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Miao slowly approached the gathering point of the caravan, drawing the attention of those present. "Who is this person...?" one of the Konoha chūnin asked curiously, glancing at Miao with a hint of suspicion. However, he wasn't overly concerned about an ambush. After all, they were still within the safety of the small town. Any attack would likely occur after they left the settlement—no one would be foolish enough to strike here.
"You must be the legendary Mr. Wu," said the elegant middle-aged man who stepped forward with a polite smile. "My name is Shōji Matsumoto, and I am the overseer of this caravan."
Miao's appearance was unmistakable—his black kimono and the eerie, rarely seen mask covering his face made him an enigmatic figure. This was his trademark, and his reputation in the underground bounty world was nothing short of legendary. With a 100% mission success rate, his name commanded respect and fear among mercenaries and bounty hunters alike.
It was precisely for this reason that Matsumoto had specifically requested Miao's services. Though hiring him came at a higher cost than other bounty ninjas, Matsumoto believed it was worth every penny for the added security and peace of mind.
"Wu? I think I've heard of him," Yūhi Kurenai murmured as she watched Miao approach. "Yes, he's a bounty hunter who has been active in the underground bounty circuit for the past few years. His success rate is reportedly 100%, and his reputation is immense," another chūnin explained, though his expression darkened slightly. "Because of him, our missions from Konoha have taken quite a hit."
The truth rang clear—competition existed everywhere. Due to Miao's impeccable track record and stellar reputation, combined with the fact that hiring bounty ninjas was cheaper than contracting shinobi from official villages, many merchants and even nobles opted to hire Miao instead of relying on the Hidden Villages. As a result, several ninja villages, including Konoha, saw their business dwindle significantly.
Consequently, while the major hidden villages were aware of Miao's existence, they lacked concrete intelligence about him. His name, age, preferred techniques—all remained shrouded in mystery. Every opponent Miao had ever faced had been silenced permanently, ensuring no information leaked out. Thus, Miao had quietly become a subject of intense scrutiny by the hidden villages, who viewed him as a direct threat to their livelihoods.
"Wu? What a name devoid of any youthful spirit," Rock Lee mused aloud, stroking his chin as he eyed Miao curiously. "This guy doesn't seem to align with my values at all." Indeed, there was no saving this eccentric beast.
Behind his mask, Miao's expression remained inscrutable. The eerie white grin painted on his mask exuded an indescribable air of mystery. Ignoring the gazes of the Konoha shinobi, he calmly walked up to Matsumoto and spoke in a crisp voice, "I am Wu. Are you the client for this mission?"
"Yes, I am the overseer of this caravan. I posted a bounty request for your services a few days ago at the underground bounty office," Matsumoto replied somewhat nervously. After all, shinobi held significant status in this world.
"This is the mission confirmation form. Please verify it," Miao stated impassively, pulling out the document provided by the underground bounty office and handing it to Matsumoto. These forms served as proof of identity to prevent impersonation, which could lead to catastrophic losses for both the bounty office and the clients. Maintaining credibility was paramount, so confirming the contractor's identity was mandatory before proceeding.
Once the mission was completed, the client would sign the form, allowing Miao to collect his reward from the bounty office.
Matsumoto took the form and examined it carefully before nodding, signaling his acknowledgment of Miao's identity. Turning to the group of Konoha shinobi and guards behind him, he announced, "Now that everyone is here, we are ready to depart. We entrust our safety to you, esteemed shinobi."
The group responded enthusiastically, with Rock Lee stepping forward dramatically. He flashed his signature blindingly white teeth and gave a thumbs-up. "Mr. Matsumoto, worry not! Leave everything to me, the Blue Beast of Konoha! No matter the task, I will complete it perfectly—that's the power of youth!!!"
Matsumoto and the guards forced awkward smiles, though the sweatdrops and twitching eyebrows betrayed their unease. Is this guy really reliable? they wondered silently.
The Konoha team exchanged resigned glances. Kurenai sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead. Clearly, they were accustomed to Lee's antics, finding them more tiresome than surprising.
Miao, on the other hand, remained utterly composed. His expressionless mask concealed any reaction, leaving others unable to gauge his thoughts.
With preparations complete, the caravan set off. Matsumoto settled into his carriage, given that he was merely an ordinary civilian without combat abilities. Two guards flanked his carriage on horseback, while the rest positioned themselves around the cargo wagons.
Rock Lee, the热血 (passionate) ninja, took the lead at the front of the caravan. If enemies attacked from ahead, he would serve as the first line of defense.
Kurenai and three other chūnin split into pairs to guard the flanks of the convoy. Meanwhile, Miao brought up the rear, responsible for protecting against potential threats approaching from behind.
Thus, the group formed a diamond-shaped formation around the caravan. After submitting the necessary exit paperwork, the convoy departed from the border town of Konoha, heading toward the Land of Lightning.