Late at night.
At the southern wall of the Hongmen Branch manor.
More than a dozen high-ranking ninjas, clad in black ninja garb with only their eyes visible, lay in stealth amidst the darkness. Each armed with a ninjato or sword, they stayed motionless, their breathing and heart rates reduced to the lowest, their presence tightly concealed, as if they were mere stones perfectly blended into their surroundings. Even if someone passed by, it would be difficult to notice anything amiss.
This was the very essence of the ninja's art of assassination.
Lurking, approaching, killing, gathering intelligence... These were their innate duties, as natural to them as eating and drinking.
"The manor's floor plan,"
whispered the ninja leader.
Instantly, a ninja took out a map they had brought along and spread it on the ground. It depicted the layout of the manor, detailing the living room, master bedroom, second bedroom, and guest rooms.
