Inside the shop, Ling extinguished the last oil lamp and melted into complete darkness. His perception spread slowly outward like invisible ripples, with the shop at their center, carefully screening every trace of movement nearby.
Sure enough, before an incense stick could burn down, several extremely faint chakra signatures appeared in the shadows of the street, silently sealing off every exit from the shop. Their movements were professional and practiced. They were Kirigakure Anbu, and even more elite than the patrol from earlier.
They're here. Tobirama's voice was utterly calm. It seems that Anbu Captain with Boil Release is very efficient.
Ling was not surprised. In a place like Kirigakure, once the Anbu took an interest in an outsider with a suspicious identity, escaping their attention would never be easy. Forcing his way out would be the stupidest choice. It would only confirm their accusation that he was a spy and put him in outright opposition to Kirigakure, destroying any chance of continuing his investigation.
What he needed was a plausible explanation, an identity that could earn their temporary trust, or at least buy him time to maneuver.
Footsteps stopped outside the door. There was no knock, but a precisely applied force silently snapped the latch from outside. The door opened, and moonlight stretched the shadows of two masked Anbu across the floor. There was no killing intent, but a cold, impersonal pressure washed over him.
"Shopkeeper," one of the Anbu said, the altered voice low and hoarse, "by order of the Anbu directly under Lord Mizukage, you are to come with us and cooperate with an investigation."
Ling slowly emerged from the shadows of the back room, his face showing just the right amount of surprise and a merchant's apprehension. "M-my lords? May I ask what has happened? I'm