Since Orochimaru said it was safe to go out and look around, then it must be safe.
Although the great nations are currently reinforcing their borders, a temporary ceasefire holds, and all sides are exercising restraint.
The interior of the Land of Fire hasn't yet felt any direct effects from the conflict.
Well, maybe except for the increased taxes on civilians.
After all, wars are wars of attrition, and the burden always falls on the common people, while the ones benefiting sit comfortably at the top of the food chain.
Uchiha Tatsumi led Mikoto out of the somewhat rundown inn.
Trailing behind them was their "small tail"—Nawaki.
If this were a xianxia novel, Uchiha Tatsumi would probably be stepping out to show off his power with his loyal lackeys in tow. Mikoto would be the captured heroine, and Nawaki the muscle-headed henchman.
But sadly, no "young masters" jumped out to provoke him and get beaten up.
The streets were quiet, populated only by hollow-eyed refugees and villagers with sallow faces.
To his surprise, there was a shrine at the end of the road.
It had clearly been abandoned.
"Most people can't even afford rice. Who has time to take care of shrines?" Nawaki shook his head.
"But I heard from my grandma that shrines are still really respected in a place called the Land of Demons."
"She said she traveled there when she was young. The sealing techniques there are very unique, and the place is protected by priestesses with mysterious powers." Nawaki's eyes sparkled.
Uchiha Tatsumi nodded. "Someday, we should go check it out. If the shrine maidens are pretty, we can recruit them for Konoha."
Both boys snickered pervertedly.
Mikoto smiled too—but hers was noticeably colder.
Uchiha Tatsumi immediately shut his mouth.
By the time their group had arrived in town, it was already evening. After wandering for a while, night fell.
Well, "lanterns" would be an exaggeration—this town mostly used dim oil lamps. Electricity wasn't exactly common in rural border towns.
After a short walk, they returned to the inn.
Since it didn't offer meals, Mikoto used the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Uchiha Tatsumi had bought some ingredients from local residents with ryo.
Since it was a home-cooked meal, the spread turned out quite decent.
Mikoto's cooking was excellent—she had learned from a young age, after all.
In that regard, Mikoto could probably out-cook ten Kushinas.
Of course, Uchiha Tatsumi wouldn't dare say that aloud.
After all, even his cooking was worse than Kushina's... and that was saying something.
He had grown up mostly eating Mikoto's food.
As Nawaki once joked, "Tatsumi, you were basically raised by Mikoto."
While Mikoto ate, she occasionally placed slices of meat into Uchiha Tatsumi's bowl—like a doting wife.
It would've been perfect… if not for Nawaki sitting there being a third wheel.
Just look at Orochimaru-sensei! He said he was going to restock supplies, and then disappeared without a trace.
Who knows if he was really restocking, or off somewhere… delivering milk.
After dinner, Uchiha Tatsumi sipped Mikoto's tea contentedly.
It felt like being back in the village.
This was exactly how things used to be after school ended.
Just as Uchiha Tatsumi was about to say something, a sudden scream came from upstairs.
"Ah! Snakes! Help!"
The high-pitched voice came from the second floor—their room.
Surely it wasn't Orochimaru, blushing and shyly raising his hand because of a snake?
No, that was too horrifying a mental image.
More likely—it was a thief.
Nawaki must've thought the same thing. His face changed and he bolted upstairs.
Wait a sec—wasn't your gold bar hidden somewhere in your pants? Why the panic?
Could it be Nawaki had a secret stash Uchiha Tatsumi didn't know about?
"I'll go check." Uchiha Tatsumi stood up and followed.
Mikoto followed right behind him.
When they opened the room door, Nawaki was already there.
And in the center of the room stood a scrawny kid holding Nawaki's backpack—the one they bought in the Land of Hot Water.
Well well, a kid with good taste.
The boy was tightly restrained by Dabai, the snake Uchiha Tatsumi had summoned earlier as a passive defense.
He looked about six or seven, with a malnourished frame and sallow complexion.
He was clearly terrified of snakes.
But even so, he clung tightly to Nawaki's backpack.
As Dabai tightened its coils, the boy began to struggle.
"Dabai, let him go," said Uchiha Tatsumi, worried the snake might suffocate him.
Once released, the boy didn't surrender. He glared at Tatsumi, grabbed the bag, and sprinted toward the window.
He was about to leap out.
But Nawaki was faster—he caught the boy by the collar before he could escape.
In desperation, the boy turned and bit his arm.
Oh? So you bite now?
Too bad for him—Nawaki easily tripped him and snatched the backpack back.
Uchiha Tatsumi's eyes gleamed. He sent Dabai a look. The snake slithered silently after Rope Tree.
Hmph. Trying to hide your secrets from me? Too naïve, Nawaki.
Uchiha Tatsumi grabbed the boy by the ankle and gave him a firm shake.
Thud. A wallet dropped out—it was his own.
Still shaking him, more items began to fall. A few folded clothes. Odds and ends.
Just how much had this kid taken?
Street thieves were common. But trying to rob ninja? Now that took guts—or stupidity.
Tatsumi flung the boy onto the bed, where he landed on a blanket.
"Oww…" the boy groaned.
Oh sure. Play innocent now.
"What's going on?" Orochimaru finally reappeared.
"That's a thief," said Uchiha Tatsumi.
The innkeeper rushed in, still dressed in her kimono.
Seeing the scene, she turned to Orochimaru and bowed. "Please forgive her, Lord Ninja."
"Her?" Orochimaru raised a brow. "Is she your relative?"
"No. She's a war orphan, fled here from another country. I give her food sometimes out of pity."
"Oh? I didn't think you were the generous type," Orochimaru rasped.
"It's hard enough for war orphans to survive—especially girls," the woman replied.
"…Girl?" Uchiha Tatsumi blinked.
He looked at the child again. Short-cropped hair, smudged face, tattered boy's clothes, runny nose…
You're telling me this scruffy little creature is supposed to be a girl?
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