Chapter 71: Searching for the Bandit's Hideout
However, Kaito noticed something particular about the entertainment district. He observed, "Every game here is purely luck-based; none require actual skill. This makes sense in a shinobi world. Creating skill-based games would be asking for trouble when ninja with enhanced abilities participate."
Renjiro finally entered a specific inn. Mieko thought with exasperation, "After passing 13 different inns, we finally went into one!"
As Renjiro began conversing with the innkeeper, Kaito noticed, "He seems quite familiar with the owner of this establishment. Is that why we bypassed so many other inns?"
After consulting with the innkeeper, Renjiro approached his three students. He handed each of them a room key and instructed, "These are your rooms. Stay at the inn—I'll go out to scout the situation and return in a few hours."
After Renjiro departed, Mieko asked, "What do we do now?"
Kaito sighed and said, "I originally wanted to explore the town, but he explicitly told us to remain at the inn."
Hodaka added, "Yeah, we can't even conduct physical training here."
Kaito suggested, "Let's return to our rooms to rest and meditate. Tomorrow is our first real combat experience."
Everyone nodded and returned to their respective rooms to meditate and rest.
Renjiro returned that evening and took everyone out for dinner.
The next morning at 8 AM, the squad assembled outside Renjiro's room and departed.
Their first target was located approximately 25 kilometers west of the town.
Upon approaching the area, Kaito sensed something. He reported, "Sensei, I can sense six ordinary people with no chakra about four hundred meters ahead."
Renjiro nodded and explained, "There's a village in that direction, so they're likely farmers. Our target is the bandit group that's been terrorizing that village."
Renjiro continued in that direction. Kaito quickly confirmed that the six people he sensed were indeed working in fields.
They proceeded onward and arrived at the village.
Upon entering the settlement, Renjiro made some inquiries and then proceeded to the village chief's residence.
The house appeared old and weathered, and the person who answered the door was even more aged!
As soon as the village chief noticed their Konoha headbands, he respectfully invited everyone inside and said, "Welcome to our humble village."
Renjiro nodded and said, "You can simply call me Renjiro."
He then handed a mission document to the village chief. The chief's face lit up with hope after reading it. He bowed deeply to Renjiro and said, "Thank you, Renjiro-sama, for being willing to rescue us from these bandits. After they're dealt with, we can finally resume our peaceful lives."
Renjiro stated, "I need more detailed information about the bandits."
The village chief nodded eagerly and said, "Please ask anything; I will assist you to the best of my ability."
Renjiro asked, "When did the bandits begin harassing your village?"
The village chief replied, "About nine months ago, during our harvest last year. However, they've become significantly more brutal in recent months."
Renjiro continued questioning, "I see. So, what specific crimes have they committed?"
The village chief's voice trembled as he replied, "Initially, they only stole our crops and money, but recently, they..."
Kaito observed that the village chief was now fighting back tears. He continued with difficulty, "They murdered 9 villagers and kidnapped 6 young girls. They even..."
He began sobbing and said, "They even killed my son."
He started crying openly.
Renjiro was about to offer comfort, but the elderly village chief quickly composed himself, his face hardening with determination.
Kaito felt genuinely surprised and thought, "Admirable. Though not a shinobi, he possesses such strong resolve."
Even Renjiro appeared moved by the determined expression on the old man's face. He asked, "How many bandits are there, and from which direction do they typically attack?"
The village chief replied, "During the attack five days ago, there were over 15 bandits, and they always approach from the north."
Renjiro nodded and assured him, "Understood, thank you for the information. Don't worry—we will eliminate them."
The village chief quickly expressed his gratitude.
Renjiro and his genin departed the village chief's residence. Mieko asked, "Sensei, what now? Should we begin searching from the north?"
Renjiro nodded and confirmed, "Yes."
Kaito asked thoughtfully, "But sensei, why would they attack from the direction of their base? Wouldn't they attack from a different direction to confuse potential pursuers?"
Renjiro shook his head and explained, "These are just ordinary bandits. I doubt they possess enough intelligence to consider such tactics. If they were intelligent enough for deception, they wouldn't murder villagers or kidnap girls—crimes that guarantee shinobi intervention."
Afterward, they proceeded north of the village. They noticed several burned-down houses. Renjiro ordered, "Mieko, use your Sharingan to see if you can detect any traces they left behind."
Mieko activated her Sharingan and began investigating carefully. Soon she discovered some footprints left in the soil. She announced, "Sensei, I found them!"
Renjiro nodded approvingly and instructed, "Good work. Lead the way. Diamond formation—Mieko takes point, I'll cover the rear. Kaito and Hodaka, keep watch on your surroundings and try to locate those bandits."
The squad followed Mieko's lead. Along the way, Kaito noticed knife marks carved into several tree trunks. After traveling approximately 3.5 kilometers north, Kaito said, "Hodaka, check 500 meters to the northwest."
Hodaka activated his Byakugan and quickly reported, "Sensei, I found them."
Renjiro nodded, and the group proceeded in that direction cautiously.
Upon arriving, they observed a small hill with a cave entrance.
At the opening, two bandits stood guard. Each carried a worn sword.
The team concealed themselves behind trees, completely unseen by the guards. Renjiro sensed everything inside the cave and asked, "Who wants to handle this operation?"
Kaito quickly responded, "Me, sensei!"
Mieko and Hodaka, who were about to volunteer, glared at Kaito for speaking first. Renjiro nodded and specified, "No clones allowed. Our mission is eliminating all of them."
Kaito began sensing more carefully. Including the two guards, he detected a total of twenty-three people inside the cave. He then looked at Hodaka and requested, "Hodaka, can you check for any traps? Also, what's the internal layout of this cave?"
Hodaka nodded and activated his Byakugan. After careful observation, he reported, "I detected three traps total: two located just inside the first and second entrances—basic arrow traps triggered by tripwires. The third is a spike pit dug in front of the second entrance. As for the layout, there's a secondary entrance beyond this outer opening, then a large central chamber, with three smaller caverns branching off from it."
Kaito said, "Understood, thank you. Are there any individuals attempting to suppress their chakra signatures?"
Hodaka shook his head negatively, and Kaito thanked him.
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+10 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Review!
P*atreon/DarkFoxx (30+ advanced chapters)