Orochimaru's Infiltrators and the Byakugan's All-Weather Lock

On the border of the Land of Fire, along the trade road leading to Konoha Hidden Village, a merchant caravan of more than a dozen people traveled at an unhurried pace.

Wheels rolled over the dry earth with a monotonous creak. The man at the front had dark skin and an ordinary face, dressed in coarse linen like a caravan guard captain who had spent years on the road, weathered by wind and hardship. His name was Kidomaru, one of the Sound Four. This time, he was disguised as the caravan's manager.

The "workers" behind him were also elites selected through Otogakure's brutal screening process, each skilled in infiltration and assassination. They pushed carts laden with cloth and spices, their faces wearing just the right amount of fatigue and numbness as they blended perfectly into the bustling trade route leading to the greatest village in the Shinobi World.

"Lord Kidomaru, Konoha's southern gate is just ahead." Sakon lowered his voice. Fused with Ukon, he was disguised as a slightly plump ordinary merchant, his eyes gleaming with excitement and cruelty.

"Stay sharp, and rein in that disgusting killing intent of yours." Without looking back, Kidomaru squeezed the words through his teeth. "This is Konoha, Fifth Hokage Baishi's territory. Lord Orochimaru specifically warned us that this man is a hundred times harder to deal with than Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Tayuya, the woman always full of foul language, had changed into the plain clothes of a village wife. Hearing this, she curled her lip disdainfully and muttered, "Tch, so what if he's hard to deal with? Our mission this time is infiltration, not assassination. Once we get the goods, we'll leave without anyone noticing. Is he going to turn all of Konoha upside down looking for us?"

Kidomaru snorted coldly and said