By the time the other Sunagakure arrived, only Yubi and a corpse remained at the scene.
The Fake Kazekage wasn't killed by him.
Instead, he had committed suicide by swallowing poison.
Yubi checked; even with his medical skills, there was no way to save him.
The potent poison the man swallowed had violent effects.
"What happened?"
The Sunagakure guards asked in alarm.
Yubi briefly explained the situation.
The members of the Guard Corps immediately took the matter seriously.
Having Konoha spies infiltrate the Village was a slap in the face for Sunagakure Village.
Moreover, they had even targeted Yubi.
Before long, the captain of the Guard Corps arrived, and word of the incident reached the Kazekage.
"Are you sure they're from Konoha?"
After a long while, the captain of the Guard Corps inspected the corpse but found no clues.
As for the other assassin, the mangled remains had been completely incinerated by Fire Release.
"I'm not entirely certain... it's just a feeling that they're like Konoha people."
Having survived a fight to the death, Yubi appeared calm and unruffled, showing no signs of fright; instead, he seemed almost cheerful. "If my guess is correct and these two are from a certain organization in Konoha, then given their conduct, they wouldn't leave the slightest trace behind even if the mission failed."
"They certainly wouldn't bring any trouble to Konoha... He deliberately used Fire Release to destroy his companion's body while attacking me, which shows how meticulous they are."
Yubi pointed at the dead 'Fake Kazekage' at his feet and analyzed.
"Of course, I'm just guessing... it doesn't count, just talking for fun."
"..."
The captain of the Guard Corps.
"Their identities have been found... These two have been veteran merchants trading with our Village for several years... Since they were familiar faces with clean backgrounds..." At that moment, a Sunagakure Ninja arrived at the scene and reported to the captain.
Years ago... in other words, the enemy had already planted deep-cover spies at the beginning of this Ninja World War, or perhaps even before it broke out.
Although Sunagakure Village was very strict in screening outsiders,
they would be relatively more relaxed with 'familiar faces' or targets who had been verified over a long period and deemed safe.
Fortunately, nothing happened to Yubi.
Had he fallen into the enemy's hands... the impact on Sunagakure Village would have been immense.
At this thought, the captain of the Guard Corps felt a sense of lingering fear... Outsiders didn't know what Yubi meant to the Village, but their own people knew very well.
However, looking up and seeing Yubi still grinning, telling the Medical Ninja who wanted to examine him that he was fine and not to worry... the guard captain breathed a sigh of relief.
He silently marveled at Yubi's strong mental fortitude.
"Lord Kazekage..."
"Lady Chiyo."
Immediately after, the Kazekage, Chiyo, and other high-ranking Village officials all arrived.
The members of the Guard Corps greeted them.
After learning the full story, the high-ranking officials looked either angry or cold.
This sudden incident was an extremely serious and malicious event for Sunagakure Village.
Even if Yubi was unharmed, it proved that there was a lapse in Sunagakure Village's defense system.
"Seal the Village... Conduct a thorough investigation."
The Kazekage glanced at the corpse and said in a heavy voice.
"Yes."
The subordinates immediately took the order and went to carry it out.
Now, besides these two, they didn't yet know if there were other enemy spies in the Village.
"Those Konoha fellows..."
"There are no clues; we can't be sure if they were really sent by Konoha."
"It's them. Who else could it be? Hidden Mist or Iwagakure? While possible, the probability is too low..."
"Targeting Yubi... it could also be Hanzou. After all, the only ones outside who know of Yubi's existence are those from Amegakure."
The group of high-ranking officials began their discussion.
"It's not that old ghost Hanzou... If he had this kind of skill, after fighting us for so long, he would have already used the advantage of gathering Village intelligence on the battlefield."
Chiyo spoke up, "Fortunately, we've protected information about Yubi very well. Currently, the enemy only knows he's a Medical Ninja and a talented Genin, but they don't know his true abilities. That's why their assassination mission failed."
Having said this, several people looked at Yubi again.
Chiyo asked, "What do you think?"
"You mean?"
Yubi understood what she meant.
"Let's postpone your Chunin exam until after this Ninja World War ends... Being a Genin is, in a way, a method of protecting you," Chiyo said.
She was afraid Yubi might have some hard feelings.
For these newcomers who had just stepped onto the path of a Ninja, becoming a stronger Ninja was their goal and proof of their hard work.
"I'll follow the Village's decision."
Yubi gave a calm smile.
Regarding his strength, the high-ranking officials all knew that the Chunin exam was just a formality.
Afterward, everyone dispersed.
The thrilling night seemed to end just like that, quietly.
But by the next day, the Village's investigation operation began.
Sunagakure began door-to-door inspections... Sunagakure Village was also completely sealed off; except for Ninjas on missions, no one else was allowed to leave.
In fact, as the person at the center of the incident, Yubi could have insisted that the culprits were from Konoha... but again, there was no evidence.
If he brought up information about Danzo and the Root Organization... it would inevitably make others suspicious.
How could a little guy like him, who had never participated in the front lines between the Village and Konoha... know so much?
Therefore, after weighing his options, Yubi decided... it was enough that he knew the truth in his heart.
As for Danzo targeting him, Yubi wasn't surprised.
That old man played the game of treachery... However, he would remember this grudge and return the favor when he had the chance.
"Combat power, intelligence, treacherous methods... Sigh, once this kind of Ninja World War begins, the great Ninja Villages really stop at nothing to win." Thinking about some plot points from the original work, Yubi felt somewhat emotional.
Next, during the period when the Village was sealed, Yubi began his 'experiment' of self-physical evolution.
That is, trying to use the 'Cell Activation' method to enhance his physical attributes.
Of course, when he had time... he would also head to the hospital.
But after the assassination attempt, Yubi found that... there were Anbu members following him twenty-four hours a day.
Although they always hid in the shadows, they couldn't hide from him.
Even when he was sleeping, someone was guarding outside his room.
It could be considered a form of protection provided by the Village.
It was just... being monitored made Yubi feel somewhat uncomfortable, but there was no helping it.
His training still had to proceed.
So... almost every day, the Anbu responsible for watching him could see him in a remote corner of the Village, facing the wind and sand or the scorching sun, boringly practicing Taijutsu and exercising.
The intensity of this training left even the Anbu members speechless.
It had already far exceeded the scope of the Anbu's physical training.
Because Yubi was training as if his life didn't matter, pushing himself to the absolute limit.
Not to mention the speed of his stamina recovery; because he was a Medical Ninja, he could also alleviate muscle fatigue and overexertion, as well as heal himself.
And Yubi was not yet ten years old.
In addition to being responsible for protecting Yubi, the Anbu's observations of him were also periodically reported to the Third Kazekage.
Therefore... the Kazekage was very well-informed about Yubi's every move.
Regarding Yubi's training, the Third Kazekage said nothing.
Because as early as Arai's initial report, it was mentioned that... Yubi was very clever and mature.
One couldn't treat him like a mere child just because of his age.
Yubi was a person with strong opinions and a plan for the future.
He already had a very clear understanding of his own combat model and strength.
As an Elite Jōnin, there wasn't much Arai could teach Yubi.
Therefore, the Third Kazekage did not intend to interfere in Yubi's affairs.
No matter what Yubi did, as long as he could become stronger... it would be beneficial for Sunagakure Village.