Uchiha Seiryu [205-207] (Patreon)

Chapter 205: Konohamaru is Targeted

"Hmph, since when do you get to speak here?" A glared dismissively at Takagi.

"I'm just stating the facts. Is the Raikage so overbearing that you won't even let people speak?" Takagi retorted.

Takagi knew well enough that compared to the other legitimate Kage, his own position as the Fifth Mizukage was shaky at best. If he were facing the Tsuchikage or even the Kazekage, he wouldn't be so bold.

However, with the tensions between the Southern Mist and the Northern Mist, who were openly supported by Kumogakure, there's no need for him to give A any face. Besides, they're on Konoha's turf—Hokage would definitely protect him.

Sure enough, A’s temper couldn't tolerate Takagi’s clowning. His steel-like muscles tensed, about to teach him a lesson, when Seiryu spoke up calmly from the side:

"Raikage, Mizukage, perhaps you could do me a favor and avoid arguing here. In a few days, the various lords from all nations will arrive to observe. If things get too heated, it won’t look good for anyone."

A glared coldly at Seiryu, snorted, then sat back down and started eating.

Soon, the first zone constriction began, and the scattered teams started running into each other.

Most participants kept their cool, leaving escape routes when encountering other teams. Of course, some teams stood out—like Shikamaru’s squad.

On the eastern edge of the survival area, Shikamaru used his Shadow Binding Jutsu to immobilize a three-man Mist team just as they tried to get into the zone. Ino assisted with mental interference, while Choji guarded the backs of his immobilized teammates.

This Mist team was locked down mere steps from safety for nearly a minute, until their bracelets triggered a summoning jutsu and their loot spilled to the ground. Only then did Shikamaru and Ino release their jutsu, and the three quickly gathered the supplies.

"These guys had a pretty good haul," Ino remarked, checking the loot. "We've barely scavenged a few places along the way—what we found wouldn't even feed Choji for one night. But now, we don’t need to worry."

"Under these rules, unless you’re as powerful as Sasuke’s team, time is the most important factor," Shikamaru explained. "If you linger outside the zone for even a second longer, your chances of getting ambushed go up."

"This team must be from Konoha’s famous Ino-Shika-Cho clans," Takagi commented. "Even though they’re only genin, their trap-setting and timing are flawless. Our own seasoned Mist chunin can’t compare. That’s the legacy of Konoha."

Despite his own team being eliminated by Shikamaru’s squad, Takagi didn’t mind, and even loudly praised them.

Not that this was surprising—he hadn’t expected much from his own village’s genin. The promising ones he’d left at home, not wanting them to come to the exam and risk Konoha cutting off their support.

A twitched at Takagi’s shamelessness. Even Onoki felt embarrassed to be the same rank as him.

As evening fell, the teams set up camp, and the VIPs retired for the night.

Back at his lodgings, A left a lightning clone behind, disguised himself, and slipped out to a restaurant in Konoha’s northwest corner.

After exchanging passcodes, he was led to a secret private room.

A waited a bit, then a slightly plump middle-aged man entered and bowed, "Raikage-sama."

"No need for formality," A nodded, getting straight to the point. "How’s the investigation?"

"Raikage-sama, we’ve been working on what you ordered, but the results aren’t promising," the man reported.

A frowned. "Explain."

"Since Uchiha Seiryu took over, the internal spy purge in Konoha has been much stricter than under Hiruzen Sarutobi. Many of our spies were caught by their police force. The rest went to ground, only resuming activity three months ago after your orders. Still, even after sacrificing several long-term agents, we’ve gained very little intel."

"You’ve done well. The village will never forget their sacrifice," A nodded. This was expected—Seiryu was much harder to deal with than the increasingly ineffective Sarutobi. "Give me all the intel you’ve gathered."

"Yes, sir." The Kumogakure spy began reporting.

"The Hyuga clan’s main family, including the head Hiashi Hyuga, has nine members. Their protection is usually tight, except for the heiress Hinata and the young clan head Neji. But Hinata is always accompanied by elite Uchiha jonin Shisui, so there’s no chance of taking her quickly. As for Neji..."

The spy looked pained. "That kid just graduated a year ago, but already fights like a jonin. He’s sharp as a hawk—many of our people fell to him. Even if we tried, he’d hold out until Konoha’s reinforcements arrived."

