"Ah." Yōya rubbed his waist and muttered, "While others are on holiday, I..."
"Still have to work!"
It was still early...
He did not wake his wife and daughter, quietly getting up by himself. After washing up, he checked to make sure his daughter's blanket was tucked in properly before leaving the house.
"I've gotten used to it!" Yōya smiled as he looked at the morning sun. After so many years in Uzushiogakure, he had grown accustomed to everything here. Although the neighbors still held a grudge against his family because of his traitorous past...
His daughter had never faced any discrimination. In fact, she lived a very good life. No one had ever told her about his past, as if everyone had silently agreed to keep it a secret. He suspected that orders had come from above to seal their mouths.
So, no matter what mission Uzushiogakure assigned him, he would carry it out diligently. Besides...
The position of labor camp warden came with a salary, and a generous one at that.
"Morning!" Yōya greeted people he met on the road with a smile. "Good morning."
Though these people would usually snort at him, they would eventually nod in return. For Yōya, this was already enough. After all, in all the years the shinobi world had existed, no traitor had ever lived like him...
With a wife, a daughter, a house, and a job.
This was something he could never have imagined back when he was still a shinobi.
Moreover, thanks to his years of hard work, Uzushiogakure had withdrawn the surveillance around him. In a few more years, the chakra seal on him would probably be removed as well.
Then...
He could teach his daughter ninjutsu.
Lost in thought, Yōya unknowingly arrived at the labor camp.
After greeting the Uzu-nin on duty at the entrance, he walked inside.
After all these years...
He had become much more polite.
"Nothing much to do today." Yōya entered his office, took off his coat, and sat down in his chair, muttering, "How boring."
Because of the Uzushiogakure festival, there wasn't much work. He just had to keep an eye on the labor camp to prevent the Kiri-nin from causing trouble. Then, by evening, he could clock out.
"Looks like I can leave early today." Yōya smiled slightly and murmured, "Maybe I'll have time to watch the fireworks with Hanaka and our daughter."
It had been so long since he last accompanied them on an outing.
Plus, he would receive holiday benefits after work today.
"Mmm~!" Yōya stretched lazily. "The floor heating is so comfortable."
The fireplace at home didn't regulate temperature well and sometimes gave off a smell. But currently, floor heating in Uzushiogakure was only installed in certain special areas, so most residential areas didn't have it yet. He believed that in time, Uzushiogakure would have it nationwide.
Knock knock.
Just then...
The door was knocked.
Yōya immediately straightened up and said seriously, "Come in."
"Warden Yōya." A Uzu-nin entered and handed him a document. "These are the labor camp's benefits. Please sign for them."
"Got it." Yōya took the document and skimmed through it, then frowned. "Even the Kiri-nin get them?"
He thought only the labor camp staff would receive benefits. Who knew the Kiri-nin would too?
Those Kiri-nin weren't even Uzushiogakure shinobi!
And they had come to Uzushiogakure to steal. What were the higher-ups thinking?
Were they out of their minds?
Giving them benefits too?
"Lord Jun said the Kiri-nin have been here long enough. It's time they experience Uzushiogakure's harmonious atmosphere." The Uzu-nin nodded. "Since that's the arrangement from above, we just have to follow orders."
He wasn't happy about it either!
Why should those Kiri-nin get Uzushiogakure's benefits?
But since it was Lord Jun's decision, they had no choice but to comply.
"I understand." Yōya clicked his tongue and nodded. "I'll handle it properly."
He had almost cursed Lord Jun just now.
"Good. In that case..." The Uzu-nin took back the document and saluted. "Thank you for your hard work." After Yōya returned the salute, he turned and left.
"The Kiri-nin..." Yōya looked at the listed benefits and shook his head helplessly. "How lucky."
...
"Everyone remembers the plan, right?" Pakkun Jūzō looked at the Kiri-nin before him. "Be careful. We absolutely cannot let the Uzu-nin notice anything."
"Jūzō-sama, when do we move?" a Kiri-nin asked. "Should we eat first?"
"Obviously." Pakkun Jūzō rolled his eyes. "How can we escape on an empty stomach?"
"Eat as much as you can for breakfast. We don't know what might happen at noon, so don't go hungry."
"Understood." All the Kiri-nin responded.
