However, Feng Zheng noticed something special. He observed, "Every game here is based on luck; none require skill. This makes sense. In this Ninja world, making such games would be asking for trouble."
Renjiro finally entered an inn. Mieko thought, "After skipping 13 inns, we finally went in!"
As Renjiro began chatting with the Restaurant Owner, Feng Zheng noticed, "Uh, he seems quite familiar with the owner of this inn. Is that why we skipped so many inns?"
After consulting with the innkeeper, Renjiro approached the three. He handed each of them a key and said, "These are your rooms. Stay at the inn; I'll go out to scout the situation and be back in a few hours."
After Renjiro left, Mieko asked, "What do we do now?"
Feng Zheng sighed and said, "I originally wanted to explore the town, but he told us to stay at the inn."
Hodaka added, "Yeah, we can't even do physical training."
Feng Zheng said, "Let's go back to our rooms to rest. Tomorrow is our first actual combat."
Everyone nodded and returned to their respective rooms to meditate and rest.
Renjiro returned in the evening and took everyone out to eat.
The next morning at 8 AM, the squad gathered outside Renjiro's room and set off.
Their first target was located about 25 kilometers west of the town.
Upon arriving there, Feng Zheng sensed something. He said, "Teacher, I can sense six ordinary people about four hundred meters ahead."
Renjiro nodded and said, "There's a Village in that direction, so it's likely villagers. Our target is the bandits who are harassing that Village."
Renjiro continued in that direction. Feng Zheng quickly noticed that the six people he sensed were farming.
They continued on and arrived at the Village.
Upon entering the Village, Renjiro made some inquiries and then went to the Village Chief's house.
The house was old, and the person who opened the Gate of Opening was even more aged!
As soon as the Village Chief saw their headbands, he respectfully invited everyone in and said, "Welcome to our Village."
Renjiro nodded and said, "You can just call me Renjiro."
Then he handed a piece of paper to the Village Chief. The Village Chief was very happy after reading the paper. He bowed to Renjiro and said, "Thank you, Lord Renjiro, for being willing to rescue us from the bandits. After they are dealt with, we can resume our peaceful lives."
Renjiro said, "I need more details about the bandits."
The Village Chief nodded and said, "Feel free to ask; I will assist you to the best of my ability."
Renjiro asked, "When did the bandits start harassing your Village?"
The Village Chief replied, "About nine months ago, during our harvest last year. However, they've become much more brutal in recent months."
Renjiro continued to ask, "I see. So, what crimes have they committed?"
The Village Chief's voice trembled as he replied, "Initially, they only stole our crops and money, but recently, they..."
Feng Zheng saw that the Village Chief was now in tears. He continued, "They killed 9 villagers and kidnapped 6 young girls. They even..."
He began to sob and said, "They even killed my son."
He started to cry.
Renjiro was about to comfort the old man, but the old Village Chief quickly composed himself, a look of determination on his face.
Feng Zheng was greatly surprised and thought, "Admirable. Though not a Ninja, he possesses such strong resolve."
Even Renjiro was moved by the determined expression on the old man's face. He asked, "How many bandits are there, and from which direction do they attack you?"
The Village Chief replied, "In the attack five days ago, there were over 15 bandits, and they always come from the north."
Renjiro nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for the information. Don't worry, we will deal with them."
The Village Chief quickly thanked him.
Renjiro and the Genin left the Village Chief's house. Mieko asked Renjiro, "Teacher, what now? Should we start searching from the north?"
Renjiro nodded and replied, "Yes."
Feng Zheng asked again, "But Teacher, why would they attack from the direction of their base? Wouldn't they attack from another direction to confuse us?"
Renjiro shook his head and said, "These are just ordinary bandits. I doubt they have enough intelligence to think of such things. If they were smart enough, they wouldn't kill villagers or kidnap girls."
Afterward, they walked north of the Village. They noticed several burned-down houses. Renjiro ordered, "Mieko, use your Sharingan to see if you can find any traces they left behind."
Mieko activated her Sharingan and began to investigate. Soon she found some footprints left behind. She said, "Teacher, I found them!"
Renjiro nodded and said, "Good job, lead the way. Kite formation, Mieko in front, me in the back. Feng Zheng and Hodaka, keep an eye on your surroundings and try to find those bandits."
The squad followed Mieko. Along the way, Feng Zheng noticed knife marks on several trees. After traveling about 3.5 kilometers north, Feng Zheng said, "Hodaka, check 500 meters to the northwest."
Hodaka activated his Byakugan and quickly said, "Teacher, I found them."
Renjiro nodded, and the group headed in that direction.
Upon arriving there, they saw a small hill with a cave.
At the entrance, two bandits guarded the opening. Each carried a sword.
They stood behind trees, completely unseen by the bandits. Renjiro sensed everything inside the cave and said, "Who wants to handle this?"
Feng Zheng quickly replied, "Me, Teacher!"
Mieko and Hodaka, who were about to answer, glared at Feng Zheng. Renjiro nodded and said, "No clones allowed. Our mission is to eliminate all of them."
Feng Zheng began to sense again. Including the two guards, he sensed a total of twenty-three people inside the cave. Then he looked at Hodaka and asked, "Hodaka, can you check for any traps? Also, what's the layout of this cave?"
Hodaka nodded and activated his Byakugan. After careful observation, he replied, "I saw a total of three traps: two behind the first and second entrances, which are basic arrow traps triggered by stepping on a wire. The third is a small pit with spikes dug in front of the second entrance. As for the layout, there's another entrance inside this outer entrance, then a large room, and three smaller caverns within."
Feng Zheng said, "Okay, thank you. Are there any people trying to hide their Chakra?"
Hodaka shook his head, and Feng Zheng thanked him.