"If Hyuga is out, what about the Uzumaki?" A asked, having been eyeing Karin’s sealing techniques earlier.

"The Uzumaki..." The spy shook his head. "The clan head, Naruto Uzumaki, just graduated and there’s only a mother-daughter pair left. Still, it’s basically impossible to target them."

"Why?" A was puzzled.

"Naruto lives in the home of Kakashi Hatake, the Police Force Leader. As a jinchuriki, Naruto’s always had elite protection. Now, even though he rarely shows it, our agents believe he’s at least jonin-level based on his training traces."

"As for the other two, since there’s no Uzumaki clan compound in Konoha, they live in the old Senju area, right next door to Lady Tsunade herself."

A fell silent. Even he wouldn’t dare try to snatch someone under Tsunade’s nose.

"So, there’s no opportunity to target any of Konoha’s major bloodline clans?" A bit his lip. The last time, when they’d tried to kidnap a Hyuga, they had only succeeded because of lax security and a weak Hokage. Even then, the Hyuga had managed to cover it up with a branch family sacrifice.

Now, under Seiryu’s management, Konoha was solid as iron. Kumogakure had lost many spies and still found no opening.

As for the Uchiha, A didn’t even ask—there was no way their defenses would ever be weak.

"Well... not exactly," the spy said hesitantly.

A perked up. "Go on."

"While we haven’t found any chances with the major clans, there is a big opportunity with the Sarutobi heir."

"Sarutobi?" A’s eyes narrowed. While not a bloodline clan, the Sarutobi had high chakra affinity and produced many elite jonin.

So, if Hyuga and others were impossible, snatching a Sarutobi might be the next best thing.

"Explain."

"The Sarutobi heir, grandson of the Third Hokage, is still in the Academy. Every day after school, he goes to the Fire Daimyo’s palace to play, then returns to the Sarutobi compound in Konoha’s northeast. During this, he only has a single special jonin as a tutor and guard."

"Just one special jonin?" A’s eyes lit up. That’s much weaker than the protection around the other heirs.

He suspected a trap.

"We’ve checked repeatedly—he only has that one guard. The Sarutobi don’t protect their heirs as tightly."

A realized why: with all attention on the Hyuga and Uchiha, the Sarutobi were overlooked.

"Alright, make arrangements. As soon as the exam is over, we move," A decided.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Konohamaru was arguing with Yoshinori about whether using chakra-trained crickets counted as cheating, completely unaware that he’d become Kumogakure’s next target.

…

The next day, all the village leaders returned to the VIP box to watch the Chuunin Exam.

Sasuke and Kurotsuchi had finalized their alliance and chosen their advancing teams, contacting their comrades.

After getting the new zone info, Shikamaru’s team, who’d just set a new trap, received a message from a white snake.

"Sasuke’s message?" Shikamaru opened the scroll, read it, sighed, and told Ino and Choji, "Let’s go—Sasuke needs our help."

"Huh? Did Sasuke’s team run into trouble? If even they can’t handle it, what can we do?" Choji wondered.

"It’s not about strength. Sasuke wants to pull off something big this exam," Shikamaru replied.

Chapter 206: None of Them Are Good People

Soon, all squads with former Seven Stars Club members received Sasuke’s message and headed to the meeting point.

Since it was at the map’s center, Sasuke, Neji, and Naruto split up to help their teammates reach the spot safely.

Shikamaru and Hinata’s teams had no trouble, but Sakura’s team, perhaps seen as easy targets, was attacked by three teams on the way. Only the Mist team fled at the sight of Lee; the others fought them, wasting time.

Once Naruto arrived to help, those two teams quickly became delivery boys.

By afternoon, Konoha’s four genin squads had gathered, and Kurotsuchi had assembled three Iwagakure squads.

Seven squads total gathered at a central resource point.

"Here’s all our supplies," Kurotsuchi put two scrolls on the table.

"Ours are here," Sasuke added his team’s food pills and other survival gear.

"We’ll distribute as needed, right?" Kurotsuchi said.

"Of course," Sasuke nodded. Konoha’s teams were giving up more, but as allies, it didn’t matter much. They each kept their own weapons, though.

