Scorpion answered Shimizu.
It takes three days for a ninja to travel from Konoha to Sunagakure.
And the distance from Sunagakure to the Land of Snow will only be more distant.
It's already considered fast that Scorpion and the others were able to return from the Land of Snow in five and a half days.
"Five and a half days… …should still be in time."
Shimizu silently calculated in his mind.
The distance to the Land of Iron is closer than the Land of Snow, but it is still very far. At the speed of a regular ninja, even a Kage-level powerhouse would need three or four days to travel.
And Shimizu's speed is far from what a regular ninja can compare to.
He possesses the Blood Release Flying Thunder God Technique, and only needs his own blood as a coordinate to teleport at the limit of his own perception.
This distance is much larger than the perceptual range of the Transparent World. The former is a rough perceptual positioning, while the latter is accurate enough to see the trajectory of a speck of dust.
In addition, with his perfect demonized body, as long as the energy in his body can keep up, he can create unlimited fresh blood. Therefore, Shimizu secretly leaves a drop of his own blood whenever he has the opportunity, and applies a simple seal to preserve it.
The last time he went to the Land of Hot Water, Shimizu and the others passed through the Land of Iron on the way. Although the journey was a bit rushed, Shimizu still set up multiple blood coordinates on this road.
If he sets off now, Shimizu estimates that it will take less than two hours to reach the Land of Iron.
"Teacher Ebizo, when did the people you sent out depart?"
Shimizu asked Ebizo.
"Six days ago."
Ebizo replied.
"Then please tell me the contact information of these intelligence ninjas so that they can cooperate with my actions."
"Okay, I will have the liaison team send a message to them via a summoning lizard later. This is the second set of liaison codes for the Intelligence Department and the Anbu this month. After you arrive in the Land of Iron, as long as you see these icons in areas with a large flow of people, you can find the village's intelligence personnel according to the methods on it, and they will unconditionally obey all your instructions."
Ebizo took out a small booklet from his ninja pouch and handed it to Shimizu.
After coming out of the interrogation room of the Intelligence Department, Shimizu went to the Kazekage Building again to inform the Kazekage.
So the Third Kazekage approved an S-rank mission for Shimizu on the spot, and Shimizu set off without stopping.
The time of departure was not long after lunch, and when Shimizu arrived in the Land of Iron, it was still in the afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, and it was not even time for dinner.
But the environment has changed from the desert oasis of the Land of Wind to a snowy field with snowflakes flying all over the sky.
"It's quite lively."
At the gate of the capital of the Land of Iron, he looked at the thick cotton-padded jackets on the other pedestrians, and then looked at the thin spring long sleeves on his body. He found a hidden corner, reached out and formed a hand seal, and cast a Transformation Technique, turning into a middle-aged strong man wearing a large cotton-padded jacket.
Although it didn't actually transform into a cotton-padded jacket, it was just a change in appearance, but with Shimizu's vigorous qi and blood, this temperature would not have any impact on him.
After entering the city, although it looks like an ordinary and prosperous city, a closer look reveals that there are samurai wearing iron armor and long swords on their waists on guard and patrolling everywhere.
Obviously, the masters here also know about the news of the appearance of the Kusanagi Sword, and have raised their vigilance to guard against anyone causing trouble.
After Shimizu simply strolled around the city for a few laps, he saw an inconspicuous mark on the wall of one of the streets.
A dozen minutes later.
In a secret stronghold built from a private house, two ninjas dressed no differently from those on the street faced Shimizu and knelt on one knee.
"Intelligence Department Taji, Yura, have met Lord Shimizu!"
Shimizu put his hands behind his back and looked at the two intelligence ninjas in front of him.
And these two also became high-level officials in Sunagakure after that.
It was only later revealed that Yura had long been controlled by Sasori using the Shallow Brain Sand Manipulation Technique and became a spy, which led to Sunagakure's defenses being as good as nothing, and Sasori and Deidara easily broke through and captured Gaara alive.
As one of the five major ninja villages, the Kage was directly captured in the village by two people. At that time, Sunagakure had become a shame to the five major ninja villages.
