After being escorted to the inn by the Konoha Ninja, Amane couldn't wait to go out and look around.
However, the moment she put down her luggage, her companions, including the team's Jonin Kusama, all turned to look at her in unison, as if awaiting instructions.
Amane felt utterly speechless inside.
[No wonder Snake Aunt treats them as cannon fodder...]
Originally, she had quite high hopes for Six Paths... Dosu. Judging by his performance so far, he at least acted with enough steadiness. But ever since arriving in Konoha, even he would occasionally glance her way.
Did they not realize how big of a tell that was?
"Just act normally. Right now, I'm just an ordinary Genin from the Sound Village here to take the Chunin Exams. Remember that, and do what you would normally do."
This was also the most fundamental method of being a spy. It wasn't about being constantly vigilant or on guard against everyone. You just needed to act normally, do your work, and immerse yourself completely in your role. Ultimately, you just had to be clear in your own mind about your true identity and your mission objectives.
But this group of teammates who followed her clearly lacked this level of understanding.
Even though Amane put it so bluntly, Jonin Kusama only acknowledged with a sound. After that, whenever Amane spoke, whether it was casual pleasantries or reasonable suggestions, they would still unconsciously cast serious looks her way.
Forget it, let it be.
The teammates' obviously different attitude towards her wouldn't have much impact on the plan itself. After all, for her identity, just appearing before the Konoha Ninja was sufficient.
[I wonder how Kakashi reported to the Third Hokage. I need to do a little preliminary investigation before the exams officially begin.]
Of course, Amane also admitted she was full of anticipation for casually exploring Konoha Village.
Places like Ichiraku Ramen, the Ninja Academy—these were must-visit spots for any transmigrator, right?
After leaving the inn, Amane saw vendors lining the streets everywhere. The goods for sale ranged from specialty souvenirs to all kinds of unique local foods.
Although the prices were certainly much higher than usual, it was indeed convenient for shopping.
Amane bought a map. After all, while the Kagura Mind's Eye could sense Chakra, it couldn't display topography.
There was still a day left before the Chunin Exams officially began, which was more than enough time for Amane to handle her business while sightseeing.
It had to be said that Konoha was truly prosperous. Even compared to the standards of her previous life, aside from lacking many modern amenities, it basically had everything one could need.
Amane strolled along leisurely; there was plenty of time. She bought anything novel and interesting she came across and didn't hesitate to try the local snacks, fully embodying the role of a tourist fascinated by a foreign land.
Then, slowly, Amane closed her eyes.
[Time to send Kakashi a signal.]
Kagura Mind's Eye!
Instantly, in the darkened world, countless points of Chakra lit up densely. In just a moment, Amane locked onto the locations of Team 7 and Kakashi, then hurriedly deactivated the Kagura Mind's Eye.
[Hmm, as expected, targeted probing of an individual is extremely easy to detect.]
It was like looking at someone with the naked eye. The feeling you give when staring intently versus looking unconsciously is completely different.
The former causes a physical reaction in the person, while the latter's stimulus is obviously much weaker, naturally not arousing their awareness.
This was a small trick among Sensing Ninja.
Of course, easier said than done. Thinking back now, Amane had just noticed that around Kakashi, there were about five powerful Chakra signatures.
When your sensing sweeps over, could you really resist curiously lingering a bit longer?
Anyway, the signal had been sent now. She would just go meet Naruto directly. Presumably, Kakashi would come find her.
It had been over a week since they last met. She wondered how Naruto and Kurama were getting along?
A smile of anticipation appeared on her face.
As everyone knew, Naruto was very lonely.
If he learned that a Tailed Beast with intelligence, yet essentially a victim, was residing within him, even if this Nine-Tails was constantly trying to break free and take his life for its own freedom, what would Naruto do?
Back in the Sealing Space, Amane had laid out the true situation of the Tailed Beasts, precisely because she firmly believed in Naruto's almost "Tailed Beast Siren" level of affinity and his uniquely persuasive "Talk-no-jutsu."
That's why she had told Naruto the method to enter and exit the Sealing Space.
After all, the so-called perfect Jinchuriki—the simplest yet also the hardest, right?
She wondered if Kurama was utterly annoyed by Naruto now, or if some bonds had begun to form?
Lost in her thoughts, Amane followed the map towards Naruto's direction.
Right at that moment, while walking, Amane suddenly tensed up, then spun around into a combat stance.
[An illusion? Impossible, someone was definitely watching me just now!]
For her to instinctively react like that, the other party must be at her current normal level or above!
Amane scanned the street behind her; pedestrians came and went as usual. She relaxed her body but kept her guard up, continuing towards her destination.
Simultaneously, using the shadows for cover, she quietly created several Shadow Clones to covertly monitor the area behind her.
[Oh my! It seems Kakashi was right, this kid is really strong now. Both combat and counter-reconnaissance awareness can be described as fully capable of standing on her own.]
[And then, if what this kid says is true... the Sound Village? If I approach her recklessly now, it might put her in danger. Let me go investigate first.]
From an inconspicuous crack in a wall along the street, a small frog silently hopped away, disappearing into the distance.
But this little creature failed to notice that an extremely faint breeze had already brushed over its body.
[That frog...]
It left no trace of Chakra in her perception, and its hopping speed and distance showed no flaws.
However, the moment it left, that prickling sensation of being watched disappeared.
[Starting off with a heavyweight character, huh.]
Amane clearly remembered from the original work that before the Chunin Exams, Kakashi and Jiraiya indeed had a conversation about the "Akatsuki" organization and entrusting Naruto.
Combined with her previous contact with Kakashi in the Land of Waves, Jiraiya had ample reason to come personally.
[He chose not to make contact with me. Could it be he went to investigate the Sound Village first?]
If that were the case, Amane would applaud.
If he could uncover Orochimaru, even if the credit didn't fall on her, at least the credibility of any future intelligence she provided would increase significantly.
And Amane had a lot of "truth" in her hands. Even if the Third Hokage was truly dark... what about Kakashi? What about Jiraiya?
And... what about Sasuke?
The seeds she had carefully sown and nurtured had finally reached the point of their first bloom. As for what kind of fruit they would ultimately bear, she would leave that to time to brew.
[Anyway, I originally planned to seek out Jiraiya after the second stage of the Chunin Exams. Now that he's coming to me, it saves me a lot of trouble.]
Having figured this out, Amane's footsteps continued as usual towards Naruto's direction.
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