Two days later.
Land of Rain.
Wilderness District.
Due to its perennial climate, the Land of Rain is almost always engulfed in endless downpour. But today, for once, the skies had cleared.
Because of this rare fair weather, the streets of the Wilderness District were livelier than usual, teeming with people. The small town buzzed with activity.
Veigar, concealed in the shadows, stared at the flow of pedestrians and asked in a low voice:
"Captain, how are we supposed to locate the target?"
Tenkaku responded just as grimly:
"According to the latest intel, he used to frequent Pleasure Street."
"Chances are, he's still hiding somewhere around there."
"We move after nightfall."
Yuma Doto, a Special Jōnin of Konoha, had defected while carrying classified intel. Due to both his capabilities and the sensitive nature of the information, Konoha had officially designated him as an A-rank rogue ninja.
Time slipped by, minute by minute.
The sky dimmed, and the shroud of night gradually descended over the Wilderness District.
Standing atop a rooftop, Tenkaku glanced at the rising moon in the night sky and gave the order:
"Move out. Life or death, no matter."
Without hesitation, Veigar and Shōgetsu both replied calmly:
"Understood."
In the blink of an eye, the trio vanished from the rooftop.
The streets below gleamed with lantern light.
Hidden in the darkness, the three ninja scanned the street lined with ornate storefronts. Shōgetsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This is where the target's hiding?"
The pink neon lights, the bold and suggestive signs, the provocatively dressed women, everything unmistakably revealed where they were.
Yes, this was Pleasure Street, a place revered in the hearts of many men, a worldly paradise.
Commonly known as: Pleasure Avenue.
"Not exactly. The target is likely holed up in one of the rooms along this street," Tenkaku replied offhandedly, seemingly missing the discomfort in Shōgetsu's tone.
"N-No."
Had Shōgetsu not been wearing his mask, Veigar and Tenkaku would've easily noticed the bright crimson flush that had spread across his face.
There was no other reason, Shōgetsu, ever the pure-hearted Uchiha, was simply embarrassed.
Inwardly, Veigar sighed.
"For crying out loud… I'm not Jiraiya!"
As Veigar grumbled mentally, Tenkaku gave the signal:
"Time to move."
Poof.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Tenkaku performed a Transformation Jutsu, altering his appearance into that of a dashing middle-aged man.
Two more bursts of chakra—poof, poof—and Veigar and Shōgetsu followed suit.
Tenkaku glanced back at them once and strode confidently into the heart of Pleasure Avenue.
Veigar and Shōgetsu followed in formation; one ahead, two behind.
Inside, Shōgetsu was practically trembling, his legs stiff as he urged himself forward.
"I'm a shinobi. I'm here on a mission."
"I can do this."
While trailing behind Tenkaku, Veigar couldn't help but glance at the vibrant women stationed in front of each shop.
Some had long, flowing hair and faces that seemed to glow under the lanterns, their eyes flirting with every blink.
Others had short, stylish cuts, flaunting tight, fashionable outfits—enticing and seductive.
Veigar muttered mentally again:
"No wonder even a legendary Sannin like Jiraiya couldn't resist. Always saying he came to places like this for 'research'…"
Even Veigar, seasoned by the data-saturated modern age, felt a tinge of awkwardness watching the constant stream of customers and escorts at each door.
Suddenly, Tenkaku stopped.
He turned to look at one unremarkable, plainly decorated shop and said:
"This is the one."
"Ahem."
Veigar cleared his throat, snapped out of his thoughts, and nodded.
"Then let's head in."
In front of the shop.
Veigar raised his head to examine the sign, trying to look casual. Internally, though, he was already roasting the place:
"Don't tell me this is where Jiraiya got the title for his books…"
Because the name of the shop was—Make-Out Paradise.
A long-haired woman at the entrance immediately stepped forward with a coquettish smile.
"Gentlemen~ Welcome! Come on in!"
She reached out to grab Tenkaku's arm.
But with just a glance from him, she froze in place, standing there in a daze.
"Genjutsu."
Veigar and Shōgetsu instantly recognized the technique. The hostess had fallen under Tenkaku's illusion.
The three of them bypassed her effortlessly. Using genjutsu on civilians made infiltration smooth and silent.
"Genjutsu really is perfect against the untrained," Veigar thought.
Led by Tenkaku, the group headed straight to the third floor's private suites.
Though Veigar and Shōgetsu were still puzzled about how Tenkaku had located the target so precisely, their doubts vanished when they reached the door at the very back.
They all sensed it, the presence of sealing jutsu on the door handle.
Tenkaku glanced at the other two. The three nodded in unison, bracing for combat.
He raised his hand, ready to knock.
Inside the suite.
Yuma Doto, the A-rank rogue ninja of Konoha, reclined on a lounge couch.
Opposite him wasn't a hostess, but a man in a black cloak, wearing a scratched-out Kirigakure headband.
A traitor of the Hidden Mist.
Yuma smiled and raised a toast:
"Then it's settled. I look forward to our cooperation."
The Mist rogue sneered coldly.
"Let's hope you don't die too soon."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound of knocking interrupted their exchange.
Caught off guard, Yuma asked instinctively:
"Who is it?"
But the answer wasn't a voice.
It was Tenkaku, Veigar, and Shōgetsu, bursting through the door.
Outside the suite.
The moment he heard the voice from within, Tenkaku recognized Yuma's tone.
Without hesitation, he slammed his fist forward, activating the Rock Fist Jutsu and shattering the seal-locked door.
If subtlety wasn't an option, brute force would do just fine.
In the next instant, the trio dropped their disguises and stormed inside.
Yuma and the Mist rogue leapt to their feet, instantly assuming battle stances.
At the same time, Veigar's eyes narrowed.
He recognized the rogue ninja from Kirigakure immediately—Kaimon Asuka, known as the Shadow Ghost.
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