"Let me confirm once more, Owl."
Elephant folded his arms across his chest, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness as he spoke in a deep voice, "For this infiltration investigation mission, you insist on going alone. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, it's decided. I'll go alone," nodded Uchiha Sogetsu. "Kirigakure Village is renowned for its assassination expertise. It's situated in an isolated location, surrounded by water, and remains closed off throughout the year. Adding more people would only increase the risk of detection. It's better for one person to have a smaller profile, making it easier to gather intelligence."
After pondering for a moment, Elephant reluctantly agreed, "True, Kirigakure has a lot of internal information. The more people we send in, the higher the chance of exposure."
However, leaving someone highly valued by the Hokage to undertake such a dangerous mission alone left Elephant deeply concerned.
After a moment's thought, he retrieved a scroll from his robes and handed it over, "Since you've made your decision, I won't say more. But please take this."
"What is this?" inquired Uchiha Sogetsu as he accepted the scroll, refraining from opening it.
"This is a list of Konoha's spies operating in Kirigakure Village," Elephant's voice turned cold, a hint of ruthlessness gleaming in his eyes.
"If necessary, these spies can be used. Even if it means sacrificing them all, we must ensure your safety. Do you understand?"
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" Uchiha Sogetsu was taken aback.
The significance of this list was unquestionable.
Any spy capable of infiltrating foreign lands for extended periods was undoubtedly elite. While they might not be the strongest, their character and loyalty were beyond doubt.
Each spy represented countless sacrifices and considerable resources invested by Konoha. Thus, the value of each one was immeasurable.
Yet now, to ensure his safety, Elephant was willing to sacrifice these invaluable assets.
"Haha, don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Elephant reassured him, his tone softening as he patted Sogetsu's shoulder.
"This is also what Hokage-sama intends. In the eyes of the Hokage, you are far more precious than those spies!"
Well, one of the perks of earning Sarutobi Hiruzen's trust was this.
At least for now, Sogetsu's importance in the eyes of Hokage-sama surpassed many, including Danzo.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your trust," Sogetsu expressed his gratitude before adding solemnly, "I will fulfill the mission entrusted to me by Hokage-sama!"
"Take care on your journey," Elephant bid him farewell.
And thus, with no further ado, Sogetsu departed.
He spoke with the authority of an elder, his voice laced with concern: "We'll be waiting for your return, Owl."
Sogetsu brushed off the concern with a casual wave of his hand before turning and departing from the ANBU headquarters.
Watching his retreating figure, a faint smile graced Elephant's lips involuntarily.
"It's unusual for our ANBU vice-captain to show such kindness to a newcomer," remarked one of the ANBU agents standing nearby, scratching his head in puzzlement.
"Lord Elephant, do you hold such high regard for that kid?"
With a sudden, forceful blow, the ANBU agent's head was jolted violently, sending him collapsing to the ground, clutching his head in pain.
"Spread the word to the others to keep an eye on him from now on," Elephant commanded, his tone reverting to its former coldness as he glanced at the fallen agent.
"That individual... it won't be long before he becomes someone we all look up to."
The injured ANBU agent, still reeling from the blow, gasped in astonishment. The only figure they could look up to was the ANBU Squad Captain, so they stared at Elephant in disbelief and stammered, "You mean... Owl, Owl will soon become the ANBU Squad Captain?"
"Yes," Elephant affirmed, his arms crossed. "Lord Hokage holds high hopes for Owl. If this mission is successful, his achievements will speak for themselves."
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't explicitly stated it, those with even a modicum of insight could discern the Hokage's intentions.
This mission, infiltrating the Village Hidden in the Mist to gather intelligence on the ongoing war, served as a comprehensive assessment of Owl's capabilities, determining whether he was worthy of becoming the sharpest tool in the Hokage's arsenal.
Additionally, it served as a substantial accomplishment, silencing dissenting voices and objections.
Naturally, all of this hinged on whether Uchiha Sogetsu could fulfill the task.
The ANBU agent quickly pieced together the implications and exclaimed, "No wonder Hokage-sama entrusted him with the spy list!"
"Haha, don't take that spy list too seriously," Elephant chuckled, as if recalling something amusing. "Those spies were all acquired by Hokage-sama from Danzo."
Danzo seethed with rage as he dwelled on the situation.
The spy he had painstakingly placed was coerced away by Sarutobi.
And worst of all, it had fallen into the hands of his most loathed enemy.
Rumor had it that upon his return, Danzo was so furious that he shattered his cherished crutch.
The expansive sea lay blanketed in dense fog.
As far as the eye could see, mist veiled everything, limiting visibility to a mere ten meters.
A massive merchant vessel, proudly bearing the trader's emblem, navigated sluggishly through the mist-shrouded waters, inching closer to its destination.
Though Kirigakure prided itself on secrecy, it recognized the need for external communication.
Even shinobi needed sustenance and amenities. Despite its proximity to the sea, Kirigakure Village struggled with scarce resources, its inhabitants facing dire living conditions.
Consequently, various professions emerged to facilitate commercial exchanges between the village and the outside world.
Naturally, these traders were closely monitored by Kirigakure.
Uchiha Sogetsu's infiltration tactic was deceptively simple. He purchased a ticket and boarded the vessel, masquerading as a tourist.
The Land of Water spanned vast territories, permitting outsiders to explore beyond Kirigakure's borders. Consequently, a portion of the village's income stemmed from outside visitors over the years.
"Brother, is this your first voyage to the Land of Water?"
Uchiha Sogetsu stood at the ship's edge, lost in thought, when a voice suddenly jolted him from his reverie.
Turning around, he spotted a stout, weathered sailor, his complexion dark from years spent at sea. The man approached with gusto, revealing a mouth filled with smoke-stained teeth.
"How did you know it's my first time here?" Uchiha Sogetsu inquired, intrigued.
The sailor grinned, gesturing to their mist-obscured surroundings. "The fog here is thick as pea soup. Most folks don't linger on deck."
"I see," Uchiha Sogetsu nodded, a dawning realization on his features. "Indeed, this is my first voyage to the Land of Water. I'm rather curious about it."
"Young man, the Land of Water isn't a friendly place," the boatman cautioned, leaning against the vessel's railing. "Sometimes, curiosity can lead to trouble."
"Is that so?" Uchiha Sogetsu chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "Yet, haven't you heard that cats have nine lives?"
********
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