Strongest Shinobi

As the distance towards the border of the Land of Rivers became smaller, the sense of tension also became more distinct. The amount of presences keeping track of the merchant convoy had increased, though they felt very faint, even fainter than before for if he wasn't carefully looking for them he wouldn't be able to sense them at all.

The others were rather laid-back, even the Jonin and his students were rather easy going, which wasn't really that surprising. There hadn't been any major problems, most being about a disloged or broken wheel. There hadn't even been any signs of bandits and enemy Shinobi, which Izana found more strange than comforting.

Once again camp was put up in the evening, the merchants were even more cheerful and relaxed than the days before. The cooks had become more sloppy due to the lack of supervision, leaving a stew of undercooked meat and a poor seasoned soup for the workers. There was even an eye from the recently cleaned hare in the stew of one of the labourers, causing for a strange high pitched scream from the burly man. It didn't come as a surprise than the other labourers were laughing afterwards on behalf on the burly man.

When everyone went back to their tents, Izana continued to sit down near the camp fire, still a bit vigilant. The Jonin and his students stayed with the merchants and were talking with them about the journey.

Feeling the watchfull eyes changing from himself towards the merchants, Izana exclaimed a soft sigh of relief. Seems like they weren't after him then. Hopefully.

A soft nudge at his foot caught Izana's attention. Looking down, a small toad was hopping up and down against his trouser. Looking unsuspiciously at his surroundings from the corner of his eyes, Izana waved at the toad as if shooing it away, but retrieved a small scroll from the toad in that motion.

Having received the scroll and tucked it away safely, the toad left towards a small stream at the side and dissapeared in its depths.

Yawning slightly, Izana woke up on of the workers who was next on night shift and departed towards his tent. Once inside, Izana made sure the other labourers were asleep before he read the scroll.

[Body was fake, Danzo in village completely unharmed. Actions against Uchiha intensified. Third was notified. Suspicious actions around Uchiha manor. Return as soon as possible.]

Crumpling the note and burning it, Izana couldn't help but worry. He was currently far away from the village and wouldn't be able to return within the week. The other thing he worried about was Danzo. It was a mystery how Danzo had been able to escape relatively unharmed. Izana was certain though that he had been able to retrieve Shisui's eye and destroy most of the ones on Danzo's arm. The proof still hidden in a scroll carried on his body.

Sighing again about the severity of the situation, Izana just hoped he could return before the worst was about to happen in the village.

The Jonin and his students weren't that cautious, even during their escort mission. Suppose there were others guarding the merchants, that would explain the relaxed actions.

That wouldn't explain though the hostile and searching eyes amongst them. Those were probably in search of him or for their target.

Closing his eyes, Izana chose to worry about it the next day when they were moving again. Aswers would come as soon as they got closer to their destination, that Izana was certain about.

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The next day, Izana and the merchants arrived at the border of the Land of Rivers. The merchants were all too happy to leave towards the Land of Rivers. So far, Izana had received no other messages and planned to leave the merchant group as soon as they crossed the border and arrived in Takumi village.

Everything was all merry amongst the laborers as they shared some booze while they waited for the carriage to arrive. They had become rather annoyed that it took so long to get to Takumi village and the threw all caution and hesitation away as they looked rather deep into the alcohol bottle.

Distancing himself from the heavy drinking men, Izana watched as the Jonin and his students became more vigilant than before.

Standing in the middle of the road, a group of bandits and former Shinobi were waiting for the merchant convoy to come closer. When they were within reach the enemy shinobi began to attack the Jonin and students.

The bandits ran past them and started to attack the merchants and laborers. When one of the merchants tried to spur the horse in action, the bandits smashed the wheels, making the carriage unable to move.

When all shinobi, both enemy and merchants guards were occupied, Izana saw his chance and stealthily shunshined throught the trees, away from the merchant convoy towards Takumi village. Once there, Izana would move towards The Land of Fire as soon as possible.

As the sound of battle faded away and the scent of blood dissapeared, only then did Izana slow his pace slightly. As if he had been waiting for this, Yoru appeared from Izana's shadow.

"Izana-sama. Danzo is planning to attack the Uchiha. You need to return immediately. Jiraiya-sannin is delaying it as much as possible."

Cursing underneath his breath, Izana increased his pace again as he moved directly towards Konoha.

It was one thing after another, Danzo really picked his timing well.

While running besides Izana, Yoru informed him of another important matter.

"A masked man has made contact with Itachi. The description matches with what Kushina has told Izana-sama."

Izana halted in his tracks, Yoru following soon after.

"Yoru, look after Itachi. That masked man is up to something and I don't like it. Once something happens, make sure to protect my family and the innocents in the Uchiha manor."

Once Yoru left, Izana quickened his pace again, this time however a red shroud covered his body and increased his speed even further. At this speed he should be able to be back in three days if he didn't rest.

He had a feeling something wrong was going to happen and he had to be there to stop it.