"Hoshigaki Fuguki picked a good day." Pakkun Jūzō patted Hoshigaki Fuguki beside him and nodded approvingly. "Who knew Uzushiogakure had a festival like this?"
He had already noticed that the number of Uzu-nin in the labor camp had significantly decreased today. And...
They didn't have to work or attend classes.
This was simply...
"Idiots." Pakkun Jūzō narrowed his eyes and smiled. "This is a heaven-sent opportunity!"
To think shinobi could celebrate holidays. How enviable!
Back when they were shinobi, they could only rest for a few days after completing missions. But in Uzushiogakure...
They had food, drinks, and now holidays!
How irritating!
"Heh." Hoshigaki Fuguki nearly jumped when Pakkun Jūzō patted his shoulder. He discreetly wiped off his sweat and forced a silly smile. "I didn't expect Uzushiogakure to be this stupid..."
"It seems half our plan is already successful. Now we just need to follow through."
Then...
"I-I... I miss Kirigakure so much." Hoshigaki Fuguki put on a nostalgic expression and said mournfully, "It's all Uzushiogakure's fault for imprisoning us for so long!"
He wondered if they would kill him if they found out he had betrayed them.
He...
Had to be careful!
"Right!" Pakkun Jūzō nodded. "We will definitely succeed. Now, everyone go eat, then come back quickly to prepare."
"Remember, eat your fill."
"Understood." The Kiri-nin nodded in acknowledgment.
...
"Is it about to begin?" Uzumaki Jun looked at the intelligence report in his hands, a playful smile on his lips. "The stick and the candy. I wonder how effective it will be?"
He then looked up at Uzumaki Hibiki. "Is everything ready?"
"That small path has been prepared." Uzumaki Hibiki adjusted his glasses. "We even had shinobi clear the weeds to ensure smooth passage."
"But..."
"What's wrong?" Uzumaki Jun frowned. "Did something unexpected happen?"
"Yōya's wife and daughter might not return to the labor camp." Uzumaki Hibiki smiled wryly and shook his head. "According to reports, most shops in Uzushiogakure are offering discounts today, so Hanaka will take their daughter shopping. Yōya will have lunch in the cafeteria."
"..."
Ah, women...
Uzumaki Jun looked at Uzumaki Hibiki speechlessly and thought for a moment. "Forget it. They're still citizens of Uzushiogakure. If something happens, it'll be troublesome. This might be for the best. Anyway..."
"I believe Yōya alone will be enough."
Ah, plans never survive contact with reality.
He had wanted to show off again. After all, word-of-mouth from ordinary citizens was far more effective than his own propaganda.
Uzumaki Jun said seriously, "Uzushiogakure will never abandon any of its citizens. So..."
Let Yōya work a little harder!
"Understood!" Uzumaki Hibiki nodded knowingly. "I'll make the arrangements."
In other words...
There were too few hostages, so security should be reduced slightly to give the Kiri-nin some hope.
...
Labor Camp Cafeteria.
"Huh?" A Kiri-nin looked at the breakfast on his tray in surprise. "Why is it so lavish today?"
There were meat buns, scallion pancakes, noodles, and soy milk.
"Oh, today is Uzushiogakure's festival." A chef poked his head out and glanced at the Kiri-nin, answering indifferently. "So orders came from above to add more food."
"If you're still hungry later, you can get more. No limits today."
"Lunch will be grilled beef, also unlimited. So come early."
"Oh, okay. Thanks." The Kiri-nin nodded. "We'll come early."
But...
Would they make it in time? Maybe they should ask Jūzō-sama to delay the escape until after lunch?
After all, it was grilled beef!
Normally, they could only afford a small taste after completing missions. But today, Uzushiogakure was offering unlimited portions!
How enviable!
"Oh, right." The chef called out to the Kiri-nin. "I forgot to mention earlier. After eating, don't leave right away. Since it's Uzushiogakure's festival, you all get benefits too."
"Us...?" The Kiri-nin pointed at himself in surprise. "We get them too?"
They were just prisoners...
And they were getting gifts?
"Yeah, yeah. A set of clothes, some canned food, and shopping vouchers." The chef said impatiently. "Hurry up, there are people behind you."
"You'll see the rest later."
"Oh, okay. Sorry." The Kiri-nin picked up his tray and left the window, feeling strangely conflicted...
What was Uzushiogakure...
Trying to do??
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