The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Chapter 199 The 'Rogue Ninja' of Takigakure

Generally speaking, it is quite normal for a ninja to defect in any ninja village. Since the establishment of the ninja village system, every ninja village has had defectors, the only difference being the number and quality. Of course, for ninja villages that are not among the Five Great Nations, the defection of a Jonin is indeed a major event.

Not to mention, the person who defected from Takigakure this time was originally a person who held an important position in the village—Mizuki.

There was a time when they were considered a contender for the leader's throne.

The defection of such a Jonin has an extremely negative impact on Takigakure.

Moreover, rumors are circulating in the village that Shuiyan has defected, allegedly forced by the current leader, Shemu, and that it involves the village's core interests.

Because of this, the young leader of Shibuki's position in Takigakure has become somewhat delicate.

In particular, before leaving, the hookah said that he would definitely come back as soon as possible to correct the village's mistakes.

This has led some people in the village to have different ideas.

If it weren't for the fact that Shibuki is the grandson of the former leader...

He has also gained the approval of the previous leader, and now he does have a group of people who strongly support him. His position as leader is no longer secure. Even so, Shiki is now feeling like an ant on a hot pan.

"Ah Jun-san, still no trace of the hookah?"

In the government hall of Takigaku Village.

Seated in the main seat, Shibuki looked anxiously at the rough-looking middle-aged man in front of him and asked in a hurried tone.

Two days have passed since the news of hookah's defection was confirmed.

In these two days.

Shibuki was suffering more than anyone else.

This situation in the village is not what Shibuki wanted to see.

"No, Chief, we have searched the entire area around the village, but there is not a trace of it."

The middle-aged man, Taki Shinobu, shook his head and said.

"How could this be?"

Shemu's face was extremely pale.

When a high-ranking official in a village defectes, the most direct way to deal with it is, of course, to capture him as soon as possible or kill him on the spot. Even if it has some negative impact, it will at least not shake the basic interests of the village or his position as leader.

But now that hookah has successfully defected, the problems that follow have become very serious.

Hookah.

That's no ordinary Takigakure.

She still holds a certain degree of prestige in Takigakure Village; otherwise, no one would have considered Suiken as one of the strong candidates for the next leader of Takigakure Village.

Now that a Jonin has defected, and it's even 'rumored' that he was forced out by the current leader, it would be strange if the village wasn't in turmoil.

This is similar to Tsunade being in power and then forcing Jiraiya to defect.

Therefore, it is quite normal for Shibuki to be questioned.

"This must be the result of help from inside the village and assistance from outside; otherwise, it would be impossible for hookah to erase all traces in such a short time."

Ah Jun spoke with a solemn expression.

As a confidant of the previous leader and someone who had received favors from the leader before that, A-Jun, although he hadn't been very optimistic about Shibuki before, now that Shibuki had become the leader of Takigakure in this generation, A-Jun was determined to fully support him.

In Ajun's view, this was an indisputable matter of principle.

"Internal and external?"

A look of great distress appeared on Shibuki's handsome face. He felt he had done his best for the village, but why were there still so many people who didn't believe in him and were unwilling to support him?

For a moment, Shibuki even wondered if taking over as the village chief was a mistake.

Otherwise, why would things have come to this point?

But this thought was quickly dismissed by Shibuki himself. Although Shibuki was young and not mature or steady enough, he was definitely not an idiot.

There is no concept of relinquishing the position of leader.

Not to mention that he had inherited the expectations of the previous leader and his grandfather.

Even for this reason, he cannot back down.

"Then intensify the search, issue a kill order, and find Shuiyan as quickly as possible. We must find him alive or dead. Also, within the organization..."

Shemu first showed a resolute look, then seemed to think of something, and a look of hesitation appeared on his face.

After taking a deep breath, just as he was about to say something next.

"Peng!"

Suddenly.

A loud bang came from outside the door.

A petite figure strode in.

"What exactly happened with Uncle Shizuka's defection from the village?! Brother Shibuki, is it really true, as the villagers say, that you forced him to leave?"

Short, blue-green hair, dark skin, and orange eyes.

This petite figure is none other than Fu, the current strongest fighter in Takigakure and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.

When Shibuki saw Fu, he first smiled.

Upon hearing Fu's words, his expression stiffened.

