"Drip!"
Rainwater ran down the pipes on the roof and dripped from the eaves.
Inside the tavern, however, everything was lively. Laughter, clinking glasses, and the rattle of dice from gambling tables mingled in a noisy jumble.
Shiro and Kimimaro looked around the tavern curiously. Whenever someone glared at them, they hurriedly averted their eyes, feeling nervous and a little afraid.
But the sight of the golden-haired figure ahead of them put them at ease again.
Their teacher made them feel completely safe!
"This should be the liveliest place in Amegakure."
River found a secluded table and spoke with a smile.
"It really is lively, but the people here don't look like good people."
Shiro spoke in a low voice.
Kimimaro struggled to climb onto his seat. His short little legs swung above the floor, making him look rather cute.
"They just look a little fierce."
"If we're talking about how dangerous they are, they can't even compare to you two children."
River spoke with a faint smile.
"After all, you two have already passed the village's Genin exam."
Shiro and Kimimaro exchanged a glance. "But compared to you, Teacher, we're still far behind!"
Kimimaro nodded. "Compared to your power, Teacher, we're like a drop of water in the ocean, while you're the ocean itself."
River laughed and patted their heads. "You two really know what to say."
"Let's stay here for a while."
"Someone should come to invite us before long."
The two little ones nodded, only half understanding, and kept slurping the juice the server had brought to their table.
River quietly listened to the conversations around the tavern. All sorts of people mingled here, making it the quickest place to gather information.
Gamblers, drinkers, ordinary civilians, thugs, and ninja all gathered here.
"Pain?"
Murmuring the name, River