Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Upon seeing Shoji arrive, the head of the interrogation department, who was almost twice Shoji's age, was not surprised. When greeting him, he still showed a hint of respect, which was not only because of Shoji's status as the vice-leader of the Jonin team, but also because of Shoji's strong personal strength and Onoki's trust.

Both out of courtesy and reason, Ogata had to show a certain degree of respect when facing Shoji. Shoji, in turn, would not be impolite. He quickened his pace slightly, approached Ogata, and bowed slightly, saying, "Ogata-san, I have come on the orders of the Tsuchikage to assist you in handling this case of the Konoha spy. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is anything I can do to help you. If it is convenient now, please tell me in detail what information our village currently possesses!"

"You flatter me, Lord Jiang. It should be me assisting you."

Onoki had already given a clear order that Shoji would be in charge of this special mission. Ogata was already mentally prepared, but Shoji's attitude was very pleasing. Ogata's face showed a hint of happiness, and after nodding, he continued to speak.

"As for that walking priestess, in addition to the most important information that was previously reported to Lord Tsuchikage, there are also some details here, as well as intelligence obtained from the brain of the Konoha spy who was captured in advance. You can take a look at it first, Mr. Shi!"

As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his pocket and handed it to the officer in front of him.

After opening the document, he quickly scanned its contents, focusing on the intelligence obtained from the Konoha spy. Clearly, this person was the biggest reason why his village was able to track down the wandering shrine maiden.

Because this person is the operator for that wandering priestess!

"So, the current scope has been narrowed down to one of the thirty people mentioned above, is that right?"

After closing the scroll, Jiang Si asked with a serious expression.

"Well, this is the closest we can get from the previous intelligence. If there is no further information, we can only investigate these people one by one, but..."

"That would definitely alert them. Our offline personnel have been missing for more than three days. Although we don't know how often Konoha makes regular contact, they would definitely notice something after three days. If we expose anything here, they might just retreat, right?"

Jiang Si took over the conversation.

"Yes, that's the most troublesome point right now!"

Ogata gave a wry smile and said.

After all, the people on the list are at least mid-level figures in the village, holding important positions in some department. It's impossible to arrest and interrogate all thirty people at once. Putting aside the uproar it would cause, it's not impossible for Shoji and Ogata to force it, but they must bear the corresponding risks. That is, there must be this walking witch among the thirty people. If not, the resulting liability issues would be extremely serious.

On this point alone

Therefore, Shoji and Ogata must act cautiously. Even if Shoji has more information, it is not enough for him to have a clearer understanding of a specific person.

Time is so tight, we can't afford to waste another day here.

The chances of missing out on the opportunity will be even greater!

"The investigation will proceed according to the established schedule; we don't need to change that!"

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Si spoke in a deep voice.

"what do you mean?"

"We're making three backup plans in private. First, we'll use this subordinate to see if we can lure this guy out. Second, we'll deliberately spread rumors, mixing some of the truth with lies, saying that we've already confirmed the identity of the Walking Shrine Maiden as a blonde woman! We'll see if the other side will give themselves away!"

Of course, Shoji knew very well what Yakushi Nonou looked like in the original work, but he certainly couldn't say it so bluntly. By revealing information in this way, Ogata wouldn't be surprised at all.

"Trying to cheat, huh? Then we'll see if they can keep their cool."

Oogata's eyes flickered slightly as he spoke in a low voice.

To be honest, as a professional intelligence investigator, Ogata doesn't think this method is very reliable, but considering the current situation, it's already the best of the worst!

Anyway, it's still worth a try.

"Okay, let's settle on this for now. You'll handle this part, Mr. Ogata. I'll go check some suspicious points in the intelligence again. I have a feeling there's something fishy going on!"

"Yes, I understand!"

Ogata nodded and said.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, whom Ogata had fought before, made him well aware of just how powerful the Sharingan's perception was.

The boy in front of them possessed a Mangekyou Sharingan of a higher level than the average Sharingan. If there was any hidden information that they hadn't discovered, Ogata believed that Shoji would have a high probability of being able to detect it!

322. Shadows in the Dark

This is a highly skilled spy.

If it weren't for the capture of the missing personnel this time, it would have been very difficult for Iwagakure to track down this walking shrine maiden. Of course, another very important point is that the other side also transmitted a crucial piece of intelligence at an inopportune time. The combination of these two factors allowed Ogata and the other Iwagakure counter-espionage personnel to find clues.

