Naruto: This Uchiha is too innocent.

"Investigate Amegakure?"

Early in the morning, the moment Uchiha Sora entered the Anbu base, a sudden mission caught him off guard.

"Hmm." Shinnosuke explained slowly, "Recently, Hanzo of Amegakure seems to have gotten involved in a battle with an unknown force, causing quite a stir. The higher-ups are planning to send us to investigate."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Sora seemed thoughtful. Aside from Nagato, he couldn't think of anyone else capable of fighting Hanzo. It seemed Danzo hadn't told Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Ten-Tails' eruption in Amegakure. Did he think it unnecessary? Or did he have other plans?

He believed it was the latter. Given Danzo's greedy nature, having witnessed the Rinnegan last time, he would definitely have designs on it. However, based on his prediction of the future, even if Danzo harbored ill intentions, he would ultimately end up with nothing.

What puzzled him was that Konoha was currently locked in fierce battles with Iwagakure and Sunagakure, while Kirigakure was also stirring up trouble behind the scenes. The situation was extremely tense. Why should he be distracted by investigating Amegakure at this critical juncture?

This question didn't linger in his mind for long, as Shinnosuke quickly provided the answer: "The power hidden in Amegakure is extremely dangerous. The Hokage is worried that this power might have a chain reaction on the current war situation."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Sora immediately understood. This was the so-called "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Even though Nagato currently harbors no hostility towards Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi is worried that Nagato might interfere at a crucial moment in the Third Shinobi World War, thereby altering the course of the entire war.

"I plan to send you and White Fox on this investigation mission," Shinnosuke said.

Generally, when carrying out investigative tasks, the fewer personnel the better, often only one or two people are dispatched, so as to maximize the concealment of their movements and avoid exposure.

Uchiha Sora shrugged and accepted the task. After all, he knew he had no right to refuse. Shinnosuke had summoned him not to ask for his opinion, but to issue a notification.

"Go back and prepare. We'll depart in half a day."

……

Inside the equipment room, Uchiha Sora was methodically organizing the ninja tools that might be needed for this mission.

The first thing he checked was the sword case. He carefully examined the Kusanagi, kunai, and shuriken inside, making sure each one was intact. As for the senbon, he wasn't used to using that weapon, so he hadn't prepared any.

At that moment, a figure wearing a fox mask quietly approached him, standing silently with his gaze fixed on Uchiha Sora, who was packing his equipment.

The icy aura emanating from her was extremely strong; even without turning around, Uchiha Sora could feel it. Without looking up, he continued inspecting the ninja tools, casually asking:

"Aren't you going to make some preparations? If the mission doesn't go well, we might have to stay in Amegakure for a while."

"Ready," Hinata Ame said calmly.

"So soon? Oh right, you only need to bring a few changes of clothes." After all, the Hyuga clan doesn't have the habit of using bladed weapons.

"By the way, once we arrive at Amegakure, follow my orders. Don't act on your own." Uchiha Sora seemed to have suddenly remembered something and instructed the person beside him.

Once Hyuga Ame makes a move, onlookers will immediately recognize that they are from Konoha. Given Danzo's recent actions of sowing discord, Hanzo of Amegakure likely harbors considerable hostility towards Konoha. If their identities are exposed, it will undoubtedly make this mission even more difficult.

Not long after,

"We can set off now." Uchiha Sora skillfully slung the sword case over his shoulder and stepped out of the equipment room.

"By the way, you should tell your family that you might not be able to return for a while after this mission, right?" he asked casually as he walked.

Hinata Yu:......

"Really? Aren't you afraid your family will worry?"

"I have no family." Hinata Ame said calmly, her expression indifferent, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

"I'm sorry." Uchiha expressed his apology crisply. He really hadn't expected that Hyuga Ame was an orphan.

Hinata Ame gently shook her head and said calmly, "It's not your fault."

After a brief exchange, the two tacitly made their way to a hidden door in Konoha and quietly left the village...

……

Amegakure Village was shrouded in a layer of perpetually dark clouds. Even in the afternoon, the sky remained terribly gloomy, and fine raindrops fell in a continuous drizzle, like an endless symphony.

People living here are used to this kind of weather. Regardless of age or gender, they always carry an umbrella or raincoat when they go out.

Although the weather was always gloomy and oppressive, the flames of the Third Shinobi World War had not spread here. Therefore, the people here not only did not complain about the gloomy weather, but were actually grateful to be able to live here.

Compared to the devastation of war outside, Amegakure was a veritable paradise.

However, this peaceful and tranquil atmosphere was recently shattered. An inexplicable tension began to spread through the village, and the smiles that had been on people's faces gradually disappeared, replaced by worried expressions.

Taverns have always been lively places where people relax, have fun, and exchange information.

The tavern was still packed, with patrons sitting together, eating peanuts and chatting about everything under the sun. Someone shared a funny story about how someone was caught peeping at the women's bathhouse and made a hasty escape, which drew laughter from the crowd.

"I'm not bragging, but I'm a seven-times-a-night man!" A drunkard with a flushed face and blurry eyes shouted, his neck outstretched and his feet on the table.

"Tch, Little Six, stop bragging. All those shameful things you've done have been widely circulated. Everyone here knows you're 'incompetent'," someone couldn't help but tease. As soon as he finished speaking, the tavern erupted in laughter.

"You, you're talking nonsense! Who the hell said I can't stand up?!" The drunkard, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly flew into a rage, straightened up, and shouted back loudly with a flushed face.

"I can't stand up right now because I'm scared! You guys could stand up if you saw a monster, I'd believe you!"

Upon hearing this, someone scoffed, "Alright, Xiao Liu, you insist there's a monster over at Huangtupo, but the question is, how come you're the only one who's seen it?"

"It's true! That monster was bigger than a house, it crawled straight out of the ground, it was even more terrifying than Lord Hanzo's salamander, I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Haha, you're not referring to the monster that Lord Hanzo encountered back then, are you? Lord Hanzo has already said that the monster that caused the ninjas' deaths has been killed by him."

"Who knows! Maybe another monster has appeared. I suspect that the recent mysterious deaths of ninjas are caused by this monster."

A moment of silence fell over the tavern after these words were spoken.

"Little Six, watch your words."

The drunkard was startled, realizing he had said something he shouldn't have, and the alcohol wore off. He sat down silently.

In a corner, a pair of travelers exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying all their unspoken words.

"We've found a lead."