Kazuyama sneaked into Sunagakure a few hours earlier.
Heichi was already fully geared up, waiting for Kazuyama to return and lead him into the village. Their mission was to gather intelligence together, while the rest of the squad remained on guard duty. However, they all knew that Kazuyama couldn't possibly come back so soon—just a few hours wouldn't be enough time for him to explore Sunagakure's terrain thoroughly.
Sakumo stared into the distance toward Sunagakure, a sense of unease settling over him, as though something was about to go wrong.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him. Instinctively, Sakumo unsheathed his blade and swung it.
"Shit! Don't swing! It's me!"
The familiar voice stopped the blade mid-swing.
"Kazuyama? Why are you back? And who's that in your arms?"
Sakumo's eyes widened as he turned to see Kazuyama, what shocked him even more was the woman Kazuyama was carrying.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Lord Sakumo, your reaction time is insane. If I'd been slower to shout, I'd have lost my head!"
"Damn it!" Kazuyama growled, clearly furious. He had warned him, but Sakumo had nearly taken his life anyway.
"Heh, sorry, reflexes," Sakumo muttered, embarrassed, as he sheathed his blade. His expression turned serious.
"Kazuyama, what happened? Why are you back so soon? And who's this person you brought with you?"
The commotion roused the rest of the squad, who quickly gathered around. All eyes were fixed on the woman in Kazuyama's arms.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you staring at?" Kazuyama snapped, glaring at them. "This is a kunoichi from Sunagakure!"
Even Sakumo and Heichi gave him odd looks, which only added to his frustration.
"It's for the mission," Kazuyama clarified, clearly displeased with their reactions.
He then began to explain everything that had happened.
At the same time, Sunagakure was on high alert.
The elite Jōnin, Kankichi, was the first to arrive at the Kazekage Building.
"Lord Kazekage, what's going on?"
Though Kankichi was proud, his loyalty to the Kazekage was unwavering.
"Kankichi, something must have happened to Pakura," the Third Kazekage said, his expression slightly grim. "A spy from another village has entered our village and used some method to take Pakura out instantly."
The Kazekage's voice carried both urgency and resolve. "You must immediately lead the troops and pursue them in the direction of Konoha!"
He had already deduced the situation: Konoha had to be behind this. The timing made it clear—someone had been sent to gather intelligence on Sunagakure's troop deployment. Pakura's strength and importance made her a prime target, which explained why the enemy had chosen to abduct her.
"Pakura?" Kankichi scoffed. "Hmph, I knew that woman was good for nothing."
Despite his disdainful tone, Kankichi didn't hesitate. "I'll lead the team in pursuit!" He left without delay, his determination unquestionable.
As Kankichi departed, the Third Kazekage's expression darkened further. Something about this entire situation felt off. Pakura was an elite Jōnin—her abilities made it nearly impossible for someone to take her without leaving any trace.
A single face flashed through his mind, and his expression became even more severe.
"Someone! Go and fetch Elder Chiyo immediately!"
After hearing Kazuyama's explanation, everyone, including Sakumo, was at a loss.
Who would go to a hot spring to gather intelligence? Well, someone like Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, might. But who would gather intelligence by outright kidnapping an elite Jōnin?
If what Kazuyama said was true, then the woman he brought back was not only an elite Jōnin from Sunagakure but also one of the few possessing a Kekkei Genkai.
"Are you sure she's an elite Jōnin from Sunagakure?" Tsukiyuki asked skeptically. "You're not just making up excuses because she's pretty, are you?"
Tsukiyuki's expression was odd, as if he was unconvinced. He didn't know Kazuyama well but felt that this situation made him look like a lecher.
"Nonsense! Am I that kind of person?" Kazuyama snapped. "Heichi, tell me! Am I the kind of man who'd give up on a mission just because someone's beautiful?"
Although Kazuyama prided himself on not being a particularly good person, part of why he captured Pakura was, admittedly, her beauty. Still, it was one thing to admit it himself—being accused by someone else was another matter entirely!
"Yes…" Heichi muttered under his breath.
Kazuyama's head whipped around, his eyes narrowing maliciously at Heichi. "What was that?!"
"Okay, Kazuyama," Sakumo interjected, cutting through the tension. "Be serious. Is everything you said true?"
Kazuyama nodded firmly, his seriousness evident. The most update n0vels are published on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Heichi, confirm it," Sakumo instructed.
As a member of the Yamanaka Clan, perception and mental exploration were Heichi's specialties.
"Alright." Heichi stepped forward. "Kazuyama, adjust her position a bit."
Kazuyama shifted the unconscious woman in his arms so she faced Heichi, who placed a hand on her head.
"Hiden: Psycho Mind Transmission," Heichi muttered, closing his eyes as the technique activated. Memories began flowing into his mind.
"Pakura, you will lead the Assault Team."
"Lady Pakura! Your Scorch Release is incredible!"
"Lady Pakura! I love you, please marry me…"
A flood of memories surfaced, confirming the truth.
Heichi opened his eyes and nodded. "Kazuyama is right. This woman is indeed an elite Jōnin from Sunagakure. She possesses the Kekkei Genkai Scorch Release and was personally appointed by the Third Kazekage to lead the Assault Team."
The team exchanged astonished glances. None of them had expected Kazuyama to be telling the truth. Even Sakumo was impressed.
In just a few hours, Kazuyama had infiltrated Sunagakure, found his target, and brought her back. The speed and precision were commendable—though the method, involving drugging a kunoichi, didn't exactly sound honorable.
"Hmph! You shallow fools!" Kazuyama snapped, straightening up with indignation. "You called me unreliable? Fine! I'll make sure Lord Third hears all about how you doubted me!"
Sakumo chuckled. "Not bad, Kazuyama. Choosing you for this mission was clearly the right call. Now, take her back to Konoha."
As the order was given, Heichi's sharp gaze suddenly turned toward Sunagakure. His expression grew tense, and he opened his mouth to speak—only for a voice to cut through the air.
"Hmph! So it is you rats from Konoha!"
A figure appeared in the distance, their tone brimming with hostility.
"You think you can just leave the Land of Wind? Leave Pakura behind!"