Through the realm of darkness, Fuzen teleported the unfortunate Suna to his awaiting team members. While he was gone, they'd used ninjutsu to create a closed off safe room built into the surface of the cliff.

"I've brought back a guest," Fuzen called attention to himself as he exited from his dimension.

Seeing her newest team member arrive with a captive in tow, Akata stood up from her seated position and inspected his work.

Nodding appreciatively, she waved one of the other Anbu's over. "Sato, I want you to extract whatever info he has, got it?"

"You do remember I'm not good enough to leave their minds intact afterwards, right?"

"It doesn't matter. We only need information." She glanced at the shinobi's amputated legs bleeding onto the ground, "He won't survive for long anyway."

"Give me a few minutes, and I'll see it done."

Going to work, Sato performed a series of quick hand seals that caused the surrounding earth of the jonin to swallow him until only the upper half of his chest was free. Taking a crosslegged seat in front of him, Sato placed a hand on the jonin's head and began the extraction process.

Meanwhile, Fuzen had taken a seat and pulled out the last couple of rice balls from his bag. After these, only the horrible tasting food pills remained.

Taking off his mask, Akata sashayed over to join him by the wall with her own food and drink in hand.

"It's an impressive group you've managed to gather," he complimented her.

Like him, she also removed her cat-mask, in turn releasing her beauty upon him once again and sat down. "Besides you, I've handpicked each Anbu on my team."

It still hit him the same way each time. With the mask attached she was hot, but without it, Akata was damn scorching, and Fuzen couldn't help envying the ground she was sitting on with that delicious ass.

She had straight golden blonde hair pulled back into a low pony-tail and big pale blue eyes. The light dusting of freckles across her cheeks provided Akata with a unique touch, and with lush lips shaded a subtle peach, almost begging for ravishment, she would no doubt be a worthy addition to his future collection.

"Are you saying I'm not wanted?" He bit into his food.

She appeared thoughtful before she answered. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm merely stating each of us has a purpose on this team, an area of expertise if you would. Previous to the Hokage's approaching me, I'd been on the lookout someone who could add more firepower. You fit the criteria. He didn't force me, it was still up to me whether or not I allowed you on the team."

Fuzen thought about the three low-level jonin's he'd just taken down solo. "However, you still thought it necessary to test me?"

"I had to know you could live up to the expectation," she shrugged her shoulder unrepentant.

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It didn't take Sato long to extract the required information, and while Akata and Fuzen ate their food, he began briefing them on his findings. Apparently, the three Sunagakure shinobi they'd encountered were part of a much larger force stationed in the surrounding area.

Despite the Land of Mountains possessing vast amounts of valuable minerals, it still remained in an economically unfavourable position. Bad trade deals by the previous administration had resulted in all the wealth being rerouted into the Land of Fire. They'd allied with Konoha and ended up getting nothing in return.

Since a few weeks prior, the daimyo from the Land of Wind had been in continuous contact with the Land of Mountain negotiating conditions for them to become a tributary nation. As a tributary nation, the Land of Mountains would have to pay a regular token of submission in the form of taxes and provide the occasional military aid if requested, yet in turn, they would gain both protection and various favourable trade deals.

Due to the Land of Mountains rough terrain, it would also provide an excellent natural barrier if the Land of Fire should ever wage war against the Land of Wind. Strategic wise it would become an important military position.

"What about the intelligence team we were supposed to meet?" Akata questioned.

Sato shook his head. "The intelligence team consisted only of a single chunin and three genins. They didn't stand a chance after the unexpected influx of shinobi belonging to Sunagakure three days ago. Each of them was killed unable to escape the area."

"That's good," she nodded. "Less for us to worry about."

"I agree, that's good news. However, according to what I could gather, this place should still be crawling with multiple three-man teams. The captain in charge of the Sunagakure force is a vigilant bastard."

"So what is the exact purpose of this Sunagakure infestation?" Fuzen asked intrigued.

Sato turned to look at him. "They're waiting to escort the Mountains Daimyo and a couple of representatives. The one you caught didn't know the location of the meet, but he'd heard rumours that the Winds Daimyo would personally be present to sign the binding tributary contract between their two nations."

This whole situation had very fast developed into a matter of highest national importance. A deal of this significance signed behind the Land of Fire's back would without a doubt result in a major political embarrassment, furthermore, it wouldn't exactly inspire trust and confidence between the Daimyo of Fire and Konohagakure's Hokage.

Akata put on her mask again and walked over to the unconscious Suna shinobi. "Do we know their numbers and when they plan to set out?"

"Sunagakure arrived with at least 150 shinobi, perhaps more. Yet, the most worrisome part is Kagero Village. As I went through his memories, I witnessed a scene where several large groups of weapon bearing groups were seen entering the village, which causes me to suspect they've called in a lot of the shinobi clans living within their domain."

"Well, that's is troubling," she looked down at the one who'd contained these glimpses of valuable information. "And did he know when they'd leave?"

"Afraid not, but they've already been here for three days. I can't imagine them waiting around for much longer... What do suggest we do?"

"The Land of Mountains have obviously betrayed the trust of Konoha and our nation. If not yet by deed, their intentions are clear." She went down on one knee and grabbed hold of the jonin's hair tilting back the head, exposing his neck. "As such, this is war," with a flick with her kunai, Akata cut open his jugular.

Using her black cloak as a rag, she started cleaning her now bloodied weapon. "First of all, I doubt Konoha's forces would be able to reach here in time to stop the meet between the two daimyos, which is the most important part at this moment in time. So that will be our primary responsibility."

"Second of all, we need to inform the higher-ups of what is happening here. With you being the fastest among us that falls to you Fuzen."

Following suit, Fuzen also wore his mask. "Sure, what do you want me to tell the old man?"

"I want you to inform the Hokage, that the Land of Mountains has betrayed our trust and they've gathered all their forces along with several Sunagakure shinobi at Kagero Village."

"Got it. I'll be right back..."