Machi handed her identification to the guard.
She now had a legitimate identity in Konoha.
Root's documents were always real—
Though they were usually created by erasing someone else's identity.
Still, forging a new one wasn't difficult.
Machi was now, officially, a proper Konoha citizen.
"My lord, where are we headed?" a burly, honest-looking middle-aged man asked.
ANBU operative—Haitouza.
Beside him stood a young man somewhat resembling Arin, silent as ever.
His eyes were normal black.
Hyuga Sora.
A branch family member whose identity had been erased.
To avoid detection by the Hyuga clan, even his appearance had been altered.
As for his eyes—
Special contact lenses concealed his Byakugan.
There were quite a few Hyuga like him in Root now—
All elites.
The Hyuga main family treated ordinary clan members well enough—
But those truly dissatisfied were the talented branch members.
Many of them had the potential to become jonin—
Or already were.
Now—
They all served under Arin.
Within the Hyuga clan records—
They were listed as dead.
"The Land of Wind."
Arin smiled.
A pure blue glint flickered within his Byakugan.
Now sixteen—
The black seal-like markings on his forehead had disappeared, leaving smooth skin.
His Konoha forehead protector was no longer worn around his neck.
His long hair was tied back with a black ribbon.
His clothes were no longer suited for combat—
Instead, they carried a noble elegance.
He looked like a young aristocrat on a journey.
Machi stood silently among the group.
She knew exactly what he was planning—
To hunt a Kage-level opponent.
Was that even possible?
From what she'd heard—
The Kage were the five individuals standing at the very peak of the world.
In both power and authority.
The only comparison she had—
Was Chairman Netero of the Hunter Association.
A monster of a man.
Even the Phantom Troupe—
According to their leader's estimate—
Would have only a 10% chance of winning if they fought him together.
And that was with all members present.
As for Arin…
She didn't know how strong he truly was.
But by her previous standards—
He shouldn't stand a chance against such a monster.
Hyuga Sora and Haitouza said nothing further.
They only needed to follow orders.
That was the nature of Root shinobi.
…
The group of four didn't travel quickly.
At one point, they even rented a carriage—
Fully committing to the image of a noble's journey.
Haitouza took the driver's seat.
Sora sat atop the carriage, constantly surveying the surroundings.
Inside—
Only Machi and Arin remained.
"What an outdated mode of transportation," Machi said, lifting the curtain to look outside.
"This world is pretty twisted," Arin shrugged.
There were telephones.
Televisions.
Refrigerators—
…almost slipped into commercials there.
But no cars.
Travel still relied on horse-drawn carriages.
The ninja world even had firearms—
Old-fashioned muskets.
Rarely seen outside—
All controlled by the Daimyō.
Through his incarnation as the Daimyō—
Arin already knew what kind of "power" they possessed.
Outdated guns.
Slower than a ninja's thrown shuriken.
And yet—
These were claimed to be capable of wiping out Konoha.
Absurd.
"If I introduced vehicles here… do you think I could make a fortune?" Machi said thoughtfully.
"You know how to build cars?" Arin looked at her in surprise.
"In Meteor City, there are plenty of abandoned vehicles. I've dismantled some."
"If you want to try, go ahead."
…Was her character drifting a bit?
Wasn't she supposed to be a cold-blooded killer?
Now she wanted to be a businesswoman?
Then again—
Not that different.
"Young master," Haitouza lifted the curtain. "There's a caravan ahead. They're inviting us to join."
Arin glanced outside.
A long convoy stretched ahead.
"Where are they headed?"
"Gegelei, in the Land of Wind."
Haitouza had already gathered the information.
They were already on the route to the Land of Wind.
"That works."
Arin nodded.
Most likely—
They had seen the Konoha headbands and decided to approach.
Bandits were common in this era.
Most caravans could only afford rogue ninja—
Not village shinobi.
Their defenses were limited.
Especially on routes to the Land of Wind.
That place was resource-scarce—
Transporting goods from Konoha brought huge profits.
Naturally—
Bandits were everywhere.
Haitouza and Sora made no effort to hide their identities.
Both wore Konoha headbands.
Only Arin and Machi had concealed theirs.
Which made it easier for Arin to hide.
He brushed his eyes—
Turning his pale Byakugan into normal black pupils.
Soon—
The caravan leader approached the carriage respectfully.
"Thank you for joining us, young master."
Arin lifted the curtain and glanced at him.
Thin.
Underfed.
A gambler.
The kind of merchant willing to risk everything.
Wealthy merchants—
Valued safety above all.
"Let's go."
Arin lowered the curtain again, uninterested.
The merchant didn't dare say more and returned to his convoy.
"You're entering the Land of Wind this openly. Sunagakure will definitely notice. Are you sure that's fine?" Machi asked.
"Just watch," Arin said casually.
Seeing his confidence—
She didn't press further.
To enter the Land of Wind from the Land of Fire—
One had to pass through either the Land of Grass or the Land of Waterfall.
Most caravans preferred the Land of Waterfall.
Stronger ninja presence—
More stability.
The Land of Grass was far more dangerous.
This caravan had chosen the safer route.
After passing through the Land of Waterfall—
They entered the Land of Wind.
The lush forests gradually vanished—
Replaced by endless yellow sand.
The convoy stopped on a stretch of desert plain.
The merchant approached again.
"Young master, I have some spare sand veils. Would you like some?"
Arin lifted the curtain, studying him with interest.
"What's your angle?"
The merchant smiled.
"You don't seem well-prepared for the desert. The sandstorms here are harsh. Veils are necessary. I have no ulterior motives."
"…Alright. Thanks."
Arin accepted.
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