Safely escort an important merchant and his goods to a trading point within the Land of Rain.
There was nothing unusual about the mission itself. The key was its destination: the Land of Rain.
Danzo's Root had surely received word by now.
Uchiha Makoto could almost picture the sinister smile on that one-eyed old man's face in his gloomy underground chamber when he learned that Makoto was heading to the chaotic country whose ruler he had "connections" with.
The bait is out. Now let's see whether the fish bites.
Uchiha Makoto thought this, but his expression remained calm.
On paper, his team for this trip consisted of only four people.
In secret, however, he had brought along an extra "insurance policy."
Test Subject Three (Pakura).
Using special sealing formulas and the Transformation Technique, he had disguised Number Three as an inconspicuous, taciturn guard accompanying the group, allowing her to blend in.
As for Number One and Number Two, the two Earth Grudge Fear-modified subjects, he had left them at the base to guard Kakuzu, his "valuable asset."
With a Kage Level prisoner locked up at the base, he did not dare take all his fighting power with him.
"Move out."
Without another word, Uchiha Makoto took the lead and walked out through the gates.
Nako and the other two immediately followed, while Number Three trailed silently at the rear like a shadow.
Their client was a shrewd-eyed, somewhat portly merchant who appeared to be in his forties. His surname was Yamada.
He seemed to have little reverence for shinobi and was quite talkative instead.
Along the way, he kept grumbling to Uchiha Makoto about how difficult times were and how hard it was to do business, especially in the Land of Rain, which was an absolute mess.
"Lord Makoto, the