Ishikawa wore the smug look of a petty man who had hit the jackpot, but Reto and A were thinking much the same thing. They all wanted to follow their big brother Konoha and squeeze Byakuren for every last coin.
This was their traditional craft, one they had scarcely practiced since robbing the nobles. Their skills had even gotten a little rusty. Now that an opportunity had finally fallen into their laps, how could they not make a killing?
The three Kage's orders were rushed back to their respective countries, and their villages' shinobi swiftly assembled, racing toward Konoha for fear of missing their chance to strike it rich.
Konoha's people were thrilled too, each rubbing their hands in anticipation. Their last trip to the Land of Wind had earned them a fortune. This trip to the Land of Water was sure to bring another windfall!
When it came to dealing with Kirigakure, the Four Great Ninja Villages stood united against their common enemy. Money was their shared motive, though a few oddballs were only interested in rescuing people.
Thanks to Hashirama's tireless treatment, the Kirigakure Trio, tortured almost beyond recognition, could just barely get out of bed. A full recovery would still take some time.
With Konoha about to march on Kirigakure, the three immediately volunteered as guides. They even opened their minds to the Yamanaka Clan's shinobi, allowing them to read the intelligence straight from their brains.
The string of blows had left all three badly battered, and now they also had to bear the burden of betraying their village. Under this torment of both mind and body, they looked far older and more haggard despite still being teenagers.
Yet the person who appeared at their side to comfort them was none other than Hozuki Gengetsu's sworn enemy,