It was just regular traveling, so most people recovered about seventy to eighty percent within minutes.
But perhaps Akaba had some influence—everyone actually rested for half an hour before Kakashi Windseer finally told them all to get moving again.
Before long, the group entered the Land of River.
"The environment here is pretty nice."
Orochimaru remarked in surprise. He hadn't expected such a mountain-and-water blessed country right beside the Land of Wind.
"Kakashi replied while continuing forward. It serves as a buffer zone between the Lands of Wind and Fire."
Akaba added after a pause.
"This nation's in a bad state, almost like the current Land of Whirlpools."
Fertile lands coveted by two major powers, causing rogue ninja to appear everywhere on its territory.
If it managed to develop under these conditions, I'd call it a ghost story!
"We're heading to one of the more prosperous cities in the Land of River now, though it's also full with rogue ninjas."
Akaba continued.
All this intelligence he'd gotten from Izumi Yamano.
"Rogue ninjas..."
Orochimaru ran his tongue over his lips. Far from showing fear, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Rogue ninja?
That meant no accountability for killing them.
Oi, what's got you so worked up, Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya whispered.
"Nothing much. Just thinking there might be a fight ahead. Slight excitement, that's all."
Orochimaru replied calmly.
"They wouldn't dare attack Konoha."
Kakashi Windseer stated.
Rogue ninjas have their own rules—attacking Konoha isn't allowed. That's one of the regulations even rogue ninjas in the Land of River follow.
Konoha's practically right next door; anyone who makes a move here is signing their own death warrant.
They moved fast. Before long, they passed through a mountain forest and saw the town come into view.
The town wasn't particularly large, but considering where they were in the Land of River, it already counted as quite prosperous.
"I'll go find the caravan first. You guys can play around freely for now."
Once reaching the village, Akaba prepared to temporarily separate from the rest.
"Hey, won't that be too dangerous!"
Tsunade worriedly said.
Kakashi Windseer didn't speak, merely watching quietly.
"If you're concerned, I'll go along too."
Orochimaru gently smiled. "I'm not really interested in this area anyway. It'd be safer with two of us."
"Mm, fine."
Kakashi Windseer nodded.
Since the Jonin himself agreed, Tsunade could only reluctantly let both leave the group despite her worries.
"Father, is that okay?"
Sakumo frowned slightly, sensing those two left for reasons far from simple.
"Don't worry about it."
Kakashi replied simply.
As a Jonin and clan leader, naturally he knew Akaba's departure wasn't merely about locating a caravan.
What did he care anyway.
The Land of River is chaotic and lawless, filled with rogue ninjas who commit every kind of evil deed imaginable.
Whether they were killed or whatever—he had no objections either way.
But if Akaba and Orochimaru insisted on leaving the team, then they must bear the consequences of doing so.
"Everyone, split into groups of three or four and explore freely."
After saying this, Kakashi Windseer strode into the town first.
"Why are you following me?"
"Because it feels like you're going to do something fun—I'm just joining the party."
Orochimaru licked his lips, visibly thrilled.
"Just going to notify the caravan."
"Mr. Akaba, do you even believe that yourself?"
Orochimaru wasn't convinced.
Akaba sighed helplessly.
At critical times, this guy pulls the exact same crap as Jiraiya.
"My caravan is working with others, hiding our identities while entering the Land of River, wanting to establish a long-term trading channel, so we can't expose ourselves as Konoha ninja."
Akaba explained.
Through Izumi Yamano's introduction, another caravan had agreed to try selling manga, and this cooperation aimed to open distribution channels in the Land of River region.
The underworld has its own rules.
Including Konoha ninja would cause more trouble in a place like the Land of River.
"I see."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, removing his forehead protector.
[Transformation Jutsu!]
In an instant, he had transformed into someone else's appearance.
Akaba hesitated for a moment.
Undeniably, Orochimaru's mastery of Transformation Jutsu could rival those obtained through the System.
"I just wanted to test my newly created ninjutsu. If no enemies show up, I won't cause you any trouble."
Orochimaru shrugged.
"We're already working together. What's the point of saying these things now."
Akaba shook his head, then also used [Transformation Jutsu] to change his appearance.
Going forward, they'd reach their meeting location soon.
"Mr. Akaba, why didn't you say it like this from the beginning?"
Orochimaru sneered coldly, quickening his steps significantly, "I've already detected them—there are a lot of ninja nearby."
Akaba slowly walked forward.
Might as well save his strength for now.
If Orochimaru can't handle a few run-of-the-mill rogue ninja, he doesn't belong in this world.
"Manga? What the hell is that!"
"What's the point of these little comic books? And you actually sell these things without our permission?"
Voices came from ahead.
"We've already paid Lord Bajeen, and he permitted us to trade here."
Explained the leader of the caravan.
"Bajeen? Hmph, unfortunate news, Bajeen has already been killed by us."
The rogue ninja sneered, "So you still need to pay money."
"No way!"
The caravan leader was taken aback, finding it hard to believe.
He saw Bajeen yesterday. How could he possibly be killed within a single day!
"Just a chunin, how strong did you think he was?"
"Our leader's a tokubetsu jonin!"
The rogue ninjas showed contempt on their faces.
Though not equal to jonin, tokubetsu jonin were still terrifying. Just an ordinary chunin stood no chance against them.
It seemed peaceful resolution wouldn't be possible.
The caravan leader sighed softly. A ninja belonging to the Sakuma clan inside prepared to fight back.
At this moment, a voice rang out.
"Are you the rogue ninjas controlling this street?"
A cold and sharp figure slowly stepped out from the darkness. When everyone saw his face clearly, they felt a slight chill—this man had scars all over his face, looking extremely formidable.
"Who are you?!"
"We work for Lord King Sand. If you dare to oppose us, Lord King Sand won't let you off easily."
That face screamed ruthless killer straight off the battlefield. These rogue ninjas possessed low strength; they could only threaten ordinary people but ranked at the very bottom among ninja ranks.
They feared death and dared not fight this opponent.
"Who is he?"
"A newly arrived rogue ninja?!"
The Sakuma clan ninja hiding within the caravan grew alert. This guy's aura was dozens of times more dangerous than Bajeen's!
Under the Transformation Jutsu, no one recognized Orochimaru in his current form.
"King Sand? A Tokubetsu Jonin? How delightful."
Orochimaru sneered coldly, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. "Will you show me the way willingly, or must I force your hands?"
"W-we'll lead you! Don't kill us! Don't kill us!"
Before Orochimaru could even speak, they collapsed to their knees begging for mercy, then scrambled up and hurriedly started leading the way.
Was Orochimaru trying to find their Leader?
The leader was a Tokubetsu Jonin.
Akaba frowned slightly, then formed hand seals and created Multiple Shadow Clones.
No words needed between the original and clone—both already understood each other's intentions.
"Then let's go."
Orochimaru's expression remained indifferent. Battling these underlings would bring absolutely no satisfaction whatsoever.
Now *that* would be interesting!
As he turned around, he couldn't help but lick his lips in excitement.
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