"Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!"
Hundreds of Shigeo appeared, surrounding the townsfolk in the center to block incoming attacks.
The civilians, who had already seen some of their companions die, finally realized that they, ordinary people, were no match for the guards and kimen-jin (demon-masked ones).
"Who told you to come? Didn't we agree to wait until tomorrow morning to plan? Are you all insane?" Shigeo shouted furiously at Elder Bu, who was clad in battle armor, holding a long spear.
"Better broken jade than intact tile. I fear if we wait until tomorrow, we won't even have the chance. We've endured enough!" Elder Bu's face was trembling with fury.
Meanwhile, all around, the ninja had already been captured by the city guards' chakra nets, many of them becoming prisoners.
"Do you see now? Even the ninja aren't their match. Do you think you can do it? Retreat, retreat immediately!"
Shigeo knew—if the ninja themselves couldn't beat Uyouka, then for now they could only bide their time.
Of course, he could have simply gone all out and killed the yōjo (witch), but… what about Wu Qianling? What about her real mother? What about Elder Bu's family? Could he really ignore them all?
And most importantly—when the kefatsu hitogawa (hair-ghost skins) appeared earlier, he felt as though Uyouka herself had already withdrawn.
It was the same yesterday in the castle hall: he remembered clearly using Katon (Fire Release) to burn her hair, even hearing her shrill scream. Yet afterwards, she reappeared on the throne, proud and untouched.
Shigeo realized—Uyouka's true body could shift among the hair-ghost skins. Without pinpointing her real form, it was impossible to kill her.
But before he could figure it out, another argument broke out: Shigeo wanted everyone to escape through hidden tunnels, but Elder Bu and the civilians insisted they would rather die in Wuwang City, and if they had to hide, it would only be in the shelters.
"Damn it, am I not making myself clear? Uyouka has already angered the Five Great Villages—this place will soon be a battlefield. Hiding here is useless!"
"Then we'd rather die than leave!"
Sometimes civilians were simply stubborn! Outnumbered, Shigeo could only respect their wishes. At least, for now, the priority was to get them off the streets.
Then, using Kaifūin no Jutsu (Unsealing Technique), Shigeo tore open a crack in the barrier above Wuwang City, giving the ninja a chance to escape.
"Don't let them run! Full pursuit!"
Uyouka's focus shifted—kefatsu senshi (hair-ghost warriors) began blocking the fleeing ninja. Because of this, the townsfolk who had risen up gained more time to retreat.
"Emergency retreat, head for the shelters!" Shigeo announced.
"Why? We should press the advantage, rescue the true City Lord and the young lady, and reclaim Wuwang City's control!" someone shouted angrily.
"With what? Even if that yōjo has left the city, Shinno still guards the castle. We don't even know where the real City Lord is imprisoned, or how many hair-ghost warriors remain inside. Charging in blindly is nothing but suicide!"
Shigeo sometimes really admired their hot-bloodedness.
"If victory could be won with stubbornness alone, would you still be suffering until now?"
That one sentence silenced them all.
Everyone withdrew. Since Shigeo had the secret underground maps, he led them to the western shelter.
Elder Bu, meanwhile, led other townsfolk door-to-door, urging everyone to evacuate.
From the rooftop of the cliff castle, Shigeo looked over Wuwang City, feeling trapped in an unsolvable dead end.
Uyouka—he couldn't kill her, yet letting her live was intolerable. Wu Qianling still worried for her mother and refused to leave with him. And Elder Bu's family—were they doomed to be sacrifices?
Shigeo clenched his fists. He wasn't willing to give up!
Now, he had to ask Wu Qianling—maybe she held a clue about the hostages.
Using Kūkan Idō (Dimensional Shift), he reappeared inside her luxurious chamber.
But as soon as he arrived, he saw guards escorting Wu Qianling out. He transformed into one of them with Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and followed quietly.
They marched in silence, dragging Wu Qianling all the way to the underground vault.
There, she was thrown before a woman.
It was the yōjo Uyouka herself—face grim, fists clenched tight, Shinno at her side.
"If not for Shigeo, we wouldn't be forced into this rush. We should have waited until all hair-ghost warriors were ready—then starting the war would be in our favor. Now our secret's out. In two days at most, the Five Villages will know. By then, Wuwang City will only be surrounded!"
Shinno sneered, "Don't worry, City Lord. We still have Wu Qianling and her mother. The mother's half-dead already, but Qianling is still intact. With her power, no matter how many shinobi the Five Villages send, we'll slaughter them all.
Besides, why wait for them to come? Why not strike tonight?"
"Tonight?" Uyouka blinked, surprised.
"Of course. Once she activates the secret treasure, my Kūnin (Sky Ninja) will move immediately!"
Disguised as a guard, Shigeo nearly lost his composure. So—that was the plan. Uyouka and Shinno were conspiring to provoke a war, dragging all of Wuwang City's civilians into it as sacrifices!
"Fine. I'll make her activate the secret treasure now!" Uyouka hissed, grabbing Qianling and dragging her toward the elevator.
Shinno followed closely. Shigeo kept up as well.
But at the elevator, Uyouka suddenly glared at him and barked, "Out!"
She hadn't recognized him—only noticed that of all the guards, only he had followed. Shigeo lowered his head and stepped back.
The three entered the elevator, descending even deeper underground.
Shigeo slipped into a deserted corridor, then melded into the walls with Doton: Iwagakure no Jutsu (Earth Release: Hiding in Rock Technique), tailing them silently.
After descending the height of seven or eight floors, the elevator stopped. Uyouka dragged Qianling out. Shigeo watched from within the stone.
The hallway was empty—no more guards.
After walking some distance, the passage suddenly widened.
Before them stretched a vast, snow-white underground chamber.
(End of Chapter)
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