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"The underground exchange naturally wouldn't tarnish its own reputation. Don't complain about the price. If it weren't for the incident that happened last month in the Land of Rivers, which required reallocating many people, I wouldn't be asking for so much."
The elderly man at the underground exchange counted the money while speaking in a raspy voice, "If the payment is too low, no one will take the job. Even if I post it, do you think I could find someone for you?"
"Wait for the first commission. Come back in a month for the information. As for the second piece of intelligence, I can tell you now."
The elderly man divided the money, pocketing the smaller amount of five hundred thousand ryō for himself, and then began to share the information with Yōichi.
"It's in a village at the northernmost end of the Land of Iron, where a group of people reside. In their calm state, they are more peaceful than anyone else, to the point where even birds willingly land on them. However, when they rage, even the most bloodthirsty maniacs fear them. These people delight in slaughter even more than madmen."
"I was in charge in the Land of Rice Fields and there was a bounty to retaliate against them. Many went. Heh, but not a single one returned. When they rage, their appearance undergoes a massive change. Although they still look human, they are nothing like us."
Hearing this, Yōichi could almost confirm the elderly man was talking about Jūgo's clan.
But why in the Land of Iron?
He was currently in the Land of Wind, and the Land of Iron was on the opposite side of the Land of Fire. Even if he traveled quickly, it would take three days.
However, finding Ryūchi Cave would mean more than just locating Shin. Ryūchi Cave was one of the few places in the shinobi world rich in natural energy, making Shin secondary.
"I'll come back for the information in a month."
"Don't worry, we'll find someone specialized in gathering intelligence."
After getting the specific location of Jūgo's clan's village, Yōichi left.
Next, he planned to visit the Land of Iron. Although the journey would take three days, it was much better than aimlessly scouring the Land of Wind for information, and it was safer.
With the Kazekage missing, Sunagakure would be the most anxious. Now that even Sunagakure couldn't find any news of the Kazekage, what could these twenty-five people do?
As for what to do after finding Ryūchi Cave, the three great Sages' lands shouldn't reject outsiders. He remembered that the only danger of visiting the great Sage lands was failing the Sage Mode training.
Mount Myōboku turns failures into frog statues, Ryūchi Cave swallows them, and Shikkotsu Forest's outcome is unknown but likely no safer.
Besides, Ryūchi Cave shouldn't repel outsiders, at most tempting him to train in Sage Mode.
Deciding this, Yōichi set off for the Land of Iron.
There were a few railways within the Land of Fire, but not many, and the tracks were short, none stretching from the border of the Land of Rivers to the Land of Iron.
Yōichi felt the development of technology in the shinobi world was distorted due to the existence of ninjas.
Where technology could replace what a ninja could do, it wasn't much developed; for example, communication between ninjas. Although television stations existed, building more signal towers could instantly receive messages from the borders.
But due to secret techniques and ninja hawks, communication remained awkward. Urgent messages used summoning techniques, while less urgent ones used ninja hawks.
For ninjas, it was convenient enough as a bit of chakra could send information into the village, but ordinary people still relied on mailing letters.
Transportation also mainly used carriages; ninjas traveling long distances only needed to manage their chakra well, taking soldier pills periodically to replenish it, moving faster than horses.
Therefore, ninjas didn't need those means of transport, leading to their underdevelopment in the shinobi world.
---
The Land of Iron is a neutral small country within the shinobi world, almost devoid of ninjas and dominated by samurais.
Without ninjas, it naturally didn't participate in the shinobi wars, except for repelling an invasion from the Land of Rain during the Second Shinobi World War, having been at peace for a long time.
Upon entering the country, Yōichi naturally didn't reveal his ninja identity, as there was a bit of antipathy here towards ninjas. After all, ninjas tended to look down on samurais as relics of the past.
Being discovered by the samurais of the Land of Iron would be troublesome, so upon entering, Yōichi didn't approach any villages or towns and directly headed to the village where Jūgo's clan was located.
Soon, Yōichi arrived at the village of Jūgo's clan.
Desolate, cold, with few green trees but many rock caves.
It didn't seem like a place for living.
As Yōichi proceeded, he soon encountered some people wearing coarse linen, in the poorest attire he had seen.
Their dwellings were unique, almost every home adorned with snake-like sculptures.
And Yōichi, as an outsider, stood out immediately, with people looking at him and someone quickly going to report his arrival.
"Young man, what brings you to our village?"
A middle-aged man approached Yōichi.
"I want to ask about something. How do I get to Ryūchi Cave?"
Yōichi was straightforward with his purpose; these people might be formidable when transformed by natural energy, but against someone like him, they were insufficient.
As he spoke, Yōichi activated his Sharingan, enhancing his perception. He could sense the chakra in the villagers constantly growing, likely absorbing natural energy continuously until their bodies reached a limit and underwent drastic changes, leading to their destructive outbursts.
The middle-aged man shook his head, "Sorry, we don't know anything about a Ryūchi Cave."
"Ryūchi Cave doesn't reject outsiders. There's no need to hide it on their behalf. You're the village chief, right? I suggest you consider your clan's well-being."
Under the gaze of the Sharingan, the middle-aged man and his villagers felt immense pressure, as if facing a terrifying entity, despite their numbers.
"Every household here has snake decorations, and now you say you don't know Ryūchi Cave, treating others as fools. Think carefully about whether you can afford to provoke me."
Yōichi slowly drew Raijin, his inquiry meant to convey friendliness. If the man refused to talk, using the Sharingan to interrogate him wouldn't be difficult.
"I truly don't know about Ryūchi Cave, but deep beneath our village, there's a sacred site worshipped since ancient times, accessible only to the devout. If you wish, I can guide you there."
Pressured and feeling a looming threat, the middle-aged man honestly shared the information about Ryūchi Cave.
"Very well, lead the way."
Yōichi, having decided, followed the middle-aged man. Their journey led them deeper into the village, towards a hidden entrance that seemed to delve directly into the earth itself.
As they descended, the air grew cooler, and the natural energy within the atmosphere became more palpable. Yōichi could feel the dense concentration of natural energy enveloping him, a sign that they were nearing a place of significant power.
After a lengthy descent, they arrived at an expansive cavern illuminated by luminescent fungi, revealing a sight unlike anything found on the surface. The cavern was vast, with stalactites and stalagmites creating a natural architecture that was both awe-inspiring and eerie.
In the center of the cavern was a large pool of water, so clear and still it seemed like a mirror, reflecting the ceiling's glowing fungi and creating an ethereal atmosphere.
"The sacred site is ahead. Only those who are sincere in their hearts can proceed. I must warn you, though, the path is not without its dangers. Many who sought the power of Ryūchi Cave have never returned."
The middle-aged man's warning hung in the air, a reminder of the risks involved in seeking out places of great power.
Yōichi nodded, understanding the gravity of his undertaking. His Sharingan eyes scanned the cavern, taking in every detail, prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
He was determined to uncover the secrets of Ryūchi Cave and, if possible, harness its power for his own.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the sacred site, his steps echoing in the vast, open space. The journey into the heart of Ryūchi Cave had begun.
(End of Chapter)