38: Grudge

Grudge

1"Welcome to the home of the Ryokucha, exalted ninja."

All of the elders nodded as the team entered. Seeing them arrive gave them some hope in a time of great uncertainty. After all, Konoha ninja always tended to fix their problems.

Cupping his fists, Jiraiya slightly bowed.

"Elders of the Ryokucha family, we've done some investigating over the last few hours, and managed to find some clues. Do you perhaps recognize this object?"

As Jiraiya's words trailed off, Jun walked to the front and took out the ring, showing it to the elders. Once they all had a look, Jiraiya continued.

"This was found in the room of one of the missing girls… There were clear signs of a struggle."

"This… This ring is proof of one's identity as a Wagarashi Samurai!"

The elders looked at each other with surprised faces… Although the Wagarashi family was underhanded with their methods, they never thought that they could stoop this low.

"As I thought…."

"Then again, it might be a setup… We don't know for sure if it really was the Wagarashi family. Do you know anyone who may have a grudge with them?"

Hearing Jiraiya's question, the elders sighed. There were just too many people that the Wagarashi had a grudge with.

"Jiraiya-dono, I'm sorry to say that if that were the case, it would be almost impossible to pinpoint them…"

"Is that so...? In that case, we can only suspect them. Tonight, we'll infiltrate the Wagarashi castle and attempt to get to the bottom of this. Don't worry, we won't get detected or cause any trouble."

Jiraiya looked towards Jun and Nozomi. With the technique he showed in training, and her Byakugan, it would be a piece of cake.

Not to mention that Jiraiya was a master of infiltrator himself, having entered countless female-only bath-houses, undetected.

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That night, when most people inside the Wagarashi castle had fallen asleep, four figures appeared out of thin air.

Hidden by the darkness, they silently walked across the outer wall until the night guards came into their view. From the looks of it, they were both taking a nap.

Raising his hand, Jiraiya stopped. Looking behind him, he did a few signs with his hand as Minato and Jun nodded, disappearing.

A split second later, they reappeared near the guards and silently knocked them out. Seeing this, Jiraiya signaled for them to continue inside.

After reaching the entrance, instead of going in, they jumped on the roof and Jiraiya nodded towards Nozomi, who activated her Byakugan and looked inside the castle.

"There's a hall similar to the one in Ryokucha castle. Inside, some people are having a meeting... Apart from that, most people are sleeping… Also, there's a section behind that hall that my eyes can't see through… It's very weird."

Speaking in a hushed voice, she quickly drew the layout of the castle on a small piece of paper and showed the rest. Seeing it, Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.

"It must be some sort of seal… If the Byakugan can't see through it… There's definitely a ninja among them, and a strong one at that."

As he said that, Jiraiya turned towards Jun.

"Jun, it's your turn. Try to gather as much intel as you can."

"On it."

Forming a one-handed 'ram' seal, Jun merged into the castle and silently made his way to the hall, according to Nozomi's layout. After a while, he reached it and was greeted by the sight of four men sitting around a table.

"Elders… Our time of prosperity draws near… After tonight, we shall become the rulers of this land!"

The one who spoke seemed like the lord of the castle. He was a middle-aged man with short brown hair. Hearing his words, the elders raised their cups and drank happily.

"Once Onigetsu-sama is done with the sacrifice, the land of tea shall enter a new era… the era of Wagarashi!"

'Sacrifice...?'

Jun furrowed his brows... What were they talking about?

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