"The location of this village... is perfect."
Uchiha Kin and his two companions stood atop a mountain peak, gazing down at the village below.
The village's position was truly strategic, situated at the intersection of the Land of Fire, the Land of Waterfalls, and the Land of Grass. Even if the Hidden Stone Village (Iwagakure) were to mobilize, they would inevitably pass through this village.
Though the shinobi of the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls were weak, they were still part of sovereign nations. While shinobi and nobles shared power in these lands, the nobility naturally held higher status than the shinobi. If the daimyo of Grass and Waterfalls complained to the daimyo of the Land of Earth, the latter could cut off funding, which would be a significant blow to Iwagakure.
Thus, if the Hidden Stone shinobi were to launch a large-scale incursion into Konoha, their route would inevitably pass through the borderlands of these two nations. The border area was a no-man's-land—technically part of both countries but effectively beyond either's jurisdiction. The daimyo of Grass and Waterfalls couldn't complain about this arrangement.
For small groups, as long as they weren't caught in the act, they could move freely. Officially, such movements were prohibited, but shinobi were adept at moving undetected, making enforcement difficult. This way, it wouldn't count as an invasion of either nation.
This route was also the primary battleground between Konoha and Iwagakure. In the future, Namikaze Minato would resolve the conflict with Iwagakure at the Kannabi Bridge along this very route.
"They're quite lucky."
Given the frequency of shuriken flying through this area, it was a wonder the village still existed.
"Let's go."
Namikaze Minato and the other two quickly descended toward the village. The rising smoke from chimneys and the sight of villagers confirmed that the area was safe—for now.
Soon, they arrived at the village entrance. An elderly man stood guard, dozing off.
"Snore... snore..."
The deafening snores made Kin's eardrums vibrate. It sounded like a battle was raging—one between Kage-level fighters.
"Tsk." Kin suddenly had a thought and sucked in a breath. "Could it be that the old man's snoring scared off the Hidden Stone shinobi?"
"Tsk!" Minato's face also twisted in shock.
Terrifying.
"Use your brains, you two!!"
Thud! Thud!
Kin and Minato rubbed the lumps on their heads, watching as steam rose from Kushina's clenched fists.
The brainless one had beaten up the two with brains.
Was there no justice in the world?
"I was just joking."
"Just joking?"
Minato looked at Kin in surprise, causing a vein to bulge on Kushina's forehead.
The trio's commotion finally roused the sleeping old man, who blinked blearily at them.
"Where'd you kids come from? Go play somewhere else." He waved dismissively, closing his eyes again. "Can't you see I'm guarding the gate?"
No, we can't!
The fact that this village still existed defied all logic.
"Hello, sir. We're from Konoha, here to gather some information," Minato said with a polite smile.
The old man finally woke up completely, spotting the forehead protectors the trio wore. He abruptly stood up and shouted at the top of his lungs,
"Shinobi are here!"
The words seemed to trigger some kind of mechanism, as a crowd of villagers instantly surged toward them like a dark tide.
The three immediately went on alert, raising their kunai. Fortunately, the villagers stopped at a distance.
Their ragged clothes and gleaming eyes were... unsettling.
A burly, honest-looking man stepped forward, his face wreathed in smiles. "Greetings, young shinobi. I'm the village chief. Feel free to ask me anything."
Whispers rose from the crowd behind him.
"The shinobi are so tiny! So cute!"
"The two boys are so handsome. They'll grow up to be real lookers."
"That girl is the cutest. I just want to hug her!"
The last comment came from a burly man, making Kushina shiver.
This guy's definitely a pervert!!
This village is terrifying!
The chief scratched his head sheepishly. "The shinobi of Konoha have always looked after our village, so everyone's very... enthusiastic."
Enthusiastic is an understatement.
Kin took a few steps back under the villagers' intense gazes. He feared they might tear him apart if he wasn't careful.
Why didn't the mission briefing mention this?!
As the team leader, Minato couldn't retreat. He steeled himself and addressed the chief.
"Chief, we received reports that rogue shinobi have been frequenting this area."
"That's true." The chief nodded solemnly, his expression turning serious. "A few months ago, rogue shinobi were often spotted nearby. But after Konoha shinobi came to investigate, they disappeared."
