"Recently there is indeed a task, but it requires quite a bit of time, at least twenty days. I'm not sure if you have the time."
The person in charge of the Underground Gold Exchange in Chuazhu County continued, "We've collaborated a few times, and I know you're quite capable. That's why I'm telling you about this lucrative task; recently, you're the only one who fits the requirements. How about it, care to consider?"
"It's a guard mission, and the client doesn't lack money. If you can defeat three of their bodyguards, it's six million for twenty days. Beat five bodyguards, and it's twelve million for twenty days."
Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Is twelve million a lot? It's not even as much as a Jonin from the Five Great Ninja Villages... do you have any better tasks?"
"There are none, and it's not calculated that way. A Jonin's body is very valuable. If the reward doesn't require a Jonin's body, it's about five million."
The person in charge of the Underground Gold Exchange shook his head and said that they're short on people, and they don't want rubbish on the other side. He recommended two bounty hunters, but they weren't accepted. He had no choice but to persuade Uchiha Yoichi.
"Alright, I'll take it. Tell me who the client is and how to contact them."
After considering, Uchiha Yoichi decided to accept it. He didn't even ask about other bounties. Given this person's nature, if he didn't take this reward, they'd probably offer him some cheap C-Class or B-Class bounty on traitorous ninja.
You can't earn much, and it's troublesome.
"Take this and go to Land of Rivers Capital First Town Street to find someone named Inoue Misui. He'll take you to meet the client."
The person in charge of the Underground Gold Exchange finished speaking, then smiled and continued, "If this commission is done well, you might not need to run around for money anymore; if the client is pleased, they might hire you long-term."
"Hmph!"
Uchiha Yoichi took the commission letter and left with Kakashi.
Once they were far from the Underground Gold Exchange, Kakashi couldn't help but ask, "Captain, isn't a twelve million reward very hard, at a minimum it's the equivalent of completing twelve S-Class tasks."
"It's different, Kakashi. You can't compare tasks from the village with commissions from the Underground Gold Exchange, and one million is the minimum for an S-Class task, not every S-Class task is one million."
Uchiha Yoichi explained that if every S-Class task were one million, then thirty-five million would hire thirty-five Jonin squads. Forget about Chiriku, if Fire Temple could keep even one roach alive, it would mean they didn't clean up properly.
"Twelve million indicates that they suspect a ninja attempt on their life, likely a Jonin. So, they didn't just hire us; they've hired at least five teams, and the employer also has their own bodyguards."
Kakashi nodded after hearing this, although it still seemed like a challenging mission.
Before Kakashi could ask further, Uchiha Yoichi continued, "Given the price the employer is offering, dealing with a Jonin is sufficient. If there are more, I'd suggest we retreat immediately, as it's not worth risking our lives for money."
"Of course, if you want to train yourself, that's fine, but when I give the order to retreat, you must obey!"
Kakashi nodded, "Understood, Captain."
The two spent some time arriving at the Land of Rivers Capital and found the contact person according to the directions from the Underground Gold Exchange. They were then led to the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers.
Kakashi whispered, "It's really the Daimyo's Mansion. But Captain, isn't this odd? Even a small nation's Daimyo wouldn't likely be targeted for assassination boldly. Why would the Land of Rivers Daimyo hire so many bodyguards?"
Uchiha Yoichi replied, "The Daimyo isn't a fool. If he's hired so many people, he must feel a threat to his life. Where that threat comes from, only he would know!"
After entering the Daimyo's Mansion, they reached a spacious garden where a person dressed in extravagant clothes and wearing a tall hat appeared, seemingly the mansion's steward, followed by a team of samurai.
"You two are the ones who accepted the commission, right? You should've been informed of the rules. I need to see your skills first."
After the inner official of the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers asked a question, he gestured to the samurai behind him. Five stepped forward, and the official asked, "Do you want to challenge three or five?"
"Five, I'll do it alone."
Uchiha Yoichi stepped forward and stretched his wrists. If it's just samurai, they're much easier to deal with than ninjas.
Samurai have very predictable attack methods. They believe as long as they hone themselves to the peak, they can reach the summit; thus, their attack methods are uniform, revolving around swordsmanship.
Ninjas are different. Chakra's spread connects people's hearts, but the birth of Ninjutsu is for battle!
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"Captain, we've found out: inside the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers, there are 120 guards, including five elite samurai from the Land of Iron. The rest include dozens of samurai who can use Chakra; however, it seems several new people have arrived at the Daimyo's Mansion in recent days, some dressed like those from the Land of Wind."
Yamanaka Ryosuke reported the intelligence he gathered. With his ability to probe others' minds and infiltrate bodies, gathering intelligence on the Daimyo's Mansion was easy.
"The Land of Wind... can we confirm if they're from Hidden Sand Village?"
"We can't, as they wear turbans and don't have ninja suits. But coming to the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers at this time... Captain, Hidden Sand Village is certainly involved."
Upon hearing Yamanaka Ryosuke, Hatake Sakumo closed his eyes in contemplation.
Others dared not interrupt, as the squad members had all teamed with Hatake Sakumo before and had great confidence in his leadership.
"Find out where those from the Land of Wind are staying, and take care of them first. Ryosuke, investigate the recent newcomers to the Daimyo's Mansion, but don't expose your Jutsu."
Hatake Sakumo ordered, then surveyed the group and continued, "Everyone, no matter what, we can't reveal our information, or the task will fail."
Even if they successfully assassinate the Land of Rivers Daimyo, exposure will mean mission failure.
The entire Ninja World knowing Konoha Ninja killed the Land of Rivers Daimyo would have unpredictable consequences for Konoha; even if suspected, no evidence should be left.
"Yes, Captain!"
They answered in unison, and other than Yamanaka Ryosuke, who received an order, the others stayed at their base.
The more people move, the higher the risk of exposure.
Meanwhile, in the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers, Uchiha Yoichi and Kakashi passed their test. Due to Uchiha Yoichi's formidable strength, he received an extra two million two in rewards, although payable post-task.
His guarding position was moved deeper—from just patrolling the outer mansion to being stationed in the Tenshu of the Daimyo's Mansion due to his exceptional combat skills.