I Don't Know What it is But I smell A Rat

The four shinobi stepped out of the casino, the heavy atmosphere of political tension lingering in the air like a thick fog. The morning sun had yet to burn off the night's lingering chill, and the streets of the town were just beginning to stir. Doto exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.

"We need to cool off," he muttered. "Let's grab a quick breakfast. We'll talk there."

Izumo and Hakui nodded in agreement, and the group made their way through the cobbled streets toward a modest-looking pub at the edge of the district. The occasional murmur of townsfolk filled the silence between them, but none of them spoke. The weight of their encounter with Shimada still pressed down on them.

As they walked, Hakui glanced over at Kotetsu, his sharp eyes narrowing in suspicion. "By the way, Kotetsu," he said, breaking the silence, "you had a pretty strong reaction when you saw that noble inside. Care to explain why?"

The question snapped the attention of both Izumo and Doto onto Kotetsu, their eyes expectant. Kotetsu knew he had to tread carefully—he couldn't tell them the truth. He couldn't tell them that he had recognized Shinnō from his past life's knowledge, as he wouldn't be able to explain how he knew the guy with the kind old face was nothing short of a vengeful mad man.

Shinno is one of the few minor characters that has an scientifically intelligence close to Orochimaru. Sure Orochimaru sits at the number one spot in the ninja world until we get to Boruto and Amado surpasses him. Shinno still was on a small list of characters that managed to truly create a tailed beast, he just took a misstep and made a puddy monster. But he also managed to unlock multiple high-level techniques like the eight gates. 

All Kotetsu knew is that if that old schemer was here, then he was planning something.

His mind worked fast, and then he offered the most plausible lie he could muster.

"It's because I recognized him," Kotetsu said, keeping his voice steady. "That man is related to the Fire Daimyo. He's not just some minor noble throwing his weight around—his family's influence runs deep."

Doto's face darkened, and Hakui let out a slow whistle. "That explains a lot," Izumo said. "If we had handled that any differently, we could've made an enemy out of someone with real pull."

Kotetsu gave a tight nod, relieved that they had accepted his explanation. The truth was far more complicated, but for now, this would suffice.

By the time they reached the pub, the early morning crowd was just beginning to filter in. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat filled the air, a welcome contrast to the tension that had followed them from the casino. They took a corner booth, keeping their backs to the walls, their instincts unwilling to let their guard down even in a moment of reprieve.

After ordering a light breakfast, Doto leaned forward, his voice low but firm. "Here's the plan. We'll search the perimeter and watch closely to see who this noble is hiring. We need to know exactly what kind of ninja group we're dealing with and where they came from."

Kotetsu and the others listened intently, their focus sharpening.

"We stay observant," Doto continued. "Everything matters—their accents, their movements, their clothing, even how they carry themselves. A foreign presence in the Land of Fire is a direct threat to our village's future. If an outside power takes root here, it could jeopardize our security. We can't let that happen."

Doto isn't wrong. In the current landscape no major power would allow their enemy to set up a military base so close to home. As he remembered the tension between the United States, China, and Russia. With many minor conflicts starting as each one of them tried setting up shop in their enemies home. Any major shift could lead to a big war so they had to play the game careful. An hear some disgruntle noble thinks he can have his own guard squad but the idiot never thought past his on perspective as this is like allowing a foreign ninja nation take up shelter in the Land of Fire.

Izumo nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. We need to be methodical about this."

Hakui crossed her arms. "I'll handle getting close. People tend to talk when they don't think you're a threat."

Kotetsu tapped a finger against the table, thinking. "And if we do find something? How do we act?"

Doto exhaled through his nose. "For now, we gather intel. We don't make a move until we know what we're dealing with."

The group exchanged looks, silent understanding passing between them. This wasn't just another mission. This was about the future of Konoha, and none of them could afford to misstep.

As their food arrived, the four shinobi ate quickly, their minds already focused on the task ahead.

-----------

Shino's dark eyes narrowed as he stood over the flickering fire, the wind stirring the dry leaves around him. He knew the heat of pursuit would be on him soon. The sudden arrival of Konoha's forces wasn't something he'd anticipated, but his nerves were steely, just like his resolve. The trail that led here to the disgruntled noble wasn't supposed to be this obvious. His face remained a mask of calm, but inside, a quiet urgency simmered.

They're getting too close.

His mind raced through options, weighing the pros and cons of every potential move. There was only one path now—he had to cover his tracks, set things in motion, and slip away before the net closed in. A faint, twisted smirk tugged at his lips as he thought of the spoils waiting for him should his plans come to fruition. Konoha's own arrogance would work in his favor if he played it right. And once the dust settled, well, a certain lady of nobility had shown a fondness for his particular... expertise. How did she put it again. Oh yes. Her husband could no longer keep up so she had to look elsewhere.

But there was something else he needed to address before making his escape: someone had to take the fall. A scapegoat. A fool.

