The mountain wind sweeping in from the distant peaks carried a cool chill through the forest, brushing over everyone in the convoy.
The highly tense guards gripped their long swords tightly, not overlooking the slightest movement.
Their conflict with the Hidden Village had made the atmosphere within the convoy extremely grave as they clustered tightly around the ornate ox carriage.
The curtain embroidered with lavish patterns was lifted, revealing the aged face of the Land of Lightning's Daimyo. Gazing toward the distant mountains, he spoke to the approaching captain of the guard. "Jianwu, there is no need to be so tense. We have already entered the Land of Hot Water."
"But Yugakure also participated in the auction."
The middle-aged man gripping his katana advised the relaxed Daimyo.
"They do not have the nerve."
The Daimyo curled his lips disdainfully and slowly lowered the curtain.
Jianwu respectfully looked toward the ornate ox carriage, then headed toward the sensing ninja.
The Daimyo could afford to relax.
But the guards could not let down their guard. It was their duty.
The forest path gradually gave way to a mountain road, and as the dense trees around them grew sparse, the changing scenery eased much of the tension permeating the convoy.
With no canopy of leaves blocking out the sky, their view became far broader, and everything around them lay in plain sight.
"How is the reconnaissance?"
Jianwu turned his face aside to avoid the glaring sunlight and asked the sensing ninja, whose chakra was fluctuating within his body.
The sensing ninja seemed not to hear him and continued walking forward on his own.
Years of military service allowed him to keenly notice that something was wrong. The ninja before him seemed to be struggling against something, his twisted face streaming with murky sweat