In the banquet hall, Shibuki's face was ashen as he stared at the grinning Fu. His lips trembled for a few moments before he finally managed to force out a few words. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to eat, of course," Fu said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Hearing Fu's reply, a vein throbbed in Shibuki's temple. Seeing this, Sakura spoke up. "It's alright, Village Leader Shibuki. I met Fu last time I was here. We're friends. Even though this is a diplomatic visit between our villages, there's no need for such formalities among acquaintances."
Shibuki's expression flickered between cloudy and clear as he listened to Sakura. He wasn't concerned about the formalities, but about Fu's other identity. Even though his village was weak, that didn't mean he was okay with the Leaf knowing their secrets.
However, he couldn't very well refute what Sakura had just said. An overreaction might arouse even more suspicion. So, he could only nod. "My apologies. My discipline has been lax. Please, everyone, take your seats."
Sakura and her team then took their seats. Sakura chose to sit next to Fu, but to her surprise, Yakumo sat down on Fu's other side. This was a bit unexpected.
According to general protocol, the Leaf ninja should have sat together. Yakumo's action had placed Fu right in the middle of their group.
Sakura glanced at Yakumo, who happened to look over at the same time. She gave Sakura a small smile, then started chatting with Fu.
"Hi, my name is Yakumo."
"Hi, hi! I'm Fu, hehe." Fu was ecstatic that someone had taken the initiative to talk to her, and she immediately forgot all about Sakura.
Sakura watched Yakumo, who was now deep in conversation with Fu, a thoughtful look on her face. She became even more certain that there was definitely something wrong with Yakumo. But what exactly was wrong, Sakura couldn't figure out. Was she trying to sabotage her operation? But what good would that do her...
Since she couldn't figure it out, she could only wait and see. Sakura believed that with her own strength, Yakumo wouldn't be able to cause much trouble.
After the banquet, Shibuki arranged for lodging for Sakura's team. The official business of the visit would be discussed tomorrow. For now, since the Waterfall Village was the one in need of aid, Shibuki did his best to make sure the three of them were well-accommodated.
Sakura took Karin and Yakumo for a stroll around the streets of the village before leading them back to their quarters. It wasn't a wealthy village by any means, and the lodging Shibuki had arranged seemed a bit crude to Sakura.
But they weren't here for a vacation. After confirming that the surroundings were absolutely safe and that no one was watching, Sakura whipped out a kunai with a swish and pressed it against Yakumo's neck. Her voice was low and icy as she asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"
The relaxed atmosphere instantly filled with killing intent. Karin stood to the side, silent. Whatever Sakura did, Karin would support her unconditionally.
Yakumo, however, showed no change in expression despite the blade at her throat. She looked straight at Sakura. "Am I not acting according to your wishes?"
"But I never told you to get close to that Jinchuriki!" Sakura said after a moment of silence.
"If I don't get close to her, how can I create the most perfect illusion for her?" Yakumo said, then chuckled. "I didn't expect you to be so suspicious. I told you, I will help you, as repayment for you helping me."
"..." Sakura was silent, but the kunai in her hand slowly lowered. She took a deep breath. "Let's rest. The operation is temporarily set for the day the mission ends. You will cast a genjutsu on everyone present. You don't need to worry about the rest."
"Oh? Still don't trust me?" A smile tugged at the corner of Yakumo's mouth. "Didn't you tell me you needed to cast a genjutsu on the Jinchuriki?"
"That's right. But now I have a better reason to make that Jinchuriki follow us on her own," Sakura said, waving her hand and walking towards the inner room. "That's all for today. Let's all get some rest. Karin, come here. I need to check on your sealing jutsu again."
"Ah, okay." As Karin passed by Yakumo, she glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and then entered Sakura's room.
Yakumo looked at the closed door, frowning as she thought about their conversation. She then shook her head helplessly and went into her own room to rest.
After Karin entered Sakura's room and sat down, she heard Sakura say, "This Yakumo might be a fake."
"Wh-What do you mean?" Karin was shocked.
"She's not the real Yakumo. The real Yakumo has likely already been... killed by this imposter," Sakura said, her voice heavy.
"B-But... that's impossible. Haven't we been together all these days? How could something like that happen? And besides, her chakra is Yakumo's chakra!" Karin shot up from her seat, agitated.
"But it's the truth," Sakura's face was grim, her voice somber. "Although I told you we were going to capture the Seven-Tails, I never told you who the Seven-Tails was."
"...R-Really..." Karin suddenly realized something as well, and her face turned pale. "D-Don't tell me... that Fu is... is..."
"That's right. She's the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki," Sakura nodded. "If her getting close to Fu at the banquet was unintentional, then just now, during our conversation..."
"She seemed to already know that Fu was the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki," Karin finished Sakura's sentence, stammering.
Sakura nodded silently. "Exactly. When I said, 'But I never told you to get close to that Jinchuriki,' she didn't show the slightest bit of surprise. It's clear she already knew Fu was the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."
"..."
"..."
The two of them fell silent. Neither of them had expected this situation. Yakumo had been replaced right under their noses. The thought of such an incredible thing sent a chill down both their spines.
"Who could it be?" Karin asked after a moment of silence.
"I can't think of anyone," Sakura shook her head helplessly. "Even you couldn't tell the difference. If it weren't for that slip-up in the intel, I'm afraid..."
At this, Sakura shook her head with a self-deprecating smile. It seemed she had always been surrounded by mysteries but had never seriously tried to find the answers.
Analyzing it carefully this time, the only person—no, the only being—Sakura knew of with the ability to disguise themselves so well that even Karin couldn't tell the difference was a White Zetsu.
But... that didn't make any sense. They had no reason to target her now. If she already had a Tailed Beast in her possession, it might be possible. But right now, she had nothing. They had no reason to target her.
"You should go back for now. Keep an eye on Yakumo," Sakura said, unable to come to any useful conclusion no matter how much she racked her brain. She could only send Karin back for the time being.
Whatever the fake Yakumo's purpose was, Sakura wouldn't alert her for now. She would make preparations in advance. On the day they reeled in the net, no matter what her purpose was, she wouldn't be able to hide it any longer.
At that time, they would see whose methods were more skillful.