ALL NOVEL Chapter 103: Elder Mizuno
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"Haha, I've finally awaited your arrival, Shirogane-san."
At the agreed location, Shisha's face lit up with joy as Menma stepped into view. His confidence in breaking the contract and dealing with Amegakure's forces rested entirely on Menma's backing.
Shisha had done his homework. After countless exchanges and meticulous investigation, he was certain of Menma's identity. To him, it was indisputable: Menma was a member of the elite ninja unit under the Fire Country Daimyō—one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Though Shisha didn't know every detail, he understood this much—the Fire Country, the largest of the Five Great Nations, had resources and influence unmatched by smaller nations. While the Daimyō's personal guards weren't on par with the shinobi of the Hidden Villages, their strength far surpassed that of minor villages like Takigakure.
With such powerful support, Amegakure wouldn't dare commit significant forces against him. Shisha felt untouchable.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting," Menma said with a composed smile, his youthful face calm as he approached. "I hope Shisha-san doesn't hold it against me."
"Not at all, not at all, Shirogane-san!" Shisha waved a hand dismissively, his excitement barely contained. "Your presence here is more than enough. I take it Daimyō-sama has agreed to my proposal?"
"Of course," Menma replied smoothly, his smile unwavering. "If His Excellency hadn't approved, I wouldn't be here. But Shisha-san," Menma leaned forward slightly, his tone growing firm, "let me remind you—once this plan is realized, Takigakure is not expected to pledge absolute loyalty to the Daimyō. However, in certain matters, His Excellency's word will be final. Do we have an understanding?"
"Naturally, naturally," Shisha said, nodding eagerly. "His Excellency's support is an honor I wouldn't dream of taking lightly. As I've said before, should the Daimyō call upon me, I would scale mountains of blades or cross seas of fire to answer his summons!"
Menma chuckled, waving off Shisha's exaggerated pledge. "No need for such theatrics, Shisha-san. His Excellency won't demand the impossible. After all, you understand what he expects, don't you? Some matters will fall within your jurisdiction, and others will require your compliance. That's how partnerships work, isn't it?"
Menma's relaxed demeanor made Shisha trust him even more. To Shisha, the best lies were the ones buried in nearly complete truths. And the terms Menma offered were so reasonable, so logical, that Shisha couldn't see a single flaw.
As a former senior member of Takigakure, Shisha understood the delicate power dynamic between a nation's Daimyō and its shinobi village. It was only natural for a figure as powerful as the Fire Country's Daimyō to harbor ambitions of greater control over his village.
The offer was mutually beneficial, Shisha reasoned. Even if complications arose, they'd only become relevant once he solidified his leadership over Takigakure. By then, he'd have the resources and influence to handle whatever the future brought.
"Haha, you truly know how to put my heart at ease, Shirogane-san!" Shisha laughed, waving off Menma's warnings with practiced nonchalance.
Unbeknownst to Shisha, Menma had been stringing him along from the start. Menma's true goal was far more sinister—he intended to plunge Takigakure into chaos, ensuring that when the dust settled, he'd be the one standing in the shadows, pulling the strings.
"So, how is our situation progressing?" Menma asked, his friendly smile fading into a serious expression. "I trust Shibuki has taken the bait?"
"Everything has gone perfectly, Shirogane-san," Shisha replied, puffing his chest with pride. "Before you arrived, I played my final hand. Shibuki is none the wiser. Nearly a hundred of his most loyal shinobi have been deployed elsewhere. For the next few days, he's vulnerable, with no meaningful defenses left. This is the perfect time to strike."
Menma's eyes gleamed briefly as Shisha continued.
"I've also convinced Fū to stand down for now. With Shibuki distracted and his forces spread thin, the balance of power has tipped decisively in our favor. Takigakure is mine for the taking!"
Menma nodded approvingly, his expression unreadable. "Excellent. Since everything is proceeding as planned, there's no need for further adjustments. My team and I will act as requested when the time comes. Consider the matter handled."
"Haha! I knew I could count on you, Shirogane-san!" Shisha beamed, his confidence swelling.
"Allow me to congratulate you in advance, Leader Shisha," Menma said, a faint smile returning to his lips.
The compliment inflated Shisha's ego further, blinding him to the faint glimmer of amusement hidden in Menma's eyes.
Everything was in place. All that remained was the final push to topple Takigakure's fragile balance.
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Three forces converge, yet four players stand on the stage.
