Advancing to Riberētā city.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓: Advancing to Riberētā city.

...

"Achu." Kai sneezed from the cold.

"Do we have to leave at 5 in the morning?" Kai said dejectedly and in lots of warm clothes.

"It's instructor Hakate's rules, you can complain to him." Kaori said wisely.

"Come on, we have to leave now or we won't meet the set time." I said and Azumi and the rest nodded.

"All with me." I said and we all joined our hands in the center.

"All for one and one for all!!!" And with that said, off we go.

Leaving the town, the guards who were active and solemn, checked our exit permit, this is to prevent civilians or deserters and spies from leaving easily.

After leaving, we marched to the east.

As we jumped through trees, scaled steep slopes, and crossed rivers, Kaori approached me.

"Akira, are you sure we won't be found out? I mean, we're just kids, no one will think we're just some shopkeepers." Kaori said confused.

"Mn, it certainly is, but for that, we must quickly find a representative, and who better than someone unknown?" said.

"Huh? Why?" Kaori said even more confused.

"You see, while some may say that someone important can get you more coverage, that just leads to you ending up in trouble and that person having to save you for it to have value."

"Therefore, that's a big NO, on the other hand, someone unknown and poor, can not only go unnoticed but is also easily controlled." I said and fully detailed the plan, I don't want any confusion when it happens.

"Ah! So you're going to cheat on a homeless man?..." Kaori said innocently.

"Eh... I wouldn't say cheat, besides, it won't be a homeless man, you need something to be able to trade and I don't think I'll find a homeless man with a farm, right?" I asked trying to avoid suspicion.

"Mn, Mn." Kaori nodded vigorously in understanding.

*Sigh*

"So let's trick a farmer, cool..."

"..."

After having to deal with Kaori, we continue moving towards a small town called Kabocha, it is a small farming town located in the East of Kai province.

"Everyone, remember, we're just war orphans, so if someone provokes you or whatever, forget it, if you can't do it, you can take your revenge later in silence." I reminded everyone and they solemnly nodded, they know the rules, and they also know that Hakate-sensei is watching us, so they must behave.

Hours passed and finally, we came out of the dense forest to a slightly lighter area, this did not make us stop and we continued.

~An hour later~

A long line of people can be seen trying to get into a small town with a wooden fence.

In the middle of the crowd, you can see two children with dark cloaks over them, looking a bit nervous.

"Hey, do you think everything will be alright? I mean, not that I worried, but…" Kai said to Kaori.

"Of course, remember what Akira said? You just have to act normal and everything will be fine." Kaori said and stuck out her chest as a sign of confidence.

"Ha... of course." Kai said mockingly remembering how she was scared by a small snake.

"HEARS." Kaori was about to grab him by the throat and teach this stinky boy a lesson when she remembered that he was on a mission and there are many people around.

"Hmph, you're lucky." Kaori said and crossed her arms with a pout.

Time passed and finally, it was her turn.

"Mm? name." the guard said.

"Klay." Kai said.

"Karin." Kaori said.

"Mn, Klay, and Karin huh? where are their parents? are they running away from home?" asked the guard.

"*Sob* O-our parents d-died.. *Sob*." Kaori said with a tear in the corner of her eye.

"Huh, excuse me, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you, I just... I was worried you guys were running away from home, I'm sorry." said the guard while the others looked at him suspiciously...

"*O-Okay, hic, I just... I just want to start over, hic." Kaori said dramatically as Kai looked at him with an accusing look.

"Ehh... Ok, Klay and Karin, right? Come on, you can come in." said the guard nervous that all the villagers and even their comrades will scold them.

Kai and Kaori quickly passed out of sight.

Time later, a similar scene occurred again, but this time, it is another poor guard who has to be scolded...

...

In a small abandoned house, 4 caped silhouettes can be seen.

"Sigh, luckily it's only a small town, if it was a big city or a feudal lord's domain, we would likely be discovered." Akira said relieved.

"Mn."

"Ok, now, back to the important thing, did you manage to locate any possible puppets?" I asked for it.

"Nope." Azumi said.

"Any." Kai said.

"Either." I said and turned to Kaori.

"Well... I guess so, I mean, it's not very important, but it might help us get some good cover." Kaori said.

"Mm, did you contact him?" I asked for it.

"No, just as stated, I just have to watch." Kaori said happily.

"Well done, starting today, our job is to keep an eye on this target." said.

"Hai." x4

~ In a big tree surrounded by darkness and the light of the moon and stars ~

'Ahaha, they seem to be good seedlings, I hope they can germinate soon, fufufu.'

~in another hidden place~

'Mn, the Raijin said there is likely to be an unknown entity stalking the new Riki's.'

...