Mizukage's Pokémon Ninja Scroll

Chapter 44 Eavesdropping

"Are the people of Takumi-nin Village really that stupid?"

Zabuza, who hadn't left the house all afternoon, was somewhat baffled by this outcome.

"That's true. It's clear that most people are telling the truth. There are just a few complaints that the current chief is old and in poor health and often needs recuperation, which has led to a significant decrease in orders for the village."

"Pfft~" Jianchuan Ju couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Even as the signs of war emerge, orders are actually decreasing."

Jianchuan Tachibana shook his head speechlessly. Although Takumi Ninja Village had not experienced war for a long time.

However, every time a Shinobi World War breaks out, the major powers exert pressure on them due to supply issues. How can these villagers still be so naive and foolish?

"Perhaps some people are indeed involved in smuggling, but since such transactions do not go through villages or daimyo, they may earn more even if the price is lower, so naturally they will not bring it into the open."

"But this kind of thing will definitely be noticed by the daimyo, right? And it's easy to offend the five great nations. In the end, if they retaliate, it's Takumi Village that will suffer the most."

Mei Terumi couldn't understand this behavior at all.

"This is what we need to investigate. For now, the focus should still be on the Four Symbols Workshop."

Qing coughed lightly and gave instructions to his team members.

"Tonight's operation will be divided into three teams. Mei, stay behind to protect Mr. Shimotsuki. Tachibana and Zabuza, you two disguise yourselves and go to investigate the area around the Four Symbols Pavilion. Don't investigate too deeply; retreat immediately if things don't look good. I will infiltrate the residence of the leader of the Takumi Ninja Village to investigate before rejoining you."

"Remember, we have plenty of time. Now that we have a clear investigation objective, let's not rush things. All actions must prioritize secrecy and security!"

"Yes!" x3

Thick, dark clouds obscured the moonlight, and the sea breeze rustled through the bamboo grove outside the village.

This is a perfect night for clandestine activities.

Just a few minutes ago, when he came out of the inn, Qing Jieyin cast a Hidden Mist Technique that was enough to cover the entire Takumi Village.

At this moment, Tachibana Kanagawa felt genuinely grateful for the geographical location of Takumi Ninja Village.

It's close to the port, nestled in a dense forest, and most importantly, small enough that even a thick fog enveloping the entire village wouldn't alert anyone.

On the quiet street, Tachibana Kanagawa and Zabuza silently approached the edge of the village.

Zabuza had spent the afternoon protecting Shimotsuki Ichiro at the inn and was unfamiliar with the terrain, so Tachibana Kenkawa led the way the whole way.

Although he didn't study silent killing techniques like Zabuza, as a Hidden Mist ninja, Tachibana Kanagawa still possessed the ability to discern things in the mist.

The two nimbly leaped onto a rooftop and were about to continue when the "Danger Prediction" suddenly gave them a warning.

The hint was so subtle that Tachibana wasn't overly concerned. She simply gestured for Zabuza to stop.

Although Zabuza was somewhat confused, he immediately ducked down and hid.

Sure enough, a figure appeared at the corner of the alley the next second.

If the two of them had continued forward, they would very likely have run into this person head-on.

Before Tachibana Kanakawa could even marvel at the convenience of "danger prediction," her gaze was drawn to the person who emerged from the shadows.

The two exchanged a surprised glance.

Unexpectedly, the figure was the same Caique who claimed to be in charge of foreign trade for Takumi-nin Village that afternoon.

Moreover, the direction the other party was heading happened to be the same direction the two were preparing to go to investigate, which was Sixiangfang.

Nodding slightly to Zabuza, the two decided to abandon their plan to first survey the terrain. They decided to follow her directly to see what purpose this woman had in going to the Four Symbols Pavilion in the middle of the night.

Jianchuan Ju cautiously surveyed her surroundings. Due to the relatively remote location of Sixiangfang, there were very few houses in the vicinity.

To avoid being discovered by following too closely, Jianchuan Ju waited until Caique had walked a little further away before patting Lanzi on the shoulder and whispering.

"Lanzi, follow her from the rooftop."

Upon receiving the command, the little frog immediately leaped lightly to the top of the house in front, silently hanging behind the colorful bird.

Meanwhile, Tachibana and Zabuza cautiously followed Ran, as the little frog was only about 30 centimeters long, making it less likely for him to notice them.

Before long, the two followed each other all the way to the side of the Four Symbols Pavilion.

Seeing that Lanzi had stopped on a rooftop, Jianchuan Ju knew that Caique must have already entered the workshop.

After meeting up with Lan Zai, you can immediately see the workshop courtyard below.

A very thin young man was talking to Cai Que as they walked into the room.

After a moment's hesitation, the two decided to risk approaching and investigate the situation inside the workshop.

They then quietly crept to the window where the light was still on, and sure enough, they heard a man and a woman talking inside.

"Is that so?"

"Those Konoha ninjas today probably weren't here for the head craftsman or the smuggling. I've already read the letter they sent; it's just that a noble from the Land of Fire invited a few old guys to appraise antiques."

"We still need to be careful."

At this point, Cai Que's voice became slightly excited.

"The head craftsman is showing his face less and less these days, so let's just get straight to the point."

"Alright! Let's not talk about this anymore. We still need to keep him around to maintain relations with the Daimyo, and we also need his help to study the remaining blueprints for the resurrection of our ancestor."

"I'm just afraid that if he keeps researching, he might discover something."

"It doesn't matter, he's already old."

Jianchuan Ju outside the window never expected such a coincidence, and what she overheard was quite explosive.

It's pretty much confirmed that it was most likely something those Four Celestial Beings did to resurrect their ancestors, but unexpectedly, the skinny young man took the lead.

Judging from their conversation, it seems that not all the weapons for reviving Qingming have been completed yet.

It's still unclear how many other accomplices the Four Symbols Celestial Beings have besides the two people inside the house.

For some reason, after the gaunt young man finished speaking his last sentence, there was no further sound in the room.

Tachibana and Zabuza exchanged a glance, wondering if they should retreat first to investigate the situation around the workshop, since they had already exceeded their mission expectations for today.

Unexpectedly, when Zabuza saw the look that Tachibana Kenkawa gave him, he actually drew the short sword from his back with a "clang" and was about to get up and climb through the window into the house.

Fortunately, Tachibana Kanagawa reacted quickly and grabbed Zabuza, pulling him back.

However, the two of them were right by the window, so close that it was impossible for the people inside not to have noticed the movement.

"Who?!"

The man inside the house asked questions calmly, but Tachibana Kanagawa, who had already received a 'danger warning', was certainly not going to stand there dumbfounded.

He grabbed Ran with one hand and forcibly pulled Zabuza, who was trying to turn back, with the other. He unleashed chakra in his legs and leaped onto the courtyard wall.

"Walk!"

The last couple of chapters have been a bit bland... I hope there won't be any data loss. Any suggestions from experienced players?

(End of this chapter)