Trading Company, Face-to-Face Contact

The frigid winds of early winter howled across the border of the Land of Birds.

This Gray Hub at the boundary between Wind and Earth carried the rotten, moldy stench of corruption all year round.

Ye and Obito led the scattered caravan through the wind and snow, striding openly into this lawless land along muddy mountain roads.

The convoy was spread out before and behind them, displaying no sign whatsoever of ninja affiliation.

Dilapidated wooden houses stood crammed together along both sides of the street.

Behind crooked wooden posts, the filthy water in the potholes had long frozen solid, while dark red bloodstains clung to the cracks between the bricks.

Obito sat on the shaft of the first cart, one hand resting at the edge of the Ninja Tools pouch on his outer thigh. His entire body was taut like a fully drawn bow.

His Sharingan remained inactive, but his sharp gaze repeatedly swept through the shadows.

The moment the convoy passed through the outer district, several pairs of eyes beneath broken eaves fixed upon this juicy target.

A few local thugs slipped out of the dark alleys, followed by two wandering rogue ninja licking their blades.

They eyed the fat, oil-rich caravan, hands on their sword hilts as they closed in from three sides, ready to rob them outright.

Obito's eyelids twitched. Just as Chakra surged into his eyes, the banner hanging from the front cart unfurled in the wind.

The merchant banner, black with red patterns and gold-trimmed edges, snapped in the cold wind. The large words embroidered in gold thread—"Land of Fire · Gold Source Trading Company"—were especially eye-catching.

The instant the leader saw the banner clearly, he stopped dead, and the viciousness on his face immediately crumbled.

The two wandering rogue ninja swallowed, bumped shoulders with