A group of four moved through the dense trees and slipped into the town. They drew no special attention; this road from the Land of Rivers to the Land of Fire was used by traders every day, so strangers were expected.
Orochimaru appeared in his usual striking robes. Mikoto wore white patterned clothes and tied her long black hair into a neat ponytail. Hayashi stood with the others in matching garments that suggested a coordinated party. Nawaki, however, kept his clothing deceptively simple—an ordinary set that did not, at first glance, reveal the leaves concealing key positions, a trick any experienced shinobi could spot at a glance.
Because they had spent several days on the move, the bustle of Rogue Town felt almost comforting to Hayashi and the others. Nawaki pretended not to notice, but his eyes scanned the market. Something nagged at him, an instinct that the wind carried unfamiliar threads. He looked for a clothing shop more out of habit than need.
This was Orochimaru's instruction: after they entered town they would pose as ordinary merchants. Staying too visibly guarded would draw the wrong attention and spoil the mission.
They walked through the market naturally and followed Orochimaru into a modest inn. The building was small but tastefully kept. Inside was quiet; the inn hosted only a few guests.
The innkeepers were a couple in their forties. After Orochimaru requested a room, the woman led the four upstairs. The room was large enough for them to stay together without feeling cramped.
"You must be from a big city," the innkeeper said with a warm smile. She had been watching travelers for years and could judge wealth by fine fabrics and how one carried oneself. The four before her read like people who came from comfortable circumstances.
Hayashi stayed quiet, not wanting to risk saying anything that might reveal them. Nawaki remained composed but eager; his eyes darted to the window, then to the street below.
Orochimaru answered in a soft voice, "Yes, from the Daimyō's household."
"That must be busy," the woman sighed wistfully. "We hope to move there if we ever earn enough."
"Are you here for sightseeing?" she asked.
"No," Orochimaru said. "We brought goods to trade in the Land of Rivers. Items from the Land of Fire are popular there."
"The Land of Rivers is not as prosperous. You'll do well," she agreed. Then Nawaki asked, almost casually, "Where can we buy clothes?"
"Turn left out the door and go straight to the end. There's a trading street," she said. Then she brightened and pointed out a local sight, "There's a place where a famous pirate was executed. It's a local attraction if you have the time."
"A pirate? Are there still pirates here?" Hayashi asked with a flash of curiosity.
"Not anymore," the woman responded quickly, then smiled to reassure them. "Rogue Town has been peaceful under the town chief. No robbers disturb us."
Hayashi gave a small disappointed sound, which the woman took as youthful wonder. After the woman left, Orochimaru looked at Hayashi and asked, "Did you notice anything?"
Hayashi nodded. "It does not add up. Our mission is to eliminate those raiders. Rogue Town sits near Windmill Village. If robbers were nearby, why would the townsfolk sound so calm?"
Orochimaru opened the window and glanced briefly at Nawaki. "We will act tonight. Go buy what you need and blend in."
He added with a measured tone, "This is your mission: eliminate every hostile in Windmill Village. That means everyone identified as an enemy."
Hayashi listened closely as Orochimaru continued. "The scroll contains a map to Windmill Village. I will not intervene unless necessary. Expect the village to have numbers, and some wandering shinobi among them."
Orochimaru's gaze fixed on Nawaki as he said, "Be aware of your limits and those of your teammates. Do not be reckless."
Orochimaru looked straight at Hayashi and assigned him a role. "Hayashi, you will take command. Gather intel, analyze the enemy composition, and issue tactical orders. Coordinate the team's actions."
Hayashi bowed slightly. "Understood."
"Good." Orochimaru handed the scroll to Hayashi, then quietly left the room. The three remaining stayed, their faces settling into serious lines as evening fell outside.
The market emptied as the sun set. Hayashi and the others went out to find clothing for Nawaki and to keep up appearances. The town's lanterns came to life and shadows lengthened. When they returned to the inn after a modest meal, they laid out plans on the floor and listened as Orochimaru's words were repeated and dissected.
Hayashi felt the weight of leadership. He paced through the threads of reconnaissance he had gathered. The townsfolk's calm was misleading; either intelligence had been compromised, or the criminals had some reason to hide their presence. Either option made the mission riskier.
Nawaki shifted from foot to foot, restless. Hayashi kept him focused with short, clear commands.
Orochimaru's attitude had been clear: they were merchants now, not soldiers on display. Their advantage would be surprise and careful discipline. Hayashi planned their movements with precision, dividing the night into three phases: entry into Windmill Village, assessment, and decisive action. He assigned roles and fallback positions. The scroll was rechecked and memorized.
Before dawn they would move. The mission was straightforward but brutal: leave no hostile behind. Hayashi felt the knot tighten in his chest at the thought of such absolute orders, but he did not question them aloud. A leader follows through and keeps his comrades alive.
When the hour came to rest, they kept their guard light but attentive. Hayashi sat near the window, listening to the town's soft breaths and to the distant creak of cargo carts. Outside, Rogue Town slept under a thin moon, unaware that a small team of disguised merchants prepared to cross the border into a village where lives would be decided by their blades and choices.
The scroll lay between them like a cold promise. Hayashi ran a fingertip over the drawn road to Windmill Village, feeling the responsibility settle on him. Then he rose, gave the others a final look, and whispered, "Tonight, we do as we must."
They moved as shadows, trained and steady, their outward merchant faces tucking away the danger that waited ahead.
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