Evening.
A caravan slowly drove into Imagawa Town, and everyone they met on the road gave way, then showed expressions of awe and envy after noticing the emblem on the carriages.
"Look, it's the Fujiwara Trading Company. Good heavens, looking at all the supplies they're bringing in, they're definitely going to make a fortune again."
"If only I could join them, I'd be happy even if I were just a guard."
"Alright, go home and dream. Compare your physique to those guards; one punch and you'll be asking your family to prepare your funeral."
Inside the carriage, Ren, awakened by the noisy sounds outside, opened his eyes. After a moment of daze, his scattered vision finally focused.
"Hmm? You're awake."
Suddenly, the curtain was pulled open. Fujiwara Kazuna was a little surprised to see Ren with his eyes open, but he quickly reacted and motioned with a wave of his hand.
"It's good that you're awake. We've arrived at the inn. Let's go eat something."
"Okay."
Ren nodded. After crawling out of the carriage, his gaze turned to the pile of supplies behind him. Fujiwara Kazuna, standing still, noticed Ren's gaze and understood his meaning. He walked beside him and whispered,
"Don't worry, I've assigned Yota and others to guard it here. We'll move it into the inn after dark. It's very safe."
Ren said nothing, only nodded. Although Yota was not a Ninja, after spending these past few days together, Ren estimated that his Taijutsu cultivation was definitely not below a Jonin. In fact, it might even be slightly stronger.
During dinner, Shina came to Ren with a tray and said with some solemnity,
"We can't delay any longer. We should hurry and rendezvous with Fujiwara, then leave the Land of Water as quickly as possible. Earlier, I noticed traces of a large number of Kirigakure in Imagawa Town, and it seems they've deployed the Mist Hidden Tracking Unit this time. I'm a little worried about Fujiwara's situation."
Ren put down his chopsticks, remained silent for a moment, then spoke.
"I understand. Don't worry, I already have a plan. Let's get a good rest today, and tomorrow we'll meet up with him. We can also hitch a ride with the Fujiwara Trading Company."
"...Okay!"
Shina hesitated for a moment but still agreed. After all, it wasn't just Uesugi Shinchi now; the two of them were also targets of pursuit. If they acted rashly and alerted the enemy, the trio's situation would immediately become precarious. At that point, not only would the Tailed Beast be taken, but their lives would also be sacrificed in vain.
After dinner, it was completely dark, but the lights of the night market outside illuminated the entire street.
Whether it was izakayas or snack stalls, almost every place was packed. The men and women who had worked all day used alcohol to numb and relax themselves, releasing the accumulated stress of life. While relaxing their minds, they abused their bodies.
Of course, none of this concerned Ren. At this moment, he was troubled by the jar in front of him, which sealed a Tailed Beast.
"Mist Hidden Tracking Unit, how did these guys get involved?"
Ren scratched his scalp, looking frantic. If he were alone, it would be fine; with his strength, he could safely retreat with the Three-Tails. But now there was Shina and her husband. He couldn't just abandon them and run off by himself, could he?
"Hmm?"
Ren inadvertently glanced at his waist, his eyes lit up, and then he began to look back and forth between a talisman and his waist.
It seemed there was a way.
...
The next day, the Fujiwara Trading Company contingent, having risen early, set off. After all, their previously planned itinerary had been delayed by nearly a week due to their president, so time was much tighter. If they delayed another two days, their batch of goods would depreciate significantly.
With everyone intentionally speeding up, they arrived at another small town by dusk. Although the economic development here couldn't compare to Imagawa Town, it was still one of the best in the inland area.
"Hot Spring Inn, this should be it."
Ren stood on the street, looking at the shop in front of him and speaking to Shina beside him.
"Let's go, we need to hurry."
Shina took the lead and walked in. Ren could only follow helplessly after seeing her anxious demeanor. As soon as they entered, they were stopped.
"Are the two of you here for a bath or to stay the night?"
The person asking was a woman who looked about forty, standing by the counter, smiling at the two of them.
"We're here to find a friend, proprietress. You don't need to worry about us, haha."
Ren stepped forward, skillfully took a silver note from his pocket and slapped it on the table. The proprietress's eyes lit up when she saw the silver note. She quickly collected it, and the smile on her face became even more enthusiastic.
"Alright, two guests, please make yourselves at home. If you need anything else, just find me."
"Certainly, certainly."
After entering, the two went straight to the second floor, then directly to the room at the very end, and knocked on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Coming, coming."
Soon, the door opened, and a short, somewhat ugly-faced man appeared before them, looking at them with a puzzled expression.
"Zehui,"
Shina said softly. The man's expression changed slightly. He stepped aside and said calmly,
"Please come in."
After the two entered, the man surveyed the corridor before closing the door.
"I didn't expect you two to come out so quickly."
As soon as he finished speaking, a cloud of white mist burst from the man's body, and the short figure instantly grew taller. Ren and the other person showed no surprise on their faces; instead, they nodded in acknowledgment.
"Long time no see, Boss."
That's right, the person was none other than the owner of Shina's dumpling shop, a Hidden Mist thoroughly wanted person, and a Konoha spy: Uesugi Shinchi!
"It's good that you're okay."
Shina took two steps forward and gave her husband a big hug. Uesugi Shinchi reacted and immediately hugged his wife. As for Ren, looking at the two in front of him, his forehead was covered in black lines.
This is too much. I understand your reunion after a long separation, but a hug is enough. This long is just too much.
"Ahem, well, you two, I think it's not too late to hug after you return to the Land of Fire."
"Uh..."
The two immediately separated, both looking a bit awkward. To break the awkwardness, Uesugi Shinchi looked at them and spoke first.
"Since we've rendezvoused, let's talk about how to safely withdraw from the Land of Water."
At this point, Uesugi Shinchi paused, then continued,
"I suggest we continue to use the Fujiwara Trading Company as cover to escape the pursuit."
"It's feasible, but the risk is not small."
Shina beside him took over, saying softly,
"If we're not discovered, that's best, but if we're exposed, we'll implicate the Fujiwara Trading Company as well."
Uesugi Shinchi fell silent.