Chapter 80: Espionage Activities
Tap, tap!
Just then, the specialized radio in his ear transmitted a series of long and short signals with varying rhythms.
"Danzou's subordinates really can't stay still!" Deciphering the code, Tonbo Tobitake understood the situation back at the base. He shook his head helplessly. Old man, don't you dare ruin my mission!
Completing this mission would net him at least ten million Ryo—a third of the bounty on Chiriku's head. His base annual salary was only six million, so this was a significant payday. Researching certain ninjutsu required financial backing, after all.
Of course, the most important thing was avoiding discovery by Nagato and the others. That would lead to total failure—like throwing an egg against a rock. He didn't know exactly what Enkui and Murakumo had done, but he decided to be more cautious and pay closer attention to any movements.
Rat-Rat-Tiger-Tiger-Snake—
Tonbo's body slowly merged into the earth, moving rapidly back toward the team.
Outside the borders of the Land of Rain.
Several teams of ninjas wearing black cloaks appeared, gazing toward the Land of Rain. One ninja was weaving signs to perform a technique while the others stood guard around him.
"Intel is coming in."
In the distance, several black rats scurried out from the ground.
Squeak, squeak!
They opened a blank scroll and injected chakra into it. The rats seemed to find their direction, scurrying onto the scroll and entering it. Their bodies slowly dissolved into ink, forming text on the blank surface.
"It looks like we finally have results. Send word back to Konoha and report to Lord Danzou."
The lead ninja scanned the intel on the scroll, rolled it up, and summoned a messenger hawk, tying the scroll to its leg.
Flap, flap!
Screech!
The messenger hawk beat its wings and soared high, heading toward Konoha.
"Captain Tonbo, you weren't spotted, were you?" Enkui asked the moment Tonbo emerged from the tunnel wall.
Tonbo nodded. "After half a month, we finally have progress. I've discovered the principle behind the Hidden Rain's sensory ninjutsu. Next, we crack the technique and find a way to infiltrate their internal institutions to gather core intelligence."
Murakumo was stunned. Tonbo had identified the enemy's jutsu principle so quickly. During this time, they had only just confirmed that the enemy's perception relied on the falling rain and were still trying to figure out how to bypass it.
Who exactly was the assassination expert here?
But this was for the better. Their goal was the Rinnegan; the more capable Tonbo was, the more advantageous it was for them.
"For now, we will remain quiet for a while until we find a way to shield ourselves. Otherwise, we'll be discovered eventually."
Humans cannot stay in underground caves forever; beyond air issues, there were food and psychological factors that affected even the best-trained ninjas. Once they caused too much commotion in the Rain, intelligence work would become even harder.
The other three nodded in agreement.
While they were working on cracking the jutsu, back in Konoha:
Danzou received the report from the Tobitake Intelligence Squad. Seeing the information, a smile touched his lips.
"So that's it. To maintain a ninjutsu of such scale... the Rinnegan truly is worthy of being the eyes of the Sage of the Six Paths!"
The report contained the details of the Rain's sensory ninjutsu. Having obtained the method, Danzou was confident he could crack it within half a month and dispatch more men into the village. He hadn't expected the Rain Village to hide a jutsu within the perpetual rainfall. A continuous, wide-range technique like that consumed a massive amount of chakra, which was why he hadn't considered it before.
"Someone, come here. Order the research team to use this intel to develop a countermeasure within fifteen days," Danzou commanded.
Five days passed.
Tonbo finished his research and gave orders to the three. They were to set traps in place and be ready to provide support at any time.
"Wait, Captain, aren't you going to teach us?" Enkui and Murakumo realized Tonbo had likely found a solution.
Mibu Shinobu also looked at him. He hadn't yet formulated a countermeasure within his own ninjutsu system based on the principles they'd found. A teacher was truly a teacher; in just a few days, Tonbo had solved it.
"This involves a secret technique; you wouldn't be able to do it. Stay hidden, stay ready for my signal, and be prepared to provide backup," Tonbo said. Then, he merged into the wall and vanished.
The two could only watch him go. Secret techniques weren't something easily learned. However, as assassination specialists, Enkui and Murakumo had their own ways. They exchanged a look and once again performed their trick to transmit the intelligence outward.
Hidden Rain Village.
A Rain Chunin named Hayakawa felt a sudden chill after finishing his daily training, as if an invisible pair of eyes was watching him.
"The weather is too cold. It hasn't been sunny for so many days. I really envy the environment in the Land of Fire!" Hayakawa grumbled.
He tightened his raincoat, looking up at the dark clouds and the rain that hadn't stopped for half a month. He longed for the Land of Fire—a place of flowers, birds, and four distinct seasons with bright sunshine. Compared to the Rain, which only saw the sun for a few dozen days a year, it was heaven.
But envy aside, he was satisfied. Ever since "God" and Lady Angel appeared, the Land of Rain had enjoyed years of peace and a better standard of living. He hurried through the drizzle and returned home. Only after turning on the heater did the chill leave his bones.
Looking at the heating pipes, Hayakawa's eyes were full of reverence. It was under Lady Angel's administration that the people's lives had improved. In the past, they could only rely on their physical constitution to handle the overwhelming dampness. But since Hanzo was defeated by God, the Rain had seen its "spring." Firewood and heating, once luxuries for nobles, were now available to commoners.
"God is truly great."
In his field of vision, a figure stood there as if they didn't exist. Hayakawa looked right through him. Even when walking past, he didn't see a thing.
The figure was Tonbo Tobitake.
Genjutsu: Presence Concealment. During the execution of this technique, any person who sees the caster without being on guard will subconsciously ignore everything about them—visuals, sound, smell, and touch.
This is the divine skill Jiraiya dreamed of; it's perfect for espionage.
This was one of Tonbo's proudest five-sense Genjutsus. Though it had major drawbacks, it was incredibly practical. Against a Chunin like Hayakawa, it was effectively god-tier. Tonbo was only being this bold because Hayakawa was about to "die" at his hands anyway—he was always a very cautious man. Who knew if someone had a special constitution and was naturally immune to his illusions?
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