At the Daimyō's residence in the Land of Mountain Streams, the entire estate was heavily guarded by samurai. Inside his room, the Daimyō examined a small bottle in his hand.
"I'll give you five more days to live. After five days, it will all be over," the Daimyō muttered darkly.
The one competing with him for the Daimyō position was actually his own younger brother. They had once been inseparable, brothers who shared everything without reservation. But ever since the day their father passed away, everything had changed. His younger brother's attitude toward him had grown cold—he even wanted to kill him and seize the Daimyō's position.
...
Rorin's group of four parted ways with Gaara and his team at the entrance of the Daimyō's residence.
Since it was a round-the-clock protection mission, the four split into two shifts. Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chōza handled daytime protection, while Rorin and Nara Shikamaru took the night shift.
After the arrangements were made, Rorin left the group. It was still daytime, and he wanted to look around the Land of Mountain Streams. Nara Shikamaru, on the other hand, went to rest instead of accompanying him.
After strolling around the Land of Mountain Streams, Rorin finally realized that the country's main trade was clothing. Acting on impulse, he bought a clothing store there. From now on, he'd have a steady supply of clothes and wouldn't have to worry about ruining them in battle anymore.
Of course, the system paid for it.
After settling his new property, Rorin returned near the Daimyō's residence, preparing to switch shifts with Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chōza. At the entrance, he ran into Nara Shikamaru.
"Done sightseeing? Find anything?" Shikamaru asked, turning his head.
"Yeah. The Land of Mountain Streams mainly deals in clothing imports and exports," Rorin replied calmly.
Shikamaru's mouth twitched. Seriously? You actually went sightseeing? He had assumed Rorin used it as an excuse to gather enemy intelligence—but it turned out he really was just wandering around.
Rorin looked at Shikamaru, puzzled. Was there something wrong with what he said? Why did Shikamaru look so disappointed?
Shikamaru stepped closer, his expression turning serious.
"The enemy is from the Village Hidden in the Mist. You good?"
Rorin suddenly understood. So Shikamaru thought he had gone to investigate the Village Hidden in the Mist. After all, in the story he had fabricated, they were his sworn enemies.
Realizing this, Rorin subtly furrowed his brows. His expression turned slightly fierce, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes. He glanced at Shikamaru, then exhaled slowly, returning to normal.
"Thanks for the concern, Shikamaru. I'm fine," Rorin said in a low voice.
Shikamaru studied him for a moment before speaking firmly,
"Don't act impulsively. This mission—we're all going back to the Hidden Leaf Village alive."
"Got it," Rorin replied.
The two then switched shifts with Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chōza.
...
Time passed quickly, and four days went by in the blink of an eye. During that time, only samurai had attempted assassinations—no ninjas had appeared.
Rorin's group didn't intervene much; the Daimyō had his own guards within the estate.
Tomorrow would be the succession ceremony. If the enemy intended to act, tonight would be their last chance. Rorin stayed fully alert. There were no shifts that night—everyone remained on guard.
Rorin and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio were stationed at the front gate, while Gaara's team guarded the rear.
The night grew deep.
Suddenly, the sound of battle echoed from ahead—the enemy had arrived.
Rorin's group of four immediately prepared themselves. Nara Shikamaru issued orders: "Ino, sense it. Are there any ninjas this time?"
"I've got something. Not far away—a ninja squad heading this way. One… two… a total of ten," Yamanaka Ino said suddenly.
"They've finally shown up?" Shikamaru's expression tightened.
Rorin drew two bone blades from his hands and said softly,
"Get ready to fight."
Akimichi Chōza, who had been eating chips nearby, stopped. Yamanaka Ino pulled a kunai from her pouch.
...
Meanwhile, within the advancing Village Hidden in the Mist squad, a short ninja led the group. He had short gray-blue hair, wore black-framed glasses, and carried a massive dual-handled sword on his back. His gaze rested on the Daimyō's residence, his expression blank.
"I heard the target hired the Sand to oppose us?" a Mist genin asked.
"Heh. Doesn't matter who it is—even if it's the Hidden Leaf Village, we from the Village Hidden in the Mist won't fear them in the slightest," another Mist chunin scoffed, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at the leader ahead.
After traveling for a while, the group—four Mist ninjas and six rogue ninjas—arrived at the Daimyō's residence. Seeing Rorin's group standing at the gate, they glanced at their forehead protectors.
Two Mist ninjas froze in surprise, then turned toward the chunin who had spoken earlier. The chunin looked embarrassed—had his mouth been blessed or cursed?
Seeing the incoming enemies, Rorin grew serious. His gaze locked onto the leader.
Chōjūrō—the wielder of the dual blades Hiramekarei. Rorin hadn't expected that the one leading the team to the Land of Mountain Streams would be him.
The two sides faced off, battle on the verge of erupting. Chōjūrō took Hiramekarei off his back. Though his expression remained dull, he sensed danger from Rorin and instinctively regarded him as his opponent.
"Didn't expect the Hidden Leaf Village to get involved too," one of the Mist ninjas remarked.
Rorin didn't waste words. He charged straight at Chōjūrō, leaving the rest to the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. This stunned Shikamaru and the others—he just went for it? Truly a man of few words and ruthless action.
Dance of the Camellia!
Seeing Rorin rush him, Chōjūrō gripped Hiramekarei and moved to meet him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The two clashed fiercely in swordsmanship. Rorin's bone blades met Chōjūrō's Hiramekarei, sparks flying everywhere.
The Mist ninjas and the six rogue ninjas snapped back to their senses and charged at the Ino–Shika–Chō formation, unleashing a variety of jutsu toward Nara Shikamaru and his teammates.
Shikamaru pressed a hand to his forehead. What a drag. The tactics he had planned involving Rorin were now completely useless. With a sigh, he glanced at his longtime teammates.
"No choice—we'll have to handle this ourselves. Same as always," Shikamaru said calmly.
Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chōza nodded.
They launched their counterattack. Akimichi Chōza used the Expansion Jutsu, his body swelling in size.
Human Bullet Tank!
Chōza curled into a massive sphere and barreled forward, scattering the enemies.
Shikamaru stepped back to the side, glancing up at the full moon before rapidly forming hand seals.
Shadow Bind Technique!
His shadow shot forward, reaching beneath a Mist ninja and restraining them. The extended shadow coiled up toward the opponent's neck.
Beside him, Yamanaka Ino used the Mind Body Transmission Technique to take control of that ninja's body. What followed needed no explanation.
...
Just as the Ino–Shika–Chō trio fought fiercely against the enemy, Gaara's team at the rear gate heard the commotion and moved to reinforce the front.