"You seem quite confident, Tazuna. I do remember you were a bit different when we first met," Alex says with a grin. "I like the change. So let's go over the plan."
"Heh, it's all because of you! I was losing workers due to intimidation and other circumstances. You saw me at my lowest—drinking just to make it through the day. Honestly, you did a miraculous job… If it weren't for Gato planning his next move and hiring rogue ninjas, I wouldn't even think about trying to hire those greedy Konoha ninjas!" Tazuna explains.
"Anyway, my plan is a bit tricky to pull off… Are you aware of how Konoha—and generally all ninja villages—conduct their business?"
"Not really," Menchi answers half-truthfully, even though she knows a bit already.
"You request their help, pay, and they dispatch ninjas… right?" Alex asks, clearly catching on to what Tazuna is hinting at.
"Of course, you're right. However, the price and actual mission rank depend on a few factors. I can't afford to hire ninjas for a B-rank mission. I can only pay for a C-rank, and even that's expensive—especially since I'm asking for bodyguards who'll stay at least a few weeks. A B-rank mission that lasts that long would cost so much, we'd never be able to afford it. Even the C-rank is a huge gamble. It'll leave us totally destitute," Tazuna explains.
"I still don't see the problem. You get weaker ninjas if you pay for a C-rank instead of a B-rank?" Menchi asks.
"It doesn't work like that. You have to truthfully explain what the mission is really about. A C-rank mission gets you more or less experienced Genin or rookie Chuunin. But if I admit that hostile ninjas will likely get involved, the mission will be classified as B-rank, I can guarantee it. See, I can't decide the mission type—these Konoha administrators are the ones who decide the classification. It's to protect their own, and to make sure they don't assign teams to something they can't handle."
"So we lie… or more accurately, we pretend to be dumb. I mean, Gato hasn't sent ninjas in the past, so it's not really a lie, right? Gato mostly sent thugs," Alex argues.
"That's the angle… and what I'll truthfully claim. But it's still a gamble. Ninjas aren't saints or heroes. If they realize the mission is above the C-rank they were told, most of them will just abandon it or ask their village for replacements—which means the village will ask for more compensation, unless they believe I outright deceived them, in which case I'll be in huge trouble," Tazuna admits.
"We don't have a choice… so I guess we'll have to try your strategy," Alex says, backing him up.
"Yes! I'm glad you agree. Anyway, we've eaten, our supplies are ready, and my colleague will give us a ride to the mainland. Thankfully, Konoha isn't too far. If we hurry, we can make it there by tomorrow. Trying to do it in one day is reckless, so how about a stop in Shukuba Town?"
The pleasure town… Menchi and Jewel won't be happy… but they probably don't know!
Rejected! Jewel will not allow her Soulmate to visit this filthy place!
"Ah, it's that kinda town… It's honestly not too bad. Usually, places like that feel liberating," Menchi notes with a grin.
"It's a pleasure town—hotels, inns, restaurants, bars, gambling dens, brothels in all forms. It's a good hiding spot. We won't attract attention there," Tazuna says seriously… though Alex can see through the shallow act.
Oh, come on, old man. Your country's future is at stake, and you're still thinking about that kind of stuff? I don't get why people are obsessed with whores. If I know a woman's been with multiple guys that same day, or even right before my turn, I just can't get excited. That's nasty. That's literally the only reason I stayed a virgin for so long!
"Dad, you can't be serious! I know that look! You should be ashamed!" Tsunami scolds her father, her voice surprisingly loud.
"An old man's gotta have some fun too! Don't be like that, Tsunami!" Tazuna replies, foolishly admitting his intentions.
"I'm not lying when I say I have no interest in that place, but it's a good cover. Also, nothing will happen anyway. Remember, Jewel is the biggest cock blo—... forget what I was saying. Let's just find an inn, sleep, and move on," Alex says, trailing off as he suddenly feels a certain spider climbing onto his back and lovingly massaging his neck with her legs.
Does Soulmate like Princess Jewel's tender massage? ❤️ She will do it for the ends of eternity, so Soulmate should not even think about checking out Peasant whores, that would simply be incomprehensible, right?
I'm really not interested in that place, Jewel… I know you can feel that it's true.
Indeed, Soulmate is telling the truth, which is why Princess Jewel has opted for a tender instead of a forceful massage. ❤️
"No need to argue, let's do it like you planned, Tazuna," Menchi decides.
