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In the hazy morning sky, a gentle spring rain fell, its droplets pitter-pattering onto the ground and gathering into countless trickling streams that flowed swiftly across the surface. Along an ancient path strewn with cherry blossoms, rows of pink sakura trees lined both sides. The stone steps of the path were carpeted with fallen petals, which were carried away by the rainwater rushing through the cracks between the stones. The mingling scent of flowers and rain permeated the air, filling the mountain valley with a serene yet melancholic aroma.
Amidst the drizzle, the sound of footsteps echoed intermittently—tap, tap, tap—against the cobblestones. From afar, a carriage emerged faintly through the mist, slowly making its way along the ancient path.
This sight was peculiar in the shinobi world, as ninjas could travel far faster than any horse-drawn carriage. Yet, at the same time, it wasn't entirely unusual. Though this was a world dominated by shinobi, their numbers were still relatively small compared to the general population. Nobles and wealthy individuals often relied on carriages for transportation, so such vehicles weren't uncommon. What made this particular scene odd, however, was the driver of the carriage.
Sitting at the front of the carriage was a rugged middle-aged man with a scruffy beard, his face fierce and intimidating. He wore a red shirt and had two katana strapped to his back. Most notably, a white ninja tool pouch hung from his waist—a clear sign that he was a shinobi. However, no forehead protector adorned his brow, indicating that he was a wandering ninja.
A shinobi driving a carriage? That was indeed a rare sight in this world. Just then, a somewhat gloomy voice emanated from inside the carriage: "Third Brother, pick up the pace! We don't have much time!"
The second voice chimed in, "What Second Brother said is true. Dealing with those guard-nin drained too much of our stamina. Now isn't the time to take things slow—we need to hurry. Even though the carriage is slower than a ninja's speed, every bit of rest counts. First Brother and I need to recover our strength and chakra quickly! That daimyo will surely hire ninja to pursue us. If he calls upon ninja from one of the Five Great Nations, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"Understood, Big Brother, Second Brother," the burly, rough-looking man replied gruffly before urging the horses to move faster. Inside the carriage, two men sat cross-legged. One was rather stout, with a brutish face, tiny eyes, and an ominous aura—he was the one who had first spoken, referred to as the Second Brother.
The other man appeared more ordinary, his demeanor calm and composed. However, the jagged scar running across his face and the occasional flash of ferocity in his eyes betrayed his inner nature, which was anything but tranquil.
These two, along with the rugged man driving the carriage, gave off an unmistakably menacing vibe just by their appearances. And rightly so—they were no ordinary folk. These three were notorious rogue shinobi, infamous for kidnapping people and frequently hired by daimyos or high-ranking officials to eliminate political rivals or key figures from enemy nations. Occasionally, they also hunted down missing-nin from smaller villages in exchange for bounties.
Each of them possessed the strength of jonin-level shinobi. Though they couldn't compare to the elite jonin of the Five Great Nations, their ruthless methods and cunning tactics earned them a fearsome reputation in the shinobi world. They were known as the Ghost Shinobi Triplets, their brutal reputation striking fear into the hearts of many.
Despite their notoriety, these three were smart enough to avoid provoking stronger nations. They stuck to operating in smaller countries, never daring to challenge the might of mid-tier or major powers. They rarely accepted underground missions issued by such nations, which allowed them to survive comfortably and even thrive in recent years.
This time, they had been hired by the daimyo of a small country called the Land of Mountains to kidnap the daughter of the opposing nation's daimyo—the princess of the Land of Sakura.
The Land of Sakura was also a minor nation, aptly named for its abundance of cherry blossoms. Beautiful sakura trees grew throughout the land, and the country enjoyed peace and stability. Its economy and resources ranked among the top tier of smaller nations, making it a target of envy for many others.
While the great nations waged wars on massive scales, known as the Shinobi World Wars, smaller nations engaged in conflicts of their own. Though these skirmishes paled in comparison to the grand battles of the larger nations, war remained cruel regardless of scale, claiming countless lives.
The Land of Sakura did have a hidden ninja village, but its size was minuscule, and the quality of its shinobi varied greatly. Their combat abilities were inferior not only to those of the Five Great Nations but even to several smaller villages. Despite the nation's prosperous economy and abundant resources, its lack of military power left it vulnerable in the shinobi world—a classic case of having wealth without the means to protect it.
In the past, the Land of Sakura had rarely been drawn into wars, leading its daimyo and higher-ups to believe that developing their ninja village was unnecessary. Maintaining a shinobi force required vast expenditures, and the immense power of shinobi posed a potential threat to the stability of a small nation like theirs. Fearing that strengthening their ninja forces might disrupt their long-standing peace, the Land of Sakura opted to invest little in developing their village.
The ninja village itself was established during the chaotic aftermath of an earlier era, modeled after similar institutions in other nations. Nowadays, its sole purpose was maintaining domestic law and order—it was utterly incapable of engaging in warfare against foreign shinobi. Comparing it to the police forces of another era versus modern armies would reveal how laughably inadequate it truly was.
However, over the years, the nation's rich natural resources—particularly iron, ore, and timber, essential for crafting tools and weapons—had been discovered, attracting countless merchants to settle within its borders. Its breathtaking scenery created a booming tourism industry, drawing affluent visitors from far and wide. Additionally, the country's extensive network of rivers and lakes provided abundant waterways and fisheries, further fueling its economic growth. Like a rocket, the nation's prosperity skyrocketed, surpassing even some mid-tier nations. Such a resource-rich and economically advanced yet militarily weak nation naturally drew the covetous eyes of others.
Even some mid-tier and major nations began to take notice. However, launching a war against the Land of Sakura risked triggering a chain reaction, given the complex web of alliances and rivalries among the greater powers. For now, they hesitated. Meanwhile, petty squabbles between smaller nations were dismissed as inconsequential—this world was home to countless countries, and daily skirmishes barely registered on the global stage.
Inside the carriage, aside from the two men, a beautiful young woman sat bound and gagged in the corner. She was none other than the daughter of the Land of Sakura's daimyo—Princess Yurika Goto, the very target of the Ghost Shinobi Triplets' mission.