The Konoha Grand Library was a labyrinthian tower, sprawling with high bookshelves and scroll cabinets supported by high pillars. The sun streamed lightly through high windows, and seal-powered lights illuminated the darker areas to give potential patrons proper spaces to read. The scent of old paper and sturdy oak wafted through the building, faint and comforting.

Sasuke would have liked to spend more time here if he had the luxury.

He grabbed the attention of an old librarian, asking him quietly where he could find books on history and mythology.

"Of course, young man. History is over in shelf thirty-two, on the right side of the building, and mythology is in sixty-five, in the back-right corner," the librarian smiled back at him. Sasuke nodded courteously in thanks and set off to burn through as many books as he could in a few hours, intent on abusing his Sharingan.

Hopefully, the headache wouldn't be too bad.

Within the hour, he had memorized about a third of the books in the history section, or at least what he had deemed important, and was starting on the mythology section when the headache started to creep up, so he set the mythology scroll down (some tale about an old Okami following a mercenary on a quest to get revenge on the group that had slaughtered the man's clan), closed his eyes and mulled over the information he had memorized.

The biggest change thus far seems to be the prevalence of The White Fang in the third war. Was he not mentioned back home? I don't remember hearing about him in the academy, and I certainly didn't read about him under Orochimaru. I haven't seen a name for this man either. Was he important in my world? What about him changed from home to here? I need to find not only the cause of this change, but the effects of the changes The White Fang made after the Third War. Do civilian newspapers discuss current shinobi events? Probably nothing actually important, but it might give me some idea of how much has changed.

Sasuke nodded, content with his plans, and went back to the librarian to ask for today's newspaper. Upon reading, however, he had found precious little that had shown much had changed. Mainly some civilian news, some new law the Hokage passed, increasing Jounin requirements, and the recent Chuunin exam results in Kumogakure. Sasuke didn't remember who hosted the Chuunin exams when, or even when he was, so that information told him nothing. He knew nothing of Jounin requirements either, so today's news was useless. He'd have to visit Konoha for any real information, even if he risked casting suspicion upon himself. Fishing for information was rarely easy, especially in a shinobi village. Maybe Konohagakure wasn't the best idea.

Where else could I find information…?

Sasuke remembered an old city that Orochimaru used to visit frequently for information and research material. Yugakure, one of the largest strongholds of criminal activity. Nearly everything beyond the law could be found there, from what he remembered.

And loyalty is often in short supply among criminals.

His plans set, Sasuke put the books back and left the library.

"Ah, Indra-sama, you're back!" Harue perked up as Sasuke returned to the hotel room.

"I'll be heading out tonight. I've got a few places to visit. I'll probably be a long time. Make yourself at home here if you want. I might visit again, but I may not." Sasuke dropped a stack of cash on the small coffee table. "Use this to cover your expenses until you can find a job. And don't tell anyone about me," Sasuke warned.

"Thank you, Indra-sama. I won't forget this, I promise."

Sasuke nodded and left without another word.

Strolling out of the hotel, Sasuke bought a small meal of yakitori for himself, a map, a compass and some rations in preparation for his journey.

Yugakure is a good five hours northwest if I'm fast enough. The problem will be keeping my chakra output to a minimum since I don't need the trouble of being found out. So long as I keep a low profile, it'll be harder for Zetsu to keep tabs on me. I might have to use my status as information to get what I need, though.

He doubted a full list of Akatsuki base locations would come cheap.

Once he cleared line of sight of the capital gates, Sasuke pushed off into the trees, checking his compass for proper direction and avoiding using chakra for as many jumps as he could, relying solely on his stamina and physical prowess for the longest time. He avoided any patrols or wandering ninja he could sense, having a close call with one as his thoughts started to drift off, the endless greenery of Hi no Kuni's forest not giving him much of a view at the speed he was moving. He luckily passed by the Konoha kunoichi unnoticed, though he would have to be on his guard better the remainder of his trip.

Seems I'm getting a little rusty.

