Outside Konoha.
Many Bounty Hunters were wandering around the area. Some had been blinded by the five-hundred-million bounty.
Others were spies from different villages, here to see what was happening in Konoha.
Though more and more people were gathering, they remained a scattered, disorganized mob.
There was no other reason—they all valued their lives.
Konoha was one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, after all.
In the past, battles had reached no farther than Kikyo Pass. No ninja village had ever fought its way into Konoha itself.
So everyone was waiting, waiting for someone powerful to take the lead.
Then they could follow behind and fish in troubled waters.
For ninja, waiting a few days was hardly a problem.
After all, once enough people gathered, someone would eventually lead the charge.
Everyone knew that those who had come here all had their eyes on Konoha.
Even when they discovered one another, they restrained themselves and avoided conflict.
They quietly waited for more people to gather.
On a tree nearby stood two people. One held a shakujo, with a head of white hair and a scar running across his face.
The other had glossy, waist-length black hair, slender willow-leaf brows, black eyeliner, and purple lipstick that gave her a mature air.
The two were Kazuma and Fuen.
Kazuma had once been one of the Twelve Guardians. He believed the Hokage was an unnecessary existence and that true authority over ninja should belong to the daimyo of the Land of Fire, putting him at odds with Asuma and the others.
Three years ago, he launched a coup at the Daimyo's Mansion. After being defeated by Asuma, he faked his death and escaped.
Fuen, who stood beside him, was one of the subordinates he had recruited.
She was proficient in Earth Release and