Tajima Town, a small town located in the heartland of the Land of Fire, about a hundred li from the capital.
Several old trees at the town entrance cast swaying shadows in the wind. A few elderly men squatted beneath the shade, chatting idly as thin wisps of smoke rose from their pipes in the sunlight.
A dense clatter of hooves approached from afar.
A convoy of carriages came through the town entrance. It consisted of three carriages, with the lead carriage being the most elaborately decorated. Its wooden body was sturdy, and the paint on its walls was smooth and even.
The horses pulling it moved with steady steps, while the metal clasps on their reins reflected scattered glints under the sun.
A distinct clan crest was emblazoned on the side of the carriage—a fan and flames.
Guards were stationed ahead of, behind, and alongside the convoy. Each carried a standard ninja sword on his back and wore ninja tools at his waist.
Pedestrians by the roadside slowed their steps. Some voluntarily moved aside, while others turned sideways to clear a path.
The convoy passed steadily through the town entrance and headed southeast along the main road. It gradually shrank amid the shadows at the end of the road before disappearing around the bend.
Only then did the two pedestrians by the roadside withdraw their gazes and begin speaking in low voices.
"Who's that? What an impressive display."
"Keep it down..." A stall owner set down the bamboo basket in his hands and jerked his chin toward where the convoy had vanished.
"That's the Uchiha Clan crest. Anyone riding in there has to be an important figure from the Uchiha Clan.
"Judging by their direction, they should be heading toward the capital."
"The capital? Then it must have something