The kunoichi looked vaguely familiar to him, but no one he knew came to mind, so he put the thought away and sped up.

Slipping past the border patrols of the various nations, Sasuke eventually arrived in Yu no Kuni unnoticed, the deep greens and browns of the dense forest giving way to golden plains and reddish plateaus. He wouldn't be able to travel as quickly anymore without a much greater risk of notice, so he slipped off his backpack to pull out his map and a ration. Crunching down on his meal as he triangulated a rough idea of where he was, Sasuke adjusted his direction slightly and continued walking.

Hopefully, the journey wouldn't take too much longer at this pace. He would begin to get restless.

To Sasuke's luck, the journey was over relatively shortly. The sun hadn't quite begun to set as the Yugakure came within sight. As clean as ever, the almost resort-like hidden village sparkled with the residue steam from the various springs that surrounded it. A few people were still relaxing in the springs, though most had likely gone for dinner within the village proper. A good time to arrive, he wouldn't be all that out of place covering as a tourist.

Sasuke nonchalantly strolled through the gates, hoping the shinobi eyeing the gates wouldn't be paying too much attention to him. They still may, as men were likely common disguises for kunoichi, and he couldn't scope out for any seals or barriers with his chakra; that would be a dead giveaway something was up.

He sat down on a public bench after walking in uninterrupted, listening around between the restaurants, teahouse sand tourists for any information on local establishments that could prove useful to him.

Nothing interesting yet. It's likely I'll have to wait until sundown for the nightlife to show up if I want anything substantial.

…I'm going to have to try seduction again, aren't I?

He certainly hoped not.

Sasuke decided to rent an inn nearby to shower off, change into a more civilian outfit and store his items before heading off to a tea house to relax. He needed some time to wind down before he had to brave bartering with criminals, and lacking the option of threats made his mission that much more difficult.

He kept a few kunai on him either way, just in case.

Sliding quietly into the bamboo-and-rice-paper-constructed tea house, Sasuke ordered a pot of ginseng and quietly watched the sunset, idly listening to the quiet chatter of the other patrons. He had received a few looks from some of the women (about a third of them were kunoichi, he estimated), but none were suspicious of him. Good so far.

"-Appointment with The Tower, but it got pushed to like, three in the morning. Honestly, does that old bat never sleep? How many opulent asshats does she need to see, anyway?" Sasuke perked up slightly. One of the kunoichi had raised her voice a bit, and Sasuke didn't quite think it was on purpose. Wither she had her lips loosened due to the alcohol or this tower she spoke of was widely known information was difficult to say, but he was not about to pass up free information.

But what to do with it?

Just because he had a lead on where to find an information broker didn't mean he could just walk in and talk to them, not if they were as important as they sounded.

An idea formed in his head. It was a bit of a long shot, and he didn't know what was valuable enough to trade for the information he wanted (beyond his power) but getting in the door came first.

First, gain her attention.

A good stare at her back was enough for her to notice, and when she turned to him, he gave her what he believed was his most charming smile and a gesture to the opposite seat at his table. Sasuke troubled the waiter for a second cup as the kunoichi looked between her friend and him. Whispering something to her friend, something that he didn't care enough to tune in and hear, she sauntered over to his table and sat down with more class than he honestly expected of her.

Second, gain her interest.

"My apologies for interrupting your time with your friend," Sasuke started. "I just felt a little lonely here, I've only just arrived in the village, and you seem quite comfortable here. Would you happen to be a regular?" he finished with a smile.

"Oh, you could say that. I certainly know my way around this place," she replied with a roguish smile. "My name is Chiho," she held her hand out to him. "And if I may be so bold…?"

"Indra," he replied, placing his hand in hers, which she kissed, eyes sparkling.

"Charmed."

"Please, the pleasure's all mine," he replied as he poured her a cup of ginseng. "I've heard this city was a good place to rub shoulders with people who know things. I've also heard that these people happen to throw some excellent parties. I'm looking for someone with good fashion sense to help pick out a nice outfit for such a high-class party, and perhaps even be my date. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask such a clearly skilled kunoichi. You will be compensated of course," he added as he dropped a stack of cash on the table. "Interested?"

