Before they set out, the official tactfully offered Shinji and the others a few words of caution, hoping they would keep a low profile, rein in their tempers, and avoid stirring up trouble everywhere. The people of the Land of Water were all their good friends, and so on.
Shinji thought, I'm not taking the blame for this.
Hidan and Tobi simply looked up at the sky and started whistling, not taking any of it seriously.
They set off.
This time, Shinji had learned his lesson. He deliberately chose less-traveled paths and headed into any forest they came across.
Without anyone acting out the routine of "What are you looking at?" "You. Got a problem?" "Try looking again!" "Try it and die!" things were finally much quieter, and they reached the village where their mission awaited without incident.
After a conversation, the village chief took them to the "haunted" cave.
Confident in their abilities, Shinji and his two companions grabbed torches and walked straight in without a moment's hesitation.
Yet just as they had been told, there was nothing inside the cave, nor were there any secret passages.
So had someone been playing ghost, or had something really been here, only to leave later?
"Senior Hidan, over here, over here! Come here! I found something!"
Tobi suddenly waved his arms and beckoned Hidan over.
Hidan gave it little thought. He was even ready to teach Tobi a thing or two and show him what a senior could do.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Right there! There!"
"There's nothing there. Are you messing with me again, you little punk?"
"How could I? I respect you more than anyone, Senior Hidan! Get a little closer and you'll definitely see it."
He respects me more than anyone?
"Tch!"
Hearing that, Hidan was inwardly delighted.