On the surface, Kin and her teammates were genin carefully selected by Orochimaru, dispatched to Konoha to assist with his plan to destroy the village.
In reality, they were merely three unfortunate pawns.
Regardless of their performance in the Chūnin Exam, as long as they survived, they would ultimately serve as sacrifices for Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation technique.
Even if they survived the exams, death awaited them at Orochimaru's hands.
The trio had no idea this was Richard's shop. They had simply wandered downtown, noticed the unusual name of the establishment, and decided to investigate.
Upon entering and seeing Richard behind the counter, all three widened their eyes simultaneously, their expressions betraying disbelief.
Though they'd never interacted with Richard in Otogakure, they recognized him as Orochimaru's honored guest.
"Was he also sent to Konoha by Lord Orochimaru?" The same suspicion flashed through each of their minds.
Though they remained silent, Richard easily read their thoughts.
"My presence here has nothing to do with Orochimaru," he stated flatly. "I suggest you refrain from revealing my connection to Orochimaru or the fact that Otogakure was founded by him. Otherwise, Konoha's ANBU will immediately apprehend you for intensive interrogation. You'd experience firsthand the exquisite methods of their Torture and Interrogation Division."
Though Kin and her companions possessed limited potential—even if they survived, they would likely peak at special jōnin level—Richard preferred they not be captured prematurely. Without them, the Chūnin Exam would lose much of its dramatic tension.
After hearing his warning, the three exchanged glances before silently nodding. They turned their attention to the shop's inventory, immediately frowning at the sparse display case containing only three standard vibranium kunai and one vibranium tantō.
None had ever encountered a ninja supply shop with only four items.
"Is this truly a legitimate business?" The question formed in their minds simultaneously.
Despite her skepticism, Kin approached the display case to examine the prices of the vibranium weapons.
Her expression shifted to one of incredulity.
"Three million ryō for a kunai? Six and a half million for a tantō?"
Though the currency in the Land of Sound differed from that of the Land of Fire, their purchasing power remained roughly equivalent.
Before seeing these prices, Kin had suspected Richard might be using the shop as a cover. After witnessing such outrageous figures, her suspicion hardened into certainty. No legitimate merchant would set such absurd prices.
Kin shot Richard a questioning glance before rejoining her teammates. "Let's go. There's nothing of interest here."
"Agreed," Zaku and Dosu replied in unison.
Without hesitation, the trio departed, never looking back.
After their exit, Richard promptly closed for the day. Though he hadn't anticipated encountering the Sound genin, their appearance confirmed Orochimaru's arrival in Konoha.
The jōnin supervising Kin's team was, in fact, Orochimaru in disguise.
During the Chūnin Exam, Orochimaru would undoubtedly be the busiest individual involved. Not only would he masquerade as the Sound team's jōnin leader, but he would also use the Face Stealing Technique to impersonate a Kusagakure genin. Finally, during the tournament phase, he would disguise himself as the Fourth Kazekage.
After closing shop, Richard remained inside, reclining in his chair and contemplating whether to seek out Orochimaru.
After brief consideration, he decided against it. Though the ANBU had ceased their direct surveillance, the Third Hokage still periodically monitored him with the Telescope Technique.
Meeting Orochimaru now would likely draw unwanted attention from the Hokage. With the Chūnin Exam imminent, creating complications seemed unnecessary.
That was Richard's plan—but Orochimaru had other ideas.
At midnight, Richard's eyes snapped open as he lay in bed. He rose silently, dressed, and opened his bedroom window. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he vanished from his residence.
In an instant, he materialized on a bridge several hundred meters away. At its center stood a middle-aged man—Orochimaru, disguised as the jōnin leader of Otogakure.
"Your perception remains as sharp as ever," Orochimaru remarked, turning toward Richard without revealing his true face.
"Skip the pleasantries. You've sought me out at this hour for a reason. What is it?" Richard asked directly.
"Nothing elaborate. I merely wished to inquire if you're interested in participating in my operation to destroy Konoha," Orochimaru replied, dispensing with pretense.
"If I were interested, I would have agreed when we were in Otogakure," Richard answered immediately. "I've found my time in Konoha quite pleasant. I'm not particularly eager to witness its destruction."
Unsurprised by this response, Orochimaru continued, "Then will you oppose me?"
"There's no need," Richard replied, his expression serious. "Your plan to destroy Konoha will fail regardless of my involvement."
Though Orochimaru had successfully infiltrated by impersonating the Fourth Kazekage and secured Sunagakure's participation in the assault, Konoha would ultimately survive.
The village possessed resources beyond what appeared on the surface. Even without considering others, Jiraiya and Might Guy alone could thwart Orochimaru's ambitions.
Jiraiya matched Orochimaru in strength. As for Guy—he wouldn't even need to open the Eighth Gate of Death. The Sixth Gate of Joy and Seventh Gate of Wonder would be sufficient to create serious problems for Orochimaru.
Should Guy open the Eighth Gate, even if Orochimaru employed the Reanimation Jutsu, Guy would likely defeat him through sheer overwhelming force.
Konoha harbored numerous high-level combatants, while Orochimaru stood alone. Even with Sunagakure's deception and his plans to exploit Gaara's Tailed Beast, he lacked sufficient high-tier military strength.