"I just might be. Who could resist being the date of such a beautiful man as yourself? But tell me," she began, "Exactly what kind of information are you looking for?" She had a small blade palmed in her hand secretly, believing he hadn't noticed. Cute.

"I'm interested in history and mythology, you see, and I've heard rumors about a statue possibly linked to the Rikudou Sennin. It supposedly is ten stories tall, has nine eyes and is shackled at the hands and feet. I want to know if it really exists, and if it does, I want to find it. If it is real, perhaps even the secrets of chakra itself are within the statue," Sasuke chattered, pretending to be excited about the statue. If he didn't sell the part of some rich kid in over his head, he might end up having to cause a scene.

"Hmm…these parties can be pretty dangerous, don't you know? Especially for a boy as pretty as you. You never know who would be willing to steal you away and do horrible things to you, especially around here. This isn't the kindest place to helpless boys, after all," she replied slightly flirtatiously, her eyes twinkling, and her blade secretly palmed. Sasuke smiled as innocently as he could.

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'll have a skilled kunoichi to protect me while I'm there, isn't it?"

Third, gain her cooperation.

Chiho smiled.

"I suppose it is. How much cash is that?" She asked, intrigued.

"Ten thousand. More than you'd usually be paid for an escort mission, no?" Sasuke told her.

"Please, that's nothing compared to some of the real escort missions I've taken," she retorted.

Slightly quickened pulse, false bravado, twitch of the eyes.

"Don't lie to me. I'm being generous as it is. Try to fleece me and I'll find someone else," Sasuke's smile dropped immediately, eyes hardening. Her eyes widened slightly for a second, before settling back into her casually interested demeanor.

"Not your first time, hon? Why are you looking for shinobi protection? Is someone hunting you?" she barraged him with quick questions. Sasuke shook his head.

"I can't trust the people in this city. I don't have allies here, so looking for information is more difficult. I also don't know who I need to become friends with to get the information I'm looking for, which is why I'm looking for someone to act as a full-time bodyguard. The 'family shinobi' type, so long as I'm in the city. You up for the job?"

Chiho thought about it for a while, staring between him and the money, sipping her tea all the while.

"Yeah, I think I can. I want my pay up front though, and I want to know our cover."

"Half up front, half when the mission is complete. Our cover is that I'm a member of the Taira family and you're one of the family retainers, a loyal kunoichi and butler," Sasuke counteroffered. "I will be Shimazu Ichirou, addressed as Ichirou-sama while we are in uniform. Speaking of, buy a butler uniform tonight or tomorrow, modify it as you wish for your weapons. We won't be able to get into any parties tonight, will we? Whatever information brokers are around certainly won't take any last-minute appointments, especially from an unknown to the city. We'll need contacts, ones that we can curry favor with or blackmail into letting us see who we need." Chiho stared at him, nearly baffled, and Sasuke realized he might have slipped too far into his old commander demeanor.

Shit. I might come off as too suspicious.

"Surprised? Surely, you've dealt with male spies and such before. An explorer needs to have a varied skill set if he's to survive in a world such as this, no?" He smiled at her mischievously. She looked between Sasuke and the cash, a question seemingly on her tongue. He raised an eyebrow at her in prompt.

"How much cash do you have on you?" She asked.

"Why?"

"Well, I happen to have an appointment with one of the best information brokers in the city, but for the right price, I'll give you my spot. That money better be worth it though, I've been looking for this info for a long time," Chiho offered. Sasuke smirked and tossed a second stack of bills onto the table without a thought.

"Twenty thousand up front, thirty more once I've met with the broker." She blinked in surprise.

"Wow, I guess you weren't kidding about being loaded. Alright, you have a deal. How do you plan on convincing the tower to take you as an appointment instead of me, though?"

