"We sent out five groups," Ayuan said. "Only hoped one might get the message through. Four were ambushed. The one that brought me by water was chased the whole way, never allowed to land. Guards and rogue-nin died along the route."
"Following the water south, we entered the Southern Sea. Then… an attack struck the ship. They chased us down. I had heard of Sky Country. It was too late for Konoha or the other villages. So I sought the Sky Ninja for a mission. I didn't care if they were evil or good. I just needed help."
She was young, but her will was firm. Earlier she had wept, but now her face shone with resolve.
"A mission?" Shigeo's eyes lit up. "What mission?"
Her words fell like a shooting star across Minami no Kuni's sky, sparkling. Shigeo felt hope ignite.
"A protection and counter-kill mission," Ayuan answered, staring at him.
Shigeo hid his excitement, put on a grave face. "Protection I understand. Counter-kill?"
The girl fell silent. She clenched her fists, then glanced around the ninja village. Shaking her head, she turned away. "Didn't you say you'd send me away? I don't have much money. You don't need to escort me. Just give me a boat."
She pulled a pouch from her waist and held it high.
"You insult us? We may not be Sky Country. Minami no Kuni has no renown. Few outside even know we exist. But we are no weaklings. Speak. What task do you want?" Shigeo hurried after her, ignoring the pouch.
"You…" Ayuan studied him carefully. No forehead protector. Few shinobi in sight. Aside from two guards at the gate and three in the office, no others.
The economy seemed poor. Could such a village really help her? Yet what choice did she have?
This land was shrouded in mist. Leaving, even reaching the Land of Fire, might be impossible.
"You would accept my commission? This is nine-deaths-one-life. You don't even know what you'll face. It's not ten shinobi, or a few dozen guards. Are you sure?" Her eyes fixed on him, trembling with doubt.
"Of course. You are our first external client. I'll give my all," Shigeo said, pounding his chest.
"Then we'll follow formal procedure." Without waiting, he scooped her up and rushed back to the office.
He sat her in his chair, unrolled a scroll, and laid brush and ink before her. "Please. Write your request."
The three aides watched, astonished. "Chief, what is this?"
"From today, no more fishing idly! This young lady, Ayuan of Marsh Country, will hire us. I'll earn money for the village. Don't worry. Even if the outside learns of Minami, they'll never find us. So I will accept!" Shigeo brimmed with energy. His aides sweated.
"Chief, your paperwork is unsigned," Jinshi groaned.
"I'll sign now—"
"Tomorrow morning, the founding of Minami City's school. You must cut the ribbon," Hongyan said nervously.
"I'll send a Mokuton Bunshin (Wood Clone). It will also strengthen the barrier and scan three hundred li around," Shigeo replied cheerfully.
"Chief, in three days you promised to test the new shinobi at the academy," Wu Mang reminded.
"No problem. I'll be back!"
Ayuan shook her head. "Three days? Impossible. The boat won't even clear the sea in three days, let alone complete a mission. So I can't write this request."
The three aides exhaled in relief.
But Shigeo pushed the ink closer. "Don't worry. If I promise, I'll do it. Write."
His eyes were icy, unwavering.
That look—his aides knew it well. Once, as guards of Wuwang City, he had forged them into jōnin with a year of hellish training. Every time they said they couldn't, he looked just like this. None could resist.
Ayuan's hand trembled. Then, almost against her will, she wrote the mission contract.
Shigeo seized the great seal.
Thump! He pressed a red stamp down.
"This contract is in force. Tomorrow, we sail for Marsh Country!"
…
The next day dawned bright. At Minami no Mura's port, a wooden vessel waited. Hongyan had taken Ayuan aboard early, reminded her to be careful, then stepped off.
The ship set off. Firecrackers boomed for luck.
Ayuan gazed around. "Elder, the shinobi aren't aboard. Why did you set sail?"
The old sailor laughed. "Don't worry, girl. We'll stop at Minami City's port. They'll board there."
Half an hour later, the ship moored at the great city's harbor. Towers rose grand, far beyond Minami no Mura's scale.
Another volley of firecrackers. Then Shigeo boarded. The ship left again.
Ayuan frowned, scanning. "Where are the other shinobi?"
"What other shinobi? Only me," Shigeo replied.
(End of Chapter)
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