Outside Konoha, Land of Fire.
The sky after the rain was a brilliant blue, and the wildflowers and grasses by the roadside gave off a fragrant scent.
The three little brats, leaving the village for the first time, looked around in every direction. Everything felt so novel.
For them, having grown up in Konoha, the world outside the village was practically a whole new world.
"Orochimaru-sensei, is it fun outside the village?"
"Ordinary."
"Orochimaru-sensei, I heard there are lots of people outside the village. Is that true?"
"That's true, but there are even more dead people."
"Orochimaru-sensei, do you think there are sweets outside that taste as good as Dango?"
"Eat too many sweets and you'll get fat."
"Orochimaru-sensei..."
Orochimaru waved a hand, cutting off their endless stream of questions.
"We're here. Let's find the client first."
Orochimaru said as he looked at the small mountain village before them.
"The ninja masters have arrived! Our village will finally be safe!"
The sound of gongs and drums rang out.
Orochimaru looked speechlessly at the sleazy-looking, long-haired middle-aged man shouting in front of him.
The man held a gong in both hands, with a lackey beating a drum beside him.
Several children curiously crept closer, only to be pulled back by their parents.
The farthest they had ever traveled in their lives was probably the nearby towns, so they were deeply wary of outsiders.
"Are you the client?"
Orochimaru did not speak. Instead, Kurenai Yūhi stepped forward to ask.
For their previous D-rank missions, Orochimaru had handled the clients at first, but later he had left it all to Kurenai.
"Ninja master, my name is Ma Bangdeque. I'm the village chief of Nanta Village."
"Where are the bandits?"
"On the mountain to the south."
Kurenai nodded, then looked at her companions