(Akio POV)
------------
Finally, we made our way towards Sunagakure and observed the guards stationed at the entrance. Two guards were positioned at the back gate, seemingly relaxed and unaware of our presence.
"Area scanning technique," I muttered, placing my palm on the ground and channeling chakra into the surface. A soft pulse return back, providing me with a detailed map of the surroundings.
'No one is hidden?' I noted with surprise after the scan ended, questioning how they had the courage to have only two guards at such a vulnerable spot.
It made sense, though. Everyone usually entered through the main gate, so they probably didn't expect anyone to come this way. Perhaps they didn't have enough manpower to guard this place properly.
Whatever the reason, it would be foolish not to exploit this weakness.
Extending my shadow, I crafted the silhouette of a child on the ground, positioning it to the right of the guards.
Soon enough, they noticed the shadow and moved to investigate the supposed child, who appeared to be moving away from them. As they called out for the child to stop, they left the entrance wide open, providing the perfect opportunity for the two of us to slip inside.
As we entered the village, I dispelled the shadow before the guards reached the 'child.' We quickly made our way to a dark, empty alley a short distance from the entrance. Using my shadow, I covered myself and Arata to avoid detection.
With the help of iron sand placed on top of my shadow through magnetism, and standing on a platform of materialized shadow, we remained hidden. As long as we didn't move much, no sensor of any kind would be able to detect us.
Patiently waiting for Arata to gather intel through his insects, I channeled chakra into the ground, ensuring no one was following or observing us. This mission was crucial, and I couldn't afford any mistakes. I even used my chakra to mask the smell of sweat caused by the blazing sun.
"Sandaime Kazekage and Lady Chiyo haven't returned from the battlefield," Arata whispered, easing my anxiety.
I could have ordered an immediate attack on caravan Shukaku Jinchuriki was kept imprisoned, considering Sasori's parents and grand-uncle weren't major threats in my eyes. However, the presence of Sandaime Kazekage with his mastery of 'Magnet Release' and Lady Chiyo with her deadly puppets and poisons posed a significant risk. Other than me or Sakumo, I doubt others would survive in order to complete the mission.
We are shinobi, not invincible like Madara, Hashirama, Sasuke, or Naruto at their peak. We remain vulnerable to death and it's not possible for me to protect all of them.
"Any other news?" I asked.
"Members of the Ryuka clan who went to the battlefield were ambushed and poisoned by Amegakure's toxins," Arata reported.
"Although Lady Chiyo managed to neutralize the toxins, the clan members are still weak and need a few days to fully recover," he added.
'This reduced the chances of encountering other strong shinobi significantly.'
I felt more confident that we could handle the guards inside Shukaku's prison while others took care of the three puppeteers.
I decided we should head back and inform the others to launch the attack immediately. However, there was a risk that Arata's insects could be under genjutsu if a skilled genjutsu user noticed and manipulated them. I insisted we wait until he verified the insects were free from genjutsu by having them check and dispel each other's supposed yin chakra.
As he began to divulge things he heard through his insects, there was one piece of information that caught my attention.
"In the Ryuka clan, they have great expectations for a child called Pakura, saying she is the most talented clan member they have seen."
'Wait, isn't she the second reanimated Sunagakure shinobi who wasn't sealed during the Fourth Shinobi World War in the anime?' I recalled, trying to piece together information from my past life.
From what I remember, she was one of the few shinobi in the allied forces who weren't sealed at the end of the war. Despite Kabuto stripping her of consciousness, she remained a significant threat thanks to her mastery of Scorch Release.
While Kabuto is a skilled strategist, it didn't necessarily mean he fully understood how to wield her abilities effectively. Especially considering he was controlling her on autopilot during the battle against Sasuke and Itachi This led me to believe that Pakura managed to remain unsealed purely based on her raw power, even without her consciousness guiding her actions. (Of course, it's worth noting that she never fought against Naruto or any notably strong shinobi, unlike other reanimated shinobi such as the Third Raikage.)
The more I thought about her capabilities, the more intrigued I became about her clan that shares the same kekkei genkai.
'Should I kidnap some of them?' I seriously contemplated, recalling a conversation I had with Blamekage.
Knowing his strong interest in Wood Release, I suggested an alternative program that I knew would be sufficiently convincing for him to agree to.
Anticipating that he would proceed with the experiment regardless, I aimed to delay its implementation by proposing other viable programs. Initiating any program comes with significant costs, which could potentially divert resources that might yield better results, a point he couldn't currently argue against.( for the time being.)
The Insemination Program was an idea I pitched, which he approved, recognizing the immediate value of nurturing shinobi with kekkei genkai. However, it was swiftly dismissed as I overlooked two critical issues he pointed out.
Firstly, the challenge of capturing shinobi males with kekkei genkai on the battlefield, where they typically operate in groups, prioritizing retrieval of their bodies over all else. Secondly, the intense scrutiny any village would face if such operations were done publicly, where Daimyo of the other village will demand to return back especially if they are one of the Daimyo of the five great nation or have good relationship with them, making elimination a more viable choice in most scenarios.
Yet, with our successful infiltration of Sunagakure during a period of weakness among the Ryuka clan, while Lady Chiyo and Sandaime Kazekage were distracted on the battlefield, the Insemination Program now seem feasible.
As for the children born in the insemination program, many of them would find themselves growing up in orphanages, where they are groomed from a young age to become ANBU operatives in the Anbu assassination division.
But I need to make preparations and plans that would leave even Batman envious.
***
As the sun sank below the horizon, we arrived at the location where the Ryuka clan reside.
"Are you sure you placed the seal properly and hidden it well?" I asked.
"Yes," Arata replied confidently.
'Silent Sound Barrier Jutsu,' I murmured, activating a sound barrier around us through the concealed seal.
It's quite a useful jutsu, able to be deployed discreetly.
Of course, it's just a sound barrier, a precautionary measure to prevent others from hearing screams and pleas of help when I initiate the attack.
"Is everyone from the ANBU espionage station positioned hundred meters from the barrier?" I asked which he replied with a nod again, confirming their readiness.
Sandaime-sama would undoubtedly be furious if he discovered that I had utilized all the moles he had carefully planted within Sunagakure to achieve my personal objective of securing this area and preventing any intruders, risking their identity as spies—resulting them to take their own lives and destroy their body in the process to prevent leak of Intel.
However, if all goes according to plan, I doubt he would protest much.
"Stay here and keep us informed," I ordered, before venturing further into the heart of the area.
It's not often that I venture alone into the lion's den, but knowing that the lions are currently weakened, I am confident that I can neutralize them before going back to the mission.
----------------------------------------------------------
Note:·Originally, it was supposed to be about Akio's time during the Chunin Exam, but I later decided to postpone it, thinking it would be better shown later. Compared to this chapter, it wouldn't be as relevant if I released it too late.?