Seiya pondered for a moment and then realized something.
"Sister, are you saying this inn is special? These rogue Shinobis don't have to worry about their safety as long as they stay here?"
"Precisely."
Konan smiled faintly, showing approval, and explained, "The reason this inn is so highly priced is that it can provide the ultimate safety guarantee for all its guests."
Seiya couldn't help but survey the inside of the inn again, wondering, "There's nothing special, though. It's just better decorated and opulent."
Konan was noncommittal and asked, "You haven't been in the Shinobi world for long. Is this your first time in the Land of Earth?"
Seiya nodded.
Konan said, "In fact, this inn has been famous throughout the Shinobi world for quite some years. As long as you set foot in the Land of Earth, you'll hear its name."
"The Yaotu Inn is rumored to have inseparable ties with Iwagakure. It employs an extremely powerful Shinobi force to protect its guests, renowned for its security in the Land of Earth. Any Shinobi who starts a private fight or causes trouble has been dealt with. Over time, a tacit rule formed that one cannot fight in the Yaotu Inn. Large numbers of rogue Shinobis come here seeking refuge."
"This inn is connected to Iwagakure?" Seiya frowned, his face showing disdain, "Iwagakure is truly not picky, even engaging in the business of sheltering rogue Shinobis!"
Konan said flatly, "The current Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of the Two Scales, is a guy who always likes to operate in the gray area. He was the first to deploy mercenary Shinobis on the battlefield back then. Akatsuki has done quite a few transactions with him."
Seiya was slightly surprised, "Then, won't we be recognized, appearing so openly in the Land of Earth wearing the organization's uniform?"
"Don't worry."
Konan gently took Seiya's hand and rubbed his fingertips, saying, "The organization's uniforms from previous years were different from the current style. Besides, even if Iwagakure Shinobis recognize us, it's no big deal. The Third Tsuchikage is counting on hiring Akatsuki to participate in the Fourth Great Shinobi War."
"That makes sense."
Seiya lightly nodded his chin, putting his mind at ease.
Then, the two went upstairs and entered the suite.
...
After checking into the inn, Seiya stayed in the suite every day to practice the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but his progress was slow, and he never broke through.
Outside of practice, Konan would take him downstairs to stroll around and tell him interesting stories from their time in the Land of Iron, helping him recover his childhood memories.
Some of the stories Seiya heard made him so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. Konan, however, told them with great relish, a smile gracing her lips.
Seiya was quite helpless but had gotten used to it. The days were spent this way, from the Land of Lightning to the Land of Rivers, and from the Land of Rivers to the Land of Earth.
On the fourth day of their stay, the two chose a quiet, elegant seating area in the lobby on the first floor to have afternoon tea.
Of course, only Konan drank; Seiya sat there wearing his mask, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the passersby.
Suddenly, a group of three entered Seiya's line of sight.
The middle-aged man leading them was very sturdy and robust, about two meters tall; he wore a red Shinobi hat, an Iwagakure headband, had a full beard, and was dressed in a red tight-fitting combat suit with armor covering his upper body, his right arm bare.
Behind him was a black-haired female Shinobi, tall, beautiful, with lively eyes; she was conservatively dressed in the traditional red Iwagakure uniform with armor over her upper body.
Walking last was a seemingly simple-minded young man, who was huge, about the same size as the middle-aged man leading the group.
Seiya's eyes grew cold when he saw the three people's Iwagakure headbands, and he withdrew his gaze.
Konan noticed his change and introduced, "That middle-aged man and the girl have unusual identities. They are the Third Tsuchikage's son and granddaughter."
She then asked, "Neesan sees you seem to have considerable hostility towards them. Why is that?"
Seiya replied sullenly, "During the Third Great Shinobi War, Iwagakure and Kirigakure set an ambush at Takamagahara, surrounding my mother's family. My mother's mother died in that battle."
Before his words faded, Kitsuchi and his companions walked into the Yaotu Inn, sat down a few tables away, and ordered.
Seeing this, Konan quickly reached out and took Seiya's hand, soothing him softly, "Sister understands how you feel, but you must hold back your hatred and absolutely must not make a move against them."
"I know."
Seiya nodded slightly, "The organization is in the secret planning stage, and we cannot act too conspicuously. Otherwise, being targeted by the major Shinobi villages would not be conducive to achieving peace."
Konan shook her head, "It's not just for the organization, it's for Kumogakure. Once you engage them, a mere mask won't be able to hide your identity. This will inevitably trigger a diplomatic crisis between Kumogakure and Iwagakure. At that time, Kumogakure will either choose to start a war or make you pay with your life as an apology."
"Even putting that aside, if you rashly attack, it will be hard to get revenge. Although you are immune to harm, you lack a powerful and effective offensive method to injure them. Especially Kitsuchi, his chakra is astonishingly deep, and his strength is far from ordinary. Not to mention, he has the advantage of the terrain."
"Mhm, I understand."
Seiya lightly nodded his chin, then chuckled softly,
"Actually, before I left the village, Mother instructed me not to be hostile towards Iwa Shinobis. After all, my identity is sensitive and can easily affect the nerves of both villages. The general trend of the Shinobi world is here; it's not time for war. Harboring killing intent is meaningless and only affects my own mood."
Konan's face showed relief, and she nodded in agreement, "Megumai is right."
At the same time, Kurotsuchi leaned back in her seat, sipping her juice.
Kitsuchi spread out a map on the table and said, "The Land of Demons is only about a month's journey from us. We have plenty of time, so we'll rest here for a day and rush at full speed tomorrow morning."
Kurotsuchi's eyebrows rose, and she shook her feet, "I wonder if the client will still be alive when we get there."
Kitsuchi shook his head, "Hard to say. If she can't hold out until the deadline specified in the request letter, that's her bad luck."
Kurotsuchi scoffed, disdainfully, "This priestess of the Land of Demons is truly foolish. The rebel army is attacking fiercely, and the house is on fire, yet she only just remembered to hire Shinobis for rescue. She doesn't value her own life much!"
Kitsuchi's expression hardened, and he lectured, "They have paid us. We just need to fulfill our duty. Don't criticize the client!"
"I know!"
Kurotsuchi wrinkled her nose, pouted, took a big sip of her juice, and started observing the environment in the lobby.
In a moment, her peripheral vision caught Seiya, who was wearing a mask.
Her curiosity was piqued, and she couldn't help but look a few more times.
Then, she noticed the Shinobi sword placed next to Seiya, and her eyes instantly narrowed.
"Dad, look quickly!"
Kurotsuchi whispered, signaling with her eyes towards the masked man's location.
Kitsuchi turned his head to look, his eyes also narrowing. He quickly withdrew his gaze.
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