Sarutobi surveyed the group and commanded with a voice full of authority: "Go and wash off the blood. We're setting off tonight!"
Everyone bowed in agreement.
Sarutobi and the Jōnin gave the innkeeper, who was huddled behind the counter in terror, some money as compensation.
Ten minutes later, the eighteen-member elite Konoha squad, fully re-equipped, was already rushing along the main road to the Land of Rivers, leaving behind a row of graves outside the inn, silently proving the strength of the Leaf Village ninja to the world.
In a few quick leaps across the rope bridge, Orochimaru crossed the great river that marked the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
The terrain of the Land of Rivers was identical to that of the Land of Fire—it was full of unspoiled natural environments. Ancient trees, several to dozens of people wide, dominated the view. In fact, due to the Land of Rivers' weak national power and generally low productivity, the natural environment was even more pristine than that of the Land of Fire. Running through the ancient, dense forest, birds of all sizes flew across their path, unafraid of people. The air carried a strong, fresh scent of vegetation, which was invigorating and lightened their moods.
Sarutobi, who had been running at the very front as the arrowhead of the formation, was clearly an excellent leader. Silently taking in the expressions of the group, he said sternly: "Don't relax your vigilance. The surrounding area is full of towering trees, making it an excellent place for an enemy to set an ambush! Remember, you are Konoha ninja!"
Upon hearing this, the Chūnin's sense of national honor and pride as ninja of a great nation was ignited. Their efficiency skyrocketed. They heightened their vigilance, constantly scanning their surroundings and maintaining a state of combat readiness.
Maintaining such high-speed travel while constantly keeping their minds sharp was wearing. After two days, even Orochimaru felt the strain. The other Chūnin were covered in dust and looked utterly exhausted.
Finally, at this moment, a small, slightly populated town appeared before them.
Sarutobi smiled and said, "This is the town. Let's go!"
Everyone's spirits lifted, and they followed Sarutobi, rushing forward.
The moment they walked through the five-to-six-meter-high town gate, a peculiar atmosphere washed over the group.
The main street, wide enough for three carriages abreast, was sparsely populated. Every person seemed to be hurrying, not even sparing a glance for Orochimaru's uniquely dressed group. They kept their heads down, intent only on rushing along their way.
Nine out of ten shops and stores along the street were closed, with "For Sale" signs hanging on the doors.
The entire town gave off a dull, oppressive feeling of deadness and lack of vitality.
Sarutobi frowned slightly but said nothing. He led the group, walking quietly without using their ninja footwork. They wound left and right, heading toward the largest and most luxurious residence in town.
Two ordinary soldiers stood guard at the entrance.
Sarutobi presented the S-rank mission scroll that Maeda Gaku had issued to Konoha. It bore Maeda Gaku's personal seal.
The two soldiers immediately bowed and scraped, their faces wreathed in fawning smiles. Their eyes held a hint of deep reverence.
One soldier immediately rushed inside to report, while the other hastily led the group toward the residence.
Shortly after Orochimaru and the others began walking, an ecstatic, slightly high-pitched male voice called out from the inner courtyard: "Lord Sarutobi, I've been waiting for you, looking to the heavens and the moon! You're finally here!"
Orochimaru's dark-golden eyes followed the source of the voice.
A pale, plump man, barely 1.7 meters tall but several times wider than an ordinary person, appeared before the group. His body fat jiggled as he moved like a rolling ball of flesh, rushing toward them.
The fat man grabbed Sarutobi's hand, looking up at him with immense excitement and joy. He exclaimed with delighted shock: "Lord Sarutobi, you finally arrived in time! If you had been a few days later, those traitorous rebels would have torn me to pieces!"
Orochimaru sneered inwardly. The leader of every faction in the Land of Rivers sees himself as the country's successor, and everyone else is naturally a traitorous rebel.
The plump man, Maeda Gaku, then looked tearful, almost on the verge of crying: "You are truly my second parent, Maeda Gaku's second parent!"
With that, the fat man, Maeda Gaku, made a motion to kneel before Sarutobi.
Orochimaru clearly saw the flash of shrewdness in the fat man's eyes right before he feigned the move to kneel. He inwardly sighed at how adept these faction leaders, who managed to survive years of turmoil, truly were! The moment they met, a barrage of flattery and "sincere" emotional appeals was unleashed on Sarutobi.
Sarutobi would never accept such a gesture. He held Maeda Gaku up with one hand and said with humble composure: "Mr. Maeda, you are too kind. I am merely a ninja, taking money to solve people's troubles."
Seeing that his first "combination move" had little effect, Maeda Gaku switched tactics. He smiled broadly, addressing Orochimaru and the others: "Are these all Konoha ninja?
As expected, every one of them is a dragon among men!"
Sarutobi turned to Orochimaru and the others, smiled proudly, and exchanged pleasantries with Maeda Gaku as they walked into the inner courtyard.
Upon entering the inner courtyard, Orochimaru's group saw several people sitting formally in what appeared to be a reception hall. They were whispering to each other, and the main seat was empty.
It seemed that these advisors of Maeda Gaku had been holding a council meeting before Sarutobi's group arrived!
The advisors, sitting bolt upright, fawned over Sarutobi and the others as they came in.
After more polite greetings, everyone finally took their seats. Sarutobi was placed in the seat of honor, immediately to the right of Maeda Gaku.
Maeda Gaku took the main seat. His solemn expression made his extremely plump body exude a faint air of authority. "First, we must thank Lord Sarutobi for his great assistance. He has brought seventeen powerful ninja from Konoha. I believe that with Lord Sarutobi's immense aid, those traitorous rebels are nothing more than mere clowns!"
After the opening speech, Maeda Gaku began to introduce his advisors. There were five people present: two with rugged faces and strong physiques were the leaders of hired rogue ninja groups, named Asō and Asaoka.
The other three, frail-looking, were the civilian officials who helped Maeda Gaku handle paperwork, temporarily serving as "scheming advisors."
After the introductions, Maeda Gaku took out a map of the Land of Rivers, and everyone finally got down to business!
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