The morning mist had yet to disperse when the trade road leading to Konoha was already bustling with people.
An inconspicuous merchant caravan moved slowly amid the crowd.
Inside one of the carriages, a young girl named Yui lifted the curtain and curiously surveyed everything outside.
She wore neat, proper clothes and had her hair arranged in a simple bun, looking no different from the daughter of an ordinary wealthy merchant.
"Grandpa Hase, is that Naruto Uzumaki you mentioned really that amazing?"
Yui's voice was clear and carried the innocence of someone untouched by worldly affairs.
"He single-handedly quelled Konoha's internal unrest and even drove back the legendary Orochimaru."
Beside her, an elderly man with slightly graying hair and beard rested with his eyes closed. Hearing this, he merely nodded faintly.
"Princess, rumors only grow more outrageous as they spread. Those news writers will say anything for sales. You can't take it seriously."
"But everyone says so. And that new novel, Dark Warrior, was clearly based on Naruto."
The old man laughed. "Oh, those novel writers are even worse. They'll put anything into a story as long as it makes money."
"But the author of this book is also the author of Make-Out Paradise, your favorite."
Yui pouted, somewhat displeased.
"They say Konoha is now being protected by Naruto Uzumaki."
The old man opened his eyes. A complicated emotion flashed through his clouded gaze, but he did not respond.
Deep within the forest beyond their sight, three figures lurked like venomous snakes, their cold gazes fixed on the merchant caravan.
They wore Kumogakure forehead protectors, but the chakra flowing through them carried the heavy, solid quality of stone.
"Boss, this is the caravan? Doesn't look like there's much profit in it."
One of them spoke in a low voice.
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