Blackstone Town, due to its strategic location on a major transportation route, attracted various merchants, making it one of the more prosperous towns in the Land of Earth.
The streets were bustling with people, lively and vibrant, and everyone had smiles on their faces, seemingly unaffected by the war.
"Captain, the ramen here tastes really good!"
In a corner of a ramen shop, Ren and his companions were eating noodles. They had all changed into civilian clothes, but under their clothes were various Ninja tools, ready to enter combat at any moment.
"Alright, hurry up and eat. We need to make good time; we should reach our destination by nightfall."
Ren took a sip of hot soup and gently reminded the three.
It was around four or five in the afternoon. After arriving at the Land of Earth border from the Land of Grass, they had infiltrated using the same method. Rock Town was not their target destination; they merely planned to eat something and rest for a while before continuing their journey.
"Hmm?"
Ren's hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. His gaze shifted outside the shop, where a group of individuals in Iwagakure uniforms swept across the rooftops. Each of them held weapons like Kunai and swords, indicating that something had happened here.
"Damn this weather, what's going on?"
Looking at the overcast sky outside, a strange sense of foreboding inexplicably rose within Ren, making him feel a momentary palpitation.
"Alright, let's go after we finish eating. Our time is very tight."
Ren glanced at his companions and urged them softly.
This was, after all, enemy territory, and they needed to remain vigilant at all times. The sooner Ren completed the mission, the sooner he could relax.
"Yes!"
Seeing their Captain urge them, the group dared not delay. After quickly finishing the soup in their bowls, they stood up and followed him, heading towards the outskirts of the town.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Waterfall.
Several Ninja were rushing through the jungle. Judging by their attire, they were all Kumogakure Ninja.
"Raikage-sama, ahead is the Land of Earth border. Kasai and his team are trapped in this mountain range."
A dark-skinned Kumogakure Ninja took out a map and explained it to the Third Raikage, who stood beside him.
"Hmm… this mountain range is within the Land of Earth."
A deep voice sounded as a burly, long-bearded old man emerged from the shadows. He looked at the map before him, his brows slightly furrowed.
Their current operation was because several Ninja from their Village, while on a deep mission in the Land of Earth, had their identities and whereabouts exposed. They were then pursued and cornered by Iwagakure Ninja deep within the Land of Earth, finally escaping into a mountain range on the Land of Earth border.
The Third Raikage's original plan was to personally lead the charge on the front lines and decisively defeat Konoha. Unexpectedly, halfway there, he received news that his own Ninja were surrounded.
If it were ordinary Ninja, it wouldn't be an issue, but these were the son of an elder from Hidden Cloud Village, and he possessed considerable strength. The Kumogakure front line was already preparing to send people to rescue him. The passing Third Raikage, however, sent a message to the front line telling them not to send anyone, as he would personally go to rescue him.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the old man wanted to warm up and get some exercise before heading to the battlefield.
As for those Iwagakure guys, they had deployed a large number of patrol teams in this direction, making a silent passage simply impossible.
"Let's go. We'll bring Kasai and his team home. Those Iwagakure guys can't stop us."
A strong sense of confidence was revealed in his deep tone. What did it matter how many enemies there were? He was the Raikage, one of the people standing at the very top of the Ninja World.
"Yes!"
The surrounding Ninja shouted in unison, their eyes filled with excitement and fanaticism as they looked at the broad back of the old man in front of them.
With their Raikage-sama personally taking action, those Iwagakure guys were simply not worth mentioning!
Meanwhile, Ren and his group, completely unaware of this, had already reached their destination.
Rock Town, to the north, was a coastal mountain range, and to the east, it bordered the Land of Waterfall. However, its economic prosperity was not comparable to Blackstone Town.
Due to its proximity to the war-torn area, the economy had declined considerably. However, relying on passing merchants who stopped for supplies, the people here could barely make a living by working in service industries.
Inside an inn, a snoring bellboy was woken up. Although he was a bit annoyed, he forced himself to cheer up and asked the group.
"Welcome, how many rooms do you need?"
"Three rooms, please make it quick."
Ren took out a silver note from his pocket and handed it over. The person receiving the money immediately brightened, and his attitude instantly became somewhat fawning.
"Alright, here are your room numbers. Do you need dinner? Our inn provides dinner."
"No, thank you."
After politely declining, Ren turned and led his group upstairs. Only the bellboy remained at the counter, stupidsmiling at the silver note. After all, such generous guests were rare.
In the stairwell, Ren whispered a reminder in a voice only his companions could hear.
"Get some rest early today; we'll continue our operation tomorrow."
"Yes!"
The sky had already darkened, and they had been traveling non-stop for a day. Continuing their operation was not a good idea.
"Good night, Captain."
"Good night."
Only after watching the three enter their rooms did Ren retract his gaze, turn, unlock his door, enter, and immediately lie down in bed. A moment later, faint snores could be heard.
The night passed without incident.
When Ren opened his eyes again, it was still early morning. He went to the bathroom and quickly washed up, feeling much more awake.
"I hope everything goes smoothly today."
Ren stood in front of the rooftop, looking at the distant horizon, and murmured softly.
The ominous feeling from yesterday had not dissipated; instead, it had grown stronger, making him feel a bit heavy-hearted.
Although his sixth sense had never been used before, and he didn't know if it was accurate, this unsettling feeling still bothered him.
Just as Ren was about to turn and leave, a long line suddenly appeared in the distance, causing his pupils to contract, and his hand instinctively tightened its grip on the railing.
"That is…"
Looking at the thousands of "reddish-brown" uniforms and the constantly surging crowd, a look of horror appeared on Ren's face.
"Boom!"
While Ren was still in shock, a loud bang came from behind him. When he turned to look, he saw several houses collapsing in a cloud of dust, and a bolt of lightning continuously leaped between the houses, followed by several figures.
"Hmm? That guy…"
Yellow long hair fluttered behind him, lightning surged skyward from his body, arcs of electricity intertwined, and sharp eyes beneath thick yellow brows darted around. The several figures following him wore green shirts and white coats, with headbands. That familiar symbol allowed Ren to instantly recognize his identity.
Why would that kind of monster appear here!