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Kakashi wasn't alone. Following behind him were two figures—a man and a woman—who seemed to be bickering, ignoring each other as they walked.
Kurenai Yuhi and Sarutobi Asuma…
Well, speak of the devil.
Midorima quickly closed the door with his heel, then turned to face Zabuza and Mei, pondering how to break the news to them.
"What's wrong?" Mei asked, noticing the shift in Midorima's expression and immediately growing wary.
Zabuza, ever the direct one, pulled a suitcase from under the bed—inside lay his unwieldy, rarely carried ninjato.
"Wait—" Midorima hurriedly set the food on the table, stopping Mei and Zabuza. "Hold on. Don't act rashly."
"Then tell us what you saw," Mei pressed.
Midorima nodded.
He remembered that Kakashi's mission involved rescuing the Snow Country's princess, Yukie. As for Kurenai and Asuma, they hadn't appeared in the original story, so the only purpose Midorima could think of was that they were meant to distract the enemy.
Regardless, Konoha's presence in the Snow Country was likely tied to its ruler, Kazahana Sōsetsu. Meanwhile, Midorima's mission was to eliminate rogue ninja who had defected to Kazahana Dotō's side. This meant the two groups were almost certain to cross paths.
In such a situation, hiding Konoha's movements wouldn't do any good.
They still had some time before things escalated. But once they reached the battlefield, would they cooperate or fight each other?
They couldn't just hold an impromptu strategy meeting, could they?
"Konoha shinobi… are staying in this same inn."
"Hah?"
Mei thought Midorima was joking.
"Ahem… as ridiculous as it sounds, it's true." Midorima's expression was serious. "I saw the leaf insignia on their clothes just now."
In reality, the Konoha ninja had concealed their symbols, but he couldn't very well say he'd read about this in a manga, could he?
Zabuza immediately opened the suitcase and reached for his sword. In the next instant, Midorima was beside him, gripping his wrist.
"Let go!"
"I understand how you feel, but no war ends without both sides suffering losses… and they're no exception. Besides, we have more important things to focus on!" Midorima didn't release his hold.
Zabuza tightened his grip on the hilt, trying to stand, but Midorima stopped him again.
"If you really don't want the fighting to end, then keep going until only one person is left standing. But since a truce has been signed, we should abide by it—at least for now."
"So you're saying we might actually cooperate with Konoha in the future?" Zabuza sneered.
Midorima knew what Zabuza was thinking, but reality was often stranger than fiction.
Forget this mission—if they ever faced the Akatsuki or even Uchiha Madara, they'd have to ally with other villages.
"That depends on who the enemy is." Mei, more level-headed than Zabuza, saw further than most Kirigakure shinobi.
Though the hatred between Kiri and Konoha ran deep, a greater threat could shift that animosity toward a common foe.
"Tch."
Even Mei was saying this. Reluctantly, Zabuza released his sword, though his resentment toward Konoha remained.
After the tense discussion, none of them had much appetite. They picked at their food before lying down to rest, postponing their reconnaissance of the rogue ninja until the next day.
---
"This mission… might not be as simple as we thought." The silver-haired youth splashed water on his face, trying to clear his mind.
"Kakashi, do we have any intel on the enemy?" asked a short-haired boy.
"This place is too remote… all our information comes from the Snow Country's ruler, and even he doesn't know how many opponents there are." Kakashi shook his head.
"But if we don't even know who we're up against, isn't taking this mission reckless?" questioned the long-haired kunoichi.
"The Hokage has his reasons." Kakashi glanced at Kurenai and Asuma. "Stay alert—this inn might have some strong individuals."
"How do you know?" Asuma asked immediately.
"Earlier, when we passed through the hallway, a door opened. For a moment, I felt… uneasy." Kakashi frowned, trying to recall the person who'd opened it, but the memory eluded him.
"Maybe you're just tired from traveling. When I'm exhausted, everyone seems suspicious… Ow! Why'd you pinch me?" Asuma glared at Kurenai.
"Don't pass off your nonsense as logic." Kurenai planted a hand on her hip.
"It's not nonsense! I'm being serious!" Asuma protested, looking wounded.
Kakashi sighed and turned to the window.
'Was it just my imagination?'
'Hopefully.'
---
In a dimly lit underground chamber, a tall man studied a map spread across a table.
It was a blueprint of the royal palace—so detailed that even individual pillars were marked.
Of course, this palace didn't exist yet. But he was certain that soon, once he became the king of this land, he would erect this very structure in the Snow Country.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
He looked up as a shadowed figure descended.
The man had purple hair tied in a high ponytail, pale skin, and thin, arched eyebrows above sharp green eyes.
"Ah, Yukigakure's Snow. What is it?"
"Lord Dotō, Kazahana Sōsetsu isn't sitting idle. He's hired Konoha shinobi," Rōga reported with a smirk.
"You've located them?"
"Yes."
"Hmph. I knew he wouldn't go down without a fight. But I've waited too long for this day—a few Konoha ninja won't change anything. Once I obtain the treasure, no one will stand in my way."
"Our informants—no, rather, the rogue ninja from Kirigakure—have uncovered two more things."
"Oh?"
"The Konoha team is led by Hatake Kakashi. Some of the rogue ninja recognized him from the war against Kiri years ago. Additionally, there are Kirigakure shinobi staying at the same inn. One of them identified 'Demon of the Hidden Mist' Momochi Zabuza. They're likely here to hunt down the defectors." Hyōga grinned.
"Tch." Dotō's brow furrowed. "Will this be a problem?"
"Of course not. My lord, you must remember—two or three years ago, Konoha and Kiri were at war. Kiri suffered heavy losses, and even now, they're still enemies. We can kill them all, then pin the blame for the Kiri-nin's deaths on Konoha. We'll be the righteous party executing the 'murderers,' while Konoha and Kiri tear each other apart. Meanwhile, we remain untouched."
"What are the odds of success?" Dotō asked.
"Fifty percent. If it works, the rogue ninja will be even more loyal to you. If not, you can still arrest them for 'disturbing the peace.' After all, this is the Snow Country—not Konoha or Kiri."
"When should we strike?"
"The sooner, the better. If we wait, they'll regain their footing, and eliminating them will be far harder. Besides, with the Kiri-nin here, the rogue ninja won't be able to focus solely on Sōsetsu."
Dotō stroked his chin, deep in thought. Finally, he spoke:
"Then… tonight."