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Land of Valleys.
With messy hair tied into a small ponytail, dressed in a somewhat worn-out samurai outfit, with a sword hanging at his waist and carrying a bundle on his back, a young boy swaggered down the somewhat desolate streets of a small town. He looked like a common wandering samurai who hadn't been doing well, but because he was a new face, he still attracted some attention.
With a somewhat dejected expression, he walked until he finally stopped in front of a rather shabby izakaya. He pushed the door open and walked in. It wasn't evening yet, so the izakaya was somewhat empty.
"Welcome."
The owner, with a white towel around his neck, looked short and fat and greeted him without much enthusiasm.
The young samurai sat down at the counter and glanced at the menu.
"I'll have a bottle of shochu and some edamame."
The owner gave him a look, nodded silently, and soon brought out the shochu and edamame.
The boy drank silently, quickly finishing the edamame and then ordering some sashimi.
Then, his movements became faster and faster. He downed bottle after bottle of shochu, and after finishing the sashimi, he ate oden. After finishing the oden, he ordered some fried chicken.
Eventually, the somewhat down-and-out young samurai seemed to get drunk. His face flushed, and he sat there in a daze.
"Sir, would you like to settle the bill now?" the owner asked, somewhat uneasy.
"Hmm?"
The boy looked at him in confusion. After a while, he reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a money pouch with some crooked stitching, slapping it on the table.
"Settle... settle the bill!"
The short, fat owner picked up the money pouch, weighed it, opened it, and poured out the money to count it. His expression changed.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said coldly, staring at the boy. "You don't have enough money."
"How could that be?"
The boy seemed to sober up a bit, looking at the money on the table in a panic, but due to his drunkenness, his vision blurred, and he could only shake his head in vain.
"It really isn't enough," the owner said with a stern face.
"I'm... I'm sorry." The boy let out a loud hiccup. "I'll pay you back in a few days!"
"Tsk, I've seen people like you a lot. What are you going to pay with?" The owner glared at him, his face livid.
"Who said that? I'll find a job! Someone will hire me soon!" The boy shouted, not backing down, and took off the sword from his waist, slamming it on the table. "I'm a samurai!"
"Hmph! A samurai?" The owner scoffed. "These days, it's the ninja who rule the world. Who would hire a samurai?"
A man drinking nearby shook his head at the scene and said, "Young man, you should give up on being a samurai and find a more practical job."
"Exactly! This isn't the Land of Iron!" another person chimed in.
"Owner, don't you need a handyman? Why not let this young man work here to pay off his debt? He looks young and strong."
"Well..." The owner seemed a bit tempted by the suggestion but also a bit hesitant.
"I'm not going to be a handyman!" The boy angrily pounded the table. "I... I am a noble samurai!"
"You little brat! You really don't know what's good for you!" The owner was also completely enraged.
"I am a samurai... a samurai..." The boy muttered to himself, his eyes glazed over, and suddenly collapsed onto the table.
"Hahaha..."
"This kid's drunk!"
"What a disgraceful samurai!"
The other customers in the izakaya burst into laughter.
"Such a clueless guy!"
The owner, with a displeased expression, reached out and dragged the boy into the back room.
Then, he took the sword on the table and put it under the counter.
"Owner, are you really going to take that kid in? I didn't think you were so kind!" one of the drinkers teased the owner.
"Stop talking nonsense!" The owner picked up a cloth and started wiping the counter. "I just don't want to let a freeloader get away!"
"You should be careful," another customer advised. "What if that kid really is a skilled samurai?"
"You're overthinking it," the owner scoffed. "If he really had any skills, he wouldn't be in this situation!"
"That's true!"
"Let's raise a glass to the owner's kindness!"
"Cheers!"
...
Late at night, the customers had all left, and the short, fat owner wearily put out the lanterns and closed the door.
In the back kitchen's wine cellar.
In the darkness, Sasuke sat on a simple bed with his eyes closed, resting. When he heard footsteps, he immediately opened his clear eyes.
The short, fat owner came down the wooden stairs, the lantern in his hand casting a dim yellow light.
"Why did Kaito send someone as young as you?" He looked at Sasuke disapprovingly. "This place is very dangerous."
"Hmph, you can ask him yourself," Sasuke replied, a bit annoyed. He reached into his clothes and took out a communication talisman, activating it.
"Long time no see, Keita." Kaito's voice carried a hint of laughter. "This is my junior, Sasuke."
"Sasuke, this is Keita from the Tanuki clan. He specializes in disguise and transformation, which is why Lord Mao sent him to infiltrate this place."
"Long time no see, Kaito," Keita said, looking at the small paper figure. "Why did you send your junior to such a dangerous place?"
"I have some plans that require his assistance," Kaito reassured. "But don't worry, he's only handling some preparatory work. I won't let him confront that guy."
Hearing this, Keita sighed, "If that's the case, then so be it."
He looked at Sasuke and said, "But kid, we're in a very dangerous situation. Always remember to stay disguised and never reveal your identity."
Sasuke nodded politely. "I understand."
"Kaito, from what I've gathered, the monk you mentioned is currently living alone in the mountains north of the city," Keita said. "But this is just hearsay; I haven't confirmed it myself."
"No problem, I'll find a way to check it out," Kaito said. "For now, don't act rashly. As an Otsutsuki, it's hard to overestimate that guy's power."
"So, what's your specific plan?" Keita asked curiously.
"It's still a secret for now," Kaito replied. "I'll let you know once I've finished the preparations on my end."
"I understand," Keita nodded.
"Then why did you have me come here early?"
Sasuke frowned. Does this mean he really has to do some menial work for a while?
"Thank you for your hard work, Sasuke." Kaito's tone was firm. "Now is the perfect time. You need to use this period to get familiar with the people in this city. It will be beneficial for your mission."
"I understand," Sasuke replied straightforwardly this time.