After the situation in the Land of Snow fully stabilized, Byakuya and Konan began their journey back to Amegakure.
When the two arrived at the Land of Snow's port, the nation's reward for their efforts came belatedly. Compared to the profits from their conquest of the Sky Ninja Village, the reward from the Land of Snow was pitifully small.
Aside from a few Ice Release techniques that could only be used in polar conditions, the only other reward was fragments of chakra crystals.
At first, Byakuya was puzzled, but he quickly figured it out. Nearly all of the Snow Ninja under the Land of Snow's banner had been annihilated by him and Konan, leaving the nation with few capable combatants.
Although Doto Kazahana had some skill, his death in the prison of the Land of Snow, possibly due to mental collapse, had left both Princess Koyuki Kazahana and Sandayū Asama deeply regretful.
On the way back, Byakuya chose not to take a direct ship route to the eastern Land of Fire. Instead, he decided to disembark in the Land of Earth to travel through it for a while and settle some arrangements from five years ago.
Though Konan found his decision strange, she didn't ask too many questions. She was accustomed to Byakuya's enigmatic nature.
As their journey through the Land of Earth deepened, Konan began to sense something was off. If they were truly returning to the Land of Rain, they should have been following the coastline. Yet, Byakuya led her further into the heart of the Land of Earth.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Konan finally asked:
"Byakuya, if we continue for two more days, we'll be at Iwagakure. Don't tell me you're planning to challenge the village! Iwagakure's Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, has mastered Dust Release, a Kekkei Tōta. He's not someone to take lightly. It's better if we avoid provoking him for now..."
Byakuya's expression turned a bit pale. Did she really think he was someone who enjoyed stirring up trouble?
As a transmigrant, Byakuya was well aware of Dust Release's power. It was the only Kekkei Tōta in the original timeline and could instantly obliterate even Susano'o. It was one of the most destructive techniques in the ninja world.
If not for Ōnoki's frail body and the inflexibility of Dust Release, the Tsuchikage would have already achieved legendary status. While he might not have risen to the level of a "God of Shinobi" like the First Hokage, he would have easily surpassed Hanzo of the Salamander, becoming three-quarters of a god.
After all, the only way to reliably counter Dust Release was with Dust Release itself—or techniques that absorbed chakra.
Taking a deep breath, Byakuya explained, "I have a contact in Iwagakure. I came here to meet my subordinate and take care of some old business."
"Old business?" Konan's eyes filled with doubt. What kind of old business could someone Byakuya's age have? And when had he even planted a spy in Iwagakure? As expected, Byakuya had plans for the village.
She could only hope he wouldn't cause any earth-shattering trouble this time.
Before long, Byakuya and Konan reached the rocky terrain outside Iwagakure. Using the highland rocks of the Land of Earth as cover, they observed the barren village from afar.
Iwagakure, the hidden village of the Land of Earth, was built on the highlands. Its architecture was rugged and utilitarian, designed to maximize every resource available.
Because of its harsh geographic environment, Iwagakure had always been an aggressor during the ninja world wars, targeting resource-rich nations like the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
In contrast, the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind had never piqued Iwagakure's interest, largely due to their meager resources.
Even in recent years, Iwagakure had not ceased its activities in neighboring small countries, constantly preparing to expand its influence.
After patiently lying in wait in the rocky terrain for a while, a ninja wearing an Iwagakure headband quietly approached Byakuya and Konan's position.
Just as Konan was about to act and eliminate the Stone ninjas, Byakuya stopped her.
"Konan, you're always saying I'm too impulsive and extreme, but you don't seem to hold back either."
Konan's expression shifted slightly. She glanced at Byakuya with dissatisfaction, clearly annoyed.
At this moment, the Stone ninjas removed his headband, revealing an exceptionally delicate face. He smiled at Byakuya and Konan and said, "Lord Byakuya, I assume this is Lady Konan? Dym! Lady Konan is even younger and more beautiful than I imagined. She looks no older than sixteen."
Hearing the compliment, Konan's expression softened. Although she was not yet twenty, she was already eighteen. As always, a woman appreciated being thought of as younger.
Byakuya glanced at the Stone ninjas and spoke casually, "Alright, alright, Kabuto Yakushi. Report the intelligence you've gathered recently. Staying here for long isn't safe."
That's right—the Stone ninjas was none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the spy Byakuya had cultivated in Konohagakure.
Five years ago, Kabuto had been brought under Byakuya's control. Following Byakuya's orders, he infiltrated Danzo's Root organization and diligently gathered information about both Konoha and Root.
Byakuya's knowledge of Konoha largely came from two sources: White Zetsu and Kabuto Yakushi. Kabuto had never failed him, consistently delivering valuable intelligence that allowed Byakuya to stay informed about Konoha's inner workings without setting foot in the village.
After the war between Konoha and Kumogakure ended, Kabuto was assigned a mission that took him to Iwagakure. For the past two years, he had been stationed there, continuing to send vital information back to Byakuya.
Kabuto nodded in acknowledgment of Byakuya's words and began his report.
The first piece of intelligence concerned Iwagakure's internal affairs. The Fourth and Fifth Jinchūriki—Rōshi of the Four-Tails and Han of the Five-Tails—remained at odds with Ōnoki. The Tsuchikage's authoritarian leadership left the two deeply dissatisfied, yet they could do little about it.
Ōnoki, as the disciple of the Second Tsuchikage, had ruled Iwagakure for decades. In the eyes of the Stone ninjas, his influence was second only to the First Raikage's legendary status. Confronting such a formidable leader, the Jinchūriki could only express their dissatisfaction by wandering aimlessly within the Land of Earth.
This behavior aligned perfectly with Byakuya's knowledge from his previous life. In the original timeline, had these two Jinchūriki not developed a habit of leaving the village, it would have been much harder for the Akatsuki to capture them.
Unlike the weaker or less experienced Jinchūriki of the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails, Rōshi and Han were exceptionally powerful, even without the support of their Tailed Beasts.
The second piece of information pertained to a new prodigy in Iwagakure. Over the past two years, a young boy had emerged with remarkable talent. Despite only being enrolled in the ninja academy for two years, he had already achieved the strength of a genin and even a chunin.
This boy showed incredible aptitude in Earth Release and had even mastered Explosion Release at such a young age. Though not a Kekkei Genkai, Explosion Release had devastating destructive potential. If given time, this prodigy could very well grow into a Kage-level shinobi.
However, this genius was a constant headache for Ōnoki. The boy caused chaos throughout Iwagakure with his endless explosions, leaving the entire village in disarray. The Tsuchikage had no choice but to take him as a student and impose strict disciplinary measures, including frequent confinement, to curb his antics.
This prodigy's name? Deidara.
Hearing the name, Byakuya froze for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his lips. The name Deidara was all too familiar.
This boy would one day become a stalwart member of the Akatsuki in the original timeline—a model "employee" and an unstoppable demolition expert.