—What exactly is that thing?— a Samurai asked with a cautious stance, his hand poised to draw his weapon in a single, lethal movement.
His eyes, hidden behind the finely crafted helmet, were fixed on the suspicious iron and wood contraption that Takeshi and his group were attempting to bring into the capital of the Land of Birds.
—An ice cream cart, Mister Samurai— the young Yuki explained calmly. The man snorted, ordering the group to follow them without resistance while other samurai examined the "ice cream cart".
—Ladies, I need an explanation or I won't be able to let you pass— the Samurai said as he led the adults to a room. Karin and Takeshi were taken to another, where an intimidating man awaited them.
Takeshi almost rolled his eyes. He could understand the caution and all that, as this world was too dangerous, where assassins dominated almost everything except politics.
But that didn't justify the silly act these Honorable Warriors were putting on.
—Boy, tell me about those Onee-San and that monstrous carriage— the stout, grim-faced Samurai ordered.
Takeshi slowly took out a bag and placed it on the table. The man, without changing his stern expression, picked it up and glanced inside before tossing it behind him.
—Are you here to cause trouble for this Nation or its Daimyō?— the man continued his interrogation.
Takeshi took out another bag and threw it onto the table. The man took it again and tossed it behind him.
—No one crosses these gates without proper identification, young man. You better start talking now or you'll never leave here— the Samurai threatened in a cold voice.
Takeshi tossed a third bag which the man caught mid-air.
—You may enter. We will be watching you— the Honorable Samurai decreed, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
—Thank you for your hospitality, Samurai-Dono— Takeshi nodded with a shaky smile, internally cursing the cost of entry to this pigsty of a city.
Karin, who was watching without understanding anything about the situation, was taken by the hand by Takeshi and dragged out of the facility.
Upon leaving, they met Yumi and Kimiko, the former with a frown and the latter with palpable killing intent emanating from her body.
Takeshi didn't bother asking what had happened. It was too obvious, but luckily, they had enough money to avoid having to force their way in and having to wander all the way through uninhabited areas.
As pleasant as the natural and untouched environment was, they still needed to travel to big cities to get essential hygiene products, spices, and other elements of vital importance.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be any different from the beggars that Kimiko and Takeshi once were in their early years.
The group drove their carts through the bustling streets, inevitably drawing attention because of the metal contraption Yumi was driving.
The Uzumaki couldn't help but blush, unaccustomed to being the center of attention in this way.
It didn't take them long to find a good inn with enough space for their eight horses and the enormous ice cream cart. The price for one day and one night was insane, almost making Takeshi spit blood.
The dual Kekkei Genkai bearer had to reconfirm the money he had left, and a sense of frustration washed over him.
They were almost out of funds!
Despite not consuming many things, Takeshi hadn't earned any money for half a year, and his savings had vanished between rescuing Yumi and Karin, building that ice cream cart, buying the horses, and the kind incentives to enter the big cities.
He started to regret not going to find the Uzumaki girls himself, but he couldn't afford to attract much attention right now.
Being a Kekkei Genkai bearer was already a problem in this world, but being a rogue one multiplied it.
Worse still, one like Takeshi was a very juicy piece of meat. He didn't want to get involved in chases while he had two non-combatants with him.
He could afford it with Sunagakure because that village would never reveal such a secret. First, they wouldn't admit that a child humiliated their Kazekage, twice. Second, they wouldn't request his capture or anything of the sort, as they wanted his bloodline for themselves.
—What's wrong, Takeshi?— Kimiko asked, entering his room with a curious look.
—Hmm, we're out of money, Mom. I think you should take a look at the Daimyō's palace— Takeshi said thoughtfully.
Kimiko's face lit up and a slight smile appeared on her lips. It had been a while since they had looted the nobility for money, a strategy Takeshi had taught the silly, spoiled Princess Yuki after she learned how to enhance her physical capabilities with chakra.
—Fufufu, I understand, dear. Leave it to Mom— she nodded, leaving the inn immediately to begin her investigation.
***********************
—The brat has entered the capital— a White Zetsu clone announced to the Akatsuki pair resting in a clearing.
The song of a sea of birds filled the surroundings, doing justice to the name of this small Nation.
—What else have you discovered about him?— Kakuzu questioned in a husky voice.
—Aside from that he can create ice penises and still sleeps with his mom, not much— Zetsu shook his head, indifferent to Konan's grimace at the vulgar language.
—Hasn't he run into any more shinobi on his journey?— Kakuzu questioned again.
—He has not— Zetsu lamented with a sigh, internally mocking both Akatsuki members.
Konan shot a significant look at Kakuzu, and both continued on their way, ignoring the White Zetsu who was complaining about their bad manners.
In the kunoichi's mind, this was nothing more than another mission to fulfill the dream of her partner and friend. But for Kakuzu, this represented a bit of entertainment in his long and bloody life.
Because Zetsu gave them a sketch of the brat they were looking for, and it turned out to be none other than the same contractor he had interacted with almost a year ago.
A Yuki? He wasn't aware of that. A dual Kekkei Genkai bearer? That was indeed a surprise.
His mind couldn't help but turn to one of his targets in his long career as a bounty hunter. A weakling, his bounty insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but who left a deep impression on the rogue Taki-Nin.
That one had been a bearer of the strange Dark Release.
He remembered how the man had tried to drain him of chakra, only to discover that his reserves compared to Kakuzu's were laughable.
But Zetsu's information was slightly different. It spoke about how the boy interrupted a Ninjutsu launch by absorbing the Kazekage's chakra.
Kakuzu wondered how different this Meiton bearer would be. Despite his long life, this would be the second one he had ever encountered.