"You're saying what? If the two of us go in together it's a suicide run. I don't fully know your strength, but I'll assume you're jōnin-level. You alone can beat ten jōnin? Hundreds of rogue-nin? Enough. Stop. Go into the city now. Zen-sama must be anxious for news."
"Hey, don't look down on people." Shigeo tapped her on the head.
"Fine. Who's the client, me or you? We signed a contract. You do what I order." Shion turned away, rubbing her head stubbornly.
Shigeo stopped arguing. He'd humor her for now. If Zen-sama could help, fine. If not, he wouldn't be polite. He left a bunshin to watch Shion and vanished.
Using the address, he reached a mansion in the capital. Inside the inner study an old man sat. Shigeo stepped in. "Old man, where is Zen-sama?"
"You who—assassin! Assassin—" the old man cried without asking.
Shigeo formed a Jiton (Magnet Release) restraint, bound the man, clamped his mouth, and said, "So you're Zen-sama. Listen and don't shout."
The man's eyes widened. He nodded, tearful. Shigeo handed him the letter. "Read it. A miko-sama sent this."
Released, Zen-sama opened the letter and grew pale with shock. He clutched his mouth and, gasping, finally managed to ask, "Where is the miko-sama? I'll send people to fetch her."
Shigeo narrowed his eyes. "And then?"
"She'll be brought back to the capital. Everyone expects her home. Actually nothing major happened—just a misunderstanding with Yomi-sama. With me mediating it will be resolved." Zen-sama insisted, staring at him.
Shigeo smiled coldly. "Playing for time? I only have three days. I promised Wu Mang and the others. I don't have time for drama."
He struck. One punch knocked Zen-sama unconscious. Outside alarm bells rang. Guards swarmed.
Shigeo grinned. If so, then cut the knot. He stepped outside. Jiton defenses flared. Retainers drew blades and attacked, but they were not shinobi. Repeated strikes could not pierce his Jiton field.
Shigeo vaulted the wall and shouted, "Tell Yomi: the miko-sama has returned to settle accounts!" Then he vanished into the dark.
In the city people murmured. "What? The miko-sama isn't inside?" "I thought she was in seclusion." Someone ran to inform Yomi-sama.
Outside the capital Shigeo returned to Shion. "Zen-sama betrayed you. He planned to bring you to Yomi-sama."
"What? Impossible." Shion's brow sweat. Without Zen-sama she had no ally.
"Come back with me."
Shion shook her head. "No. Your plan won't work. Going in blind is suicide. If I die my country is finished. Yomi will eventually release the mōryō. No one will stop him."
"Shion, you know what your presence means. If you stand beside me in the city, the guards will lower their weapons. If you can't believe I can do it, do you even believe in yourself?" Shigeo said, then started down the pass.
"What are you doing?" she cried.
"You're afraid. I'll go alone." He wanted her to see that her courage mattered.
Shion swallowed and stamped once. "Don't go. Let's go to Konoha. With your speed you can take me there."
"I won't." Shigeo kept walking.
"But the two of us will die. If I die, my country—"
"Then stay here." He stopped and warned, "One thing. I won't spare those soldiers who attacked me. One kills, I kill one. Two kill, I kill two."
A golden chakra flared around him. A vast aura formed a luminous corona.
"My soldiers?" Shion caught up, fists white. "All right. I'll go with you. Yomi-sama won't dare execute me publicly. But if anything happens to you, don't blame me. This is your choice."
"Nonsense." Shigeo gripped her wrist.
They moved down the gorge and toward the city gate. Torchlight painted them as they walked. Guards on the walls scrutinized the approaching pair. Someone shouted, "It's the miko-sama!"
"Why is the miko-sama outside? Open the gate!"
The gate swung wide. Shigeo kept Shion close and walked in, face steady and unafraid. Shion trembled but felt the warmth of his hand. She whispered, "I suddenly want to call you onii-san."
"Fine." Shigeo smiled and squeezed her fingers.
Two rows of guards flanked them. The captain stepped forward. "Miko-sama, why are you outside the walls?"
"Yomi-sama has betrayed me and seeks to imprison me for his own ends. I left to find help," Shion said loudly, gathering courage.
(End of Chapter)
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