"Same plan, I'll say you made the reservation in my stead, but decided to ask for the information personally, believing it was rude to send solely a butler to barter for the information I'm looking for. In which case, we'll need those clothes tonight, as well as an inn, so I can look more presentable," Sasuke outlined the plan.

"Shall we look for our new clothes, then, Ichirou-sama?" Chiho asked playfully, pocketing the stacks of cash he offered.

"You'll have to show me around, I don't know of any clothing stores nearby." She smiled gleefully.

"Oh, I know just the place."

"I have to admit, this place is rather high-class," Sasuke admitted, browsing the ornate store's selection of silk kimonos as the sweet scent of perfume wafted through the air. A store clerk attended the pair, dressed fashionably in a sakura blossom-patterned kimono, giving the two some pattern ideas and recommendations.

"Perhaps a navy and white combination for the young lord? You seem to prefer the less ostentatious patterns, though I do surmise a cloud pattern would look absolutely gorgeous on you, dear," the fashionista mused. Sasuke held back a snort at his excitement on different kimonos.

"Ooh, maybe a sakura pattern like yours? I'm sure you'd look lovely in pink, Ichirou-sama," Chiho chimed in to tease him.

"Do you have any in a night sky pattern? I unfortunately cannot go with something too plain this occasion," Sasuke asked the clerk, speaking more formally to impress a noble background upon the civilian.

"Excellent suggestion, young lord, we should still have a few, though a custom order will likely fit better if you wish."

"I lack the time for a custom order, unfortunately, I will need the attire for a meeting tonight," Sasuke turned to Chiho. "You also will require something to wear, will you not? Clerk, would you lead her to the yukata selection you have? I trust her discretion."

"Of course, young lord. This way, butler. We have the most dashing yukatas in the village, I promise you…."

Sasuke tuned them both out as he headed to the fitting room, stripping off his cloak and clothes to view some of the hidden seals on his body.

Do I neutralize them? If they're noticed in the tower, I might have a bad situation on my hands, and I would lose leverage very quickly. That said….

Sasuke shook his head. Neutralizing any storage seals on his body could spell serious disaster, and he wasn't proficient enough in fuinjutsu to accurately predict what would happen if he did.

I'll have to keep them hidden and make sure not to channel any chakra, so any weapons will have to be hidden on my person, though I guarantee they'll search me if this place has any sense. It's a risk, but I'll have to forego weapons.

Slipping on the kimono and its underlayers to test their fit, he found himself satisfied with its make and fit. He changed back before walking out of the changing room to ring up his new formalwear. At the front was another clerk and Chiho, who had already picked out a grey cloud-pattern yukata. He nodded at her before turning to the heavily perfumed desk clerk, a dark-haired woman this time.

"Just these and the shoes, thank you."

"Of course, that will be thirteen thousand ryo," the clerk responded.

Handing over the required amount, he walked out of the store with Chiho carrying both of their clothes.

"I assume the tower will keep us separate during the appointment?" he asked her. Chiho nodded.

"Since we don't have an appointment under both of our names ahead of time, the tower will only let one of us in. They wouldn't normally let you in under my name, but if I'm personally there to verify that I've made the appointment in my name for you, they should let you in," Chiho explained quietly, "Though they'll make sure you have no weapons or items on you."

"Do you think they'll search me less thoroughly than they would suspected enemy kunoichi? Could we work that possibility to our advantage somehow?"

"It could, though they could end up sexually harassing you in the process. They shouldn't, since this is the most respected information source this side of the continent, but you never know. You'll be able to defend yourself to defend yourself if things go south, right?" she asked Sasuke, eyes shining.

"Don't worry, you'll still get your money," Sasuke snorted. She grinned shamelessly at him.

"Jeez, am I that obvious?" she teased, laughing.

"Hn."

"Aww, don't be like that…" Chiho whined playfully.

"We'll get a room tonight and get ready there. I don't want to change in public," he told her, ignoring her teasing. She nodded.

"Sounds like a plan."