The chief's words were only part of the story. The trio would need to verify the rest themselves.
"We're here to confirm the situation. We may need to trouble you for a few days," Minato said with a strained smile.
The crowd erupted in cheers, sending a chill down his spine.
This is... overwhelming.
"Of course, of course!"
The chief nodded eagerly, as if afraid they might leave. If not for the kunai still in their hands, he might have hugged them on the spot.
As the chief led them into the village, the crowd continued to follow, their stares unbearable. Sensing their discomfort, the chief turned and barked at the villagers,
"What are you all staring at? Get back to work!"
Reluctantly, the crowd dispersed. After all, Konoha shinobi were rare visitors. Who knew when they'd see them again?
Kin watched the retreating figures, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Something felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint what.
The chief brought them to a small house.
"This is a lodging we built specifically for shinobi. I live next door, so just call if you need anything."
"Thank you."
The chief's enthusiasm made Minato feel awkward.
"Not at all. Without you, we wouldn't have such peace."
The chief waved his hands gratefully before finally leaving. Alone in the house, the trio relaxed slightly.
"Something's off," Kin muttered, his suspicions about the village growing.
Minato nodded in agreement. "Definitely."
"What are you two talking about?!" Kushina frowned, completely lost. "The villagers were just being friendly. What's so strange about that?"
For Kushina, who was experiencing such adoration for the first time, it was almost enjoyable. This was the kind of respect she dreamed of as a future Hokage.
"They were too friendly."
Kin shook his head.
"What's wrong with friendliness?"
Kushina still didn't get it, earning her a look from Kin that screamed "Are you stupid?"
This only made her angrier.
"What's that look for? Want to fight?!"
She still hadn't settled the score with him from last time.
Kin turned away.
"My family told me not to play with idiots."
"Family?" Kushina blinked in confusion. Wasn't he the last of his family?
Wait—was he calling her an idiot?!
"I'll kill you!"
Kushina lunged, her monstrous strength now a force to be reckoned with. But before she could reach him—
"Xiao Bai, bite her."
A small white snake shot out from Kin's collar, latching onto a familiar target with familiar precision.
"My nose! Let go of my nose!!"
Kushina ran in circles, trying to pry the snake off without leaving a hole in her nose.
Thud!
In her frenzy, she crashed into a pillar. Xiao Bai finally released her and slithered back up Kin's leg.
Some people never learn.
Kushina stared at the ceiling, touching the fresh wound on her nose. She wanted to cry. She'd been bullied by a snake—again.
"Alright, Kushina." Minato stepped in to mediate. When these two fought, there was no stopping them.
He also took the chance to explain.
"Ordinary civilians usually fear shinobi. It's rare for a village to show this much... reverence."
These border villages, more than most, witnessed the brutality of shinobi firsthand.
Kushina still didn't understand.
"But they said it's because Konoha shinobi have always protected them."
"Idiot," Kin scoffed.
"Outposts are for stealth and intel gathering. Why would they waste time and resources protecting a village unless it was full of allies?"
But the mission briefing hadn't mentioned any allies.
"So this village..."
Kin and Minato exchanged grave looks.
"...is definitely not what it seems."
Under the cover of night, the trio moved silently through the village, leaping across rooftops in search of clues.
But the village appeared entirely normal. After hours of searching, they'd found nothing.
"If only we had a detection jutsu," Kin sighed. Though he'd developed a new technique recently, it wasn't for reconnaissance.
"Detection jutsu? I have one!"
Kushina gave him a puzzled look.
"You have a detection jutsu?!"
Kin and Minato stared at her in disbelief.
"Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
Kushina scratched her cheek. "Didn't I mention it?"
She could've sworn she had.
"You must've said it in a dream."
Kin rolled his eyes.
Kushina huffed and raised her fists.
"Quit dawdling and use it already. You're acting like a bunch of girls."
"I am a girl!"
"Could've fooled me."
"I'll murder you!"
"Enough, enough."
Minato hurriedly intervened. Being their team leader was exhausting.
"Kushina, please just use the jutsu."
With a final glare at Kin, Kushina formed hand seals.
"Shingan! (Mind's Eye of the Kagura)"
Her eyes widened.
"There are shinobi here!"
"Where?"
"Right beneath us!"
(End of Chapter)