Land of Lightning.

  "Crossing through here marks the border of the Land of Lightning."

  Covered in dust from their travels, Hyūga Hizashi cautiously scanned their surroundings with his Byakugan before nodding to Uchiha Shirou and Namikaze Minato.

  "Along the way, we avoided border patrols. Based on the mission's timeline, we estimate we'll arrive at the destination two and a half days early."

  The trio had traversed two smaller nations, finally reaching the borders of the Land of Lightning.

  As the designated leader of this mission, Shirou calmly surveyed the area. Remaining vigint, he unfurled a scroll and shared the mission details with the other two.

  "Now that we've entered the Land of Lightning, let's go over the mission."

  In front of the other two, Shirou opened the scroll with a solemn expression.

  "Our mission is simple: infiltrate Kumogakure and rendezvous with Lord Orochimaru at the designated location during the chaos in the vilge.

  The cause of the chaos in Kumogakure and Lord Orochimaru's specific mission are irrelevant to us. Our sole responsibility is to provide extraction support."

  As Shirou gravely expined the mission, Minato's calm expression remained unchanged, indicating he was likely already aware of the details before their departure.

  In contrast, Hizashi frowned, staring at Shirou. Though he hailed from a prominent cn, his status as a branch family member reduced him to a mere tool, despite his considerable abilities.

  "What if Kumogakure doesn't fall into chaos as pnned?"

  Hizashi furrowed his brow, clearly concerned about the unpredictable nature of the mission. They had no idea what Orochimaru's task involved in the first pce.

  Faced with Hizashi's question, Shirou, as the mission leader, nodded calmly and replied,

  "If Kumogakure doesn't descend into chaos at the expected time, we'll remain hidden on the outskirts of the vilge, ready to await Lord Orochimaru's signal."

  "This mission is cssified as top secret by the vilge. The Hokage personally ordered that while the mission can fail, Lord Orochimaru must be extracted at all costs!"

  Hearing this, Hizashi nodded gravely.

  "Understood."

  Hizashi was naturally a reserved and taciturn individual, and the fact that he had spoken so much this time was solely due to the gravity of the mission. Under normal circumstances, he could go an entire day without speaking a word.

  At that moment, Minato, standing to the side, voiced his suggestion:

  "Captain Shirou, I have a proposal."

  Under the curious gazes of the other two, Minato slowly retrieved two special kunai from his ninja tool pouch and said,

  "Hizashi-senpai's Byakugan excels in reconnaissance. I propose that he remains outside Kumogakure to handle the extraction, while you and I infiltrate separately. This way, even if one of us is discovered, the other can continue the mission.

  Additionally, with my Flying Thunder God Technique, even if you encounter danger, as long as it's not too far away, I can reach you immediately…"

  As Minato expined the advantages of his Flying Thunder God Technique, Hizashi remained silent, keeping his usual detached demeanor.

  For him, branded with the Caged Bird seal, he was nothing more than a tool, obligated to follow orders.

  Meanwhile, Shirou observed Minato with a faint, enigmatic smile, causing Minato to feel slightly awkward and uneasy.

  It was obvious that Shirou had discerned something, but both men chose to maintain their unspoken camaraderie, leaving things unsaid.

  "Flying Thunder God Technique—the legendary space-time ninjutsu. It's undoubtedly the best technique for extraction," Shirou remarked, narrowing his eyes as he examined the trident-shaped kunai in his hand. Although forged using Uzumaki craftsmanship, the technique inscribed on the kunai appeared somewhat crude.

  Moreover, everyone's spatial formu differed, and even the slightest deviation could lead to disastrous consequences.

  "With Minato's mastery of this jutsu, our chances of completing the mission increase significantly. Let's proceed with Minato's pn, shall we?"

  "Agreed," Hizashi replied tersely, his demeanor indifferent.

  Minato smiled warmly at his comrades and nodded, while Shirou calmly stored the kunai in his tool pouch, fully aware of the situation.

  This mission, despite Shirou being named leader by the Third Hokage, held little real authority.

  If the mission succeeded, the Uchiha cn wouldn't ck rewards. But if it failed, the bme would fall squarely on him.

  Given the dangers they would undoubtedly face within the Land of Lightning, Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique was their best chance of escape.

  In truth, only Minato stood to gain recognition and glory from the mission.

