Passing through checkpoints are often used to help travelers reach their destinations faster, acting as shortcuts through dense forest areas. Should a checkpoint ever be under control of a specific entity, it would make traveling through much more dangerous. Rikimaru keeps this in mind as he heads towards his informant.
“I’m going to wage my war now.”
“All of Gohda’s forces are weak. Including the Azuma!”
Luka's Notebooks 