A group of four slipped through the dense forest into Rogue Town.
Their arrival went unnoticed, blending seamlessly with the daily throng of merchants traveling between the Fire and River Countries.
Orochimaru, ever the kimono-clad prince, donned an elegant robe, his jonin vest stowed away. Mikoto wore a white dress adorned with intricate patterns, her black hair tied in a sleek ponytail, cascading like a waterfall. Tatsumi sported a matching outfit, the coordinated attire radiating what some might call "couple energy"—a subtle jab at Rope Tree.
Rope Tree, meanwhile, wore what appeared to be simple casual clothes. To ordinary eyes, he was unremarkable. But Orochimaru's keen gaze saw through the ruse: Rope Tree's "outfit" was a Transformation Jutsu, crafted from leaves barely covering key areas.
After days in the wild, the bustling streets of Rogue Town stirred a strange warmth in Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Rope Tree. Rope Tree feigned nonchalance, but his eyes darted about, searching for a clothing shop to remedy his leafy predicament. His unease was palpable.
This relaxed demeanor was no accident—it was Orochimaru's directive. As "merchants," they had to shed their ninja tension to avoid drawing attention. Acting wired would betray their mission's secrecy.
Along the way, Tatsumi noted the steady stream of travelers and merchants hauling goods. Yet something nagged at him. Intelligence reported bandits plaguing the region, yet the town thrived. Why hadn't trade routes shifted? Were these merchants that confident in their defenses?
The discrepancy gnawed at him, clashing with their mission brief.
The four entered an unassuming hotel under Orochimaru's lead. Despite its small size, the interior was tastefully decorated, quiet due to its low profile. The owners, a couple in their forties, greeted them warmly. The wife led them upstairs after Orochimaru secured a room.
The spacious room easily accommodated all four.
"You must be from a big city," the hostess said, her smile kind but calculating. Years of serving travelers had honed her ability to gauge wealth by clothing. The group's fine attire marked them as affluent.
Tatsumi and Rope Tree stayed quiet, wary of slipping up. Orochimaru answered in his hoarse voice, a disarming smile on his lips. "Yes, from the Daimyo's capital."
"The Fire Country's capital? It must be grand," the woman said, her eyes alight with longing. "Once we save enough, we're moving there."
"Are you here to travel?" she asked casually.
"No, we're selling goods in the River Country," Orochimaru replied. "Fire Country wares fetch a good price there."
"Of course! The River Country's no prospering hub. Your goods will sell well," she said enthusiastically.
"By the way, ma'am, where can we buy clothes around here?" Rope Tree blurted out.
Startled, the woman recovered quickly. "Turn left out the door and head to the end. There's a commercial street."
"That street's got history, too," she added. "They say a big pirate was executed there. Not sure if it's true, but it's worth a look."
"Pirates?" Tatsumi leaned in, feigning excitement. "Have pirates been here?"
"Oh, ages ago. This used to be a tourist spot for that," she said.
"Wow, I'd love to see it! Are there still pirates or bandits around?" Tatsumi pressed, grinning.
"Uh, no, of course not," the woman stammered, caught off guard. "This town's peaceful now. Our mayor's leadership has made everyone prosperous. No bandits here."
"Really? That's a shame," Tatsumi said, pouting theatrically.
The woman excused herself after the brief exchange.
Once she left, Orochimaru turned to Tatsumi. "What did you notice?"
"It's odd," Tatsumi said, frowning. "Our mission is to eliminate bandits in Windmill Village, not far from here. Yet she insists there are no bandits nearby. Something's off."
Orochimaru nodded, then opened the window. "We act tonight. For now, go buy supplies."
His gaze flicked to Rope Tree's leafy "clothing," a smirk betraying his amusement. "As merchants, staying cooped up raises suspicion."
The trio headed out.
The sun dipped below the horizon, cloaking the town in dusk. Pedestrians dwindled. After buying Rope Tree a proper outfit, Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Rope Tree returned to the hotel.
Over a simple dinner, their expressions grew solemn. They sat on the floor, listening intently to Orochimaru.
"The target is Windmill Village," he said. "Eliminate everyone there. No exceptions."
He handed Tatsumi a scroll containing a map to the village. "I'll intervene only if necessary. Expect many enemies, including rogue ninjas."
"You'll need to think strategically," Orochimaru said, tapping his temple, his eyes lingering on Rope Tree. "Don't underestimate your strength—or your teammates'. But don't be cocky."
He fixed Tatsumi with a faint stare. "Tatsumi, you're the squad leader now. Analyze the enemy, plan accordingly, and command."
"Unless it's critical, I won't step in."
"Understood," Tatsumi said.
"Good luck." Orochimaru tossed the scroll to Tatsumi and vanished into the night.
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