The Feudal Lord of the Land of Water's people had arrived!
Kakashi had traveled all the way from Konoha. Standing before the gates of Kirigakure, he stared blankly at the grand procession before him.
Nearly three hundred people.
Some led the way, others beat drums and gongs behind them, and nearly seventy percent were samurai guards accompanying the procession.
Kakashi studied the hands gripping their swords. Every one of them was an elite among elites. He had even seen photographs of several of them—they were famous swordsmen.
At the very front was a large palanquin with room for a person to sit. Its curtain had been lifted, revealing a dignified, elegant woman inside. She held a child of about four or five in her arms.
Five cargo wagons followed behind the palanquin. Thick cloth covered their loads, concealing what was inside.
After the three hundred or so people entered Kirigakure, they didn't head for the Mizukage Building. They went straight in one direction.
"Isn't that... the way to Lin Qing's school?!"
The procession bore the family crest of the Feudal Lord of the Land of Water. Even the most ignorant villager knew why these people had come—
Lin Qing!
A month ago, Lin Qing had killed the Feudal Lord of the Land of Water in the middle of the street.
Now they had come to demand an explanation!
The wagons rolled along the road, leaving deep ruts behind them. Their cargo must have been extremely heavy.
The villagers swallowed nervously.
"Could the wagons be carrying explosives or something?"
"They're going to blow all of Kirigakure sky-high!"
"Who's the woman in the palanquin?"
The villagers whispered among themselves, their speculation growing wilder by the minute.
Before long, they were convinced that the five wagons were full of explosives and that the