Chapter 16: Abandon worthless compassion!
Murano Jihei.
He was the mayor of Sakura Falling Town and the client for their mission.
He was once the wealthiest man in Sakura Falling Town.
However, all of that changed after those bandits appeared.
"Lord Jihei! The Konoha Ninja have arrived!"
Led by a scrawny old servant, Yuhi Shinwa and Fujiwara Tetsuya finally met Murano Jihei.
Unlike the townspeople, Murano Jihei's complexion was remarkably rosy.
Clearly, as the mayor of Sakura Falling Town, even after most of his wealth was plundered by bandits, Murano Jihei's life was still quite comfortable.
"Mr. Murano, hello! I am Konoha Jonin Yuhi Shinwa, and this is my disciple. We will be completing your mission request this time."
"A Jonin?"
"How reliable!"
"Then, I'll leave the matter of clearing out the bandits to the two of you!"
Was it Fujiwara Tetsuya's imagination, or not!
Under his gaze, a strange smile seemed to flash across Murano Jihei's face, as if he was calculating something.
"Mr. Murano, don't worry! We'll handle this! However, before that, we need you to tell us everything you know, such as their numbers, their stronghold, the number of hostages, and so on."
"Everything? Alright! I will tell you truthfully!"
Murano Jihei's wrinkled brows furrowed high, as if he was deep in thought. After a full ten seconds, he finally nodded heavily.
"Yuhi-sensei! Murano Jihei just now, I'm afraid he wasn't telling the truth."
"My intuition tells me that this old man seems to be hiding something!"
In a secluded part of the town, Fujiwara Tetsuya leaned against a cherry blossom tree, quietly gazing at the scattered petals at his feet, then his gaze fell upon Yuhi Shinwa.
His face showed a hint of worry.
The Ninja World!
Could there also be things like the Will of Heaven here?
Or, was it that old fool, Six Paths, who noticed his identity as a Transmigrator?
Did he set up a trap for him right after he left the Novice Village (newbie village)?
Did he want to eliminate him?
Based on all he had seen in his previous life!
Fujiwara Tetsuya had already developed mild paranoia.
"Oh! Tetsuya, your perception is truly sharp!"
"Murano Jihei is indeed hiding something!"
"However, that's not important. In the face of absolute strength, any schemes and tricks are nothing but paper tigers!"
"As long as he can afford the bounty for a C-rank mission, that's enough for us!"
Although Yuhi Shinwa had just shown Murano Jihei full courtesy, it was clear that, deep down, the proud Lord Yuhi Shinwa still looked down on Murano Jihei, this small mayor.
Just as Fujiwara Tetsuya was about to press further, *Swish!*
Two figures instantly appeared in front of Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Mikoto, Konoha Ninja! You've returned!"
"Besides the location and number of the bandits! Have you investigated any other useful information?"
When the mission was mentioned, Yuhi Shinwa's expression immediately became much more serious.
"Yuhi-sensei! I'm sure you've already learned enough about the bandits from the client, so I won't elaborate further."
"However, there are two points that both Konoha Ninja and I are extremely curious about."
"More than ten years ago, during the First Ninja War, a group of Rogue Ninja appeared around Sakura Falling Town, causing trouble everywhere! However, these people suddenly vanished after the First Ninja War ended."
"A few months after that, Murano Jihei appeared in Sakura Falling Town and quickly took over the position of mayor, which hasn't changed in over ten years."
"Rogue Ninja, huh?"
As he murmured, Yuhi Shinwa's eyes gradually became serious.
The difference between ordinary bandits and Ninja is completely two different concepts.
If Ninja are involved this time, then this mission will need to be elevated to at least a B-rank level.
"So, Mikoto, you suspect Murano Jihei is connected to the Rogue Ninja from over ten years ago?"
"That's right! To be precise, I suspect Murano Jihei was one of the Rogue Ninja from over ten years ago."
"Alright! It seems this matter is more complicated than we imagined!"
"Continue!"
Rubbing his forehead, Yuhi Shinwa already felt a sense of exhaustion.
Beating around the bush was not his strong suit.
"Also, Konoha Ninja and I found traces of Ninjutsu near Sakura Falling Town! Although they were deliberately cleaned up and evaded our eyes, Konoha Ninja's insects sensed them."
"After restoration, the Ninja who fought were at least Chunin level, or even above Chunin."
"Yuhi-sensei! The enemies we face this time might not be simple!"
Indeed!
None of the Ninja who survived to adulthood in Hokage were useless.
Uchiha Mikoto!
Is her mind really this meticulous?
Looking at Uchiha Mikoto's slender back, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes flickered.
As for the danger level of the mission.
Fujiwara Tetsuya didn't take it too seriously.
With Yuhi Shinwa here!
To utterly defeat them! These Rogue Ninja would need at least an Elite Jonin-level Ninja to step forward.
In the Land of Fire!
Such a possibility is undoubtedly extremely low.
"Alright! I understand!"
"We'll know the specifics once we go to where those bandits are holed up!"
"If there isn't, then that's naturally for the best!"
"If there is, after we clear out these bandits, we might need to have a good talk with Mr. Murano."
Patting the fallen cherry blossoms off his body, Yuhi Shinwa slowly stood up.
Clearly, he was greatly displeased with Murano Jihei's actions.
A mountain forest about ten kilometers north of Sakura Falling Town.
The highest point was only about seven or eight hundred meters.
However, because of the scattered peaks and dense jungle, it could be considered a dangerous place.
Of course, this was for ordinary people.
Because that group of bandits had settled there, the desolate peaks, which usually had some activity, became increasingly quiet.
In the evening.
In the leeward side of the foothills, several bonfires suddenly lit up.
Amidst the howling mountain wind, the bandits' roars, women's soft sobs, and children's pleas echoed continuously through the mountains.
"These damned bastards!"
At the top of a giant tree not far from the bonfire, hidden by the shade, Uchiha Mikoto's single tomoe Sharingan had appeared at some point.
Her scarlet eyes, illuminated by the night moon, exuded boundless coldness.
Glancing at the beautiful girl beside him, Fujiwara Tetsuya shrunk his neck and silently prayed a few words for the bandits in the distance.
"Mikoto! You will command this battle!"
"Tetsuya, Konoha Ninja! You two will follow Mikoto's orders!"
"Tetsuya! This is probably your first time experiencing bloody slaughter between people! As your teacher, I'll give you a piece of advice!"
"As a qualified Ninja! One must abandon meaningless compassion!"
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