Chapter 92: Gathering Intelligence is This Easy - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

Chapter 92: Gathering Intelligence is This Easy Though Konohagakure and Sunagakure are allied nations, the interactions between their lower-ranked shinobi are far from friendly. Hinata, Ino, and Sakura walked into the Sunagakure rest area. Ino and Sakura were visibly afraid of Gaara, timidly hiding behind Hinata. Gaara and Kankuro immediately noticed the trio's presence. Kankuro subconsciously took a step back, feeling a slight twinge of shame. Kankuro had encountered Hinata twice and had been easily defeated each time. His fear of Hinata was second only to that of Gaara. Kankuro was considering stepping back to his original position, thinking that if no one noticed, his embarrassing retreat might go unnoticed... Looking around, Kankuro despaired as he realized Hinata's gaze was fixed on him. Hinata waved him over with a cheerful smile, "Hey handsome, come here for a second!" Kankuro thought, "I'm not handsome. She must be calling Gaara, he's much more handsome than me!" Seeing Kankuro frozen in place, Hinata's smile grew even gentler. She enunciated each word clearly, "I! Want! You! To! Come! Here!" Kankuro, as if pulled by invisible strings, stiffly walked over to Hinata, trying his hardest to maintain his composure. With a rigid expression, he asked, "Ladies of Konoha, may I help you with something?" Hinata glanced at Ino and Sakura, both of whom seemed bewildered and at a loss for words. Though the Ninja Academy had somewhat covered interrogation techniques, it was merely in theory, lacking detailed instructions. As for extracting information... Hinata had never actually practiced it. "Well..." After pondering for a moment, Hinata turned to Kankuro and asked, "Do you know what 'Lingchi' is in Sunagakure?" Lingchi? What on earth is that? Kankuro, not wanting to appear ignorant and embarrass Sunagakure, nodded promptly. "Of course! Why do you ask?" "No reason!" Hinata scratched her cheek, feeling a bit frustrated. Is there really a punishment like 'Lingchi' in the shinobi world? An unfazed Ino glanced at the ongoing battle below. At that moment, Shikamaru was being pushed into a corner by Temari, causing her to worry about Shikamaru's situation. She forcibly maintained her calm, "Your Temari is quite capable!" Upon hearing this, Kankuro boasted, "Hmph! Temari can use large-scale Wind Release jutsu with her fan, sparing her from having to make hand signs. Once she reveals the third star on her fan—" A murderous gaze stopped Kankuro mid-sentence. Kankuro felt exasperated. Why had he carelessly divulged his sister's abilities? He glanced at Hinata, thinking, "Is it because I'm too afraid of her?" Realizing that extracting information might not be her forte, Hinata decided to be direct. "Does Sunagakure have—" Before she could finish, she was interrupted. "Hinata!" Hinata, Ino, and Sakura swiftly turned around, echoing in surprise, "Shino? What are you doing here?" Kankuro broke into a cold sweat. When did he arrive? Shino, exuding a menacing aura, spoke gloomily, "I’ve been here from the beginning." Kankuro almost fainted on the spot. From the beginning? Before Temari entered the scene, the trio had already discussed many plans. Could it be that this Shino had overheard everything? "Uh..." Hinata was momentarily embarrassed, but quickly regained her enthusiasm. "Shino, do you need something from us?" Shino nodded slightly, "I have something I need to discuss with you." Kankuro was at his wits’ end. Sunagakure’s plans were about to be exposed. Kankuro glanced back at Gaara, silently asking: Should we silence them? Gaara returned a nonchalant look: You want to do it? Besides, Shukaku’s already scared. I’m not doing it! Kankuro turned back, feigning ignorance: I know nothing! Hinata suggested, "Let's talk outside." Kankuro beamed, "Ladies of Konoha, take care!" As they reached the door, Hinata turned back and said to Kankuro, "You're a good guy, I'll remember you." Kankuro: Please, just forget about me! As Hinata and her friends left, Kankuro felt that being alone with Gaara wasn't as terrifying by comparison. One monster is always better than two. Outside the rest area, Hinata and her friends found an isolated corner. Hinata turned to Shino, "Did you overhear anything from Sunagakure?" Shino nodded, "Yes, it seems they are up to something... but they didn’t specify." Hinata gave a knowing look, "I suspected as much. I went to Gaara and the others to gather information." Ino and Sakura gazed at Hinata with admiration. She’s so strong, so clever, so cute, and even well-born... Thinking this, both felt a twinge of inferiority. Only Shino knew the whole truth, but he didn’t dare speak it! Years of observing from the shadows had given Shino more insight than most. Like a certain little troublemaker. Hinata praised Shino, "With your confirmation, I can report to my father so we can be prepared." Hinata continued, "Let me tell you, one of the Sannin, Orochimaru—the rogue S-class criminal—has returned to Konoha. Moreover, Jiraiya, another Sannin, is also in the village." "Something big is going to happen today!" Ino asked worriedly, "Hinata, what should we do?" Hinata thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't we each go home, inform our families, and then tell our Jonin instructors." "We’re only Genin, identifying Sunagakure's suspicious intentions is already commendable. The rest should be left to the village's Jonin." Shino agreed, "Sakura, notify Kurenai-sensei. She should be with Asuma-sensei, inform them and then head home. Ino, you handle your family's side. Hinata, I saw Lord Hiashi in the audience, Guy-sensei should be there too." Shino’s arrangement seemed reasonable, and Hinata nodded in agreement. However, one thing still bothered Hinata. I'm not suited for extracting information, and torture doesn't really fit the image of a cute girl. "So, how exactly should I go about obtaining intelligence in the future?"