Seven days later, near Yugakure no Sato.
Kechi had completely changed from her previous gender-neutral outfit. She now wore a dress, though she kept a pair of shorts underneath.
Not wearing them just felt way too breezy!
Beside her were six wandering ninja who looked like trouble at first glance.
Some didn't even have forehead protectors, while others wore symbols from unknown minor villages she'd never seen before.
She'd encountered all of them on her way to Yugakure no Sato.
Following predictable scripts, one group wanted to have their way with her, while another wanted to offer her to some noble in exchange for benefits.
In the end, without exception, they all fell under Kechi's pomegranate skirt.
This actually triggered a transformation in Kechi.
At least she wasn't so resistant to wearing women's clothing anymore.
After all, once you do something once, there's always a second time!
Strange to say, though, before reaching Yu no Kuni's border, the journey had been completely peaceful. She hadn't encountered a single wandering ninja.
But once she entered Yu no Kuni and headed toward Yugakure no Sato, wandering ninja suddenly appeared everywhere.
As for the reason, Kechi didn't bother thinking too hard about it.
Either Tsunade had been secretly protecting her, or her luck was genuinely good.
What did she actually believe? Well, that was up for debate.
"Kechi-sama, we've arrived at Yugakure!"
A burly ninja wearing an unfamiliar forehead protector with a scar across his face spoke up, gazing at Kechi with obsession and fervor.
Kechi nodded silently and glanced down at her somewhat ornate outfit.
"Proceed according to the original plan. Three of you will play along with my act. The other three go into the village and gather information about the Jashin cult."
"Unless I call for you, don't come see me on your own. Understood?"
The six ninja froze at Kechi's words, then their eyes simultaneously blazed with fighting spirit and reluctance.
The scarred, burly ninja spoke first.
"Kechi-sama, I'm the strongest. I'm most suited to stay by your side and protect you."
A lean ninja with shrewd eyes standing nearby snorted coldly.
"With your reckless personality, you'd only cause problems for Kechi-sama. She needs someone intelligent!"
A bald ninja without a forehead protector also refused to back down, waving his fist as he roared.
"Stop fighting! Only I deserve to stay with Kechi-sama!"
Within moments, the six had devolved into a heated argument.
Kechi crossed her arms, quietly watching them bicker.
After a moment, she lifted her chin slightly.
"You can decide among yourselves who stays with me."
The instant she finished speaking, the six ninja immediately stopped arguing and eyed each other warily.
The atmosphere grew tense.
The scarred ninja struck first, charging at the lean ninja with a flying punch.
"You cunning bastard! I won't feel safe with you near Kechi-sama!"
The lean ninja nimbly dodged to the side, drawing a kunai and stabbing toward the scarred ninja.
"Hmph, you brute. You're the real danger near Kechi-sama. Let me take you out first."
In an instant, the sounds of clashing fists and weapons rang out.
The six ninja launched into fierce combat, each move aimed to kill!
Kechi stood to the side with a calm expression, her heart unmoved. She didn't worry at all whether their infighting would result in casualties.
After all, their deaths were just a matter of time anyway.
As the battle progressed, all six ninja gave it their all.
Flames and water crisscrossed through the air. First, the winds howled, kicking up dust from the ground.
Even while fighting, they kept glancing at Kechi, their eyes carrying a desperate desire for her approval.
"Three minutes. No killing!"
After saying this, Kechi turned and walked toward Yugakure no Sato.
Behind her, the six ninjas' battle intensified even further.
Before long, three victorious ninja caught up with her. The scarred ninja was among them.
All three looked thoroughly beaten. Their clothes were torn and tattered, covered in dust and bloodstains. Their hair was completely disheveled.
Kechi looked up at Yugakure's gate and smiled faintly.
"Act according to the plan. Understood?"
"Understood! We won't do anything unnecessary!" The scarred ninja quickly moved to Kechi's side, nodding and bowing obsequiously.
Kechi nodded slightly and stepped into Yugakure with an elegant, measured pace.
Sunlight fell upon her, making her ornate outfit shimmer with a subtle glow that enhanced her extraordinary bearing.
Villagers at the entrance looked at Kechi's group, casting curious and awed glances their way.
In response, Kechi lifted her chin slightly. Her eyes revealed an innate arrogance as they swept lightly over everything around her.
The scarred ninja followed closely at Kechi's side, slightly bent at the waist, one hand ready to take protective action at any moment.
The other two ninja hung back half a step, forming a triangular formation with Kechi protected in the center.
"All of you better stay sharp. I have important business in Yugakure no Sato this time. If anything goes wrong, you'll regret it."
Kechi spoke softly, her voice not loud but carrying undeniable authority.
"Yes, my lady." The three ninja responded in unison.
They continued forward. The stone path beneath their feet was somewhat uneven from years of weathering.
The air was filled with hot spring steam and the faint fragrance of flowers.
Passing through a bustling marketplace, crowds packed the area.
Kechi frowned slightly. The scarred ninja immediately understood, stepping forward and shouting loudly.
"Make way! Don't disturb my lady!"
People in the marketplace turned to look. Seeing Kechi's group's imposing manner, they quickly moved aside.
Kechi kept her gaze straight ahead, elegantly passing through the crowd. Occasionally, she'd stop, lightly picking up an item with her fingers before slowly setting it down, lips curved in a barely-there smile.
Stall owners watched her nervously, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Such crude goods, and you dare sell them?" Kechi spoke softly before continuing onward.
Walking further, they arrived at the village's central plaza.
A massive fountain dominated the square. Water sprayed upward, forming rainbows in the refracted sunlight.
Some ninjas were training nearby. Upon seeing Kechi's group, they all stopped what they were doing.
Kechi walked straight to the fountain's edge and stopped.
"This is Yugakure No Sato? Nothing special. I really don't understand what Father was thinking."
The three ninja quickly chimed in: "You're absolutely right, my lady. A small place like this naturally can't compare to your homeland."
Kechi lifted her hand slightly, adjusting the hair by her ear. Every movement was supremely elegant, as if she'd trained countless times.
Just then, a Yugakure No Sato guard approached and asked about their purpose.
The scarred ninja immediately stepped forward, blocking Kechi's front, and shouted harshly.
"Fool! My lady is the daughter of a daimyo! She has important business in Yugakure No Sato! Get your leader here immediately!"