If it weren't for Chiyo and Ebizo, the two old guys who had been living in seclusion for many years, who made an emergency comeback after that, it can be said that Sunagakure's combat power at that time had completely fallen out of the ranks of the top ninja villages.
But no matter how weak Sunagakure was at that time, Yura was able to climb to a high position in Sunagakure at that time, and it was still possible that he had reached the level of an elite Jonin, and his political skills should not be too bad.
Shimizu's Transparent World carefully scanned the brains of these two people. Apart from the memory seal that must be set up to prevent enemies from invading the brain as intelligence ninjas, there were no fine needles used to perform the Shallow Brain Sand Manipulation Technique.
Yes, now Sasori has no intention of defecting from the village at all, and has even become the newly rising core genius among the younger generation of ninjas in Sunagakure after Shimizu. His interest has also shifted from pursuing the eternal art of puppets to the research of new puppet techniques.
Relying on Sunagakure, especially his grandmother and uncle, who are the top three figures in Sunagakure with real power, he can have countless resources to support his research, and it is not worth doing those things.
However, now that Yura has entered Shimizu's sight, he has naturally aroused his attention.
Although he encountered him a bit late, it may be a good idea to invest some resources in him for training in the future.
It depends on whether the other party is on the right track.
"Get up first, introduce the situation here and the information you have collected."
Shimizu said to Taji and Yura.
Taji winked at Yura, signaling him to speak.
The latter knew that Taji was giving him a chance to show off in front of a big shot.
"Lord Shimizu, we have been in the Land of Iron for two days. Through the underground bounty exchange, we have successfully learned the whereabouts of the Kusanagi Sword.
There are two Kusanagi Swords this time. They were discovered in an ancient tomb from the Warring States Period that appeared by accident in a snow avalanche. They have now been acquired by Mizukawa, the current general of the Land of Iron, and are stored in the samurai's castle."
Yura introduced to Shimizu.
"General of the Land of Iron, Mizukawa… …"
Shimizu quickly recalled information about the current General of the Land of Iron in his mind.
The Land of Iron is a country of samurai, with a standing army of over three thousand samurai. Each successive General has the strength to rival a Kage. Although their strength is not enough to contend with the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they, like the Hidden Rain Village which possessed Hanzo, have the ability to influence the outcome between two shinobi villages.
In addition, this place is a vast snowfield, a bitterly cold land with little value, so it became a neutral country during the First Shinobi World War. Therefore, there isn't much valuable information about the samurai of the Land of Iron.
But it's not nonexistent.
Previously, in the intelligence tower of the Land of Rain, Shimizu investigated information about countries located relatively close to the small countries of Grass and Hot Water, and also saw detailed information about the current General of the Land of Iron.
During the early stages of the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo led the Land of Rain to the Land of Iron and almost conquered it.
At that time, Suikawa encountered Hanzo of the Salamander, who was at the peak of his life and dared to challenge the Five Great Nations, and was naturally beaten to a pulp.
This is not shameful, because he at least survived in Hanzo's hands.
This is a rather valuable achievement, as can be seen from the fact that the Sannin of the Hidden Leaf during their youth were granted the title of Sannin by Hanzo.
Although they couldn't defeat Hanzo, and the samurai suffered heavy losses, it slowed down the unstoppable, overwhelming momentum of the Hidden Rain, allowing the nearby Hidden Leaf and Hidden Stone to promptly mobilize their forces to target Hanzo.
Moreover, the Land of Rain was small and weak, and the Hidden Rain's logistics could not support Hanzo and his forces on a long expedition, which led to Hanzo's ultimate failure.
Suikawa is an old man in his sixties. He definitely had Kage-level strength during his prime, but as a samurai whose fighting style relies heavily on his physical body, his strength will definitely decline as he gets older.
And how much of his strength he can retain depends on his mental state and daily training.
No mistake, one head, one shot, one content, one at a time!
But he shouldn't be my opponent.
Shimizu then asked:
"Are there any other noteworthy individuals within the Land of Iron right now?"
"Yes."