"Our seven squads can defend about a one-square-kilometer area. With the current zone shrinkage, the next safe zone will come by tomorrow morning," Sasuke explained. "We have to secure it immediately and keep everyone else out."

"Our strength isn’t an issue," Kurotsuchi smiled. "But what about the last two spots?"

"You find a decent Amegakure team nearby, we’ll find a Kirigakure team. Sound good?" Sasuke asked.

"Fine. Three hours, meet back here," Kurotsuchi agreed, leaving with her teams.

"Let’s move," Sasuke told the others.

"Are you sure they’ll stick to the alliance?" Shikamaru asked. "Iwagakure isn’t known for keeping promises."

"I’m not sure. But I don’t plan to let them take three spots anyway," Sasuke smirked.

"Isn’t that a bit much?" Naruto exclaimed. Didn’t you just share food happily a moment ago?

"What’s wrong with that? The fewer outsiders pass, the better for Konoha," Sasuke replied.

"You left coded messages on the way here, right?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes, using Konoha’s latest encryption. Someone should have seen them by now," Sakura said.

"Huh? You did something on the way?" Naruto was shocked—he hadn't noticed.

"You were probably just daydreaming about ramen," Karin sighed. "You’re lucky you graduated at all."

"So what now?" Naruto asked.

"We’ll split up. We three find a lucky Mist team. Shikamaru, contact any Konoha teams who got the signal and have them ambush the west side of the second safe zone tomorrow, then wait for my signal. You handle the details," Sasuke said.

"Got it," Shikamaru nodded, leaving with the others.

After Kurotsuchi’s group left, she turned to the two elite Iwagakure squads that had joined them.

"We left messages as you instructed, but isn’t this a bit much? Isn’t it backstabbing our allies?" one Iwa genin asked.

"You really trust that Uchiha kid?" Kurotsuchi shot back.

"Well... the Uchiha are known for their pride and strength," he hesitated.

"Uchiha’s reputation? I bet he’s already planning how to kick us out tomorrow," Kurotsuchi sneered.

Earlier, those three were the Hokage’s direct disciples. Besides the silly blond, the other two looked like trouble. Grandpa Onoki had warned me: be wary of the Hokage’s disciples—they’re as crafty as their teacher.

In the VIP box, hearing Kurotsuchi’s evaluation of Seiryu, most fell silent.

Only A laughed boisterously. "Hahaha, Onoki, your granddaughter really has it out for our Hokage-sama!"

"Heh, it’s my fault for spoiling her. Sorry if she offended the Hokage," Onoki bowed humbly.

"No need, Tsuchikage. Kids say the darndest things," Seiryu replied with a wry smile.

"Hey, Hokage, didn’t you hear? She was just repeating Onoki’s words," A kept stirring the pot.

"Raikage, you seem awfully free. Instead of worrying about us, maybe you should focus on your genin. If none of your teams make it to the finals, your daimyo will be pretty embarrassed."

"Hahaha, don’t worry about us," A laughed. "We’ll smash your little alliance with the thunder of Kumogakure!"

"Then let’s wait and see," Seiryu replied lightly.

In the exam field, Omoi’s team, after escaping Sasuke, began gathering remaining Cloud teams to mount a comeback.

By dusk, Sasuke’s group found a Mist team that had managed to sneak into the zone.

Sasuke had planned to show off his strength first, but when he revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan, the Mist trio surrendered instantly.

"Are you Lord Sasuke?" the Mist team leader threw down his weapon, emptied the loot from their scrolls, and raised his hands.

Sasuke was taken aback. "You know me?"

"Yes, we’re from the Mist border defense unit, under Lord Fugaku. Before coming, our jonin captain told us: if we meet you, don’t interfere, and follow your orders if needed."

"Looks like your dad’s really important in the Land of Water," Neji murmured.

Sasuke: ...

His father had been away for years, keeping in touch only by letter. He knew Fugaku was influential, but only now realized just how much.

The Mist genin were eager to curry favor, apparently even more loyal to Sasuke than to their own Mizukage.

Sasuke, a bit annoyed at not getting to prove himself, quickly adapted. "Do you three want to pass to the next round?"

The trio exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"If you did, I could—" Sasuke began, but was cut off.

"Our Mizukage instructed us to keep a low profile during the exam," the Mist leader explained.