"You possess information I don't?" Orochimaru questioned, eyes narrowing.
"Some," Richard acknowledged. "Nothing particularly classified. You were once a Konoha shinobi—you should understand the village's legacy. Incidentally, your former associate Danzō won't simply stand by while you destroy Konoha. If the village falls, how could he realize his ambition to become Hokage?"
After hearing this, Orochimaru fell silent for several moments.
"Join me," he finally said. "Konoha will be yours afterward. Though I can't discern your true objectives, my intuition suggests you harbor considerable interest in this village."
"Give me Konoha?" Richard's expression registered genuine surprise. Orochimaru's proposition exceeded his expectations.
"Your intuition is flawed. While I do find Konoha intriguing, I neither wish to control it nor become Hokage," Richard clarified. "Since we've had an amicable relationship previously, I'll offer additional counsel: The Third Hokage may be old, but underestimate him at your peril. They call him the Professor of Ninjutsu for good reason, which you should understand better than most."
Richard paused, then added deliberately: "Dead Demon Consuming Seal. He has mastered this technique."
"Dead Demon Consuming Seal?" Orochimaru frowned immediately. "That technique should have been lost after the Fourth Hokage's era."
"Believe what you will. I've conveyed everything necessary," Richard replied. "One final matter—Sasuke is now half my student. Refrain from interfering with him. Otherwise, your current body will be your last."
Without awaiting response, Richard activated the Body Flicker Technique and vanished.
Orochimaru gazed briefly toward Richard's residence before likewise disappearing from the bridge.
The following day at noon, Richard arrived at his shop, unlocked the door, and resumed business. Though customers rarely visited, maintaining appearances remained essential. His current identity—a merchant settling in Konoha—required at minimum the pretense of commerce.
He arranged three standard vibranium kunai and one vibranium tantō in the display case before retreating to the recliner behind the counter.
Unlike previous days, he didn't practice Rasengan variations or study how to integrate techniques like Firaga and Blizzaga with the spiraling sphere. Instead, he emptied his mind and simply rested.
Even complete inactivity wouldn't halt his progression. The Kryptonian physiology granted by his Superboy-Prime template absorbed this world's sunlight just as effectively as his native universe's, continuously enhancing his capabilities.
The Rasengan and other ninjutsu merely satisfied his collector's mentality. Even without a single technique, he would remain among the world's most formidable beings.
As he reclined idly, Uzuki Yugao—whom he hadn't seen since collecting her first installment payment over a week ago—entered the shop.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Richard," she greeted with a respectful bow.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Uzuki," Richard responded, opening his eyes and rising from his chair.
Yugao's attire remained unchanged from previous encounters, though she appeared noticeably more cheerful today.
She approached the counter, produced 200,000 ryō in banknotes, and explained, "I realize the second installment isn't due yet, but I recently completed a mission and thought to make an early payment."
"That's perfectly acceptable, provided it's not overdue," Richard replied calmly, collecting the currency.
Though such sums meant little to him, business remained business. Even Sasuke, half his student, had paid five million ryō for his weapon.
As Richard made the banknotes seemingly vanish with practiced ease, Yugao took mental note of this subtle display.
"Mr. Richard," she ventured, "someone capable of crafting such exceptional blades must surely possess considerable swordsmanship skill themselves?"
Had alternatives existed, Yugao would have avoided such a direct approach. However, her mission parameters necessitated progress.
Nearly ten days had passed since she'd been tasked with gaining Richard's trust. Beyond purchasing the vibranium katana immediately after her assignment, she'd found no opportunities to engage him further, much less uncover his true purpose in Konoha.
Though Richard maintained a consistent routine, therein lay the problem—his life was so predictable that creating natural opportunities for contact proved impossible.
He would rise at noon and lunch at Ichiraku Ramen. His shop operated from approximately noon until five. After closing, he either returned to Ichiraku or selected a random restaurant for dinner. Following his meal, he'd return to his residence near the Uchiha compound.
From nine until ten each evening, he trained Sasuke in the nearby forest before either retiring or visiting the entertainment district.
Yugao had considered "accidentally" encountering him during meals or while walking, but ultimately abandoned such transparent tactics. Even if successful, such meetings would yield only brief, superficial interactions.
After days of deliberation and multiple consultations with Hayate, she'd formulated today's approach: early repayment as the first step, inquiring about his swordsmanship as the second. If this progressed smoothly, she could implement the third phase of her plan.
"I know something of swordplay," Richard replied deliberately, "though I wouldn't consider myself particularly skilled."
When Yugao inquired about his swordsmanship, he immediately suspected ulterior motives.
"Surely you're being modest, Mr. Richard?" Yugao pressed gently.
"Perhaps," he acknowledged with a smile. "I observe you're quite accomplished yourself. This specific line of questioning—are you seeking a match?"
Though aware Yugao likely acted on the Third Hokage's orders, Richard saw no harm in playing along.
"I would indeed value learning from you," Yugao responded quickly. "Though it's not mere restlessness—I'm genuinely curious about your technique. My intuition suggests your swordsmanship must be exceptional."