"Grandpa… please be careful," Inari says, clearly worried.
"Yes, Father… I'll be expecting your safe return. Alex, Menchi, Jewel—you too," Tsunami adds sincerely, doing her best to stay composed.
"Don't worry," Alex replies with a grin. "I have a feeling we'll be fine."
The group leaves Tazuna's home, carrying only their prepared supplies—not enough to slow them down however.
As promised, one of Tazuna's workers has prepared a boat, giving them a ride along the route beside the unfinished bridge.
"I've gotta say, Tazuna, that bridge is really impressive. Especially with the fog—it looks almost surreal. You could be a rich man if you weren't so damn patriotic. An engineer and builder of your level would be welcomed in every single nation," Alex comments.
"Heh, money… what good is money?" Tazuna asks, clearly a bit bitter.
This guy's a total drunk jerk in the official canon… I guess the setting's slightly different, maybe because of our appearance. Anyway, he's got a good heart. Willing to lie to Konoha and risk his life for his people.
It takes a while for the group to cross the water. Once on land, they follow a nearby road, making their way toward Shukuba Town.
"You know, it wasn't a problem until now, but your clothes are kinda out there. Especially yours, Menchi…" Tazuna says, slightly blushing. "Also, giant spiders aren't exactly common pets. You're the only one who looks fairly normal, Alex. Though, despite your best attempts to hide it, I can tell there's heavy armor under those clothes. It's not too weird, but it clearly tells people you aren't a ninja—which makes you look weak. So right now, we're attracting attention without actually looking strong."
"Hehe, so what if someone tries to rob us? Might actually be a good thing. If we rob them in return, we might earn enough to afford a real B-rank mission," Alex says, a clear malicious tone in his voice.
Robbing robbers actually sounds like a great idea. It's basically them handing us their money.
I just hope someone's actually dumb enough to try it.
A couple hours later, Alex finds himself staring at ten armed thugs, carrying swords, spears and various other weapons. Unable to believe his luck, Alex grins like he's just found a treasure chest overflowing with gold, his smile twisting into something nearly demonic.
I guess LUK really is a cheat stat.
"Boss! This one's mentally deficient! He's actually smiling! Either he lost it or he's insane!" one of the robbers yells.
"Ignore that idiot! You there! The old man," the leader shouts.
"You talking to us, huh?" Tazuna asks, completely casual.
"Who else?! I only see you two around—hand over your belongings and we'll spare you! You've got until three… one… two—"
"Three!" Alex says with a smirk, casting his new spell Blizzara, the upgraded AoE version of Blizzard, targeting the whole group.
A massive wave of frost explodes outward from Alex's hand, an ice crystal forming mid-air before detonating in a swirling storm of cold, tearing into the bandits with surprising force.
"NINJA!" One of them screams in panic.
Nimbus Cloak effect activates – Increasing Evasion by 5%, and Movement Speed by 40%
You have dealt 54 damage to bandit leader.
You have slowed bandit leader.
You have dealt 51 damage to bandit.
You have slowed bandit.
You have frozen bandit.
You have dealt 61 damage to bandit.
You have slowed bandit.
You have dealt 61 x 3 = 183 damage to bandit.
You have killed bandit.
...
The spell hits every single one, slowing and damaging the entire group. Some bandits even end up fully frozen, rendering them unable to move.
Alex snickers. "That's it… thank you for your kind donation, dear bandits."
One of them trembles, his body stiff from the cold. "KILL HIM! He can't win alone!"
"Who says he's alone? Silly robber," a female voice echoes from behind. The bandits whirl around—just in time to see knives flash faster than their eyes can track, their heads separating from their bodies in an instant.
A few of the remaining thugs, including the leader, attempt to flee—but Jewel appears in their path, her spear technique striking with terrifying precision. Her legs pierce straight through their bodies.
Jewel has dealt 31 damage to bandit.
Jewel has killed bandit.
Jewel has dealt 27 damage to bandit.
Jewel has killed bandit.
"MONSTER!! Stay away!" the leader screams as Jewel channels Nen, focusing her Aura into a single leg before stabbing straight through his heart.
She's using Ko!
Jewel has dealt 97 x 3 = 291 damage to bandit leader.
Jewel has killed bandit leader.
Alex smiles, spotting a few chests that have just dropped. "Good job, girls. Looks like LUK really is on our side."
Meanwhile, Tazuna stares at his three bodyguards in shock, unable to believe this is what they are capable of.
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