Looking at his account balance — which had once been a comfortable five-figure sum but was now reduced to barely two thousand — Hayashi felt a sharp ache in his chest.
The system never seemed satisfied. It always took what it wanted, sooner or later, draining him dry a little more each day.
When he was weaker, earning points had been easy. Back then, while training, he'd often had a surplus, even enough to spend on side attributes for fun.
Now, the question remained: how could he possibly say no to the system's endless demands?
If that thing weren't invisible and intangible, Hayashi might have dragged it out into the open and given it a solid beating, just to vent his frustration. Maybe then it would finally understand why the flowers bloom so red.
After more than three days of travel, the forest finally gave way to open roads. Following the main path, they arrived at a small town that Orochimaru described as "prosperous."
Hayashi glanced out the window and almost laughed.
"Prosperous," he thought wryly. The place was little more than a rundown settlement. Calling it a town was generous — "village" seemed far more accurate.
As they approached, the air grew heavier. Compared to Konoha, the atmosphere here was tense.
Being close to the border, the streets were filled with shinobi passing through on missions. Refugees lingered by the roadside, their eyes hollow and clothes tattered, victims of the spreading war.
Children sat beside exhausted parents, faces streaked with dirt, small hands clutching at empty bowls.
Hayashi's gaze lingered briefly before shifting away. Orochimaru, however, didn't spare them a glance. His golden eyes stayed fixed ahead as he guided the carriage deeper into the town.
Eventually, the carriage stopped before an old inn — weathered but still standing.
"This is where we'll stay tonight," Orochimaru said, stepping down from the driver's seat.
Hayashi frowned slightly. An inn like this… could it be connected to our mission?
Knowing Orochimaru, there was always meaning behind every choice. Hayashi decided it would be smarter to observe quietly rather than ask.
Orochimaru entered first, followed by Hayashi and Mikoto.
"We're close to the border," Orochimaru said without looking back. "We'll rest here for the night and continue at dawn."
Mikoto nodded, her expression calm.
"By the way, where's Nawaki?" she asked.
"He's still asleep in the carriage. I'll wake him. Wait here."
Hayashi turned back and shook Nawaki's shoulder. "Hey, wake up. We've arrived."
Startled, Nawaki jerked upright, eyes alert, left hand reaching for his ninja pouch while his right hand instinctively checked— well, somewhere personal.
"…Still there," he muttered with relief.
"…" Hayashi stared blankly. "We've reached the town. We'll rest here tonight."
"Oh." Nawaki relaxed immediately, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He climbed out of the carriage where Mikoto was waiting, and together, the three followed Orochimaru inside.
Despite its shabby exterior, the inn was surprisingly clean. The scent of polished wood and tea filled the air.
Inside, Orochimaru stood at the counter, waiting.
"Teacher, is there no one here?" Hayashi asked.
"There is," Orochimaru replied in his usual calm tone. "She just went to change clothes."
Change clothes? Hayashi blinked. Now? When there are guests waiting?
Still, Orochimaru didn't seem the least bit impatient, which only deepened Hayashi's confusion.
Moments later, a woman in her thirties hurried out from the back. Her face was plain, but her demeanor was graceful — calm, mature, and quietly captivating.
Her movements were refined, her expression gentle. The soft rustle of her kimono matched the composed rhythm of her steps.
For a brief moment, Hayashi felt as if the entire inn grew quieter around her.
Then he noticed something else — the faintest shift in Orochimaru's expression.
All three students turned to look at him.
"So that's how it is…" Hayashi thought dryly, suppressing a smirk.
The snake-like shinobi's golden eyes flicked toward them, his tone as flat as ever. "I used to take missions with Tsunade and Jiraiya in this area. We often stayed here. I'm… familiar with the place."
"Oh, a familiar place," Hayashi drawled.
"So ga su ne~," he added under his breath, earning Mikoto's quick elbow to his ribs.
The woman bowed politely. "Please, this way, honored shinobi. The usual room has been cleaned and prepared."
Her words were addressed to the group, but her eyes never strayed far from Orochimaru.
She led them up the narrow staircase to the last room on the corridor. Inside, the space was modest but spotless — simple bedding, a low table, and clean tatami mats.
"Please rest well. If you need anything, call for me," the woman said softly before leaving.
As her footsteps faded, Orochimaru turned toward them. "I'll be stepping out to resupply. You can explore the town if you wish. It's relatively safe here."
He left without another word.
Hayashi knew that while their sensei spoke of resupplying, his true purpose was likely something else. Still, questioning Orochimaru was pointless.
Besides, they trusted him — mostly. Orochimaru didn't seem like the type to lure students into shady situations… at least, not yet.
Hayashi exhaled and opened the window. The orange glow of the setting sun spilled into the room. The town below was quiet, filled with the smell of cooking fires and the faint chatter of civilians trying to forget the war for one evening.
Mikoto unsealed a small tea pouch from her scroll — his favorite green tea. She began preparing it using the hot water provided in the room.
Hayashi watched her for a moment before saying, "Let's go for a walk."
After days cooped up in the carriage, he was restless. Mikoto didn't refuse. She smiled softly, setting the tea aside.
"Alright," she said, slipping her sandals back on.
They stepped out together, and of course — as expected — Nawaki followed right behind, the ever-present third wheel.
_____
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