Yura continued:
"As early as two days ago, the underground bounty market posted a bounty for the Kusanagi Sword, with a reward of twenty million ryo per sword, which later increased to twenty-six million ryo per sword, attracting many bounty ninjas. Intelligence shows that someone saw the legendary Kakuzu, the number one bounty ninja who fought against the First Hokage."
"In addition, the appearance of this bounty is very likely to have attracted the attention of the Hidden Leaf's secret forces. It can be basically determined that the Hidden Leaf will also participate in this, but it is not yet certain how much force the Hidden Leaf will invest."
The legendary bounty ninja Kakuzu, and the Hidden Leaf's secret forces... Is it Root, or Anbu?
In the original timeline, both of these Kusanagi Swords should have fallen into Orochimaru's hands. One of them could be freely extended and shortened in Orochimaru's hands, while the other was given to Uchiha Sasuke.
In other words, besides Kakuzu, Orochimaru is also very likely to come here.
These two, plus the current General of the Land of Iron, Suikawa, should be my main opponents in the fight for the Kusanagi Sword.
If these people join forces, it will definitely be very difficult, but these three are likely not on the same side. With my strength, I have a good chance of succeeding.
Shimizu stroked his chin and asked Yura:
"Do you have more detailed information about the Samurai City? Such as maps, personnel stationed, the exact location of the Kusanagi Sword, etc."
The Samurai City is a military fortress where the General of the Land of Iron is stationed, capable of stationing two or three thousand samurai.
This place can be compared to a Hidden Village belonging to the samurai of the Land of Iron, but its scale is smaller than a Hidden Village, and its internal structure is not like a Hidden Village, which is a semi-militarized base with a town-like structure. There are also many civilians living inside.
Because the samurai are more strict in their pursuit of the spiritual aspects of Bushido, this place is more like a completely militarized fortress.
It's somewhat similar to the large castles of European nobles and knightly orders in the Middle Ages.
More than forty years ago, the first Five Kage Summit was held there.
"I'm sorry, Lord Shimizu."
Taji actively took over the topic and said:
"Because the patrols by the samurai of the Land of Iron have been more frequent recently, and we also lack the assistance of sensory ninjas, we only have some older intelligence records. If Lord Shimizu needs it..."
"No need."
Shimizu waved his hand.
He also knew that these two had limited abilities, and the request he just made was a bit excessive.
"You have completed this mission. Next, you can return to the village. I will be responsible for the subsequent matters regarding the Kusanagi Sword."
Yura and Taji exchanged glances, and then the latter spoke again:
"Lord Shimizu, we will stay in the city for a few days to assist you and prevent any accidents. If there is anything else you need to investigate, you can directly order us."
Shimizu raised his eyebrows slightly.
This is not within the scope of their mission, nor is it within their responsibilities.
Although I am a Jonin, I have the authority to command other ninjas from the same village who are lower in rank than me during missions, but I didn't do so. It wouldn't be a problem if these two left directly.
These two are not my direct subordinates in the department. The meaning of making such a move at this time...
Although it cannot be directly determined yet, it does seem to have some meaning.
Yura has some potential, and Taji is also an experienced Special Jonin, both of whom have some value.
Shimizu naturally wouldn't refuse.
No matter what you do, you have to make as many friends as possible and strengthen every bit of your own strength as much as possible.
"Okay."
...
...
The night quietly descended.
Basically, no more than two hours after dinner, the capital of the Land of Iron began to implement a curfew, in order to make it easier to find those who coveted the Kusanagi Sword.
Under the moonlight, in the Samurai City, an energetic old man wearing black samurai armor held a long sword with a black hilt and no handguard, and a slender, straight blade.
Suikawa looked at the Kusanagi Sword in his hand with a drunken and regretful gaze, and shook his head.
"Kusanagi Sword, alas..."
Not far from the old man was a middle-aged samurai wearing white armor similar to the old man's attire.
In his hand was another Kusanagi Sword with a handguard and a slightly shorter blade.
"Suikawa-sensei."
The middle-aged samurai said respectfully to the old man.
"Mifune, you've come..."
