"Everyone, come here."
Sasori's voice came from behind a sand dune.
The others gathered around. Sasori crouched in the shadow of a rock and drew several lines in the sand with his fingertip.
"From here on, we split up."
"Disguise yourselves as refugees and merchants. Enter the city in twos and threes, at different times. Once inside, head to the refugee district in the west."
"Find out when the Kazekage's convoy enters the city, which streets it takes, where they're staying, and what the defenses around them look like."
"Meet at the Mule and Horse Inn, deep in the western refugee district, before dark."
He stood and brushed the sand from his hands.
"I'll go in first and scout."
His black robe flickered, and he melted into the stream of refugees heading for the city gate. A few steps later, he was gone.
The candidates exchanged glances, smeared sand on themselves, changed clothes, and joined the line of refugees at the gate in staggered groups.
Dusk.
Bells and drums rang out.
The Kazekage's convoy entered the city.
The streets emptied as everyone rushed to see it.
People packed both sides of the main street, shoulder to shoulder.
Heads crowded every teahouse and restaurant window. Tavern workers stood on stools to get a better view, while vendors abandoned their stalls and pushed forward on tiptoe.
Most commoners had lived their whole lives without seeing what Fourth Kazekage Rasa looked like.
Today, they finally had the chance.
So people from across the Capital had come to watch the Kazekage's carriage pass.
They also wanted to see what a Jinchūriki looked like. Did he really have three heads and six arms, as the stories claimed?
The ceremonial procession led the way, music rising as the carriage rolled slowly down the long street.