With Muui's support, Kin stepped out from behind the carriage curtain once more.
He looked every bit the frail young noble—if only his ghostly mask weren't obscuring his face.
Ahead stood a two-story inn.
"Once you've reunited with your team, you can submit your request to us. Muui will remain by your side in the meantime," the Kusagakure ninja leading the group said to Kin.
Until they saw the money, the Hidden Grass Village wouldn't lightly accept any mission. Small villages like theirs had to be cautious—what if this was a scam?
"I have no issues with that."
Behind the mask, Kin's expression was unreadable. The ninja paid no mind to the mask; it didn't affect anything.
"Then, Mr. Muui, I'll leave it to you," Kin said to the young man, who was roughly his height and age.
"Haha, don't worry, I'll take good care of you," Muui replied, scratching his head.
In truth, he was here to keep an eye on Kin, ensuring he didn't try to deceive the village and flee.
Kin studied Muui closely—his handsome face, long black hair, and the standard Kusagakure uniform.
So this is Muui, the one who'll later unlock the village's treasured Box of Ultimate Bliss?
I didn't expect to meet him here.
"The rest is up to you, Muui," the lead Grass ninja said with a nod before vanishing in a puff of smoke, leaving a few leaves fluttering to the ground.
"Could you arrange my lodging?" Kin asked with a smile.
"Oh! Right!" Muui snapped to attention. "This way, Mr. An."
The inn was clearly designed for visitors like Kin.
Kin stepped into the room prepared for him. It was tidy and looked almost brand new, as if it had never been used before.
Pushing open the window, he let the breeze rush in, ruffling his hair.
Muui burst into the room instantly.
Kin tilted his head. "Is something wrong, Mr. Muui?"
Seeing that Kin was just enjoying the wind, Muui forced a smile. He'd rushed in upon hearing the window open, fearing the worst.
"Just wanted to check if everything's to your liking."
"It'll do."
Kin turned his gaze outside. "If you don't mind, Mr. Muui, why not join me for some fresh air?"
Muui scratched his head awkwardly but walked over to the window.
From here, the entire village was visible at a glance.
"Mr. Muui, has Kusagakure relocated before?" Kin asked curiously.
After a moment's thought, Muui answered truthfully, "Yes. There's a much larger village outside, but the elders haven't decided to move back yet."
"Is that so?"
Kin observed the flow of people in the village, his eyes settling on a small building where ninjas came and went.
"What's that place?" He pointed into the distance.
Muui followed his finger, and his expression darkened with discomfort.
"That's the village's medical ward. Injured ninjas go there for treatment."
"I scraped my hand on the journey. Could I get it treated there?" Kin raised his thumb, which was visibly misshapen—a result of his own doing.
"Sorry, that's exclusively for village ninjas. We can't treat outsiders," Muui refused without hesitation.
"Fair enough."
Kin's gaze lingered on the building. Injured ninjas entered, only to emerge fully healed.
With few wounded at the moment, the flow of people soon ceased.
Muui hesitated, wondering if he should close the window—those inside weren't meant to be seen.
But Kin shut it himself.
"Mr. Muui," he said, turning to the Grass ninja. "Do you think people in Kusagakure are happy?"
Muui actually pondered the question. Happiness wasn't something he'd ever felt here.
The village preached sacrifice for its sake, and many worked tirelessly for it. But who truly felt happy? It was just the way they'd been raised.
"Sorry, Mr. Kin. That's not something I can answer."
"I see."
Shirone wrapped a bandage around her arm, the ointment applied but unable to fully conceal the deep bite marks.
She took a deep breath.
Years in this village had left her arms nearly devoid of unmarked skin.
How much longer can I last?
"How pitiful."
A voice suddenly echoed in her small room.
Shirone sighed and pulled her collar down, exposing her pale shoulder.
"My arms are done. You'll have to bite here."
She braced for pain, but none came. After a long silence, she turned.
In the dim light stood a tall figure, his black oni mask even more menacing in the gloom.
"Are you here to take me away?"
Tears streamed down her face as she sat on the floor.
All she wanted was to survive—why was it so hard?
Now Death himself stood before her.
Her country, her family, everything was gone. She had nothing left but herself, and even survival seemed impossible.
"Waaah—!"
She broke down sobbing.
Kin watched silently. The red-haired girl looked slightly older than Kushina, dressed in simple white like a prisoner.
No one came to check on her. Eventually, Shirone's cries subsided into sniffles.
"I'm not Death," Kin reminded her.
Her tears slowed as she stared at him wide-eyed.
"Then… are you here to bite me?" She pointed at her unmarked shoulder.
Kin chuckled.
"No. I'm here to steal you. Your abilities are useful to me."
"You're not from Kusagakure?!"
Realizing he was an outsider, Shirone opened her mouth to scream—but wooden tendrils wrapped around it first.
"Shh." Kin pressed a finger to his mask where lips would be. "You don't want to die here, do you, girl of the Uzumaki clan?"
She nodded frantically. She'd come to this village precisely to avoid death.
"Then stay quiet."
Darkness pooled at Kin's feet, swallowing them both. Shirone's eyes filled with terror as the shadows consumed her.
When the darkness faded, the room was empty.
Dark Release! Flying Thunder God! Transfer!
The next day.
"What?! The tool is gone?!"
The entire Hidden Grass Village erupted in fury.
Their medical tool had vanished!
...
Read 50 advance at patreon.com/CNBLUE
(End of Chapter)