Something Was Definitely Wrong

The carriage rolled along the smooth highway, slowly leaving Konoha's sphere of influence.

Konoha lay in the most prosperous heartland of the Land of Fire. Under its protection, the surrounding towns and cities were peaceful and secure, and ordinary people lived comfortably enough.

Once they left Konoha's core territory, the road toward the border changed. Apart from a few large trading towns, the smaller settlements along the way were shabby and cramped, the roads were riddled with potholes, and the people working the fields wore the weary, numb look of those struggling to survive.

The sights along the road made a real impression on Tsukimi. The Shinobi World had always felt deeply divided to him, a world warped by its own imbalance.

Ninja wielded the power of Chakra. They could have put it to work in farming, construction, and other productive pursuits, vastly improving output and the efficient use of resources.

Yet in all the centuries that had passed, seemingly no one in the entire Shinobi World had considered it. To everyone, Chakra existed for fighting and killing.

Even someone as brilliant as Tobirama Senju had never broken free of that way of thinking.

Every Shinobi World War sprang from conflicts over resources, yet no one ever thought to create more. So the more they fought, the poorer they became, and the poorer they became, the more they fought. It was a vicious cycle.

Asuma and Kurenai took in the sights along the road, and much of their excitement at leaving the village for the first time faded. Both came from families in Konoha's upper ranks and had grown up in comfort. Seeing the world as it really was for the first time left them with mixed feelings.

After dwelling on it for a moment, Tsukimi pulled his thoughts back. He could not change any of that. For now, his greatest goal was to survive the imminent Third Shinobi World War.

Seeing the two of them looking downcast, Tsukimi said, "Come on, lose the long faces. When we get back, Asuma, go find your old man and have him ask the daimyo to approve a 'Land of Fire Road Beautification Project.'"

Tsukimi patted Asuma on the shoulder, amusement in his eyes. "Then you can help them fix the roads and paint Konoha's symbol on them while you're at it."

"Maybe you'll even earn yourself the title 'Pioneer of Road Construction.' Sounds a lot better than Fire Release Master."

Asuma nodded without thinking, then his eyes widened. "That's actually not a bad idea—wait, why am I the one fixing the roads? What about you two?"

With reflexes like that, you'd miss dinner even if it was served piping hot.

Tsukimi glanced at him. "Kurenai and I will supervise, of course. We'll make sure you keep working."

"Pfft!"

Kurenai could not hold back a laugh. The mood lifted, and with both of them feeling better, Tsukimi focused on scouting the road ahead.

Ever since they left Konoha, Tsukimi had kept the Shadowkhan summoned and spread them out along both sides of the road. Every stir ahead appeared clearly in his mind.

While using the Shadowkhan, Tsukimi had discovered a new ability: he could take control of any one of them and share its vision.

Tsukimi remembered that in the Jackie Chan Adventures episode where the Troll Tribe was summoned, Sheriff Black had been able to share their vision. It seemed this was an ability common to all nine tribes.

But it had limits. Tsukimi activated the Tara Mask with Chakra to summon the Shadowkhan, so the Shadowkhan themselves possessed no Chakra. Conventional sensory Ninjutsu could not detect them, but they could not sense anyone else's Chakra either. His maximum control range was only two kilometers.

Beyond that distance, he lost contact with the Shadowkhan and their vision cut out. He could no longer give them orders.

The first half of their journey through the Land of Fire passed quietly and uneventfully. Asuma and Kurenai recovered their spirits, but they remembered Tsukimi's warning before they set out and remained on guard.

At dusk three days later, the setting sun hung low as the carriage crossed the border into the Land of Rivers. Even the air seemed to grow a little more still.

"We're officially in the Land of Rivers now," Tsukimi said, shedding some of his usual easygoing manner. "From here on, stay alert at all times. Don't let your guard down for a moment."

"Got it!"

The carriage continued on, and before long, darkness fell completely. Night covered the forest. The group found a sheltered hollow, set up camp, and settled in for the night.

Tsukimi had not forgotten Kawata Genji, either. The old man had stayed silent throughout their journey in the Land of Fire. Now he looked even more uneasy. Though he sat beside the campfire, his mind was clearly elsewhere. His gaze kept darting about, and every so often, his right hand pressed against the front of his robe.

"Mr. Kawata, even now, you have nothing you want to tell us?"

Tsukimi stirred the campfire with a stick and gave him a pointed look.

At Tsukimi's words, Kawata Genji flinched. He forced an awkward smile, then quickly lowered his head again.

"I... I have nothing to say."

The campfire's warmth could not drive away his fear.

"Is that so? You do know the rules, don't you, Mr. Kawata?"

Kawata Genji looked up at Tsukimi, confused.

"When Ninja encounter a complication beyond a mission's assigned rank, they have the right to abandon it on the spot. Are you still going to insist there's nothing wrong?"

That rule did exist. But no complication had occurred yet, and Kawata Genji was still their client. Tsukimi could not search him by force.

Kawata Genji no longer dared meet Tsukimi's eyes. He mumbled for a long while, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and said nothing.

Let's see how long you can keep this up, old man.

Tsukimi gave Kawata Genji one long look, then turned away. Kurenai handed him the food she had prepared. Once the three of them had eaten, Tsukimi assigned the night watches. "Asuma takes the first shift. I'll take the next, and Kurenai takes the last."

Orochimaru leaned alone against a nearby tree, his golden slit-pupiled eyes quietly watching the three of them.

The night deepened, and the evening breeze rustled through the trees. Nothing stirred during the first half of the night. When Tsukimi took over the watch, he immediately spread the Shadowkhan through the surrounding two kilometers.

Time passed. Near midnight, four concealed figures suddenly entered the Shadowkhan's two-kilometer field of vision, breaking the stillness of the night.

The four had suppressed their presence as much as possible, holding down their Chakra fluctuations. Under cover of darkness, they closed in on the camp swiftly and silently.

So the uninvited guests had come after all!

Tsukimi's eyes snapped open. He had expected this.

Kawata Genji's strange expression throughout the journey, the little movements he had tried to hide—all the clues fell into place.

This seemingly ordinary escort mission had probably been hiding a deadly threat from the moment the old man posted it.

Tsukimi intended to find out exactly what that bastard was hiding.

"Everyone, on guard!"

He quickly woke Kurenai and Asuma. "Enemies approaching from the four o'clock direction. Four of them. Their target is... almost certainly Kawata Genji."

"Kurenai, circle left. Asuma, go right. Find cover and stay hidden."

Neither wasted time. They drew their weapons, leaped onto trees on either side, and concealed themselves, suppressing their presence as they blended into the darkness.

With everything in place, Tsukimi lay down beside the campfire, closed his eyes, and slowed his breathing, pretending to be fast asleep.

Let's see what kind of fish I catch tonight!