Kato Tsuru…
The name felt familiar.
Isamu frowned slightly as he looked at the file. He was sure he'd heard it somewhere before—but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't place it.
"What's wrong?" Danzo asked. "Is the mission a problem?"
"The mission's easy," Isamu replied, closing the file. "Just wait for my report."
"As for those so-called secret techniques—forget it. Anything worthwhile is kept in the major hidden villages. I doubt you'd care about scraps from some backwater."
Danzo shook his head. "Don't underestimate smaller places. Some techniques are still useful—even if they come with… side effects."
Isamu gave him a knowing look.
"Heh. Don't think I don't know what you're planning."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly.
"Take some advice—don't run human experiments yourself."
"You might not even realize how you die."
With that, he put on his mask and turned to leave.
For now, Danzo couldn't fall.
Watching his back disappear, Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"…He's right," he muttered. "Not yet."
"If it's exposed now, everything falls apart."
A pause.
"…I'll need someone else to take the blame."
---
Meanwhile, Isamu had already returned to the streets of Konoha, buying dry rations before heading for the village gates.
He walked straight out—
"Stop."
Two guards stepped in front of him.
"All personnel leaving the village must register."
"…I'm ANBU," Isamu said flatly, still wearing his mask. "Top-secret mission. Do I really need to register?"
The guards exchanged a look, then chuckled.
"New, huh? Doesn't matter who you are—everyone registers."
"No permit, no re-entry. That's how it works."
"…Fine."
Isamu walked over to the registration desk.
"Root operative. Codename: Sani. Rank: Jonin."
"Root… Jonin?" The guards were visibly surprised. They rarely saw Root members, let alone someone at that level.
"Is there a problem?" Isamu asked calmly.
"N-No, none at all." The guard hurriedly filled out the paperwork. "It's just… we don't see many of you."
He quickly handed over the permit.
"Here you go, Lord Sani. Please keep it safe."
The change in tone was immediate.
Isamu took it without comment.
"Thanks."
He'd seen this kind of attitude plenty of times—weak toward the strong, arrogant toward everyone else.
Nothing new.
---
Once outside the village, he headed south.
"The Land of Fire is huge… finding one person isn't going to be quick," he muttered.
After a moment, he shrugged.
"…Whatever."
"I'm already out here. Might as well enjoy it."
He removed his Root uniform and mask, changing into ordinary clothes.
A grin spread across his face.
"Been a while since I got out like this… Let's find something fun."
As for the mission?
With my strength, what can they really do if I take my time?
If Danzo complains, he can handle it himself.
With that thought, he sped off toward a nearby town.
---
An hour later—
He arrived at the outskirts of a small settlement.
A large stone stood by the road, engraved with four characters:
machi Town
"…Huh."
"So this is the 'lively' machi Town?"
He glanced at it, unimpressed.
"Whatever. Let's see what it's got."
He walked in—
—and immediately stopped.
"…Where's the fun?"
The streets were ordinary.
The buildings were ordinary.
Even the people were ordinary.
No casinos. No entertainment. Nothing.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
He walked around for a while, hoping he'd just missed something.
Ten minutes later—
"…Yeah, no. This place is dead."
Sighing, he looked around and spotted a passerby.
"Hey, uncle—mind if I ask you something?"
The middle-aged man turned, confused. "What is it?"
"I'm a traveling merchant," Isamu said with a grin. "Been on the road a while. Looking for somewhere to… relax a bit."
The meaning was obvious.
The man's expression changed instantly.
"Ah… I see." He nodded knowingly. "Go to the Great Golden Sands Hotel. Ask there."
"Got it. Thanks."
Isamu didn't waste a second.
Watching him leave, the man sighed.
"…Ah, youth."
---
A short while later—
Isamu stood in front of the building.
"Great Golden Sands Hotel…"
He stared at the name.
"…That's the tackiest name I've ever heard."
Shaking his head, he walked inside.
The moment he stepped in, he noticed two guards stationed behind the door.
Interesting.
Security's on the inside, not the outside.
Yeah… this is the place.
He walked up to the front desk.
"Welcome, sir. How may I assist you?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile.
"Your best room. One day."
He placed ten thousand on the counter.
"I'm sorry, sir," she replied smoothly. "Our best room is fifty thousand."
"…Fifty thousand?" Isamu raised an eyebrow.
Not cheap.
He studied her briefly, then smirked.
"…Alright. Let's see if it's worth it."
He placed the remaining forty thousand down.
The receptionist didn't hesitate.
Within moments, everything was processed.
"Your room is ready—Room 404." She handed him the key. "Do you have any luggage? We can assist you."
"No need."
He took the key.
"I'm traveling light."
"I see. Then enjoy your stay."
She stood and gave a slight bow as he walked away.
Isamu headed upstairs, a faint smile on his face.
"…Let's see what this place is really about."
---
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