If they kept searching and refused to give up, sooner or later the five great villages would definitely find this place.
The so-called Sky Nation might carry the name of a country, but in truth? It didn't even have enough ninja worth showing off. If the Five Great Ninja Villages joined forces and attacked, the civilians who had finally survived this long would all become sacrifices.
Since Shigeo had already agreed to stay here, no one was allowed to turn this land into a battlefield.
He looked out over the endless sea, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. Then he released the paper in his hand. The document spun in the wind like a falling leaf, rose for a moment, then dropped into the ocean, soaking through and vanishing.
Dusting off his hands, he turned back toward the village.
"Village Chief, you're back! Look—over there, that's the office and residence we built for you. Everything inside is ready: daily necessities, bedding, even candles. You can move in tonight. These days you've had to sleep outdoors, what a grievance!"
They pointed toward a wooden house built on a hillside. While the rest of the people still had no permanent homes, they had prepared a dwelling for him first.
"Thank you. But I won't stay tonight—I have business on the mainland. For now, supplies aren't lacking. Just stay here on the island and don't go out to sea."
He couldn't allow this place to become a battlefield. Since the mastermind's target was him, then he would go deal with it personally.
Fire Country, Daimyō's Capital – a small inn.
The first floor was a dining hall, the second floor guest rooms. At the staircase railing on the second floor, the noise from below carried up.
"Have you heard? Iwagakure has already called on the Five Great Villages to unite and capture Shigeo. Word is that tomorrow ninja from every village will head to the south of the Land of Rivers. But an ANBU leak says Wu-Wang City has vanished. Truly worthy of being called the Sky Nation—an entire city, just moved like that!"
"Moved or not, so what? A den of thieves like the Sky Nation can still be found!"
"Exactly. Shame we're not ninja, otherwise we'd join in and see the fun of punishing Shigeo ourselves."
"That criminal deserves death! A thousand cuts wouldn't be enough!"
"Wait—oh no, the Third Princess is going to jump from the tower!"
The moment people were loudly cursing Shigeo, someone rushed in and shouted.
The entire inn erupted. Everyone surged out, hurrying toward the grand Daimyō's castle. Shigeo went with them.
The capital of the Fire Country was steeped in tradition, its buildings antique in style. The Daimyō's residence was built around a famous ancient tower: a massive stone wall rising four stories high, topped with a two-tiered pavilion, tall and majestic.
On top stood a young woman in white, long hair flowing wildly in the wind.
On the other side, a tall, gaunt man with a fan stuck in his hair—the Fire Country's Daimyō—looked up at her anxiously. "Daughter, don't be rash! Father will have Shigeo captured to avenge you. Don't throw your life away!"
Below, the people shouted curses, as if Shigeo were the vilest villain alive.
Standing among them, Shigeo frowned. Clearing my name may be troublesome, but it has to be done. Let's start here.
That hidden bastard had sent challenge letters to the villages and Daimyō residences, then disappeared. And the one left behind to wipe up the mess? The supposed culprit himself.
Well, this mess had to be cleaned, because it stuck right to his backside.
With a body-flicker, Shigeo appeared atop the tower.
He sat casually a short distance from the princess, pulled out a bag of salted peanuts, and held them out. "Princess, want some peanuts?"
She turned in surprise to see a handsome young boy lounging there. Shaking her head, she murmured, "I've already come this far… what face do I have left to eat anything?"
Staring down at the crowd below, she shouted, "Shigeo! Even as a ghost, I won't forgive you!"
Then she leapt.
Protective ninja rushed forward, but none were faster than the boy sitting nearby. In a flash, Shigeo caught her in midair.
Hovering rather than returning to the wall, he held her steady. She stared wide-eyed, beginning to struggle. "Why save me? Let me die!"
"Princess, I've been falsely accused of robbery, abduction, and worse—and yet I still live. Why throw your own life away?"
He arched a brow at her, then turned toward the crowd and raised his voice.
"Everyone! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shigeo of Konoha, the one who only days ago saved tens of thousands in the Sky Nation, who slew the witch Hagure and the Zero-Tails!"
His voice boomed like thunder, heard by all gathered in the square below.
"What? He claims to be Shigeo? But he's just a child!"
The people erupted in confusion. Someone unrolled a wanted poster and compared the likeness, frowning and shaking his head.
"Princess, look carefully—was it really me that night?" Shigeo gently turned her to face him so she could see clearly.
She studied him, then shook her head firmly. "No. That man didn't look like you. He was an adult."
"See? Not me. Someone framed me. And really, would I ever issue war challenges to the Five Great Nations? Am I suicidal? Obviously someone's trying to drive a wedge between me and them. Everyone, you heard the princess yourselves—don't believe baseless rumors. And as for those ridiculous posters—look at me! With my fine features and lovable face, how could I be that monster?"
He smiled faintly, then set the princess gently back on the wall.
Guards surrounded her. The Daimyō hurried up, stopping ten meters away. His eyes were full of unease, as though looking at a monster.
"So you are Shigeo… the one with seven tailed beasts sealed inside?"
"Yes, Lord Daimyō. But I swear, those war declarations weren't mine. Please, see clearly." His gaze was sharp, his tone firm.
The Daimyō waved his hands. "No, no—I never fully believed it was you. Clearly, someone orchestrated this for a purpose. As for what they want, I don't yet know. But since you're the one involved, I hope you'll uncover the truth quickly. Once you do, I swear as Daimyō of the Fire Country that I will proclaim it to all, and clear your name."
Shigeo's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then I'll thank you in advance, Daimyō."
(End of Chapter)
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