Night shrouded the outskirts of Hot Water Town.
Scarface led a dozen or so rogue ninjas toward the edge of town, bristling with menace.
The town was brightly lit, and guards could still be seen patrolling the streets.
Scarface stopped and raised a hand, signaling his men to hide.
The cool night breeze cleared his overheated head a little.
Hot Water Town was an important trading hub on the border, and its guards were no pushovers.
If their band of rogue ninjas openly stormed the town's most luxurious inn to kidnap someone...
Within half an hour, the town guards and passing mercenaries would have them surrounded.
Forget collecting the bounty. Even getting out alive would be a problem.
"Boss, why did we stop?"
Skinny Monkey sidled up and asked in a low voice.
"Aren't we going to drag out that bastard who's living off public funds?"
Scarface reached back and rapped Skinny Monkey on the head.
"Drag him out, my ass!"
"There are eyes and ears everywhere in town, and the Hot Springs Inn has its own guards."
"If we force our way in, there's no keeping it quiet."
"Konoha High Command sent him here. Maybe they're waiting for us to make a scene."
The rogue ninjas exchanged looks, agreeing that their boss had a point.
"Then what do we do?"
"Just stand here watching him eat barbecue and soak in hot springs every day?"
Scarface snorted and rubbed the scar on his chin.
"Didn't he spend a hundred thousand ryo buying information from Blondie?"
"Since he likes buying information so much, let's give him something big."
Scarface turned to Skinny Monkey.
"Change into some clean clothes and go to Blondie's tavern."
"Pretend you're drunk and let slip the location of our fake camp in Black Wind Valley."
"Say there's