
Yōichi, not familiar with them, left using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Ah, he just left, huh? Team leader, it seems like your idea to have him join our squad didn't work out."
One of the reconnaissance squad members commented after Yōichi left without a word; they found Yōichi's attitude arrogant. Even though they didn't know each other, a greeting would have been polite since they were on the same mission.
Squad leader Inuzuka Sanzuke shook his head, "He might prefer working alone on missions. Alright, let's not dwell on him. Let's discuss."
The Land of Wind was vast and sparsely populated. They planned to divide their reconnaissance directions to avoid all squads heading in the same direction and wasting time and effort.
As for Yōichi, he didn't need such elaborate schemes; investigating Sasori was enough.
There were two ways to investigate the Third Kazekage's whereabouts: find Sasori, or seek out the giant snake in Ryūchi Cave, the Kazekage's summoning creature.
Shin had signed a summoning contract with the Third Kazekage. If the Kazekage had died, Shin would likely know. Given there was no response using Reverse Summoning, it was likely he was dead.
However, finding Shin in Ryūchi Cave, a challenging location, with the temperamental giant red snake, meant it was only a backup plan.
Primary objective: Find Sasori!
Yōichi thought to himself as he determined his direction for investigation.
Although unclear why Sasori targeted the Third Kazekage early, the Kazekage's prolonged absence likely meant he was dead.
The disappearance of a village leader could destabilize a village and cause unrest among its people.
---
"Should be here,"
Disguised, Yōichi arrived at a small town in the Land of Wind, heading to a back alley of a tavern.
He had inquired about other locations from the person in charge of the underground exchange in Kawatake County, and the Land of Wind's location was here.
Opening a hidden door revealed stairs leading underground to the exchange.
The vast underground space, only lit by a few lamps and occupied by two people, included an old man who rasped, "Commission? Or bounty?"
"Commission. I need two pieces of intelligence."
Yōichi directly inquired, "There's a puppeteer from Sunagakure named Sasori. I want recent information on him. The second is to inquire about a clan with unique physiques who love nature but can suddenly rage, turning frightful when enraged."
The second commission was about Jūgo's clan. Orochimaru found Ryūchi Cave based on information from Jūgo.
This was a backup plan; if they could be found, great. If not, he would focus solely on Sasori. If even Sasori couldn't be located, he would report back to Konoha that the Third Kazekage was dead.
No evidence, but the intelligence was correct. If they wanted more, let the Anbu search for Sasori.
"Sasori? Heard of him. Sunagakure's genius puppeteer, seems to be the grandson of Chiyo, a renowned Jōnin of Sunagakure."
The underground exchange's old man recalled. Being in the Land of Wind, it was natural to know some information about Sunagakure. Though lacking detailed intelligence, basic names and relationships were known.
"Investigating such a ninja is not easy, fifteen million; the other piece of intelligence is simpler, heh, I just came from another location to the Land of Wind. Your description matches a clan I've encountered before, six million ryō."
The old man chuckled, offering Yōichi a steep price, totaling twenty million ryō.
"So expensive? I'm only asking for information, not an assassination. Fine, here's the money, but you better not be lying!"
Yōichi knew these people were greedy for money, so he took out twenty-one million ryō from a storage scroll, though he secretly took note of the man.
Extorting him was akin to courting death!
(End of Chapter)