The main forces assigned to confront the Sand Shadow had already departed—some marching with Orochimaru to the battle in Kumogakure, others heading directly to Iwagakure. As for Uchiha Ran and Tsunade, before their mission to Iwagakure, they were dispatched on a detour to Kusagakure, under the direct orders of Hiruzen Sarutobi: give this fence-sitting village a lesson, one that would ensure they dared not interfere the next time Konoha clashed with Grass Village.
The Land of Grass, nestled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, was a small nation blanketed by vast, rolling plains. From a climatological perspective, it occupied the zone where desert gave way to forest—a fertile grassland born of transitional winds and soil.
Though small, Grass Country had survived for generations through wit and caution. Its ninja forces were tiny compared to the juggernauts of Fire and Earth—mere fractions in numbers—but they compensated with adaptability, clever counter-jutsu, and creatively enhanced techniques. Always on guard along the borders of two great powers, Kusagakure had learned the art of self-preservation, cultivating spies, intelligence networks, and careful diplomacy to safeguard its people.
Through the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha emerged victorious, tipping Kusagakure's allegiance slightly toward the Leaf Village. Yet the Grass Village maintained a polite, friendly relationship with Iwagakure as well—a dual allegiance quietly pursued by many of its leaders. In fact, intelligence now suggested that key figures in Kusagakure had swung their loyalty toward Iwagakure, planning to strike Konoha when the moment was critical.
Thus, Ran and Tsunade's mission was straightforward: a casual "lesson" for Kusagakure, with the option to escalate if needed, ensuring Grass Village would not interfere with Konoha's operations against Iwa.
Ran's mastery of space-time ninjutsu made travel effortless. Even as the main army marched, he and Tsunade arrived at the outskirts of Kusagakure in no time.
"So… we follow the plan, right?" Ran asked, scanning the village from a hilltop.
"No problem." Tsunade replied, her tone firm.
Before leaving Konoha, they had obtained a formal mission letter from Sarutobi, detailing Kusagakure's role: they were to dispatch troops to assist the Leaf forces in the upcoming coordinated assault on Iwagakure, set to occur in three days. To blend in, Ran and Tsunade had employed advanced disguise and transformation techniques, posing as two Leaf Chunin—perfectly normal given Konoha's current shortage of field operatives.
As expected, Kusagakure received them warmly, accepting the letter with grave respect. Officials promised to relay it to the Daimyo immediately. Eventually, Ran and Tsunade were escorted to a resort on the village outskirts—the kind designed for foreign emissaries and visiting delegations.
"Lord Daimyo, Konoha requests our cooperation against Iwagakure… what should we do?"
If Ran and Tsunade had still been there, they would have seen the same advisors who had greeted them warmly now frowning icily at the Daimyo. The leader, reading their expression, knew exactly where the advisors stood—and he shared their plan.
"Let the red-haired woman and her superior entertain them," he commanded with a sly smile. "Serve them plenty of wine, and eliminate them by nightfall. Notify Iwagakure as well—they'll appreciate the timing."
"Yes, my lord! And regarding that red-haired woman's special abilities—have you been briefed?"
"Indeed. A remarkable talent. I've sent my brother, Murata, to keep an eye on her. Such an ability must be preserved for Kusagakure's future generations!"
The council erupted in quiet, gleeful laughter.
Her name was Uzumaki Asuhina, an orphaned survivor of the Uzumaki clan, left wandering from country to country after the village's destruction. Over the years, she had grown into a stunning young woman of twenty—her long, vibrant red hair a signature feature. Kind-hearted and gentle, she had drifted through countless inns and shops, seeking to avoid the unwanted attentions of employers. Yet her beauty made it impossible to stay in one place for long.
Recently, though, Asuhina had been settling in, feeling she might finally remain in one country for a while. The Kusagakure resort was her temporary home, overseen by a corpulent middle-aged innkeeper and his sophisticated, formidable wife. Though the innkeeper occasionally cast glances her way, he feared his wife's sharp temper far more than he desired the girl.
One day, while serving tea, Asuhina had caught the innkeeper's lingering gaze. His wife, seeing it, had whipped him harshly. The pain had been severe, but Asuhina had felt a strange warmth—she understood that this strictness protected her. She could endure the punishment, knowing she was safe from unwanted advances.
Her unique ability only reinforced her resilience. When she was struck, she bit her hand, tasted her own blood, and watched as her wounds visibly healed before her eyes. Unbeknownst to her, she had been observed the day her injuries fully vanished—by none other than Murata, the usually stern steward of the inn.
From that day on, Murata's demeanor toward her softened. Though over thirty and unmarried, he quietly provided her scraps of food from the kitchen, ensuring she never went hungry. In her eyes, Murata was like a sun hidden behind clouds—stern in appearance but radiating warmth and kindness.
Now, Asuhina and several other attendants were tasked with hosting the visiting ninja from Konoha. Among the staff, Asuhina stood out effortlessly.
When she first saw the guests, her heart skipped a beat. One was a young man, about twenty, handsome with a radiant, sunny smile—Uchiha Ran. The other, a slightly younger blonde kunoichi, exuded an aura of mischievous energy—Tsunade in disguise.
Asuhina could only watch as Ran passed by, smiling politely in her direction, while the female ninja playfully pinched her companion's arm, clearly annoyed at something trivial.
"How… sweet. They're so close," Asuhina murmured, eyes following the pair as they walked away.
And all of this was observed silently by Murata, standing just out of sight.