"If I want you to make the third round?" Sasuke pressed.

"It’s easier if you just tell us what you want us to do," the Mist leader smiled ingratiatingly.

To them, Sasuke’s orders outranked the Mizukage’s. In the Southern Mist, everyone knew who really called the shots.

"Fine. Tomorrow, just act with us," Sasuke said.

"Understood!" the three replied.

Compared to this, Kurotsuchi had a harder time convincing a Rain team. They only trusted her after she gave them a valuable dagger.

That evening, Sasuke’s group and the Mist team met up with Shikamaru’s group.

"All set? How many people?" Sasuke asked.

"Seven teams responded, the strongest led by Sarutobi Yukinosuke, Neji’s classmate. Others are strong too. They’re ready to ambush after the new zone appears, attacking from two directions on your signal," Shikamaru reported.

"Good," Sasuke nodded. "Rest up—we’ve got a tough fight ahead. This could be a preview of the wars to come, so gather as much intel as possible while winning."

"Understood," everyone agreed.

Chapter 207: Infighting in Kumogakure

By morning, all surviving teams received the updated safe zone info.

The Konoha and Iwa teams met at the designated spot.

"If everything goes well, we’ll be the ones advancing, right?" Sasuke asked Kurotsuchi.

"If it goes well," Kurotsuchi smiled.

Meanwhile, at the safe zone edge, the seven remaining Kumogakure teams gathered.

"Based on intel, Konoha and Iwa’s strongest teams have allied," Omoi said, drawing a map with his stick. "They want to block us from the third round. The next safe zone won’t be easy for us."

"So what’s the plan?" asked a team leader from a white-skinned Kumogakure team.

"We must cooperate to break through," Omoi replied.

"We’re fine with that, but who leads?" the white genin asked.

"Omoi’s team is the strongest, so he should lead," a dark-skinned genin said.

At this, the three white-skinned teams’ faces changed. The earlier team leader refused. "If that’s the case, we’ll go it alone."

"Right, if you lead, who knows if you’ll set us up in battle," another added.

"Come on! This is about our village’s honor! Do you want the other villages to laugh at us?" a dark-skinned genin behind Omoi shouted.

"Hmph, don’t try to guilt us," the white leader retorted. "You people always give us the most dangerous jobs, then reap the rewards. Aren’t our lives worth anything?"

"I really don’t think that way! If you think you can do it, we’ll follow you!" Omoi protested.

"As if. When have you ever really listened to us?" the white genin scoffed.

"Wow, Kumogakure’s genin are fighting amongst themselves at a time like this?" Onoki laughed, watching the monitor.

Seiryu also watched with interest. Apparently, White Zetsu’s activities in the Land of Lightning had been more effective than expected, with racial divisions now openly splitting Kumogakure.

"Damn it, these guys are still playing games at a time like this!" A gritted his teeth.

Ever since that rapper Chris Brown corrupted Killer B, racial tensions had skyrocketed—white ninjas banding together and demanding a white Raikage. If A weren’t the undisputed strongest, they’d be plotting a coup by now.

He’d had to cede some power to keep the peace, but now, even during the Chuunin Exam, the white genin were playing the same game.

Omoi’s hastily assembled alliance quickly fell apart. When the new safe zone appeared, the black and white teams split up and went separate ways.

"Somewhat off, but the new safe zone is close to our prediction," Shikamaru said, checking his wristband. "All traps except 9, 13, 14, and 21 will work."

"Good. Let’s go. Conserve your strength during the fight—if any team’s too tough, it’s okay to let one or two teams through," Sasuke instructed.

"I’m ready for a big fight—right, Akamaru?" Kiba said, hyped.

"Woof!" Akamaru barked.

"Let’s have a youthful contest—see who beats the most enemies!" Lee cheered.

"That’ll be me!" Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Karin, you go with the recon squad. If you find enemy traces, let us know through Ino’s jutsu. Shino, Kiba, Sakura, Lee—you four and I will each guard six key points," Shikamaru laid out the plan. "Sasuke, Naruto, Neji, escort our ambush teams, then be ready to support."

"Sasuke-sama, what about us?" the three Mist genin asked nervously.

"You three guard trap four. If you run into anyone you can’t handle, you’re allowed to retreat," Sasuke said.

"Understood!"