Hearing Genji's words, Yuto blinked, secretly thinking to himself.
This old fox had already considered Kinoshita Jiro a dead man. The next head of the Kinoshita Clan had probably already been chosen.
Yuto shrugged. "I never said I'd spare Kinoshita Jiro's life. It's just that there's something he's more suitable to do. Besides, soon enough we might need the Kinoshita Clan's strength."
"To use the Kinoshita Clan's power? That's not a problem. But since their clan head just became a rogue ninja, they may not be so willing to serve wholeheartedly."
A flicker of amusement crossed Genji's face, but he didn't ask what task Yuto intended for Jiro. He knew well enough what questions should and shouldn't be asked.
"Heh… reputation is the easiest thing to change. Whether he's a rogue ninja of the Mist, or a hero of the Mist—for Kinoshita Jiro, what difference does it make now?"
Yuto chuckled as he looked at Genji.
Genji froze for a moment, then realization flashed in his eyes, and he too began laughing.
Whether rogue or hero, Kinoshita Jiro's fate was already sealed. But whether he died branded a traitor or hailed as a hero—that would make all the difference for his clan.
For a moment, two sly laughs echoed down the street, like the cackling of foxes.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from ahead.
As the figure rushed past Yuto and Genji, he suddenly froze.
"Ah! Ge… Genji-sama!"
The figure stopped at once and bowed deeply to Genji.
"Oh, little Yurii, off on another mission?"
Genji regarded the young woman kindly.
Yuto, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow when he saw the familiar figure. Wasn't this Ringo Ameyuri?
"Yes, Genji-sama. I just received a B-rank mission."
Ameyuri lowered her head, answering respectfully.
Genji chuckled. "Don't let this old man keep you. Go quickly and finish your work."
Ameyuri lifted her head, about to speak further, when her eyes suddenly fell on Yuto at Genji's side. She froze.
"Well now, it's been a while, Miss Ringo Ameyuri."
Yuto smiled lightly, grinning at her.
Her face instantly soured. From the way Ao had treated this young man before, it was clear he wasn't ordinary.
Now, seeing him walking alongside Genji, the meaning was even clearer. Could he be the Daimyo's son?
The thought made her heart sink further. That brat Haruna had stuck him with a meal bill, and she herself had even secretly tipped him off.
Would he hold a grudge over that?
"Genji-sama, I'll be off!"
Ameyuri said quickly, and before Yuto or Genji could respond, she turned and vanished down the street.
"Yuto-sama, it seems that girl Ringo Ameyuri is quite afraid of you."
Genji looked at Yuto, full of curiosity.
Yuto touched his nose, baffled. Just over a meal? Was that really necessary?
When Yuto didn't reply, Genji's eyes softened with appreciation. Looking toward where she had disappeared, he sighed.
"That little girl is one of the Mist's promising talents. In the village, she's known as the 'genius of Lightning Release.'"
"A shame that the Thunder Blade: Fang, one of the Seven Ninja Swords, vanished along with the rogue ninja Kurosuki Raiga. Otherwise, Ringo Ameyuri would have been the perfect successor."
The Thunder Blade: Fang.
The Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist.
Ringo Ameyuri.
Yuto's hazy memories suddenly sharpened—so it was her!
———
Meeting hall.
The meeting had ended. Everyone had left except Mei, who still sat in her seat.
She carefully examined a scroll in her hand, her expression grave.
"So, Harusame managed to develop such a technique? Though he failed, the jutsu is still viable. But the danger is far too great."
Mm—
A faint groan came from the side. Utakata slowly opened his eyes, immediately feeling a wave of pain coursing through his body.
This place?
Not the forest!
His eyes widened. Ignoring the searing pain, he leapt up, his body swelling as he prepared to transform.
He scanned his surroundings rapidly.
Then he saw her—sitting calmly in a chair, red-haired, flipping through a scroll.
Mei closed the scroll and looked up at the tense Utakata, speaking evenly.
"No need to be so nervous. It's just me here."
"You're… the Mizukage!" Utakata's pupils contracted sharply.
"If you know me, then you should also know better than to try anything. This is the heart of the Mist Village. You can't escape."
Mei licked her lips and spoke with calm authority.
So he had lost… Even summoning the Six-Tails rhinoceros-dog hadn't been enough to defeat her.
"When it comes to jinchūriki, I believe surveillance and isolation are the safest methods. But Yuto-sama doesn't seem to agree with me."
Mei sighed lightly, shrugging.
"From today on, Utakata, you will no longer be monitored. Aside from not leaving the village at will, you'll enjoy the same rights as an ordinary shinobi."
"As for where you live, that's your choice. You can return to your old home or live elsewhere in the village—as long as you can pay."
She spread her hands, then tossed him the scroll she had been reading.
"This contains the details of the secret jutsu your master Harusame performed on you. It explains everything in detail. Once you've finished reading, either destroy it or return it to the Mizukage's office."
With that, Mei formed a seal. With a puff of smoke, she vanished.
Utakata stared blankly at the spot where she had disappeared, standing frozen for a long time as her words sank in.
With trembling hands, he slowly unrolled the scroll, reading every word about the jutsu and its effects.
Drip. Drip.
Tears fell onto the ground.
"Master…"
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