"Land of Frost..."
Hiruzen murmured as he looked at the intelligence report from Kumogakure.
Shikaku nodded. "Yes, it's said to be a spy that Kumogakure planted in Iwagakure, and this spy happened to be responsible for organizing the Tsuchikage Office's daily mission records."
Although all major nations sent spies to infiltrate each other, the fact that this Kumogakure spy managed to climb to such a position was impressive.
Shikaku couldn't help but look at him in a new light.
If it weren't for the critical importance of this mission, the spy might have remained undercover indefinitely.
"What did Kumogakure say?" Hiruzen asked, resting his chin on his hands.
"They've already dispatched a squad, and Kirigakure is doing the same." Shikaku shook his head.
Since Kumogakure issued the intelligence, they would naturally take the lead in the corresponding action.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, pondering who would be best to send this time.
Bang!
"Old man, any news?" Jiraiya burst through the door, a look of urgency on his face.
"Haa—" Hiruzen sighed.
Jiraiya had even used his intelligence gathering methods on him.
"Yes, news came from Kumogakure."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, speaking with some distress, "The Five-Tails Jinchuriki was dispatched on a mission, so Kumogakure's think tank believes Akatsuki might seize this opportunity."
"I'm going." Jiraiya declared, looking at Hiruzen with a serious expression.
Shikaku remained silent. He was aware of the previous intelligence, so Jiraiya's reaction was understandable.
Hiruzen voiced his concerns, "This is just a conjecture, after all. We also need to consider who would be best to send."
"Making too big a fuss would only be counterproductive."
Moreover, Konoha currently had too many missions, and the limited number of Jonin was also an issue. Although the Uchiha clan had taken on some, they were still overwhelmed.
Of the initial confirmed list, only Jiraiya, Shizune, and Shinji were currently in the village.
"Then just let me go alone."
Jiraiya didn't overthink it. He had always acted alone for many years anyway.
"Shisui, notify Shinji to come here." Seeing Jiraiya's resolute expression, Hiruzen gave the order.
"Yes." Shisui responded and instantly vanished.
Hiruzen said to Jiraiya, "Let Shinji go with you. After all, it's Konoha's first action, and we need to show our stance."
Multi-nation cooperation, at its core, was about seeing whose strength was greatest to gain more say.
Jiraiya combined with Shinji would at least make Kumogakure and Kirigakure consider Konoha's attitude on certain matters.
Jiraiya nodded. As long as he could go, that was all that mattered.
Shinji, who had just been chatting with Kabuto outside the Hokage Building again, received Shisui's notification. He bid farewell to Kabuto and then left.
Kabuto watched Shinji's figure enter the Hokage Building, then turned and went to another location.
"Five-Tails, huh..."
In the Hokage Office, Shinji frowned as he read the intelligence on the scroll.
It was completely different from his own guess. No, that wasn't right. A lone target was more suitable for an attack than one constantly in the village.
"Sensei, are senpai and I going together?" Shinji looked up at Hiruzen and asked.
"Yes, since Kumogakure provided this intelligence, they proposed that they take the lead." Hiruzen nodded.
"They're already eyeing it before it even begins." Shinji exhaled.
Were those Kumogakure fellows fools?
Wanting to take the lead was simply about the fate of this Tailed Beast after the mission was completed.
"Indeed, everyone covets a Tailed Beast, but we also need to prevent Kumogakure from taking advantage." Hiruzen was helpless.
"Then let us go. Senpai and I will act according to the situation when we get there."
Shinji closed the scroll. To claim ownership, it depended on who took the lead in this mission.
"Alright." Hiruzen nodded.
—
"I didn't expect this mission to be with Hiruko-san." Shinno looked at Hiruko, who was wearing a black robe with red clouds, and spoke.
"Shut up. I'm not in the mood for your false pleasantries." Hiruko glanced at him sideways, his tone indifferent.
Shinno chuckled, completely unfazed by Hiruko's attitude, and continued in a deep voice, "Last time Six-Tails, this time Five-Tails. Hiruko's, don't you think the organization's efficiency is very high?"
"For those of us who have needs, the organization is an excellent platform for acquiring resources, isn't it?" Shinno's words carried a hint of suggestion, his gaze fixed on Hiruko.
Hiruko was silent for a moment, his voice tinged with disdain. "Platform?"
"It's just a temporary nest for mutual exploitation. What Pain promised is merely the reward for our actions."
"What I need, I still have to obtain it myself in the end."
Upon hearing this, a faint curve appeared on Shinno's lips. Indeed, the fanaticism he had seen in Hiruko's eyes last time was not fake. This fellow in front of him was interested in Pain's Rinnegan.
Seeing this, Shinno no longer hesitated and proposed cooperation to Hiruko, "Hiruko-san, before you achieve that goal, why don't we cooperate?"
"Cooperation?" Hiruko's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, he looked at the seemingly benevolent but actually hypocritical fellow beside him.
"Exactly. After all, I can see that Hiruko-san has a different kind of expectation for Five-Tails?" Shinno didn't state it directly, but instead asked Hiruko with a hint of curiosity.
"The Chakra of the Five-Tails, especially its Kekkei Genkai that can indirectly affect the Jinchuriki and grant them Boil Release. This aspect is an extremely valuable sample."
Hiruko made no secret of his objective, a fanatical expression appearing on his face. "The power of the Five-Tails is one of the pieces to complete my 'perfect body'."
Looking at Hiruko, whose face showed possessiveness, Shinno's smile deepened, his tone slightly eerie. "I see. It seems Hiruko's jutsu is meant to achieve his own sublimation. Truly admirable art."
At Shinno's seemingly fawning posture, Hiruko let out a light, disdainful chuckle and said, "State your purpose. I don't have much patience to waste time with you here."
"Hahaha, Hiruko-san is straightforward." Shinno laughed heartily.
He patted his chest as he said, "I am interested in Five-Tails' immense life energy and Chakra itself."
"I wonder if Hiruko-san is interested in cooperating?"