Fire Country, Daimyo Residence.
This place is widely regarded as the safest area in the entire ninja world. Whether in times of peace or war, its security far surpasses that of any of the five great villages.
So, if someone were to transmigrate here seeking a stable and safe life, congratulations—the Daimyo Residence welcomes you.
And it makes sense. Konoha, the strongest of the five major villages, has faced attacks time and again. The Nine-Tails incident, Orochimaru's invasion, Pain's assault—there is always some threat waiting to strike.
The Sand Village fares no better. Its harsh environment makes life almost impossible. The Fourth Kazekage constantly tests his son's abilities, often driving Shukaku into chaos. On top of that, Deidara's aerial bombardments make danger levels soar.
The Cloud Village is no safe haven either. There, one could casually witness a towering warrior battling a giant octopus, a terrifying spectacle for any civilian.
The Blood Mist Village is even worse. Living there corrupts many, and it's said to be the most perilous place of all five nations.
Even the Stone Village, though less dangerous, is remote and unforgiving—a place no ordinary transmigrant could endure.
By contrast, the Daimyo Residence truly is the premier choice for those seeking comfort and safety.
Yet, its safety comes at a price. It is the home of the Daimyo, ruler of the Fire Country, and a seat of powerful nobles. The feudal system reigns here, and an unwary outsider could easily be seized by the elite and forced into servitude.
Orochimaru initially intended to handle this mission personally, but the plan was abandoned. His presence, or that of figures like Tsunade or Sakada Hatake, could not be risked—every move they made would reflect on Konoha.
Thus, the task fell to Hayashi, an "unknown pawn" of formidable skill. Despite his growing fame as Konoha's Lightning Flash, few had ever seen him in action.
At this moment, deep within a dense forest, a massive, ancient tree stood. From the outside, it appeared ordinary, blending with the surrounding woods. In reality, it was hollow—a secret stronghold housing three Konoha ninjas.
It had been three days since Hayashi and his team arrived near the Daimyo Residence. After receiving Orochimaru's confidential mission, he had separated from Konoha's main force, traveling with Minato, Mikoto, and Nawaki toward the capital.
Though Nawaki could not recall the exact route, he remembered the general direction. Orochimaru had even provided a detailed map of the Fire Country forests, marking the fastest path to the capital, ensuring they would not get lost.
The team moved swiftly. The mobility of ninjas is often astonishing.
As the three discussed their strategy, the camouflaged entrance of the tree hollow shifted, and a fourth ninja entered—Minato.
"Another grain transport is heading toward the Wind Country," he reported, carefully resealing the entrance. In his hand, he held a plump gray rabbit, likely their next meal.
Inside, the tree hollow was spacious and secretive, stocked with supplies, food, medicine, and ninja tools. After reconnaissance, they would return here to rest. Several similar strongholds were spread throughout the area, storing resources to avoid total loss if one were discovered.
A fire burned in the hollow, treated to produce minimal smoke, dispersing invisibly into the forest. Only someone extremely close could notice, and even then, Hayashi and his team could detect intruders using their senses and security measures.
Despite this, Hayashi felt a slight unease. This was supposedly a B-level mission. Yet, he knew better—missions with Nawaki's involvement rarely stayed simple. He kept the thought to himself, sparing Nawaki any blow to his pride.
"Check your equipment, put out the fire, we'll move soon," Hayashi instructed.
After finishing their meal, the four checked their tools and ninja gear. Having scouted the area for several days, they understood the environment well and were ready to act.
With slight disguises applied, Hayashi led Minato and the others out of the hollow, heading toward the Daimyo Residence.
Even the most novice ninja knew the Transformation Technique. As long as their fabricated identities were plausible, the risk of exposure was minimal.
The capital of the Fire Country appeared prosperous, untouched by war. Following Nawaki's recollections, they located a respectable inn. Their long-prepared mission was about to begin.
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The code will be active from that day until the end of the month.
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