After several days of travel, Team 7 finally arrived at the Land of Fire's Daimyo's Palace.
This political center was even grander than Konoha—towering city walls, orderly streets, and magnificent estates all displayed the majesty of secular power.
Yet the air lacked Konoha's distinctive scent of rusty ninja tools and dust from the training grounds, carrying instead a touch more comfort and leisure.
"Rest up today. We continue our journey early tomorrow morning."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the inn's entrance and looked at his three students, who had been cooped up for days.
"It is rare that we get to visit. If there is anywhere you want to see, feel free to look around. Just return to the inn before sunset."
"Great!" Jiraiya was the first to jump up.
Tsunade yawned, though there was some interest in her eyes as well.
Orochimaru remained as quiet as ever, merely nodding slightly.
The three of them left the inn together and blended into the streets of Daimyo's Palace.
The liveliest district was not far from the main gate of Daimyo's Palace.
The bluestone road had been worn smooth and bright by countless footsteps. Shops lined both sides, their signs a riot of colors—from ironmongers to silk shops, apothecaries to snack stalls, there was everything one could want.
Vendors called out one after another, while the air was filled with the savory aroma of grilled eel, the sweetness of freshly baked pastries, and the scent of hay drifting from distant stables.
Jiraiya looked everywhere, his eyes practically unable to take it all in.
"Wow... there are really a lot of people."
He stopped before a mask stall, picked up a fox mask, and turned it over in his hands. After the smiling vendor greeted him a few times, he awkwardly put it down