Even so, capturing the walking shrine maiden, Yakushi Nonou, remains extremely difficult. As mentioned earlier, even with the search area narrowed down and further confirmed, a thorough search is still necessary to truly capture this high-ranking Konoha spy; otherwise, we can only wait for her to slip up on her own.

But obviously, neither of these options is realistic. The former would give the other party a chance to react and escape directly, while the latter would be gambling on the other party's magnanimity and mentality. But how could a spy who can do this much waver because of such a small problem?

Shoji doesn't remember how Yakushi Nonou was exposed in the original work, or perhaps it wasn't mentioned at all in the original work. But what Shoji is certain of is that Iwagakure definitely didn't capture Yakushi Nonou. The reason is simple: Nonou later died from Kabuto Yakushi's accidental killing. This clearly shows that Yakushi Nonou escaped from Iwagakure successfully after realizing that she had been exposed.

However, Danzo clearly no longer believed in her, or perhaps he felt that Nono's value had been used up, and in order to further control Kabuto Yakushi, he arranged for Kabuto Yakushi and Nono and her son to fight each other!

However, Danzo ended up shooting himself in the foot.

This is a negative example that Jiang Si will definitely remember, but it also serves as a warning to Jiang Si that he doesn't have much time left.

We must pinpoint the location and identity of Yakushi Nono as soon as possible. If Nono manages to escape, or if she dies by mistake at the hands of Yakushi Kabuto as in the original story, then Shoji will truly feel regretful!

'Hopefully, we'll find something in those locations. Even the slightest trace or fluctuation of chakra will allow me to pinpoint your location, Yakushi Nonou!'

Shoji's crimson Sharingan was already activated. As he headed towards certain special locations, he secretly thought to himself!

Almost at the same time.

In the eastern residential area of ​​Iwagakure, inside a two-story building slightly closer to the village's medical facility, a woman with a slightly plump figure and beautiful features stood on the second-floor balcony, her hands clenched tightly. A faint trace of worry and anxiety was visible on her face.

"Half a day has passed since our scheduled contact. It seems Xuan has been exposed. The previous intelligence exchange already left some traces of a leak, and with Xuan now captured, it's only a matter of time before my identity is revealed. Although I have some backup plans, it's best to evacuate from here!"

A faint look of contemplation flickered in the woman's eyes as she silently pondered to herself that she was the true target of Tsukasa and Ogata's mission this time—Konoha, or more precisely, Danzo's most important spy planted in Iwagakure, codenamed "Walking Shrine Maiden," a Konoha ninja named Yakushi Nonou!

Her current identity in Iwagakure is that of a professional medical worker at the hospital. That's right, this is the identity that Yakushi Nonou arranged for herself before infiltrating Iwagakure. After careful consideration, she even found someone whose physique and appearance were at least four or five points similar to hers before impersonating her.

Because ordinary transformation techniques are easily seen through by powerful Iwagakure ninja, only this kind of disguise can avoid being easily exposed. It is precisely because of this that Nono, who infiltrated Iwagakure during the chaos of the Third Shinobi World War, has never faced the risk of being exposed in the past few years. This time, she was truly implicated by her subordinates.

With her codename discovered and her whereabouts found, it was only a matter of time before her true identity was exposed. However, Nono was Nono after all. Not only had she made numerous preparations in advance, but she also reacted quickly. During the half-day she had been in regular contact with them, she wasn't just waiting passively. Rather, she started to act the moment she didn't receive a call on time.

Nonou then began to arrange the next steps.

Then, while waiting to see if there are any unexpected events, if it turns out to be a false alarm, then everyone will be happy. But if there really is an accident, then Nono will be able to get away in the shortest possible time.

Moreover, and most importantly, the list that Ogata provided to Onoki and Shoji did not actually include the identity that Nonou was currently disguising. This was mainly because Ogata had fallen into a misconception, believing that to obtain this important information, one must be someone with a certain status in the village.

However, it was not considered that anyone with the ability to access these high-ranking individuals also has a certain probability of obtaining this information!

Hospitals are such special institutions.

This is the main reason why Nono insisted on choosing this identity to infiltrate Iwagakure.

Ninjas are very easy to get injured!

If you are injured, you must be hospitalized.

So, medical staff in hospitals have many opportunities to obtain relevant information during the treatment and nursing process, which is where Nono's brilliance lies.

