After resting for two days, Yōkō left Konoha with the Flower Deer Squad.
They found a spot by a spring to rest. Flower Deer diligently brought Yōkō a pot of clear, cool spring water.
Yōkō took the water pot and said with a smile, "What's this, Flower Deer? Do you also want to advance?"
"Captain, who doesn't want to advance? Drink slowly, Captain. There's more when you finish."
"Why have you suddenly become a bit slick-tongued?" Yōkō said.
"When we were Chūnin and Genin, we lived every day cautiously. Flower Deer, it seems you think you have Jōnin-level strength now, and have started pondering how to butter people up. Has it been too long since you faced a powerful enemy? Are you too relaxed? When we get to the Land of Rain, you go assassinate Hanzo. Let you revisit the feeling of fear and find your footing as an Anbu ninja again. Save you from losing the fine tradition of Anbu caution and ruthlessness."
"No!" Flower Deer said. "I just want to become a Jōnin like White Ram, I don't want to die! Sending me to assassinate Hanzo... Anbu intelligence says Hanzo has top-tier Body Flicker Technique in the ninja world. I wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of his clothes."
White Ram becoming a Jōnin squad leader in the Anbu meant his status was significantly different.
The Black Ant Squad and the Golden Eagle Squad both had Jōnin squad leaders.
Jōnin squad leaders not only enjoyed Jōnin benefits, such as a private office and a dedicated assistant, but could also be considered deputy squad leaders.
Not only Flower Deer, but even Hippo and Yak were envious and eager to become Jōnin.
Yōkō said to Flower Deer, "Jōnin isn't just a status; it requires sufficient strength. Otherwise, making you a Jōnin would be harming you."
Yōkō thought of those mediocre Jōnin from the Shimura and Sarutobi clans – pure examples of harming others and themselves.
After drinking the water, the group continued on their way.
It took eleven days to travel from Konoha Village to the Land of Rain border where Orochimaru was stationed.
While passing through the Land of Rivers, Yōkō stopped and looked in the direction of the Land of Rivers' capital.
He was standing upstream of the Yoshimizu River. Following the river downstream would lead to the Land of Rivers' capital.
I wonder how Koishi Chisa is doing after the war? Has she built a few more hydroelectric power plants?
Seeing Captain Fox momentarily lost in thought, Flower Deer asked, "Captain, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Let's keep moving. Try to reach our destination tomorrow night."
Upon entering the Land of Rain basin, the sun was no longer visible.
The sky was filled with uneven layers of dark clouds, threatening to drizzle at any moment.
The Flower Deer Squad found the secret signals and arrived at a certain location in the rainforest.
Orochimaru, Lynx, and Ki had detected the approaching Anbu group early on.
"It's Fox. I should have guessed," Orochimaru said. "Fox has clearly become the Anbu's top fighter."
The Lynx squad leader nearby didn't object.
Fox was Yellow Dog's top confidant and also the most capable squad leader under his command.
Among the four squad leaders: Black Ant was a Nara ninja, primarily tasked by the Hokage to analyze problems. Golden Eagle was a Hyūga ninja, responsible for important defense duties. Lynx was formerly Danzo's person; although now primarily focused on Anbu missions, if Danzo needed something, he would prioritize contacting Lynx. That left Fox, who was not only strong but also loyal to Yellow Dog.
Yōkō landed nearby, glanced at the three, and said:
"Lord Orochimaru, by the Hokage's order, I am here to replace you and continue the investigation into the Uzumaki remnants. The Hokage said you may return to the village to complete more important matters."
Orochimaru nodded: "My presence in the Land of Rain is too conspicuous; Hanzo can't sleep soundly. If he knows you, he should also lose sleep over your arrival. You take command of the Uzumaki remnants investigation. I have no objections."
Orochimaru didn't waste time and left with his subordinates.
Orochimaru's two subordinates were recruited when he served as deputy war commander.
Hatake Sakumo could offer little to his subordinates, but Orochimaru could offer much more. Around Orochimaru was a group of loyal followers, including four Jōnin.
Yōkō watched Orochimaru's back disappear, thinking, Orochimaru is researching Hashirama Cells, and I have ideas about them too. I have mid-to-high level Senju of the Forest and Uzumaki clan bloodlines. If I could obtain Wood Release, I might be able to leap over the threshold to Kage-level ninja.
Yōkō looked at Lynx and Ki and asked, "Where does the investigation stand now? What do I need to do next?"
Ki signaled for Fox to follow him.
Ki led him to a wooden shed where four Root newcomers were interrogating for information.
These four were all Full members of Root who had earned codenames.
Yōkō glanced and said, "Ki, can't we extract information from corpses? Isn't interrogation too slow?"
The prisoners were in a sorry state, with severed limbs scattered on the ground.
Yōkō suggested killing them. Wouldn't that make me a merciful King of Hell?
Ki said, "I'd like to use secret techniques, but these three were scared stupid by Lord Orochimaru's genjutsu; their brains are damaged. Traditional interrogation and guidance are more useful than directly reading information from their minds."
So that was it.
Yōkō asked, "Then how is the information gathering going?"
"There's a small town 2 kilometers south of here. These captives are from that town. Uzumaki remnants were seen there," Ki said. "Some people witnessed red-haired individuals entering the town to buy food. These captives are the owners and employees of various food shops in the town. I estimate the main force of the Uzumaki remnants was hiding outside the town at the time. The trail goes cold here; the Uzumaki remnants haven't shown themselves again."
This was the northeast part of the Land of Rain. The deep rainforest where the Uzumaki clan was hiding was in the southwest, very far away.
Yōkō said, "West of the Land of Rain is the Land of Bears. Can we rule out the possibility that the Uzumaki remnants fled to the Land of Bears?"
"We can rule it out," Ki said. "Squad Leader Lynx just returned from the Land of Bears. No traces of red-haired Uzumaki remnants were found there."
Yōkō thought for a moment and said, "Then let's use the nearby town as the center point and search the surrounding area for other clues in squad units. The 5 Root members count as one squad. Squad Leader Lynx brought two squads. I brought one squad. Search separately. We can't just wait for the interrogation of three bakery owners scared into idiots by genjutsu."
"Alright!" Ki added, "Amegakure has discovered us. What should we do if we encounter Rain ninja?"
"Encounter Rain ninja? Then flee. No need to clash with them."
Yōkō had no desire to fight Hanzo; he had already died once by Hanzo's hand.
After the discussion, the four squads separated.
Without the torture of interrogation, the three bakery owners slowly died inside the wooden shed.
For a full week, Yōkō had his squad searching aimlessly for clues in the vicinity.
Heavy rain poured down, and there were almost no leads.
After the Flower Deer Squad left, Yōkō summoned Hakuji.
He used Hakuji to contact Yuka.
Yuka had previously kept an eye on Uzumaki Nagato and knew his general location.
Later, following Fox's advice, she stopped contacting Nagato.
After obtaining Nagato's approximate location, Yōkō thought, Root, Lynx Squad, you want to find the Uzumaki clan, right? I'll take you to meet Uzumaki Nagato. Isn't Uzumaki Nagato considered an Uzumaki remnant? Now let's see your capabilities. Let's see if you can take Nagato away under the dual watch of Uchiha Madara and Jiraiya.
***
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(End of Chapter)