Chapter 12: The Hidden Leaf's Probe
"Ziyun, once we arrive in the Hidden Leaf, be cautious. It's best to stay in your room and not go anywhere."
Along the way, the Third Raikage kept reminding Ziyun of what to watch out for in the Hidden Leaf.
"Don't worry, Uncle Raikage. I'm someone who will carry the Hidden Cloud's future on my shoulders. I know what I should do."
Ziyun curled his lip. This trip to the Hidden Leaf and staying in the room? Then how was he supposed to cause trouble?
"Heh, worthy of being my nephew." Hearing that, the Third Raikage grinned, deeply pleased.
In fact, after the incident where Ziyun injured Orochimaru, the Third Raikage truly intended to cultivate Ziyun as the next Raikage.
Because Ziyun's talent far surpassed his son, Yotsuki A.
According to Hidden Cloud rules, the Raikage position never relied on bloodline or prestige. It relied on fists.
Whoever had the biggest fist became Raikage.
That was also why the Hidden Cloud had little internal strife.
If you gamble, you accept the outcome. If you get beaten, you stand at attention. If you're weaker, then stay quietly in your place and don't keep dreaming about becoming Kage.
In the Hidden Leaf, too many people wanted to be Hokage, and there was no clear standard for it, which was why so many problems happened.
After two or three days of travel, the Third Raikage, Ziyun, and Dodai arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Good. Third Raikage, my name is Sakumo Hatake. From here on, I will be responsible for receiving you."
After they arrived, the one in charge of receiving them was an as-yet-unknown shinobi: the Hidden Leaf's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake.
Sakumo Hatake would become famous in the Second Shinobi World War by fighting the Third Kazekage.
In that battle, he fought three alone, killed Sasori's parents, defeated the strongest Kazekage, and rose to fame in one stroke.
But the Second Shinobi World War had not started yet, and Sakumo's name had not spread. So when the Third Raikage saw him, he had no particular wariness.
Then the White Fang's gaze swept over Ziyun, like a hunter looking at prey, making Ziyun feel uncomfortable.
At the same time, Ziyun activated Observation Haki and quickly sensed that at least five or six pairs of eyes were watching from the shadows.
As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi. They hadn't even entered the village and it had already started?
But he wasn't going to be watched for free.
"Sakumo Hatake, aren't you the Hidden Leaf ANBU captain? Why would you be responsible for receiving me?"
Ziyun looked Sakumo up and down and spoke casually.
Sakumo's body stiffened. At the same time, Ziyun sensed the people monitoring in the shadows also freeze.
This kid knew Captain Hatake's identity?
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, using the Telescope Technique to watch, also froze.
Sakumo Hatake was an ANBU captain. His identity was classified, known only to the upper leadership and ANBU members.
How could Yotsuki Ziyun, a newly graduated Hidden Cloud genin, know that?
"Worthy of being the Hidden Cloud Village's number one genius, Yotsuki Ziyun. You're right. I do serve in ANBU. But this time I'm receiving you as a jōnin assigned to reception. Please rest assured, the Hidden Leaf sincerely wishes to ally with the Hidden Cloud."
Sakumo's smile became even brighter, but inside he panicked.
Because after Ziyun exposed his ANBU identity, the Third Raikage and Dodai's expressions immediately darkened.
"Actually, it has nothing to do with being a genius. Someone told me… Oh, sorry, that slipped out. I just guessed randomly. Don't mind it."
Ziyun quickly covered his mouth, as if he had said something he shouldn't.
Hearing that, Sakumo froze on the spot.
Random guess?
Only a fool would believe that.
This Yotsuki Ziyun was far more troublesome than he had imagined.
Seeing Sakumo's look of disbelief, Ziyun's lips curled into a smile.
Go on. Guess all you want. With Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality, this would definitely become a thorn in his heart.
After this, some unlucky major Hidden Leaf clan might end up becoming Hiruzen's next suspect.
In truth, Ziyun didn't know it, but Hiruzen was already suffering inside.
"There's a spy planted by the Hidden Cloud inside the Hidden Leaf. And that spy's rank is not low."
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen reached a conclusion.
Otherwise, how could a newly graduated Hidden Cloud genin know Sakumo Hatake was an ANBU captain?
Someone must have leaked classified intelligence.
Damn it. He had to dig that spy out at all costs.
Hiruzen slammed his fist heavily on the desk.
"Ahem… sorry. Please come with me. I've already prepared rooms for your group."
Sakumo realized he had lost composure. He quickly fixed his expression and led the three of them to the rooms that had been arranged.
"Compared to the Hidden Cloud, the Hidden Leaf really is prosperous..." Looking at the streets of the Hidden Leaf, the Third Raikage, Ziyun, and Dodai couldn't help but sigh.
Of course, that was what they were thinking inside.
Compared to the Hidden Leaf, the Hidden Cloud Village felt like a rural fringe.
"Dodai, next I'll be responsible for negotiating and discussing matters with Hiruzen Sarutobi. You must protect Ziyun," the Third Raikage instructed after they reached the room and set down their luggage.
"Don't worry, Lord Raikage. Even if I give my life, I will protect Ziyun!" Dodai swore firmly.
The Third Raikage nodded, then followed Sakumo to the Hokage Office to talk with Hiruzen.
"Teacher Dodai, let's go take a look around the Hidden Leaf. There seems to be a lot of fun stuff. It'd be a shame not to," Ziyun immediately suggested after the Third Raikage left.
"No, Ziyun. You can't run around. This is enemy territory. The shinobi assigned to receive us is an ANBU captain. There may be ANBU hiding elsewhere. Didn't Lord Raikage say it? We must be cautious in the Hidden Leaf," Dodai refused seriously.
"But staying in the room is still on Hidden Leaf territory anyway. It's all the same. We might as well observe the Hidden Leaf," Ziyun said.
Hearing that, Dodai felt it made sense.
Hiding in the room would be a waste. This was a rare chance to record the Hidden Leaf's terrain and intelligence.