The next morning Uehara Naraku left the tower early.
He wore the standard Rain Village attire which consisted of a purple raincoat and a breathing mask though he let the mask hang loose around his neck. On his back he carried a small pack with his supplies and the severed heads of the rogue ninjas sealed in scrolls.
The rain was lighter today but the sky was still a gloomy gray.
As he walked towards the village exit he passed by the heavy steel gates. The guards recognized him as Konan's student and respectfully opened the way.
"Take care Naraku san!" one guard shouted.
Uehara waved without looking back. "I will bring back souvenirs!"
Once he was clear of the village and the immediate surveillance range of the Rain Tiger at Will Technique Uehara relaxed his posture.
"Finally out" he muttered stretching his arms. "Acting like a good student 24/7 is exhausting."
He opened his map. The destination was a small town called Tanzaku Town located near the border of the Land of Fire. It was a famous gambling den and a hub for the underground black market.
"Tanzaku Town..." Uehara mused. "Isn't that where Tsunade usually hangs out?"
He shook his head. Meeting one of the Sannin right now would be dangerous. He was strong for his age but Tsunade could turn him into paste with one finger.
He traveled for two days. Thanks to the Tear of the Goddess he could constantly use Command: Protect on himself to block the rain and wind making the journey surprisingly comfortable. He also practiced Hiding Like a Mole to move quickly through difficult terrain.
On the third day he reached the border. The landscape changed drastically. The constant rain of Amegakure gave way to the lush green forests and bright sunshine of the Land of Fire.
"Sunlight" Uehara squinted shielding his eyes. "It has been months."
He walked along the main road. Suddenly three figures jumped out from the bushes blocking his path.
They were ragged looking men holding rusty katana and kunai. They did not wear headbands. Just common bandits.
"Stop right there kid!" the leader shouted missing several teeth. "Leave your bag and money and we might let you live!"
Uehara stopped and looked at them. He sighed deeply.
"Why is it always bandits?" he asked the sky. "Can't I meet a beautiful kunoichi in distress or something?"
"Stop mumbling!" the bandit yelled. "I said drop the bag!"
Uehara looked at the bandits then at his system interface.
[Side Mission Triggered: Enforce Justice.]
[Description: Defeat the bandits disturbing the peace.]
[Reward: 50 Gold Coins.]
"Only 50 gold?" Uehara frowned. "You guys are worth less than a minion wave."
"What did you say?!"
The bandits charged.
Uehara didn't even move his feet. He simply raised a hand.
"Wild Cards."
Three magical cards sliced through the air.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The cards cut through the bandits' weapons shattering the rusty metal and continued forward to graze their cheeks leaving thin cuts.
The bandits froze. They realized instantly that the difference in skill was like heaven and earth. This wasn't a kid. This was a ninja.
"Ni... Ninja sama!" the leader dropped to his knees terrified. "Please! We were blind! Spare us!"
Uehara looked at them. Killing them gave no gold (since they weren't ninjas) and the mission only said "Defeat."
"I am a very reasonable person" Uehara said with a gentle smile. "I won't kill you."
The bandits sighed in relief.
"However" Uehara continued his smile not reaching his eyes. "Robbery is a crime. And crimes must be punished. Hand over all your money."
The bandits blinked. "What?"
"You tried to rob me so it is only fair I rob you back" Uehara explained logically. "Hurry up. Or my hand might slip and throw another card."
Five minutes later Uehara walked away whistling a tune. behind him three bandits lay on the ground in their underwear having been stripped of every single Ryo and valuable item they possessed.
[Mission Complete: Enforce Justice.]
[Reward: 50 Gold Coins.]
"50 gold plus 2000 Ryo from their pockets" Uehara counted the coins. "Not a bad start to the Land of Fire."
He continued down the road until the bustling streets of Tanzaku Town came into view. The town was lively filled with travelers merchants and gamblers.
Uehara pulled his hood up and headed straight for the seediest looking building in town. The sign outside was a public bathhouse but Uehara knew the black market exchange was hidden in the back.
He walked up to the counter where a bored looking man was smoking a pipe.
"I want to exchange something" Uehara whispered tapping the scroll on his back.
The man looked at him then at the rain symbol on his forehead protector (which Uehara had put back on).
"Back room" the man jerked his thumb. "Third door on the left. Don't cause trouble."
Uehara nodded and walked in.
Inside the room was dimly lit. A masked man sat behind a counter protected by iron bars.
"Show me the goods" the exchange officer said gruffly.
Uehara placed the scroll on the counter and performed a release seal.
Poof.
Four heads appeared on the counter.
The exchange officer picked one up inspecting it closely.
"Takeshi of the Rain... B rank bounty. 2 million Ryo. The others are C rank. Total 5.5 million Ryo."
The officer looked up at Uehara surprised by his youth.
"You killed them alone kid?"
"Does it matter?" Uehara asked coldly. "Just give me the money."
"Right right. No questions asked."
The officer opened a safe and began stacking bundles of cash.
As Uehara waited he heard a loud commotion from the main hall outside.
"I said put it on my tab! I am the legendary Sucker... I mean Legendary Sannin!"
A woman's voice. Loud drunk and angry.
Uehara froze.
That voice...
"No way" Uehara muttered. "My luck can't be that good... or that bad."
He grabbed his money shoved it into his bag and turned to leave. He had to verify this.
If Tsunade was here his plans might have to change. Or maybe... just maybe... this was a chance to farm a massive mission reward.