  Shirou narrowed his eyes, smirking inwardly. Well pyed, old Sarutobi. Your schemes are as cunning as ever.

  Not only was Sarutobi using this mission to test Shirou's abilities, but he was also subtly fostering a bond between Orochimaru and Minato. Truly devious.

  However, there's one thing you didn't account for—I know the Flying Thunder God Technique too!

  As Shirou chuckled coldly to himself, Minato's expression grew pensive, his thoughts drifting back to the day the Third Hokage privately briefed him on the mission.

  [Fshback]

  That day in the Hokage's office, after the mission was assigned and the others had left to prepare, Sarutobi Hiruzen had asked Minato to stay behind.

  "Hokage-sama!"

  Minato knelt respectfully on one knee. Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent for a long moment before handing Minato a scroll marked "Secret."

  "Minato, this contains the details of Orochimaru's mission, cssified as top secret. Review it carefully."

  "Yes, Hokage-sama!"

  Minato accepted the scroll with reverence. As he read its contents, his normally composed demeanor faltered, his pupils constricting in shock. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

  Orochimaru's mission was to infiltrate Kumogakure and, with the help of Root spies, provoke the rampage of the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.

  Furthermore, recent intelligence indicated an ideal opportunity would arise within half a month.

  "Hokage-sama, this—"

  Before Minato could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled deeply, a cloud of smoke escaping his lips. In a low, serious voice, he said:

  "Minato, you've inherited the true Will of Fire. I trust you, which is why I've shared this cssified mission with you."

  "You've seen the growing tension in the ninja world over these years. The Second Shinobi World War ended prematurely, leaving all the vilges harboring unfulfilled ambitions."

  At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened as he bore the weight of immense pressure. Looking up at Minato, his eyes conveyed both trust and burden.

  "Over these years, the Four Great Nations have secretly conspired to stage another joint assault on Konoha. It's only through their mutual distrust and the sacrifices of the ANBU and Root that this hasn't yet come to pass.

  But this is merely a temporary solution. Through countless sacrifices, we've arrived at this pn…"

  As Sarutobi framed Konoha as the victim of the Four Great Nations' aggression, he emphasized the sacrifices of countless ninjas, causing Minato's heart to grow heavy.

  "Since the other vilges refuse to relinquish their ambitions, we must create chaos. Orochimaru is taking an enormous risk of infiltrating Kumogakure. If the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki goes berserk, Kumogakure will be thrown into disarray.

  Minato, your Flying Thunder God Technique makes you the ideal person for this mission. However, I have one more task for you!"

  Seeing the Hokage's grave expression, Minato took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

  "Please give your orders, Hokage-sama!"

  "Test Uchiha Shirou's true strength and observe his inner motives!"

  Though Minato had anticipated the Hokage's additional task wouldn't be simple, he was still shocked when he heard it.

  "Hokage-sama, Shirou—"

  Before Minato could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off with a sharp tone.

  "Minato, I know what you're trying to say! But you must understand one thing—everything I do is for the vilge. You've seen it yourself recently—these major cns like the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga joining forces have already brought turbulence to the vilge. I admit, when the vilge was first established, these cns shed blood but haven't countless civilian ninjas also shed blood over the years? As the Third Hokage, I am not only responsible for these cns but also the entire vilge!"

  As he said this, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, revealed a heavy expression.

  "The entire Konoha rests on my shoulders. They call me ungrateful, but do you think Konoha could fend off those with ambition if it relied solely on these major cns? Isn't it the countless ordinary ninjas who make sacrifices?

  Now, I cannot abandon either the cns or the civilian ninja—they are all part of Konoha. But recently, Uchiha Shirou and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina, have been entangled constantly..."

  Hiruzen Sarutobi started with his usual rhetoric of putting vilge interests first, weighing heavily on Namikaze Minato, making him feel the difficulty of his position, before moving on to the issue of Uchiha Shirou.

  "The Senju have contributed so much to the vilge, and they want to keep Kushina to protect the cn. But the Uchiha cn, knowing how powerful a Jinchuriki is, still lets Uchiha Shirou repeatedly interact with Uzumaki Kushina—and even Tsunade!"

  At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi's frustration became evident.

  If only the Senju and Uchiha cns kept some distance, he could easily provoke conflict between the two cns.

  However, he felt something was amiss—it seemed like the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina, and Uchiha Shirou were truly deeply connected. Their bond was far too strong!