Within the inn, Sasuke slipped on the formal underclothes before fitting his kimono, carefully not looking at Chiho.

"What is the official name of this tower? And who holds our appointment?"

"Horyu Tower is its proper name, and we're meeting Nanigashi Benika. Call her Benihime and she might murder you on the-holy shit your arm's gone," she replied, apparently not returning his courtesy of not sneaking peeks at one another while changing.

"It is."

"How'd that even happen? Is that why you carry that sword? Who did this to you? Was it recent?" She fired a flurry of questions at him.

"I fought an old friend. They blew my arm off, I cut theirs."

"Oh…" she said solemnly. "I'm sorry." A silence fell upon the two for a minute.

Hopefully, she'll leave it at that.

"Anything else I should know?" Sasuke asked.

"Uh, noble tradition? Speak formally? Give proper respect? Don't demand anything without offering? Aside from that, they'll sell information to anyone, so long as someone's asking for it."

"Hn," Sasuke nodded.

"By the way, how long did you get this room for?"

"Three days. I'm unsure how long it'll take for the tower to compile its information," he replied.

"Seems reasonable," Chiho nodded absentmindedly, still staring at his dangling sleeve.

"Oi. Our appointment's soon, we're wasting time," he snapped at her to regain her attention. She shook her head lightly to clear it, straightening her yukata.

"Right, my bad. Let's go."

Stepping outside, Sasuke noticed that the nightlife seemed more active than the evening had held. Every shop from humble teahouses to upscale clubs and bars to seedy dives were bustling with people of all kinds. The smells of alcohol, tea, street food and perfumes wafted through the night air, and all kinds of atmospheres surrounded him. This city was a glorious wealth of information, and if Sasuke didn't stay focused, he might just get lost trying to wring out every bit of knowledge form this city.

Shaking his head slightly to force out the distractions, Sasuke followed his guide to one of the tallest towers in the city. Painted a traditional red and tan, the pagoda stood tall above all nearby buildings, standing as a pinnacle of architecture.

"What floor will we be meeting our supplier?" he whispered under his breath.

"Seventh," she murmured back. If he was counting his windows correctly, they would be on the second – maybe third – highest floor.

It's going to be difficult to escape without notice. If attacked, I'll need to use a flashbang of some sort – maybe something fire-related, which I can disguise as a civilian method or tool – before breaking out of the nearest window and using a transparency jutsu to limit knowledge of who I am to the attacker, they'll likely believe I was disguised as a man, so long as I'm fast enough. If they have chakra sensors and trackers, it will be more difficult to escape, and I'll likely have to eliminate them if they tail me too well. I can't risk using Amenotejikara, it's too recognizable, could give them information on me.

"Hn."

They entered the tower.

"Hello, welcome to Horyu Tower, do you two have an appointment?" a brunette receptionist in a modest bob cut asked the pair as they strode in.

"Yes, under Takahashi Chiho, for my lord Ichirou-sama," Chiho responded formally.

"And do you have identification?"

"I do, here," Chiho pulled out a civilian ID card, common among nukenin, presenting it to the receptionist.

"Of course, that checks out. You said you made this appointment on behalf of this man?" the receptionist asked, Sasuke nodding in response. "We'll need to search you both, then, I hope you understand. Second floor, room two thirteen. And your full name?

"Shimazu Ichirou."

"Thank you, let me mark that down, and you're free to head up!" The woman told them, and they walked past.

"You have our story straight?" He whispered to her once they were out of sight, heading up the stairs. She nodded subtly without looking at him. They stopped at room two thirteen and knocked three times. The door opened, revealing two Yugakure Chuunin in standard uniform, a police band around their left arms.

"Takahashi Chiho? And Shimazu Ichirou?" one of them asked tersely.

"Yes, that is us," his partner answered.

"Come in, stand on opposite sides of the room, you will be searched for any smuggled weapons or other contraband. Failure to comply can lead to expulsion from the tower, arrest or execution," the husky-sounding woman commanded. They complied promptly, taking in the hardwood walls and flooring.