A young man named Taki, who followed Fu in, also showed a hint of anxiety when he heard Fu's words.

He quickly went to Fu's side: "Fu, how can you be so rude to the leader!?"

Fu seemed not to have heard the young Takigakure's words, and continued to stare stubbornly at Shibuki, as if she wouldn't give up until Shibuki gave her an explanation.

Shibuki rubbed his forehead, sighed softly, and waved his hand, saying, "Echizen, there's no need for that. Fu is like my little sister, so don't be so reserved."

Shemu's words were not just polite talk.

As someone only a few years older than Fu, Fu had always followed behind him since she was a child.

From a young age, he was taught by his elders to treat Fu as his own sister. Of course, at that time, Shibuki did not realize the importance of 'Jinchūriki'.

As I grew up, I naturally came to understand this.

But their feelings for each other were quite deep.

In addition, Shibuki was not the kind of person who had a strong sense of "official authority," and it was even less likely that he would put on a so-called leader's demeanor in front of Fu.

“Brother Shemu, I know you are now the village leader and the things you have to consider are definitely different from before, but Uncle Shuiyan is different. I just want to get a definite answer from you about what exactly happened.”

Fu tilted her head back and stared straight at Shibuki, asking in the most serious tone.

"Fu, this time it's about hookah..."

Ah Jun, who was sitting next to her, was also clearly dissatisfied with Fu's attitude.

His brow furrowed slightly, as if he was about to say something.

“Ajun-san”.

That was interrupted by Shibuki waving his hand.

Immediately afterwards.

With a very serious expression, Shibuki looked at Fu and said, "Fu, please believe me. I absolutely did not do what is being said outside. Shuiyan chose to betray the village herself. Of course, there may be some misunderstandings, but everything can only be truly confirmed after we find Shuiyan!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 200 Questioning and Anxiety

Whether for public or private reasons.

Fu and Shibuki must take this matter very seriously and cannot be perfunctory in any way. This is not only related to whether he can secure his position as the leader of Takigakure, but also to the stability of the entire ninja village.

Unlike the other five great ninja villages, which have strong Kage-level figures to support them even in their weakest periods, Takigakure has never recovered since the rebellion decades ago. The three Shinobi World Wars further damaged Takigakure's vitality.

Therefore, the importance of Fu is becoming increasingly prominent.

Takigakure cannot afford to lose Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.

Shibuki also couldn't bear the thought of Fu standing against him.

That was a devastating blow to himself as a leader.

Not to mention that Shibuki has always treated Fu as his own sister, and emotionally, he hopes that Fu can trust him and always stand by his side.

Of course, Shibuki also knew that hookah had a special significance for Fu, since Fu had completed a lot of training with hookah by her side since childhood.

They are not the kind of indifferent strangers.

"Can I really trust you, Brother Shibuki?"

Fu stared intently at Shibuki, her voice unusually low.

Shibuki nodded solemnly and replied, "Of course, Fu, I swear on my ninja way that everything I said is true, and as long as Mizuki-san is willing to turn back, everything can be discussed again."

"Okay, then I'll trust you, Brother Shibuki!"

Fu looked at Shibuki very seriously, and after a short silence, she nodded firmly and said.

"Then, Brother Shemu, I'll leave Uncle Shuiyan's matter to you. If you find Uncle Shuiyan, please tell me as soon as possible. I also want to ask Uncle Shuiyan in person why he went to such lengths. Is there something we can't talk about properly?"

Fu seemed to have regained her previous cheerful demeanor, and spoke with a very determined expression.

"Yes, don't worry, Fu. I will notify you immediately once I find Shuiyan-san."

Seeing that Fu had clearly accepted his explanation.

Shibuki's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, immediately relaxed. What he feared most was that Fu would resist him and be unwilling to believe him, which would be a disaster for him.

"Then I'll head back now. Today's training program isn't finished yet. Oh, right, Master Shibuki, is Grandpa Satoru feeling any better lately? Tell him he absolutely must come and watch me train if he has time. He promised me last time, but he hasn't come in a long time. Tell him that if he doesn't come soon, I'll pluck all his beards next time we meet!"

Before getting up to leave.

Fu seemed to have thought of something.

He turned his head to look at Shibuki, who was sitting at the head of the table, raised his right hand, clenched it slightly, and shook it gently as he spoke.