He already knew who that fool was. The one who had always been too eager, too predictable, a puppet with a permanent grin.

Shino lifted his hand, snapping his fingers. In response, a black bird with blood-red eyes materialized in a puff of smoke, a summon he'd long since trusted. With precise skill, he attached a scroll to its leg, sending it on its way toward the Hidden Leaf Village with instructions: The deal is in motion. Prepare yourself.

As the bird took flight into the moonlit sky, Shino's thoughts turned to the fool. A man who'd somehow always been in the right place at the right time—just dim-witted enough to be easily manipulated but sharp enough to make a decent pawn. This would be no different.

Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, the fool was exactly where Shino thought he would be—lounging in his usual spot at the show girl bars. A half-empty glass of sake in his hand, and his spiky green hair standing out among the crowd. His smile was wide, not unlike a dog waiting for a treat.

Inside the dimly lit room the air was thick with smoke, the pungent scent of tobacco swirling through the air as the low hum of conversation and clinking chips filled the space. A haze of neon light from flickering signs cast shadows across the worn wooden tables, and laughter echoed off the grimy walls. At one of the back tables, in the corner where the noise seemed to fade into a blur, a man with spiky green hair sat, grinning like a cat who'd found its prey.

He was leaned back in a chair, lazily puffing on a cigarette as one of the performers from the night's show straddled him, a sultry smile playing on her lips as she swayed to the rhythm of the music. The woman's skin was smooth, her eyes heavy-lidded with feigned disinterest, but the thrill of the situation was unmistakable. The fool didn't mind the attention—he never did.

His hands were carelessly draped over her hips as he inhaled another drag, the smoke swirling around him, adding to the haze in the room. He exhaled slowly, watching the spirals of smoke drift upward, his gaze turning glassy as his mind began to wander. He knew exactly what he was doing, pretending to be lost in the atmosphere, letting the moment take him. But in reality, he wasn't paying attention to her. His mind was elsewhere, already anticipating the message he was about to receive.

Just as the thought passed through his mind, a black bird swooped in, landing with a soft flutter on the table next to him. It ruffled its feathers and looked up, its red eyes glowing ominously under the dim light as it dropped the scroll it carried.

The woman above him leaned in, brushing her lips against his ear as she whispered something meaningless, but he was already distracted. His fingers snatched the scroll from the bird's leg, unrolling it with a smirk creeping across his face. He read the message, his lips curling as the familiar, cold words danced before his eyes.

The deal is in motion. Prepare yourself.

"Well, well, Shino," he murmured, setting the bird's message down on the table. "Always a pleasure when you come calling." He took a long swig of his drink and slammed the cup down, leaning back in his chair as the idea of being a part of whatever mess Shino had planned stirred a certain excitement in him. After all, its because of this man he went from the slums to a Jonin in the strongest military in the FIVE nations. Eating the most delicious fruits, and picking the finest flowers.

"I'll be seeing you soon," the fool muttered to no one in particular, already savoring the chaos that was sure to follow.

His grin deepened, and he tapped the scroll thoughtfully against his lips before crumbling it up and burning it with a fire jutsu from his palm.

"Well, well, well," he muttered under his breath, turning to the woman who was still straddling him. "Looks like the fun's just about to begin, doll."

He stood up suddenly, carrying the sultry woman, to her surprised expression. He didn't wait for her to say anything, he headed towards the back of the place so the two could have some more privacy. Back to her room as she was the owner of this fine establishment, "The Silent Blade." Inside the room the air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and ambition, but for him, it all felt like a stage, a game he played well. The perfect young upstanding Konoha Jonin, who had a smile that could win any womans heart.

He ignored the moans the woman made, her screams, her meaningless promises. This wasn't for her, but for him.

His heart was pounding with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Shino was always the calculating type, the one who never left a stone unturned. But now he showed who truly was the fool from their deals. Shino thought he was nothing but some pawn to toss out but after this job he'd no longer play such a role.

He turned the woman over on her back while he thought this. As after it was all over he'd be the ruler of his own land. All the women, money, power, and servants he wanted. This one here was just a throw away who was past her prime. The man didn't need to think twice. He knew his role, and it was about time he got to play it.

He glanced back toward the woman covered in her own sweat and the shows of their passion, a devilish grin on his lips. "Keep the drinks coming, sweetheart. I'll be back for round two later."

The woman gave back a look that said please come again as she watched him leave the room.

As he made his exit into the shadows of the alley behind the bar, the heat of the night felt almost intoxicating. The fool could already taste the chaos that was to come. After all, what was life without a little fun?

Back with Shino, he had already begun his preparations. His traps were set, and his retreat was mapped. The pieces were in motion, and now, it was only a matter of time before he had what he wanted. He would use this chaos to his advantage, and with the fool on his side, he could disappear into the night like smoke.

His cold gaze turned toward the horizon, and the weight of his next steps settled into place.

One way or another, victory was just a matter of who took the fall. And in this case, he already knew who would be wearing the chains.