In Hanaki's view, Hattori was a very peculiar person.
Though he looked young, like a newly graduated Genin from ninja school, his strength was remarkable.
To know just how impressive, consider Hanaki's personal guards—handpicked elites who could hold their own even when outnumbered by dozens. But even these elites were utterly powerless when ambushed by assassins targeting him.
Just when he had lost all hope, Hattori, the person he had initially dismissed as a mere Genin, had saved him.
Reflecting on the scene moments ago—the dense mist and the brief sight of the "Mist Demon"—Hanaki realized that this world was nothing like he had imagined.
In his eyes, Hattori had become a mysterious figure.
Seeking both answers and safety, Hanaki decided to befriend Hattori and hire him as his protector. Although the cost was a bit high, for someone like him, money was just a matter of extending his hand to obtain it, right?
Exchanging something he could so easily acquire for the protection of a powerful, enigmatic figure seemed like an absolute bargain!
Besides, this strong figure treated him as a friend, even offering a discount to protect him, which filled Hanaki with a sense of satisfaction.
"So this is what friendship feels like? Not bad at all!"
Thinking this, he glanced at Hattori, who was sitting next to him in the carriage, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Hattori, I meant to ask earlier, what brings you to the Land of Wind?"
"To make money!"
Hearing Hanaki's question, Hattori half-jokingly replied without hesitation.
"Life in Sunagakure is tough. Before, we were at war, so it was just survival. Now that the war's over, I want a better life, so I came here."
"Uh…"
Hanaki was briefly taken aback, then burst out laughing.
"Haha, I didn't expect such a powerful ninja like you would have it rough back in the village. So, how did the war go? Did you win?"
"Yeah."
Hattori nodded, repeating the story he'd given the guards at the city gate.
"Konoha got scared of us, so they paid reparations and formed an alliance. Iwa also paid for a peace treaty. Kirigakure, though…they refused to submit, so…"
"So their Third Mizukage was killed by the 'Flame Salamander'!"
At that, Hanaki couldn't contain his excitement.
"That's amazing! I heard that Sunagakure has three heroes: the genius puppeteer 'Sasori of Red Sand,' 'Scorch Release Pakura, and finally the strongest of them all—the 'Flame Salamander'!"
"…"
Hearing this and seeing Hanaki's enthusiastic expression, Hattori paused for a moment before responding slowly.
"That's outdated news. Among those three, 'Sasori of Red Sand and Scorch Release Pakura have gone missing, and the 'Flame Salamander' has left Sunagakure."
"What…how?"
Hanaki's eyes widened at this revelation. "Do you know where the 'Flame Salamander' went?"
"I do." Hattori nodded and pointed at himself. "Right here!"
Hanaki: "╭(°A°`)╮"
Are you kidding me?
Seeing Hattori claim to be the 'Flame Salamander,' Hanaki was stunned, then broke into laughter.
"Hahaha, come on, Hattori, you're strong, I'll give you that, but you're nowhere near the 'Flame Salamander'!"
His eyes sparkled with admiration as he continued.
"The 'Flame Salamander' defeated the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and killed the Third Mizukage. Not even the Legendary Sannin could match him! So he should look like this!"
As he spoke, Hanaki pulled out a scroll and unfurled it, revealing a portrait.
The man in the portrait was burly, dressed in white robes with a white cloth around his head, wearing a Sunagakure headband, and bearing a massive scar that slashed diagonally across his face—a fearsome figure.
Looking at the portrait, Hattori blinked.
"Who is this?"
"The 'Flame Salamander,' of course!" Hanaki gave him a strange look. "Aren't you from Sunagakure? How can you not recognize him?"
Hattori: "(ω`)"
I swear, I've never seen this guy before!
Watching Hanaki carefully tuck the scroll away, Hattori decided not to say any more and closed his eyes to rest.
But just as he did, Hanaki's voice sounded in his ear.
"Um…Hattori, I never asked you, that companion of yours, the one you called the 'Mist Demon'…what is he, exactly? Is he really…that?"
Hattori raised an eyebrow. "That?"
"You know…" Hanaki put on a fierce expression, "that!"
Hattori: "(ω`)"
Which one?
Seeing that Hattori truly didn't understand, Hanaki bit his lip, glanced around, then leaned in close, whispering:
"You know…a ghost!"
"Pfft…"
Hattori couldn't help but burst out laughing, accidentally spitting on Hanaki, then laughing even harder.
"A ghost? How could that even be real? You actually believe in that stuff, Hanaki? Hahaha…"
Hanaki: "(Д*)"
Wait, it's not?
Seeing Hattori laughing, Hanaki couldn't help but blush. Wiping the spit from his face, he asked again:
"If it's not that…then what is it?"
"A puppet!"
With that, Hattori pulled out a sealing scroll and tossed it to Hanaki.
"Here, this is it!"
"Ah!"
Hanaki fumbled with the scroll before finally catching it, glancing worriedly at Hattori.
"So, the 'Mist Demon' is in here? It's really just a puppet? Not…that?"
"…"
Seeing Hanaki's reaction, Hattori rolled his eyes, taking the scroll back and unsealing it right in front of him.
With a "poof," white smoke rose, and a puppet, snow-white and wielding dual blades, appeared in the carriage before Hanaki's wide eyes.
"It's…beautiful. This is the 'Mist Demon'?"
"Yeah."
Seeing Hanaki's amazement, Hattori smiled and turned to the puppet.
"Mist Demon, greet my friend!"
At his command, the 'Mist Demon' puppet spoke.
"Many foes, all slain in one strike!"
"Gasp…"
Hearing the puppet's voice, Hanaki's eyes widened in shock.
"He…he can speak? Can puppets talk?"
"Ordinary ones can't, but the 'Mist Demon' is special."
Hattori shook his head and pointed at the puppet beside him.
"It was crafted by the founder of puppetry, Monzaemon. A rare treasure, one in a million. But…"
He turned back to Hanaki, a determined glint in his eye.
"But since you're my friend, I'll give you a chance. For the right price, the 'Mist Demon' can be yours. Name it."
Hanaki: "()"
(End of Chapter)