Chapter 107: Volume 3 - Chapter 8: Clarity of Mind and True Nature

Three evenings later, the four finally arrived in Uzushiogakure.

Thanks to Jiraiya limping the whole way, they ended up half a day behind schedule.

Uzushiogakure had no "Uzukage," nor the public amenities common in Konoha. What it did have was red hair—lots of it.

In this village, other races were a rare sight. The Uzumaki Clan made up the vast majority.

After showing their Konoha forehead protectors and mission scroll, the four were led by the guards to the village leader's residence in the center of town.

The Village Head, Kaishou Uzumaki, was a young man with bright red hair, dressed in extravagant clothing, adorned with gold and silver, and carried an unmistakable air of arrogance.

But the moment he heard Tsunade's name, his demeanor flipped completely. He became all politeness and sophistication.

He greeted them warmly, even having the kitchen whip up a lavish spread of local specialties for Reiji and the others.

Once they'd had their fill, he personally arranged a spacious, luxuriously furnished room for Tsunade.

As for Reiji, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru? He tossed them into a standard guest room.

His reasoning: "They're three men. Just squeeze in."

Jiraiya was furious. Gritting his teeth, he sat fuming on the tatami mat.

"That bastard Village Head obviously has a thing for Tsunade, and that idiot Tsunade doesn't even bother turning him down.

And giving the three of us just one room? There are tons of empty ones! Asshole!"

He grumbled on, then turned around—only to find the room empty. Reiji and Orochimaru had already vanished without a trace.

Right now, Reiji was casually wandering through the halls of the Village Head's mansion.

Before long, he slipped under the window of a brightly lit room.

Inside, two voices were deep in conversation.

"Big bro, Konoha only sent four people this time. Three of them are just brats. It's like they're not even taking us seriously."

"Exactly," came a haughty voice.

"But among them is the granddaughter of the First—Hashirama Senju—the Princess of Konoha, Tsunade. That's quite a pleasant surprise."

"What are you thinking, brother?"

"Who cares if a few peasants around the village go missing?

As long as we can get close to Tsunade and marry her into Uzushiogakure, our ties with Konoha will be stronger than ever."

"You're right, big bro. Ever since the Second died and that guy Hiruzen Sarutobi took over, our connection with Konoha's gotten worse each year. We've really got to seize this chance."

Squatting below the window, Reiji let out a silent laugh.

These two really think long-term. Why not just send a girl to Konoha and marry her off to Hiruzen Sarutobi's eldest son?

Wouldn't that be more straightforward?

Honestly, you're all underestimating how long Hiruzen plans to stay in power.

It's Year 24 in Konoha now—he's got at least another 30 years in him.

Just as Reiji was silently roasting them in his mind, a crisp voice echoed in his head.

"Reiji, I hate that guy!"

"Why? I think he's got some interesting ideas," Reiji asked, amused.

"I don't know. I just feel like their cheap little plot insults my intelligence!"

Oh? So now your IQ's too good for this kind of basic scheming? Hanging around with me too long, huh?

Kitty, you're getting cocky.

With that thought, Reiji straightened his face and scolded softly:

"Kitty, I have to set you straight!

The simpler the plan, the more it tests the schemer's skill—and the more likely it is to work!"

Hearing this, Kitty pouted, turned over, and completely ignored him.

Seeing this, Reiji grinned and gave his belly a light poke.

"What, just a little criticism and you're mad?

Want me to shake my hips and sing you a lullaby to help you sleep?"

"Buzz off, you pervy creep!" Kitty yelled in her usual tsundere tone.

"Heh." Reiji chuckled, then tiptoed out of the Village Head's house.

As he walked through the village—only about a quarter the size of Konoha—he occasionally made hand signs, leaving behind shadow clones at intervals.

Not far behind, a smallish figure was quietly tailing him.

Without realizing it, Reiji came to a tall warehouse.

There was a faint suction emanating from it, and Reiji couldn't help but smirk as he muttered,

"Raw iron. And quite a lot of it, too.

I really underestimated this place. Didn't think Uzushiogakure had this much cash lying around.

Nice! Real nice! When the time comes, I'll go all in and bleed you dry!"

Still muttering, he turned and walked off.

As he strolled down the street, a bright red lantern suddenly caught his eye.

Painted in vivid orange were the characters for "song" and "wine."

Well, well—Red Light District!

Reiji's eyes lit up, and he instantly slipped into a serious mode of self-reflection.

Is my faith still firm?

Is my mind still clear?

Is my will unshaken?

The answer: NO!

The path to enlightenment is long, the soul easily clouded by desire. Meant to be heartless, yet still tangled in love!

Damn it, now that I've hit small mastery in taijutsu, I need to see my true self and steel my resolve!

With that thought, Reiji straightened his back, put on a look of noble resolve, and strode decisively into the "Kawaii Honjin."

The moment he stepped inside, a wave of warmth—thick with perfume and the scent of alcohol—washed over him. His eyes were met with a scene full of half-veiled seductive gazes and pale, shapely legs.

He took a deep breath, and a slow, pleased grin curled at the corners of his mouth.

Good.

Very good.

Excellent!

The flirtatious laughter of charming women danced around his ears, and in an instant, his strong arms were engulfed in a sea of softness.

Seeing stars, Reiji found himself sandwiched between two fair-skinned beauties, who promptly whisked him away into a quiet private room.

Without hesitation, Reiji pulled out a wad of cash from inside his cloak, making his position perfectly clear.

The two red-haired girls lit up, becoming even more enthusiastic—their hands trembling slightly as they held up their drinks.

...

At some point, a sudden downpour began over Uzushiogakure.

That's how it was with seaside villages—rain came fast as lightning and fierce as a gust of wind.

The flowers and grass outside were instantly drenched.

In the corner of the back wall behind "Kawaii Honjin," a pair of twin red blossoms bore the full brunt of the storm.

They pleaded and wilted, their buds drooping again and again under the relentless battering.

Yet when the storm finally passed, the little flowers stirred back to life.

Two red petals and fresh green leaves—more vibrant than before.

The post-rain night was cool and crisp.

Whistling a tune, Reiji casually strolled out the back door of the red light district.

"Born of divine essence, yet bound by mortal burdens—now the dust has cleared, and sunlight spills across a thousand peaks and rivers!"

Just as Reiji finished reciting, a round of applause rang out from the shadows.

"Sounds a bit eccentric, but the literary flair's not bad."

At the sound, Reiji nodded reflexively, then turned to see who it was.

It was Snake Auntie!

Orochimaru's tone suddenly shifted as he gave Reiji a knowing smile.

"A shinobi on a mission really shouldn't be this relaxed, don't you think, Reiji-kun?"

"Nope!" Reiji answered without missing a beat, shaking his head with firm conviction. "It's your mission. I'm just the bodyguard."

At that, the smile on Orochimaru's face froze, twitching twice before falling into speechless disbelief.

Still, Orochimaru was Orochimaru—young, yes, but always refined.

"Reiji-kun, you haven't changed at all. To me, whether you wear that mask or not makes no difference."

Tch, this guy really knows how to put on a show.

Thinking that, Reiji feigned awkwardness, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

"Well, I've got a couple pimples on my face, figured I'd wear the mask to cover them up.

Ah, youth... what a pain!"

Orochimaru's face darkened completely.

This guy... wasn't even on the same wavelength!