Shigeo recognized those blood-red, slit pupils at once.
They belonged to the Ketsu-no-ike clan (Blood-Pool clan). Their eye was called Ketsuryūgan (Blood Dragon Eye). In genjutsu it rivaled the Uchiha's Sharingan. Members of that clan rarely walked the shinobi world. Almost no one even knew they existed.
He never expected that on this vast sea—against astronomical odds—he would meet one.
She used genjutsu, trying to frighten the boy to death. It failed. He did not flinch.
"What's happening? Why… why like this?" the woman wailed. Blood tears streaked from her eyes and hung on her face like twin red rivulets. The Ketsuryūgan burned with haunted hatred. "Why? Why is this happening?"
She lunged, kunai stabbing for Shigeo over and over, murderous intent filling the air. She had nothing else but desperate fury.
"I don't fall for Uchiha genjutsu," Shigeo said. "Do you really think you can trap me?"
Her eyes bulged. A bitter smile tore her lips. "We, we — my husband and I — will die by your hand. I can't die satisfied. Why aren't you trapped? Why?"
She dashed forward heedless.
"Because you don't know enough." Shigeo slipped aside. His kunai flashed out. She attacked wildly. He struck true.
From the instant her genjutsu failed she knew: today was her death. She charged without tactic, seeking a fierce end.
Perhaps it was Mokuton (Wood Release) chakra or his mirror sensing system. Whatever the exact cause, Shigeo remained clear-headed. He did not waste time analyzing why. He doubted he would meet another Ketsu-no-ike in the future.
He dumped the two bodies into the sea. At the cabin hatch he called, "All clear. Come out."
The helmsman and Ayuan crawled up. Shigeo handed the oars back. "Go below and stay put. The channel at the barrier's mouth surges. Wait until noon when it's calmer. We'll depart then."
"Understood, onii-san. Stay safe!" the old man called.
Ayuan stood puzzled. Shigeo scooped her up. "Hold tight."
He bent space and reappeared outside the capital of Marsh Country in an instant.
Ayuan gaped. "This… this is the Marsh capital?"
"Yes. Now tell me. Who do you want to counter-kill? Whoever it is. Remember, we don't do wanton cruelty. Our contract is clear. No wrongdoings off-contract." Shigeo shaded his eyes and scanned the horizon.
Ayuan's eyes shone with tears and relief. Then she grew grave. "I hid things from you. My country… I wasn't honest at first because I didn't trust you. Now we're here I can't hide anymore."
She expected the voyage to take at least half a month. Apart from the time spent at sea, they had essentially teleported. She hadn't believed such ability existed.
"So you lied," Shigeo said. "If a client deceives me, I can void the contract." He was serious. This was Minami's first external commission; he treated it strictly.
"I'll pay double. I'll pay twice the contract."
"Small lies sometimes pass," Shigeo allowed, half-smiling. "Tell me. What did you hide?"
Night fell. Nightingales cried in the wood. Ayuan's voice trembled. Tears fell. Her fists were clenched with resolve.
"I'm not from Marsh Country. I'm from Oni no Kuni. Two months ago my mother died sealing the mōryō. She left me at six…"
Ayuan broke down. She choked out that she had been imprisoned by a man named Yomi, who claimed he would 'raise her as his daughter' and force her obedience. She escaped when one of her mother's retainers freed her and they fled by waterways to summon help—then the rest happened.
Hearing this, Shigeo's expression tightened. The girl known to him as Ayuan was really Shion, princess of Oni no Kuni. Ten years from now the mōryō would rampage, and a priestess would seal them at great cost. The timing matched. "Yomi" was the man who years later would release the mōryō.
He had been planning a decade ahead. He groomed Shion from childhood so he could use her later. Evil calculation.
"My mother's loyalists rescued me. We fled to seek help, but then the attack happened. I'm sorry I hid my identity and my true situation. The people of Oni no Kuni don't know I've left the capital. Returning will be dangerous. Can you really do this?"
From the first moment she assigned him the task she had doubted him. He could arrive anywhere in an instant. But could he defeat Yomi's retainers? Her trackers and killers were jōnin and deadly. The swordman and the woman who had just pursued them were clearly hired killers.
"You'll see if I can," Shigeo said. "Move. We go."
He lifted Shion. In an instant they were on a ridge outside the Oni capital. A straight mountain pass led down to the sealed gate. The city blazed with lanterns. The gates were shut. Ramparts bristled with guards.
"Will the mōryō appear?" he asked to gauge the stakes.
Shion shook her head. "No. My mother sealed them. Only small spirits remain. Don't fear them. If anything, they should fear you more than you fear them." She pointed at the city. "Wait here. If you can get in, deliver this letter to Lord Zen. He might have a way to deal with Yomi."
Shigeo blinked. "Wouldn't it be simpler to enter the city with me?"
(End of Chapter)
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