Seals likely are etched on the underside of the flooring and walls to prevent escape, possibly to restrict chakra entirely. The window is almost certainly trapped. The entrance as well, but it's more likely to be manually activated rather than motion activated. Might be our best chance of escape if we have to engage.

Sasuke stood at the left wall, facing his partner on the opposite end of the room as a tall shinobi stepped up to him.

"Arms out horizontally. No sudden moves. You might feel a bit uncomfortable, but this is a necessary precaution, I assure you," the woman told him professionally. He nodded, complying.

She patted him down slowly and thoroughly, checking every spot on his person through his kimono, only checking in his kimono on the spots that would be difficult to tell if he had something concealed there from the outside. The kunoichi was right, the experience was mildly uncomfortable, though it was far from a sexual harassment case.

Once finished, the woman brought him into a separate room through one of the two other doors, seating him in a drab room with a wooden table before taking the seat across from him.

"Alright, Shimazu Ichirou, was it? Let's begin. This hopefully won't take too long. You are minor nobility, correct?"

"Correct, we are a small family from northern Hi no Kuni," he answered formally.

"And how long have you had the service of your butler, Takahashi Chiho?" the woman asked him.

"Nearly as long as I can remember. Her father was my parents' maid, and he had a dalliance with one of The Fire Daimyo's guards. The mother could not take care of her and perform her duties, so she has been raised to be my butler and guard." His interrogator nodded at his explanation.

"Then she has had shinobi training?"

"Yes."

"Why are you two traveling together? What purpose do you have outside your own country?"

"I am an archaeologist. As a son of the Shimazu clan, I cannot become the matriarch, and thus, until an alliance is formed with another clan that would require my hand, I have been given freedom to pursue my dreams temporarily." The guard nodded slowly at that.

"How long have you two been traveling? What discoveries are you currently looking for?" she asked.

"I am chasing rumors of a large statue said to be connected to the Rikudou Sennin. There is precious little information on the issue, and I wish to see if there is any truth to the rumors."

"Interested in the origins of chakra?"

"Interested in history."

The guard thought for a while, staring near the door, but not quite at it. After a few minutes of silence, she turned back to him.

"You have been cleared to meet the Lady of the Tower, but your butler will have to stay in the guest lounge. Are these terms acceptable?"

"They are," Sasuke affirmed.

"Then I will guide you there," the kunoichi stood to open the door. "Come, Shimazu-san. Nanigashi-sama does not wish to be kept waiting."

Led out of the room and up multiple flights of stairs, Sasuke noted that the upper floors' hallways were much more decorated than the lower halls. Lined with gorgeous, traditional art and refined calligraphy, very few of which Sasuke recognized. His old clan home had a few pieces of calligraphy from the Warring Clans Era, but none of these looked to be Uchiha-made.

His knowledge of international history was sorely lacking.

The guard stopped in front of an ornate set of patterned rice paper doors, stepping to the right and turning to him.

"Nanigashi-sama waits for you inside. Leave your shoes here. Show respect." Sasuke nodded, slipping off his shoes and entering on his knees.

"Nanigashi-sama, may I enter?" He asked, bowing.

"You may."

Lifting himself from his bow as the door slid closed behind him, he drank in the sight of the woman in front of him. Nanigashi Benika was a woman of undeterminable age, possibly mid-thirties, with wild pink hair worn in a ponytail, wearing a loose red and white kimono with long, flowing sleeves. An ornate Katana hung at her waist, tied by a thick crimson rope not unlike the one he used to wear while training under Orochimaru, while a smaller one connected the slack kimono at her collarbones, and seemed the only thing keeping her incredibly bountiful breasts from spilling out with each breath she took. A detailed black and gold eyepatch covered her left eye, her remaining eye stared at him with a reserved expression. Amber. Almost flame colored. In truth, Nanigashi reminded him of a samurai more than a kunoichi.

He glanced at her right arm. Her right hand did not show beyond the sleeve hem, though her left gestured for him to sit. He did.

