More than a dozen checkpoints had been added near Kirigakure.
Each checkpoint was manned by three Kirigakure ninja.
The closer they got to Kirigakure, the stricter the questioning became.
By the time Byakuya could see Kirigakure, they had reached the final checkpoint.
The Kirigakure ninja carefully inspected the grain on the carts. Because of the heavy rain, the carts were covered with tarps, which slowed the inspection.
"Selling grain in the village at this time of year again, huh?"
The ninja recognized the man who had put Byakuya up for the night and called out to him.
The rain was so heavy that they could barely hear each other unless they shouted.
"Times are hard for everyone. I'm just trying to earn a little more money."
"Have you got my share ready?"
"It's all ready. I was planning to visit you at home once we got into Kirigakure."
"Ah, that won't work this year. For one thing, things are tense in the country, and I'm often sent out on missions. I barely spend any time in the village. For another, a group of Konoha ninja really did show up recently, so Lord Mizukage raised the village's alert level."
The man asked in confusion, "You can predict something like that in advance?"
"What do you mean, predict? Keep your voice down. Come here."
"Yes."
"A Chunin under Lord Genji became a traitor working for Konoha. Konoha had him act as their inside man and help ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village infiltrate Kirigakure to wreak havoc."
He paused.
The ninja glanced around, then continued when he saw no one was paying attention. "They even interrogated him and got the exact location where the Konoha ninja would stay. It wasn't far from your village, in Shark Village. So Lord Mizukage sent elite