A vast cloud of shadows gathered, darkening the skies above Takigakure. It spread slowly, unnoticed by the village's inhabitants, their attention fixated on Shisha's recent betrayal—an event already sowing unease among the shinobi ranks. But this was merely the beginning. Neither the civilians nor the ninja realized the true danger looming over them.
Not even Shibuki.
The young leader paced in his office, his brow furrowed with worry as he awaited word from the search party.
Two days earlier, Fu had sent an urgent report: Shisha had confronted her, attempting to abduct her. She had fought him off, but as she moved to apprehend him, he was rescued by an unknown force. Fu, ever vigilant, had called for reinforcements. Without hesitation, Shibuki dispatched a second team, led by Ajun, to join the pursuit toward the southwest.
To protect Fu further, he had assigned additional shinobi to guard her at all times. Though she was one of Takigakure's strongest kunoichi, it was better to err on the side of caution.
But these measures came at a cost. The village's elite ninja forces were stretched thin, leaving Takigakure vulnerable. Yet, Shibuki—preoccupied with Fu's safety and Shisha's betrayal—remained unaware of the precarious position he had created for himself.
His inexperience as a leader was beginning to show.
The shadow creeping over the village deepened.
A sharp knock at the door snapped Shibuki from his thoughts. A Takigakure shinobi stepped in, saluting briskly.
"Lord Shibuki, Elder Mizuno has regained consciousness," the ninja announced.
The young leader blinked in surprise. "What? Elder Mizuno? Are you certain?" His tired eyes flickered with a spark of hope.
"Yes, my lord," the shinobi confirmed. "The Elder has requested your presence immediately."
Relief washed over Shibuki. Elder Mizuno, though frail, had been a source of wisdom and stability for the village. Without him, Shibuki had felt the weight of Takigakure's leadership pressing on his shoulders, growing heavier with each passing day.
"Take me to him at once," Shibuki ordered, quickly following the ninja out.
They made their way to the elder's residence, a small but well-kept house on the western edge of the village. Outside, a medical-nin stepped forward to greet them, bowing deeply.
"Lord Shibuki," the medic began, "Elder Mizuno has regained consciousness, but his condition remains fragile. Please keep your visit brief. He requires rest."
"I understand. Thank you, Gumu-san," Shibuki replied, his tone softening.
The medic nodded and stepped aside, allowing Shibuki to enter the house.
Inside, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs and ointments filled the air. It was bittersweet—a reminder of the elder's fragile state.
Mizuno lay propped up against a stack of pillows, his once-vibrant face pale and lined with age. His eyes, though dimmed, turned toward Shibuki as the young man entered.
"Ah… Shibuki," the elder said, his voice weak but steady. "You've come."
"Elder Mizuno!" Shibuki rushed to his side, kneeling beside the bed. "I heard you'd awakened. Are you—"
"Spare me your worries, child," Mizuno interrupted gently. "I have little time to waste on pleasantries."
Shibuki fell silent, bowing his head in respect. The elder studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"Your eyes betray you, Shibuki," Mizuno said finally. "You carry the weight of this village on your shoulders, yet you let fear guide your every step. Tell me—do you think this is what your father envisioned for you?"
Shibuki flinched as if struck. "I… I'm doing my best, Elder," he stammered.
"Your best?" Mizuno's voice, though faint, carried an edge. "Your best means nothing if it's guided by doubt and hesitation. Takigakure cannot afford a leader who questions his every decision."
Shibuki's hands clenched into fists. "But Shisha—"
"Shisha is a symptom, not the disease," Mizuno cut him off sharply. "His betrayal was inevitable. You should have seen it coming. Yet here you are, scrambling to protect Fu while leaving the village exposed. A leader must think beyond the immediate threat."
The elder's words struck Shibuki like a blow. He lowered his gaze, ashamed.
"I… I thought I was doing the right thing," he murmured.
Mizuno sighed, leaning back against his pillows. His stern expression softened slightly.
"You are young, Shibuki. You will make mistakes—that is unavoidable. But a true leader learns from those mistakes and grows stronger for it. If you cannot rise above your fear, then Takigakure will fall."
Shibuki swallowed hard, nodding. "I… I understand, Elder."
Mizuno gaze lingered on him, piercing despite its cloudy haze. "Do you?" he asked quietly. "Or are you simply saying what you think I wish to hear?"
The question hung heavy in the air. Shibuki opened his mouth to respond but found he had no words.
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