Cloud Village Embassy Quarters.
Inside Ai's room, a Cloud Village shinobi with his eyes closed and hands forming seals opened his eyes.
"An Anbu is watching us, but I've set up interference," he reported.
"Well done, Monim," Ai nodded. By now, any anger he'd shown earlier when he stormed out of the negotiations with Konoha was completely gone.
It had all been part of a negotiating tactic. Although Ai had a short temper, he knew better than to let it get in the way of his strategy.
"Did any intel come through during the negotiations?" Ai looked at one of the Cloud Village shinobi in the room. While he had been at the negotiation table, the task of gathering information from their Konoha contacts had been assigned to the man in front of him, Monim.
"This is the Technology Development Department's location," Monim stepped forward, dipped his finger in water, and quickly drew a bird's-eye view of Konoha on the table's surface. When he finished, he circled one area on the map.
"What about the guard details, internal layout, and barrier?" Ai asked, looking at the chakra-infused water marks that created the map of Konoha.
"There are three confirmed Anbu teams, each with at least three members, guarding the area. The barrier is similar to the one surrounding Konoha—it's primarily an alarm-type defense.
The interior map isn't complete, but we've identified a few potential target locations," Monim whispered as he carefully explained every detail of the information he had gathered.
"Then we'll proceed as planned," Ai decided without hesitation after confirming the intel they needed.
"We'll continue negotiating with Konoha over the next few days, stirring up arguments to keep their focus on us. Monim, you and Rai will be in charge of infiltration and executing the mission when the time comes."
The named Monim and another shinobi, who slowly appeared from the shadows, kneeled on one knee, bowing their heads. The second shinobi was lean and agile-looking.
Monim, master of Swift Release.
Rai, master of Smoke Release.
[Note: Smoke Release is the kekkei genkai of Iburi clan. Though no name is mentioned in original work so it is changed to smoke release.]
Both possessed Kekkei Genkai and ninjutsu ideally suited for infiltration and assassination. Within Cloud Village, they had the highest mission success rates for tasks like these.
They have rich experience in infiltration, assassination, intelligence gathering, and securing mission targets.
"I'll create an opportunity for you in the next two days. By then, my father should have redeployed heavy troops at the border of Konoha, forcing them to move a large number of personnel for defense.
Both Yugito Nii and my father will also show signs of focusing on the Konoha border, providing information about their movements.
Right now, Konoha's top forces are Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Minato Namikaze. According to the intel, Jiraiya is out of the village dealing with the infiltrating assassination squads from the Hidden Mist.
At that time, either Orochimaru or Minato must be reassigned to the frontlines at the border.
After a few days of arguing, I'll propose a competition between powerful ninjas to determine the terms for peace talks. I might even invite the nobles from the Land of Fire to watch and certify it.
During the competition, the Konoha Anbu's protective forces will focus on guarding the envoy group and the Land of Fire's nobles.
That will be your best chance for success. As soon as you get the item, leave the team and depart from Konoha Village immediately."
Ai finished explaining the whole plan.
Many of the Hidden Cloud shinobi nodded upon hearing this. Among them, Monim and Rai seemed even more determined.
Technology Development Department.
"Has the Hidden Cloud set their sights on us? It really is the usual method of the Third Raikage," said Orochimaru coldly as he stepped out from a glowing door.
He had listened carefully to the Hidden Cloud's plan in the shadows just now.
"Orochimaru-sama, should we inform the Anbu and pass the information to the Third Hokage?" Uchiha Shisui asked urgently.
Shisui admired the Hidden Cloud's idea of sending a peace envoy, but he deeply despised their ulterior motive: while pretending to seek peace, they were really aiming to plunder.
In the light from the door, the red three-tomoe Sharingan in Shisui's eyes emitted a chilling chakra, creating a sense of pressure.
"What do you think, Kagetsu?" Orochimaru didn't respond to Shisui's words, instead turning to Nara Kagetsu, who had followed them out of the room and was closing the door behind him.
"Aside from Konoha, it's hard for any other organization to produce large-scale Healing Tags in such a short time," Nara Kagetsu said calmly.
Though Healing Tags may look simple, the technology and manpower behind them can only be achieved by a major ninja village like Konoha.
The production of the Seal Tag, the selection of materials—these all affect the cost.
Sealing techniques represent knowledge.
Healing jutsu and sealing techniques require a large number of medical ninjas to perform and store the jutsu in Healing Tags.
Of the three points, the only one that Kumo (Cloud Village) can immediately fulfill is the second—sealing techniques that represent knowledge.
As one of the villages that helped destroy the Land of the Whirlpool, Kumo has acquired the most sealing techniques, and over the years, they've learned and improved many of them, training many ninjas skilled in sealing techniques.
The first point requires time.
The third point doesn't have the right environment yet. Even Konoha, with Tsunade here, took ten years to build a medical system, developing it from nothing and training generations of medical ninjas.
"You don't sound angry, more like you actually hope they succeed," Orochimaru said, looking at Kagetsu with curiosity. He frowned slightly but quickly relaxed.
Because Kagetsu was telling the truth.
"Impossible! Healing Tags are a village secret! As the creator, how could Kagetsu want those Kumo ninjas to steal it?" Shisui was startled by Orochimaru's words.
"For now, why not let the Uchiha take part in the department's defenses? I'll keep those intruders out," Shisui suggested.
"You can let them take some things." Seeing Shisui's firm gaze, Kagetsu waved his hand.
"Many experiments require specific environments and materials. Some of them are even considered taboo within the village. I think Kumo can help us by speeding up progress and supporting the experiments."
"What do you want them to take?" Orochimaru asked, sensing what Kagetsu might be thinking. He wasn't opposed to the idea if it helped with the experiments.
"A sample of the Cursed Mark of Void," Kagetsu said, meeting Orochimaru's gaze.
"You really picked a big prize!" Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly, not rejecting Kagetsu's proposal.
"Since they want to transfer either me or Minato, I'll volunteer. It's a good chance to collect some data on the Cursed Mark of Void up close," Orochimaru added. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI[F]ire.net
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