After a month of travel, we finally found ourselves entering the Land of Thunder. It's worth noting that during this entire time, we encountered various teams of ninjas who attacked us mercilessly.
However, we managed to repel them all, although each time their number gradually increased.
Even about 17 days ago, on the last day we had a confrontation, some of the ninjas began using fire-style ninjutsu.
Since we were so far away from the clan, we couldn't pass on this information. Because of this, Mr. Isamu simply compiled this information and recorded it in a scroll.
Since we had noticed that they wouldn't stop following us, we had to constantly deviate from our path, hoping they wouldn't discover where we were going.
That's why it took us so long to reach the Land of Lightning.
Isamu: "Jomei, we'll change identities at this point." Referring to the fact that we would have to change our appearance and face again before entering the main road of the Land of Lightning.
The transformation technique is basic in the ninja world; no one knows who created it. It was created so long ago that even the name of its creator had been lost to history.
We adopted our new identities and began to head further down the main road.
We also changed our clothes again, opting for lighter, less hot clothes this time. This was because we were leaving the land of ice.
It should be noted that when we left the land of fire and entered the land of hot springs, we had done the same, so as not to leave a trace of our route.
Guard: "What brings you to the land of lightning?" he asked with a stern look.
Isamu: "We're heading to Iwa Shinkirō (Rocky Mirage). We're bringing the remains of my late wife, who was born there." He spoke slowly, appearing to be an old man, given the appearance he had adopted.
The guard noted what Isamu had mentioned before continuing to ask the relevant questions.
We spent approximately 10 minutes there, each situation analyzing our identities, not only with the questions but also with some of the actions the staff performed there.
Since we answered the questions with great confidence, and their actions gave no indication that we were ninjas, they let us pass without any problems.
...
Shimura Clan
"Patriarch, this is the last area where you were last seen." He handed a scroll to the patriarch, after which he left.
Hiroki: "Hmm... I see. What do you think about this, Sasuke?"
The patriarch of the Sarutobi clan took the scroll Hiroki handed him.
After reviewing it carefully, he said, "Hiroki, I think they're heading to the Land of Lightning." His voice didn't hesitate for a second.
Hiroki: "But why are they going to that land? According to information from the brother of the Senju clan patriarch, they had sent envoys from the daimyo of this land to the Uchiha clan."
Sasuke: "Yes, you mentioned it, but we have no information about what happened after that."
Hiroki: "That's true. We have no information on whether or not they reached the Uchiha clan, but we could ask Mr. Tobirama to conduct that investigation." He commented somewhat excitedly.
Sasuke: "Good, then we'll wait for Mr. Tobirama's response."
Hiroki: "According to what Mr. Tobirama said, the mission was to exterminate a minor clan from the Land of Lightning, so if they aren't there, we could secure the reward for that mission."
Sasuke: "How much is the reward?"
Hiroki: "From what I heard, it's 4 million ryo."
Sasuke: "Mhm... I see. If we send 100 high-level ninjas, they won't have any complications."
The Shimura clan patriarch considered his friend's suggestion, but he didn't think it was entirely inappropriate to take this action.
Apparently, during all this time, they had managed to take out up to 20 mid-level ninjas on their own, but if they sent the strongest members of each clan, they could easily take them out due to their numbers.
And if they weren't there, they could gather intelligence on the Chinoike clan. If possible, they could attack them and receive the mission reward.
After a few minutes of contemplation, Hiroki agreed on this course of action, so they spent some time devising the strategy and the relevant mission instructions.
After that, they continued chatting about their clans and the future projects they could begin once they joined the Senju clan.
...
Jomei: "How far do we have to go to reach the Chinoike clan?" I asked, truly desperate. It had taken us a full week to walk like normal people.
This was due to the fact they had been tracking us as we crossed the border into the Land of Lightning. It had only been a few days since we began to pick up the pace, as we realized they had stopped following us.
Isamu: "It won't be long, maybe we'll make it before nightfall." Hearing these words, I began to run faster.
Isamu: "Don't get too far ahead, we don't know how they treat ninjas." Before I could continue warning myself, a series of kunai came from the sides of the road.
With the help of my katana, I managed to deflect these projectiles.
Jomei: "Mr. Isamu, I think they've discovered us again."
Isamu: "I highly doubt it; the force exerted suddenly dropped, but still, don't get distracted."
At that moment, a pair of people with yellow hair came out from the sides of the road, right in front of us.
"Hey, what do we have here? A couple of ninjas trying to enter our land. What do you think we should do with them, Taro?"
Taro: "I think we should bury them here, Hirohide." After these words, they both began to laugh madly.
Isamu had adopted an attack stance, but I quietly warned him not to hurt them too much.
For his part, he showed a doubtful expression, but he still decided to believe my words, so he gave me a slight nod.
Hirohide: "Hey, I think they're a little scared because we didn't calm them down a little and show them our kindness."
Taro: "Hehe, all right, bro. I think we should do exactly that."
Each of them ran to confront each of us, while I found myself receiving more and more injuries.
For Mr. Isamu, he was perfectly matched, adapting to his opponent's speed and evading each of his attacks.
Suddenly, Taro swung his sword, hoping the blow would pierce through my body.
But because I hit his attack hard, it knocked his balance off balance. I also kicked his legs, causing him to fall to the ground.
When this happened, Taro tried to turn around, but my sword was rapidly falling towards his neck.
Seeing his brother's life in danger, Herohide shouted, "Brother!" He tried to retreat from Isamu, but couldn't due to Isamu's quick reaction.
"Stop!" A deep, yet calm voice was heard not far away.
When this voice was heard, Herohide felt a little relieved, but also worried for his brother.
The battle had stopped, while my sword was a few inches from Taro's neck.