"Shimazu Ichirou."

"Nanigashi-sama."

She poured two cups of steaming tea from an ornate iron kettle into a beautiful porcelain cup, taking a drink before passing the cup to him. Sasuke took the cup, rotating it for slightly, before drinking. Light, floral and earthy flavors washed over his tongue. No bitterness, very slightly acidic. Jasmine tea, then.

The best tea he had in years.

Sasuke passed the cup back to her. She rotated it once more before drinking the rest.

"You serve excellent tea, Nanigashi-sama," Sasuke broke the silence once she set the cup aside.

"Thank you, Shimazu-san," she paused to breathe deeply, before looking at his missing left limb. "You have lost an arm."

"She who lives by the blade," he responded, looking pointedly at her concealed right hand. She smiled, a look of respect in her eye.

"Indeed. It would be undue to challenge a man, but I would enjoy crossing blades sometime."

"As would I," he replied honestly. "There are few outside of Kumogakure who still practice the sword." She nodded.

"Now tell me, Shimazu Ichirou, what prompted you to buy out the appointment time of a local kunoichi and feed her a false story to tell our investigators?" she smiled at him lightly, as a cat playing with her prey before she pounced.

"Your information network is quick. Is it expansive?" He asked in return.

"It's the best," Benika replied confidently.

"Better than the Toad Sage's?"

She barked a laugh. "Jiru-san has nothing on our scale. She is the best in Konoha, certainly, and her books are incredibly difficult to crack, but she is not Horyu. Do you not think the same? You came to us, after all." Her grin was a victor's grin. He nodded.

"I'm looking for information on a group called the Akatsuki. All known members, all known bases and areas of operation." Her eyebrow raised sharply.

"And what would a man do with such information?" She asked suspiciously.

"That is deeply personal," he stonewalled her. The woman frowned slightly. It may as well have been a scowl.

"Such information would be extraordinarily expensive. One does not come by the information of such high-profile, secretive criminals so easily."

"No, but they have done business in this village. If they have not traded away Amegakure's treasury here, then they have traded information." She stared at him steadily, judging his resolve. He stared back impassively, hoping she wouldn't call his bluff. He had not had to hold such a poker face since his trial.

Itachi would be proud.

"And your clan is willing to empty their own coffers for such information?"

"Who says I will be trading in currency?" he responded lightly. Her gaze was sharp.

"You believe the information you hold is as valuable as mine?"

"Should we trade a sample?" Sasuke smiled. "Give me the locations of three Akatsuki bases and the identity of one member, and I will give you two pieces of information concerning their leader."

"One base and one member for two pieces," she countered.

"Two bases and one member for two pieces."

Nanigashi sat in thought for a few seconds.

"Very well. If I find your information lacking, however, I shall take your tongue," she stated, her hand resting on her katana's hilt.

"As you wish," Sasuke bowed in agreement.

Benika pressed her hand under the table and closed her eye, waiting silently. He took the opportunity to feel out the seals in the room. He didn't recognize all of them, but he did recognize the three chakra suppressant seals in the room, one low-powered one on the wall, always active, serving as a dampener, two more inactive, one of them directly under him and one on the ceiling. A barrier seal covered the window and doors. Some sort of illusion seal on the wall opposite him, though he wasn't familiar with it, so he was admittedly guessing. Perhaps a hidden door? The table was home to a few as well, though he recognized none of them.

My previous plan is moot, but I could work with this.

The door behind him opened. Another shinobi walked past him, bowing deeply as she presented the woman with two scrolls. Nanigashi took the scrolls, opening them for herself one at a time. The kunoichi whispered into her lady's ear before turning and leaving, closing the door behind her. He failed to overhear the conversation.

"Here are two base locations," She told him as she unrolled the scroll towards him, revealing a map of the Elemental Nations, two places circled on the paper. One in Kawa no Kuni, one in Iwa no Kuni. Sasuke nodded. She rolled the other scroll out slightly, revealing a single name.

