"This... what the hell... is this supposed to say?"
After Amin carefully used tweezers to unfold the half-dried letter, what met everyone's eyes was a string of numbers arranged in groups of four, looking like hieroglyphics.
"This paper and ink are specially made—waterproof."
Amin said.
"These... can you understand them?"
Jiraiya asked.
Amin rolled his eyes.
"I'm just a medical examiner, not a code-breaking specialist. You'll have to ask Chief Ao about this."
Ao frowned as he carefully studied the numbers on the paper.
"These codes... sigh, Hidden Sand Village's codes form their own system, completely different from other ninja villages' coding systems. Decrypting them will probably take some effort."
Of course they formed their own system. Currently, most ninja villages' codes involved designing their own unique languages, while Hidden Sand Village's were purely numerical. Hard to figure out.
"Concentrate all ANBU forces. Within one week, I want to see the contents of this letter!"
Karatachi Yagura said decisively.
"This... yes!"
Ao hesitated briefly but still took on the task. The Mizukage's tone brooked no argument.
"One of our accompanying ANBU members, Yamanaka Inoji, is also an expert in code-breaking and cipher analysis. Why not have him participate as well?"
Koharu Utatane said.
"That would be perfect."
Karatachi Yagura smiled.
With that, the group left the autopsy room.
As they walked, Ao deliberately fell half a step behind and inconspicuously tugged at Karatachi Yagura's sleeve.
...
"What is it?"
In the Mizukage's office, only Karatachi Yagura and Ao were present.
"Mizukage-sama, our agreed time with Hidden Sand Village has arrived."
Five months were up. Hidden Mist Village had kept its promise—time to collect that one billion ryō payment.
"Mm, go tonight. If Maki pays up, fine. If he doesn't... hmph!"
Karatachi Yagura sneered coldly.
"It doesn't matter. We'll go to Yuexi Peninsula and take it ourselves."
"Mizukage-sama, are we really going to war with Hidden Sand Village?"
Ao asked.
"Is there any reason to doubt it?"
Karatachi Yagura's baby face suddenly became incredibly sinister.
"In the ninja world's struggle for supremacy, when you rise, I fall. It's always been bloody. What friendship is there to speak of? People should be realistic, or what was the point of all my years of careful planning in Hidden Mist?"
Ao was silent for a moment, then said: "Mizukage-sama... is right."
Ao looked up.
"So we're releasing Maki?"
"Release him? Did you eat too much dinner and stuff your brain? Maki has superb ninjutsu, decent strategy, and has been operating on Yuexi Peninsula for years with extremely high prestige. Letting him go would just create a formidable enemy for us."
"Then... kill him?"
Karatachi Yagura pondered.
"Better not. Leave room for maneuver—we may meet again someday. Regardless of victory or defeat in this game with Jinghang, Hidden Sand Village ultimately won't be destroyed. We'll still have to meet eventually. Keeping Maki alive gives us an excuse for later."
"Then..."
Ao was a bit confused.
Karatachi Yagura stood up and gave his final instruction.
"Don't kill, don't interrogate, don't question, don't judge, don't arrest, don't imprison, don't release."
When Ao saw Maki again, Maki was having hot pot in his guest room—a pot of boiling clear water with a few vegetable leaves floating in it.
"Maki-sama, what's this about..."
Maki smiled bitterly.
"Ah, I've been eating too much seafood lately and felt unwell, so I went to see your village's medical ninja for a checkup. And guess what?"
"What happened?"
Ao asked with concern.
"Don't even mention it—my uric acid levels are terrifyingly high. If this continues, I'll develop gout stones!"
"That serious?!"
"Exactly! So I can only eat clear-boiled vegetables, at most with a little soy sauce for dipping."
"Oh my, I didn't consider this properly."
"No, no, it's my own fault for being greedy."
...
After some back-and-forth pleasantries.
Maki suddenly interrupted: "You're here for the money, right?"
Ao felt a bit awkward.
"This..."
But Maki didn't mind at all.
"If you're here for money, just say so. What's embarrassing about it? Hidden Mist Village has fulfilled its contract on schedule, so naturally Hidden Sand Village has no reason to default. A person without credibility cannot stand."
He pulled out a scroll from his chest.
"I don't like drafts or checks. In this day and age, cash is king."
Maki unrolled the scroll, which had a large "Money" character sealed on it. Maki released the seal.
"Bang!"
Mountains of cash nearly filled half the room.
"Count it."
Maki grinned mischievously as he picked up a vegetable leaf and put it in his mouth.
Count?! By the time I finish counting this mountain, I'll drop dead on the spot!
"No need, no need. I trust Maki-sama's character completely."
"Hehe, that's hard to say. Once money changes hands, no responsibility taken."
"No responsibility needed, no responsibility needed."
Ao waved his hands repeatedly.
"Good! Straightforward! Then this matter is settled."
Maki happily slapped his thigh.
"Now then, I have something I'd like to ask of Ao-sama."
Ao's eyes flashed—here it comes.
"Whatever it is, please speak freely."
Maki cleared his throat.
"Ever since I took on this cursed position on Yuexi Peninsula, I've been busy with paperwork day and night, exhausted from running around. To tell the truth, these five months on business in Hidden Mist Village have been the most carefree time—nothing to worry about, nothing to rush around for. Every day it's just eat and sleep. Truly a heavenly life! I wouldn't trade it even for being made a village chief!"
Huh?! This... what does he mean?! This seems different from what I expected. Does he not want to leave?
This was completely beyond Ao's expectations.
"So I have an unreasonable request."
"Please, please speak."
"While Kazekage-sama isn't urgently calling me back, I'd like to linger in Hidden Mist Village a bit longer."
Hiss! Are there really such cooperative hostages in this world?! Is he mocking me?
"That's naturally no problem. How long would you like to linger?"
Ao asked tentatively.
"Let's start with four or five months."
"Mm!"
So cooperative! Even volunteering to stay! This Maki really is a fascinating character.
"Also, staying here all the time gets rather boring. I've long heard that the ocean scenery of Hidden Mist Village's various islands has a unique charm. I'd like to go out and see it."
Ao's eyes rolled as he smiled: "No problem. I'll personally arrange tour guides for you, guarantee you'll have a comfortable and enjoyable time."
"Really? Could you arrange a few..."
Maki gestured with his hands in an hourglass shape. Seeing Ao didn't understand, he said directly: "Pretty young ladies."
"Oh, hahaha."
Ao laughed heartily.
"No problem, no problem."
"There's one more thing."
Maki said somewhat embarrassedly.
"What is it?"
"I've run out of travel expenses."
"Hey, what kind of problem is that?! All your expenses in Hidden Mist Village are on me."
Ao said, patting his chest.
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