450. The Operation

Of course, Kabuto wouldn't agree to this child's self-recommendation.

After all, the ruins were the stronghold of the remnants of the Land of the Sky, and it was a dangerous place.

He didn't want to go through the trouble of protecting a defenseless child while facing danger.

Seeing Kabuto and the others' expressions of refusal, the child grew anxious and exclaimed, "I really know those ruins well, I'm not lying! I often go there with Teacher Shinnō!"

"Teacher Shinnō?"

This name immediately caught the attention of Kabuto and the others.

After all, the leader of the Land of the Sky went by the alias "Shinnō" when he was out in the world.

Seeing that she had successfully captured their attention, the child puffed out her chest proudly and said, "That's right, I'm Teacher Shinnō's disciple. Although he hasn't acknowledged me yet, one day he will!"

The child spoke with great confidence.

Seeing this, Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his expression slightly odd.

If nothing unexpected had happened, the "Teacher Shinnō" this child was talking about had already been captured by them...

However, he didn't reveal this fact.

Instead, he began to probe the child for more information about Shinnō and the ruins.

The child, having no sense of caution, spilled everything she knew after a few simple questions.

Her name was Amaru, and she was a girl. As for her status as Shinnō's disciple, it was self-proclaimed.

When she was younger, she had contracted a severe illness.

While all the villagers avoided her, it was Shinnō who stepped in and cured her. In a sense, Shinnō had saved her life.

Out of gratitude, she had followed him around ever since, gaining a deep understanding of the ruins.

After hearing her story, Kabuto subtly glanced at Itachi Uchiha beside him.

A red light flashed in Itachi's eyes, and he nodded slightly, giving Kabuto a confirming look.

This meant that the little girl named Amaru wasn't lying.

"But why do you want to take us to the ruins?" Kabuto asked, raising a crucial question.

At this, Amaru looked at him with sparkling eyes and said, "If I'm not mistaken, big brothers, you're ninjas, right?"

Kabuto nodded frankly.

They weren't surprised that their ninja identities had been discovered.

After all, the mountain paths here were rugged and difficult to traverse.

Ordinary children wouldn't be able to make it here, let alone remain as calm and composed as they were.

After receiving confirmation, Amaru immediately made her request: "If possible, I'd like to learn ninjutsu from you! Preferably medical ninjutsu! I want to be a good doctor like Teacher Shinnō, saving lives and healing the wounded!"

Whenever she mentioned Shinnō, Amaru's eyes sparkled.

After considering her request for a moment, Kabuto agreed.

After all, Konoha was actively recruiting talented individuals from all over. If Amaru truly had the potential to become a ninja, then helping her out wouldn't be a bad idea.

Of course, the most important factor was her value.

Having someone familiar with the ruins as a guide would undoubtedly make their mission much easier.

As for the issue of her "Teacher Shinnō," there was no need to worry.

According to Konoha's intelligence, the identity of the "doctor" was merely a disguise for Shinnō.

In reality, that guy was a genuine scumbag.

Once Amaru learned the truth about him, her idealized image of him would naturally shatter.

"However, becoming a ninja isn't that simple," Kabuto added.

"I can take you to Konoha, but whether you can become a ninja—or a medical ninja—depends on your own abilities."

Hearing this, Amaru nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with hope for the future.

---

As it turned out, Amaru wasn't exaggerating when she said she was familiar with the ruins.

Under her guidance, Kabuto and the others quickly found the location of the ruins.

"See those stone pillars extending from the ground? That's the ruins!" Amaru pointed excitedly at a clearing not far away.

"Below the ground, there are even more ruins. I used to explore here often, and I happen to know a crack that leads deep underground. Going through that crack will get you to the interior of the ruins much faster. Even Teacher Shinnō doesn't know this secret!"

Amaru spilled all the secrets of the Land of the Sky's ruins in just a few sentences.

Of course, she had no idea that this was the famous *Ancor Vantian* aerial fortress of the Land of the Sky.

To her, it was just an ancient ruin hiding some kind of secret.

"It seems this deal was the right choice," Kabuto said with a smile as he looked at the crack leading underground.

If they could sneak into the enemy's stronghold, it would undoubtedly make their plan much smoother.

Itachi also looked pleased.

He turned to Amaru and said, "In that case, could you draw us a map of the interior of the ruins?"

"Huh?" Amaru was surprised.

She scratched her head and said, "I can just take you in myself."

Unfortunately, her offer was quickly rejected by Itachi.

"The next part of the mission might be dangerous. It's better if you stay outside the ruins."

"Dangerous?" Amaru looked confused. This was just an ordinary, remote ruin.

What danger could there be?

However, even though she didn't understand why these Konoha ninjas were so interested in the ruins, the thought of possibly becoming a ninja herself made her stop overthinking.

She began to draw the map seriously.

Ten minutes later, a detailed map of the ruins' interior was complete.

It had to be said, Amaru's knowledge of the ruins was indeed extensive.

Every area inside the ruins was meticulously marked on the map, saving the Konoha team a lot of trouble.

"Alright, let's move out," Kabuto said after finalizing the plan. He rolled up the scroll with a serious expression.

"Move out, scatter!"

In the next moment, the six figures vanished, leaving only Amaru behind, her eyes filled with envy.