On one side, Uchiha Osamu had run into Kinkaku and Ginkaku again, chatting with the two brothers who had disguised themselves.

Meanwhile, Gin and Hikari strolled through Takigakure's busiest marketplace.

Though Taki wasn't counted among the Five Great Nations, its prosperous location made it just as bustling—far richer than the barren Land of Wind.

Gin's eyes darted about the shops on either side as if searching for something.

"A-Gin, what are you looking for? Aren't we supposed to be investigating the Bijuu?"

Trailing behind him, Hikari finally voiced her impatience.

"Calm down, let's eat something first before we work."

He reassured her casually, then his half-lidded eyes suddenly lit up. Spotting an open shop, he dragged Hikari inside.

"Boss! One serving of your signature yokan—extra honey!"

"Gin…"

The sweet, heavy aroma filled the shop, chestnut fragrance thick in the air. Hikari's expression turned dark.

"Ahem… since we're out, of course we should try local specialties. This yokan is famous—Shusui bro recommended it~" Gin coughed, avoiding her eyes.

"You know your own health, don't you?"

Her tone softened despite herself, still tinged with reproach.

"Just one serving! This honey comes from the Kamimizu clan, bee-keepers of the highest craft—unique in the shinobi world!"

Gin inhaled deeply, eyes blissful as he explained.

"Oh? Then why did you only order one?"

Her brows arched, suspicion sharp in her voice.

"Boss! Make that two!"

"…But there are only two of us?"

Dark aura flickered in her eyes.

"Two servings!"

"Oyoyoy~"

Hikari lifted a honey-drenched yokan cube into her mouth, sighing with happiness. Gin, meanwhile, meticulously cut his piece into fingernail-sized squares, planning to savor it slowly.

"Boss! Two more packs of red bean yokan, to go!"

A booming voice broke the peace. The door burst open as a giant figure stomped inside.

"…Eh?"

Gin blinked, staring at the brutish round face, bald scalp tattooed with a coiled dragon, tiny green eyes glaring fiercely.

"Good heavens."

The shopkeeper trembled, mistaking him for a bandit.

"Shamon bro!"

Gin's eyes widened in delight. After months apart, fate had brought them together again in this foreign land.

"Eh—Gin-san! Sasugani~"

The rough-faced Shamon grinned, overjoyed. He'd only stopped by to buy yokan as gifts for his disciples, but had stumbled right into an old friend.

"A-Gin, who is he?"

Hikari's tone was calm, only glancing briefly at the hulking man. His masculinity didn't threaten her.

"Shamon, a buddy of mine. Currently Suna's second-in-command—future's bright~"

Gin summed up his life in a single line.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Sorry for leaving so abruptly after the Kage Summit, I didn't get to treat you properly."

"Don't be silly. I was the host then, and I wasn't the best either. Don't worry about it."

Gin smiled warmly—he truly regarded Shamon as a friend, unlike the scheming Reto.

"Gin-san, are you here sightseeing?"

Shamon glanced at Gin and Hikari's plain clothes—just a wooden sword on Gin, no combat gear.

"…Something like that~" Gin replied vaguely, then asked, "And you, Shamon bro?"

"Me? Ah… sightseeing too!"

But his eyes flickered guiltily.

Shamon, your acting hasn't improved one bit—you might as well tattoo "I'm lying" across your forehead.

"Gin, is your friend… not very bright?"

Hikari whispered dryly at Gin's side.

"…"

"Customers, your yokan order is ready~"

The shopkeeper set two elegant boxes on the table.

"Then I won't intrude on you and your wife's date. Come visit Suna sometime, I'll host you properly."

Scratching his bald head, Shamon took his sweets and excused himself.

"…Wife? Gin, your friend is actually pretty sharp!"

Hikari's eyes curved into slits with joy, nodding solemnly in approval.

So that's your true face, huh? Too real.

"Let's go. Looks like all the nations are here."

Gin finished the last yokan piece, chewing the sweet bliss. If even Suna had arrived, then all five powers were present.

"If they're all at Shamon's level, this'll be boring."

Hikari followed, her playful air gone. Her eyes were cold, dismissive of Shamon's strength.

"Don't underestimate Shamon bro. He's got home-field advantage."

Gin shook his head. Without Ryumyaku's blessing, Shamon's power had waned. But if he fought Hikari back in Roran… at least his corpse would be intact.

As they stepped out, Hikari asked again,

"Now the mission?"

"Let's find Osamu and the others first."

Truth was, Gin already knew where the Seven-Tails was. He'd only come for the yokan.

"Tsk tsk, worth it. Better mark this shop down~"

…

Meanwhile, Osamu studied the well-armed brothers.

"What brings you two so far into Taki?"

"On a mis—"

Kinkaku began, but Ginkaku elbowed him sharply, cutting in.

"Just resupplying. We'll be gone soon."

His lie sounded convincing enough, but Osamu sensed something familiar in his chakra, though she couldn't place it.

"Y-Yeah, just supplies!" Kinkaku quickly nodded, his men echoing awkwardly.

Too awkward. Osamu read their intent easily, but kept it to herself.

"Well, I won't disturb you then. I must find Gin-san."

She tugged Itama along, excusing herself.

"Do greet Gin-san for us. Tell him we haven't shamed him!" Kinkaku called out respectfully before disappearing into the streets.

"…Gin's really that strong?"

Itama whispered in awe, recalling how even these brutes deferred to him.

"Gin-san is very humble."

Osamu nodded. She still couldn't understand why her teacher hid his true strength, preferring lowly jailer duties despite being nearly clan leader level.

"Osamu!"

Gin's voice rang out. She turned to see him approaching with Hikari.

"Teacher…"

Gin gave her a nod, then immediately swung a fist down on Itama's head.

"Thud!"

"You brat! Who told you to wander off?!"

"Ow—what the—"

"Shut up! No more chicken noises!"

After a thorough beating, Gin finally cooled down, glancing at Osamu's complicated expression.

"What happened?"

"Gin-san, I just ran into some old acquaintances."

"Oh? Who?"

"The two from the Hagoromo clan—you remember?"

"Ohhh~"

So Kinkaku and Ginkaku were here too. Yunyin's chosen hunters, no doubt.

"You're not surprised?"

Osamu blinked, puzzled at his calm.

"Why would I be? We just ran into an old friend too."

"You did?"

"Yeah. Everyone's here for the same mission. Best not to clash until the right time."

But—

"BOOM!!!"

The street shook with an explosion, chakra flaring violently.

"…Seriously? Already?"

Gin grimaced, dragging the girls toward the chaos.

Fight or not, free entertainment was free entertainment.

They arrived just in time to see—

"You damn shorty white-haired brat! How dare you sneak attack me!"

"…Hah! Look at you now, bandage man—actually less ugly this way!"

Two familiar voices echoed, and Gin's brow twitched.

"Not them again…"

The fight escalated, civilians screamed and scattered, and Gin could only sigh.

"Guess it's showtime."

(End of Chapter)

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