Although, based on Ogata's current investigation direction, if a thorough investigation is conducted, there is still a considerable probability that Nono's identity can be confirmed, but it will definitely take more time than before.

Such a time difference was more than enough for Nono to leave Iwagakure with ease. It can be said that Nono had the upper hand in this confrontation.

If it weren't for Shoji's arrival, Nonou would have a 99% chance of escaping, leaving only a 1% chance for Ogata. Now, with Shoji's assistance, the probability has increased significantly, but it's still a 50/50 chance, or even 40/60 or 30/70. After all, Nonou is currently in the shadows, giving her a clear advantage.

In any case, Nono had already made up her mind. If she hadn't received any contact by tonight, her contingency plans and communications should be almost complete. She would then evacuate Iwagakure. As for the reply from her own village, by the time the order arrived, her body would probably be cold. Besides, there was also an additional intelligence report this time.

Nono believes she still has a fairly high chance of being exempt from accountability.

'The bloodline of the Uzumaki clan? Iwagakure is really lucky!'

Nonou took a deep look at the direction of the Iwagakure Hospital, then turned and disappeared into the darkness of the house behind her.

What followed was the real confrontation.

Beneath this seemingly calm and peaceful surface, turbulent waves begin to surge at this moment!

Both sides have their own plans.

They pressed closer and closer.

They began planning their retreat route.

That afternoon and at night.

As Tsukasa and Ogata each began their respective operations, Nonou also activated her backup plan. Especially after receiving some unusual information, Nonou became even more vigilant.

It was at that very moment.

She was now certain that she had been completely exposed.

While using special channels to send her information back to Konoha and request rescue, she also began to plan her evacuation route. Although time was very tight, the more urgent the situation, the calmer Nono became. She knew very well that she was still safe.

She still went to her regular hospital shifts, not to mention she planned to see if she could obtain more cell data from Rena, so that she would have more leverage when she returned to Konoha!

Of course, in addition to that, Nono also made some other preparations. Nono knew very well what kind of person Shimura Danzo was, even though at this time Nono felt that she still had considerable value.

Danzo Shimura probably won't give up on himself, but who knows what will happen?

If you are completely unprepared, then your death is truly inevitable. This is not only for yourself, but also for the children in the orphanage, and for Yakushi Kabuto who voluntarily chose to join Danzo's Root.

Everyone has to get back alive.

This is the belief that has allowed Nono to hold onto until now!

Just like when Shoji first came to this world, Nono still trusted the Third Hokage. She believed that she could receive appropriate treatment based on her merits.

This is one of the reasons why Nono has always persisted in not giving up.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner. It could be said that Nono's plan was flawless. She was doing very well, but Ogata and Shoji were having a hard time. Not only was there still not much progress on Ogata's side, but the bait and rumors he deliberately spread were also useless. In the full investigation, some unexpected things happened.

The identity of the walking shrine maiden has not been confirmed. Instead, another spy from Kumogakure has been captured. This is both an unexpected gain and a huge problem. Of course, what Ogata and Shoji do not know is that the reason why this Kumogakure spy was exposed was because of the tricks of Nono!

A skilled spy is one who can always prepare some shields for himself. These people can be thrown out as bait at crucial moments to buy time for himself. This Cloud Village spy had his identity discovered by Nono without his own awareness!

This time, it was Nono herself who noticed something was amiss.

Then they deliberately exposed this spy.

The purpose was to confuse the situation and make it more difficult for Iwagakure to investigate, thus giving her more opportunities to escape!

But this clearly made Shoji and Ogata uncomfortable.

Even though Jiang Si personally went to investigate, he couldn't find any further information. All the investigation work was stuck at the previous stage, which was already very frustrating for Jiang Si. Now this unexpected problem has arisen.

The general didn't know what to say.

"So, this is a spy from Kumogakure, not Konoha?"

With a rather unpleasant expression, Shoji looked at Ogata and said, "Even though they haven't activated their Sharingan, their eyes are still somewhat red. Ogata in the opposite seat is the same. It's common for the major ninja villages to place spies in each other's villages. It's just that it's not exposed on the surface. In fact, every year, there is a certain probability that the spies of the major ninja villages will be exposed, captured, interrogated, and forced to reveal a series of information. Except for those who can be turned, the rest all die."

Very few spies can actually live a long time, complete all their missions, and successfully return to the village!