Akasuna no Sasori.

They're still alive. I can't assume that Pain is alive, but if the Akatsuki exists, then they're still most likely the figurehead.

Sasuke nodded. "Your information is adequate." He knew of the base in Kawa no Kuni, though he did not know the location of Iwa no Kuni's base. He would have to search that one out.

"While I do not know her given name, the leader of the Akatsuki is a member of the Uzumaki clan. She and her two teammates, one of them now dead, were trained by the Toad Sage during the second shinobi war. The Akatsuki leader is the current acting leader of Amegakure, with her surviving teammate as her second in command in both Amegakure and Akatsuki." Benika stared at him warily.

"How am I going to verify this information? How do I know you speak true?" she asked him lowly, dangerously. Sasuke remained impassive.

"You don't. You could try to use your spies in Amegakure, but they have all been compromised. If they still live, then Pain does not believe them to be an issue. The dead ones may have found something, but you will fail to retrieve the bodies. No one in Amegakure is there without Pain's knowledge. It has something to do with the rain," he gave freely. A few more pieces of information relevant to her spies would make her more likely to believe him.

Her hand shook for a few seconds before she forcibly calmed herself.

"Very well," she acquiesced. "I shall take your information as true until I can verify it as false." Nanigashi rolled the scrolls out further, slapping her palm on each to undo the secrecy seals containing the rest of the information. "This information is yours, for a price. Whether you keep it or burn it is up to your discretion. If you do keep it, beware from those who may take it from you. The information may become useless if it falls into the wrong hands." Sasuke nodded.

"And what information will you give me in return?" Benika asked of him,

Sasuke smirked. "I will give you two key pieces of information, both of which will change the way you view the world. They will return you vast profit, though I ask you only sell such information at the highest price. I would not wish for such information to be spread everywhere just yet."

"Continue."

Sasuke took a deep breath.

"The reason Pain leads the Akatsuki is because she wields the Rinnegan."

"What?" Benika snapped, losing all composure. Sasuke nodded.

"I do not speak lies. Pain controls six puppets through special chakra rods, each of them able to use a facet of the Rinnegan's power. The main mouthpiece of pain is the corpse of her dead teammate. I cannot share more on the subject, unfortunately."

"The Rinnegan is a myth. The Rikudou Sennin is a legend," she nearly hissed at him.

"Then I advise you begin to take more stock in mythology in the future," Sasuke replied coolly.

"Who are you to request an audience with me and peddle such fabrications? Which village do you spy for? What is your name?" Nanigashi growled at him, hand gripping the hilt of her blade.

"I am loyal to no village here. No nation in this world claims me," he told her. My existence itself is a secret, though I fear it will not be for much longer. And things will change with my revelation. The balance of power may shift radically once I am a known quantity."

"How so?" The Lady of the Tower did not back down so easily.

"It is easier to demonstrate," Sasuke told her. He began shedding the top of his kimono before pulling down the underlayer to his hips.

"If this is an attempt at seduction, it is a poor one, brat. The fact that you are a boy will not spare my wrath."

"I make no attempt to seduce. I am proving a point. I assume there are seals that prevent henge and most forms of genjutsu?" he asked, glancing around at the walls. She stiffened slightly, before nodding reluctantly.

"Then lay your hand upon my breast, merely for a second, to see for yourself that I am who I present myself as," Sasuke requested. Benika hesitated, only for a second, but leaned over the table to place her hand upon him.

"What does this tomfoolery accomplish? Proving to me that you are an inferior spy?"

"If I were an agent of a village, I would be a known quantity long before now. You would have known of me long before now. I do this to grant perspective."

"Perspective of what?" she demanded, her patience thinning. Sasuke looked her dead in the eye, clothing himself once again.

He slowly held his good hand out in display, the Chidori roaring to life in his palm.

Benika's eye snapped open, hand shaking on her blade.

"H-h-h-how…?"

"I am Indra," Sasuke spoke. "And my presence will change this world."