Chapter 82: North East

Shikaku had delivered the report about the casualties from the troops as a result of the assault on Iwa. Riku’s pragmatic sides found them good. Thirty percent of Konoha’s forces were injured, ten percent dead. The former number was unconsequential. Every shinobi and kunoichi will be healed back to full health. It didn’t matter if they lost an organ, a limb, an eye or had been disfigured. Karin’s healing tag will do the job perfectly. As long as a patient has a single breath in them, they will be back on their feet. Brand as new. It would take time however. The numbers of healing tags infused with her chakra were limited and some cases would require more than a few. That was why Riku ordered triage to be made. The most injured ones would be kept in stasis and stored inside a seal until the end of the war. Unless they were a strong shinobi like a jonin. In that case they took priority. Otherwise it was the lightly wounded who received treatment first so they could go back to fight.

After seeing his daughters one last time, Riku kissed Hinata goodbye. His want to stay in her arms forever was stomped down heavily. He couldn’t stay. Taking his Botib with him, he left for the Intelligence building. There he went to the basement and took the teleporting seal to arrive in the Alliance’s main Headquarters at the border with the Land of Iron and the Land of Sound.

His arrival had been scheduled and he landed exactly on time. The identity check had been thorough, more thorough than he expected. It followed the protocols he had established but there was more. A new seal that he didn’t recognize but knew it was Karin’s work.

Choosing not to say anything, he was guided to the command room, where he met with Mei, Temari and Aburame Chibi. The whole place was in effervescence. Everyone was active one way or another. Riku noticed multiple groups separated and working on different things. Some for security, checking a birdview map of the fortress, the immediate surroundings and some were on the phone communicating.

“Riku.” The auburn haired Mizukage welcomed him with no more words.

“Mei, Temari, Chibi-san. What news-”

Temari cut him off on the spot “Is Iwa done for?”

A nod of confirmation was all the answers Riku gave on the subject. He didn’t want to talk about it particularly. It seemed to satisfy the young Kazekage. Mei didn’t say anything, knowing perfectly well the hatred of the young woman for Iwagakure. When Suna was at its lowest Onoki had decided to finish the job. Sound tactic in her opinion but in return Temari’s feelings were understandable. Chibi for his part was silent as ever. The man only talked when it was necessary. At least, as far as Riku knew and that was during a professional setting.

“I noticed a new security seal in the teleportation room and I also didn’t miss the same seals being used for the surveillance of the camp.” He pointed with his chin at the huge chakra map at the other end of the room.

Mei turned to Chibi who gave an explanation. “A day after our retreat here, sabotage was discovered. It was subtle at first. Food spoiled, weapons unusables, medicines past their use. We thought at first it was the facts of war and it didn’t seem a result of any wrongdoing. But when Uzumaki Naruto and Uzumaki Karin arrived yesterday they found enemy members amongst our troops. Disguised as our own and that we couldn’t detect conventionally. Why? Because they had the same appearance and worse, the same chakra signature as the people they replaced.”

“How did they find out?” Riku inquired, curious and worried.

This time it was Mei who gave him the information. “Kyubi’s ability. Its jinchuriki is able to sense the negative emotions of the people. Karin immediately caught one sabotager with her chains. It turned out that it was a White Zetsu.”

Riku didn’t miss the crucial information in the last part “ ‘A’?”. He knew Zetsu was a being half white and half black with each part having its own personality. If the white part had actually a full body and it existed multiple of it, it created some serious trouble just from the unknown of its abilities and existence.

Nodding, Mei explained further. “A, yes. From Karin’s autopsy of it, it’s an artificial being, created partly from the cell of Senju Hashirama.”

The eyebrows of the Rokudaime Hokage lowered and settled into a deep frown. “That’s not good. It means that on top of their infiltration abilities they may be able to use the Mokuton.”

“Karin thought of that too.” replied Temari. “She quickly came up with a seal to identify them. I’m not too sure how it works but it checks for the shodaime Hokage’s cells in people. It didn’t take long to clean the base once she put the seal in place. There were eight enemy agents among us.”

“Any new captives?”

“Plenty.” Mei said. “Orochimaru and Obito use the undead they raised to raid villages and kidnap people to use them to bring back more Shinobis. The most notable names are the late Yondaime Raikage and Yondaime Kazekage.”

Temari’s scowl wasn’t missed by Riku at the mention of her father but she said nothing about it.

Mei continued her reports. “With what is left of Kumo’s forces present, I elected to release the Raikage. He agreed to fight with us as revenge for the fall of his village.”

“Does he realize he brought him on himself?”

“He denied it at first but his successor, a man by the name of Darui, told him in no uncertain terms that his lust to be the best led to their village's downfall. That quelled the man but just a bit.” Her thumb and forefinger had a very small space between them. “We had sightings of other kages but also the previous jinchuriki.”

“So far they are deep into the Land of Iron.” Temari spoke up then and pointed at the peninsula of the country. “We believe their headquarters are there. Konoha Team 7 went to investigate with Team Kakashi yesterday. Their last communication was last night to say they were around here.” This time she indicated a point roughly fifty kilometers away from the supposed location of the enemy base. “They said they were cutting all contact in case the enemy intercepted the communications.”

Riku did a double take when he heard that. “It’s….” He wanted to say it was impossible. The communications were being done through hiraishin. It couldn’t be intercepted by the enemy’s means. Neither Obito and Orochimaru were good enough in fuinjutsu to succeed in such a feat. If they did, the Alliance would be in a far worse position than it was.

It only meant one thing in Riku’s mind and both Mei and Temari noticed the look of recognition and panic in his eyes.

“Yes. They brought back a few Uzumakis.” Temari announced bluntly.