  "I understand!"

  Finally, Minato took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

  The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the Uchiha's Sharingan suppressing the Tailed Beasts, and Uchiha Shirou's proximity to Kushina—these thoughts brought back a fleeting memory of a red-haired girl who once occupied his heart.

  "So, I hope this time you can use this opportunity to test Shirou's strength and observe his true intentions. This is not about attacking a comrade," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his expression gradually softening.

  "Here is the information on the spies we've hidden in the Kumogakure's Root and Anbu forces. Once you reach the Kumogakure, Minato, you must secretly contact our people..."

  From Hiruzen Sarutobi's grave expression, it was clear how critical this mission was.

  Having grown more mature, Minato was no longer the simple ninja he once was. He naturally understood the underlying implications.

  It was clear—the task of testing Shirou's strength would be handled by Root and Anbu agents. His real mission was to support Orochimaru.

  "I understand, Hokage-sama!"

  In the end, Minato took a deep breath, his expression serious as he nodded firmly.

  Being an orphan from a civilian background himself, he deeply empathized with Konoha's current state of affairs.

  While he bore no resentment toward the great cns, he could also understand the Third Hokage's actions.

  Everything was for the vilge!

  However, he firmly believed that Shirou was a comrade of the vilge, and he would never abandon his comrades.

  ...

  Kumogakure.

  This vilge was built among towering mountains that seemed to pierce the heavens, shrouded in mist, with deafening thunder echoing in the distant mountain ranges.

  "Routine inspection!"

  "We're merchants from the Land of Fields, and these are hired ninjas," said a merchant with an ingratiating smile during a wagon inspection. Among the group protecting the caravan were three people—two dressed as ninjas and one in a samurai's attire.

  Shirou calmly observed the Kumo guards. Disguised as a hired rogue ninja, he blended into the merchant group and smoothly passed through the checkpoint into the Kumogakure.

  "Here's your payment."

  Upon reaching their destination, the merchant cheerfully settled the payment.

  The two rogue ninjas who received their pay grinned widely and, ughing, turned to Shirou, who was dressed as a samurai, and said:

  "Hey, want to join us for some fun? I heard the women of the Land of Lightning are something else..."

  Amid their raucous ughter, Shirou maintained his stoic samurai demeanor, shaking his head and responding:

  "No, I'll rest here for a few days and then leave."

  "Alright, alright," they replied, clearly disappointed and perhaps scheming to make him pay for their indulgences.

  "Foreign hired ninjas may only roam these designated streets. Without a Kumo guide, you are not allowed to wander elsewhere... otherwise, you'll be treated as spies."

  Every outsider entering the Kumogakure, especially the rogue ninja hired from various locations, was subject to restrictions.

  These measures were common in all major ninja vilges. Merchants from small countries or other nations who hired rogue ninjas or small vilge ninjas for protection were allowed into the vilge but were confined to specific areas. These areas were heavily monitored by surveilnce ninjas and barriers to prevent espionage.

  At the same time, these restrictions allowed the recently paid rogue ninja to spend their earnings in the vilge, effectively funneling their money back into the vilge economy.

  "Get lost, outsider! Get out of here!"

  While wandering the Kumogakure, Shirou noticed a conflict and narrowed his eyes, silently muttering to himself.

  "Danzo truly lives up to his title as the Darkness of the Ninja World. Even a brief mention in the records was enough for him to amplify this situation."

  Although he had heard of it before, experiencing it firsthand in the Kumogakure made him fully grasp the extent of these racial conflicts.

  As he walked through the vilge, witnessing these scenes, Shirou couldn't help but feel shocked. It was clear that the entire Land of Lightning had likely developed a sharp contrast like this.

  This kind of division, though expected, was deeply ingrained. Those in power—the deep brown-skinned elite—would never willingly share their authority with others, so the conflict and division would only continue to grow worse.

  "Moreover, this racial division, the notion of superiority and inferiority, has already taken root in their hearts."

  As he continued wandering, Shirou smiled slightly. You could call Danzo evil, but you could never say he was ineffective. While everything he did was reprehensible, his methods were undoubtedly ruthless.

  Look at how quickly he had sown the seeds of such deep conflict. Truly impressive. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi was reluctant to discard him.

  Anyone would hesitate to let go of such a talented individual.

  PS: Is there a racial division incident in the Kumogakure in the canon?