Mei chimed in, not letting Riku take a breath. “We haven’t seen any but from Karin and Kushina’s study of the seals applied on the undead, it’s of Uzumaki origin. From a master in fuinjutsu no less.” She let that sink in. “Thankfully, they both were able to counter the counter seals regarding the paralysis and the obedience. So we’re good in that regard but still vigilant. Already the new tags are being distributed to the capture teams.”

“Good. It could be worse in truth. Whoever this master is, they’re no fighter or they would wreck havoc on the field. They also don't seem to be adapted in the space-time branch of the art. Which means we still have an advantage in the way of the Time Seal and the hiraishin.”

Chibi interjected then. “The question is: for how long? Why? Because we don't know if there is only one master on their side. They could be more working on reproducing the hiraishin and they do not tire nor need rest.”

“That is true.” Riku agreed. Looking at the map up in the air, Riku thought for a moment. He bit his bottom lip then let out a sigh. “I’ll go.” Read complete versıon only at novel⦿fire.net

The three commanders at the table looked at him in confusion.

“Go? Go where?” Temari asked.

“Hokage-sama, I hope you’re not talking about infiltrating the enemy base alone? Why? Because it would be suicide.”

Mei also had something to say. “In normal times, I would agree with Chibi-san but if there are more than one seal master on the other side then we need to verify and deal with it as fast as possible and you’re perhaps the only shinobi in the alliance capable of that.”

Riku bit his thumb hard enough to draw blood. Making the correct hand seals sequence, he put his hand on the table. The expected seals spread from his palm and a small Katsuyu was summoned into a puff of smoke..

Riku gave a pleased and happy smile at the little slug. “Hello Katasyu-chan.”

“Hello, Ri-kun.” the little slug greeted back. “What do you need me for?”

“Could you divide in two please? Our ways to communicate may have been compromised by the enemy.”

“Certainly.” The words barely left her mouth that she separated into two smaller versions of her.

Rilu looked at the people around the table to explain things, while picking up one Katsuyu and putting it on his shoulder.

“Katsuyu-chan can communicate instantly with other parts of herself. It’s a psychic link I think.” That was his best guest as he never really knew how it worked. Riku never really delved into it deeply either. “I’ll stay in touch.”

Neither Mei nor Temari reacted to having a small slug on the table. Riku wasn’t surprised by it. Both women were Kunoichi of high caliber, even if Temari was a bit lacking in strength to really be considered a Kage in her own right. An unsightly animal like Katsuyu wouldn’t repulse them.

After all there were the scorpions, the snakes and the blood worms in Suna and the Land of Water was very humid; a paradise for all kinds of insects. Which was also why neither lady had any problem with Chibi at their side.

“Good luck.” Mei shot his way while he walked out of the room.

On his way outside the main building, every shinobi he came across saluted him with a nod. It didn’t matter if the ninja were from Konoha or not. Suna and Kiri gave him a curt nod most of the time. Sometimes a simple ‘Hokage-sama’ passed their lips. Riku was sure that were he not wearing the hat he wouldn’t get such recognition. Except for leaf-nins, very few shinobi knew what he looked like. That was why he was wearing it in the first place. To avoid potential bullshit. The possibility that an old veteran would accost him and give him some order because he looked young was not off the table and Riku absolutely didn’t want to deal with that kind of thing.

“Hey! Kid!”

Riku, who was close to the entrance of the building saw Jiraiya waving at him from the side. He was coming up from the basement, ‘probably the teleportation room’, Riku thought. Behind him were his former students from Ame. That surprised him, the group wasn’t supposed to arrive yet.

“Jiraiya.” He called back as he diverted from the entrance to the toad sage. “I thought you’d stay at the border with Ame a bit more.”

“The kids wanted in on the fun.” Jiraiya grinned.

It was clearly a lie as Konan’s tone turned authoritative and cold. “Sensei.”

“Now you’ve done it, sensei.” Yahiko chuckled.

Quickly the toad sage raised his hand in surrender to immediately avoid a paper kunai lodged inside his body somewhere.

“The Mizukage and Kazekage are on the last floor. They are coordinating the troops. Movements and placement.” Riku cut to the chase.

“What about you?” Nagato inquired. “Aren’t you participating too?”

“I am but on the field. We find out that the enemy has at least one seal master.”

“Hm.” Jiraiya turned serious. He understood right away the implication of Riku’s words and those he didn’t say. “Need help with that?”

Riku thought about it for a moment. Jiraiya was a master infiltrator and the invisible jutsu he created would be nothing but a boon for what Riku was about to do.

“I might.”

Jiraiya nodded and turned to his former students. “See you when I get back.” He smiled assuredly with a thumbs up.

The three ame-nin turned to Riku.

“Please make sure he dies.” Konan said.

Jiraiya did a double take “What?!”

“Konan-chan! You can’t say that about sensei!” Yahiko protested.

“He’s the enemy of all women!”

“Hey! Hey! Hey! I’m Jiraiya the Gallant! With a capital ‘G’. I’m women’s idol!” The toad sage still kept on with his delusions.

Nagato gave the old man the coup de gras .“He tried to peek at Konoan while she was taking a shower the other day.”

“Hokage-sama, it’s alright if sensei dies.” Yahika’s smile didn’t reach his eyes while Jiraiya was already dodging paper shuriken Konan was throwing his way.

“I’ll do my best.” Riku and had a handshake with the ginger haired man. As if a pact was being made.

“HEY!”

“That’s what you get for trying to get into my mother’s pants.” Riku replied coldly. “Now let’s go.”

He grabbed Jiraiya and dragged him away outside. They had quite the distance to go across and the less time they wasted the better.