Chapter 38: The Hornet's Nest
When they arrived at the Kamizuru clan's territory, the guards at the gate greeted Raiga warmly. The mine deal had brought significant wealth to their village, so they treated Raiga with great respect.
"Lord Raiga, please wait a moment. I will announce your arrival."
Another guard noticed Takahashi standing behind him and asked with a smile, "Is this a promising new junior from your family? He must be highly valued to be at your side."
Takahashi responded with nothing more than a faint, polite smile.
The guard was impressed by his manners, thinking the young man was very courteous for a clansman. He had no idea this polite individual would soon reveal his terrifying nature.
Once inside, a handsome young man came out to warmly welcome Raiga.
As they walked, Raiga whispered to Takahashi, "This is a very promising youth of the Kamizuru clan, named Ran."
Then, he asked the young man casually, "Is Kageno in?"
"Yes, he is waiting for you inside."
This Kageno was the strongest jonin of the Kamizuru clan, possessing a unique transformation ability. His normal appearance was quite ugly, but after transforming, he became strikingly handsome.
Entering the main room, they found not only Kageno but also Fukuro waiting. These two were the core of the Kamizuru's three great ninja, representing the clan's peak combat power.
As soon as they sat down, Kageno began to complain. "You're here! You should have sent Jibachi to inform me. I wasn't prepared at all. If I hadn't been free, we might have missed each other. By the way, how is Jibachi doing with you? That guy can be troublesome; you probably have to look after him a lot."
After exchanging pleasantries with Raiga, his eyes fell on Takahashi. "And who is this?"
"He is a friend of mine," Raiga explained. "He has heard of the Kamizuru clan's reputation and wished to pay a visit. He also very much wants to meet Lord Orochimaru. I wonder if that could be arranged?"
Everything else was fine, but the mention of Orochimaru made Kageno's face darken. He fell into deep thought. "Well... that might be difficult. Lord Orochimaru is occupied with important matters recently and is unavailable. I'm truly sorry, young man. You may have to leave disappointed."
Raiga let out a heavy sigh.
Kageno assumed the sigh was one of disappointment. He didn't realize it was laden with a far deeper sorrow.
Then, Raiga spoke in a low voice. "I have some other matters to attend to. I'll return shortly. Please keep my young friend company for a while."
Kageno found this a simple request. As long as they weren't plotting against Lord Orochimaru, anything else was manageable. "Of course. Don't worry."
After Raiga left, he took one last, meaningful look at the Kamizuru compound. Then, he sped out of the Sound Village at top speed, not even acknowledging the guards. At that moment, Raiga of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen ceased to exist.
"Where should we go now, Raiga?" Ranmaru's soft voice came from the pack on his back.
"I don't know," Raiga replied. "But now I feel we can go anywhere. I've escaped death twice. I need to broaden my horizons. With you by my side, anywhere is fine."
On the street, Hinata and Sakura saw Raiga rushing past but paid him no mind. Hinata was a little confused. Had something happened to Takahashi?
Thinking it over, it seemed impossible. If something had happened, why would Raiga be the one fleeing? And this was the Kamizuru clan's camp he had led them to. After some thought, she decided to trust Takahashi's earlier instructions and wait here calmly for him to return.
Meanwhile, inside the Kamizuru compound, a terrifying scene was unfolding. Takahashi stood with his Sword of Totsuka, his foot resting on Kageno's corpse, the tip of his blade pointed at Fukuro's throat.
"Will you take me to Orochimaru," Takahashi asked, his voice flat, "or shall I kill you right here?"
What had just happened had taken only a blink of an eye. The clan's strongest fighter had been slain instantly.
Fukuro's voice trembled. "You... why are you doing this?"
"What I do is none of your concern. Take me to Orochimaru, or die. Choose."
One moment, Takahashi had been conversing pleasantly. The next, his light sword was in his hand. It was utterly unreasonable. He had given them no time to react, no chance to prepare.
This was his strategy. Killing the strongest member instantly would instill terror in the others. If he had killed Fukuro first, it wouldn't have had the same effect. Kageno would have put up a fierce fight, and the entire camp would have become a bloodbath.
"I... I'll take you to see Lord Orochimaru," Fukuro stammered.
But as soon as he finished speaking, a glint of cold light flashed in his right hand—a hidden blade. It was a proud, surprise attack technique that had felled many opponents, even those far stronger than him.
It was useless against Takahashi. He was hypersensitive to such faint glimmers of light. With a single motion, he severed Fukuro's right arm.
"Still struggling?" Takahashi's voice was cold. "If you don't take me, I will slaughter the entire camp right in front of you. The Kamizuru name will be remembered only for its extinction."
"You... you vile villain! You devil! I'll never let you go, even if I die!"
"Tell me that after you're dead. The choice is yours. Take me to Orochimaru. I'll give you five seconds to decide."
"Five."
"I won't tell you! Give up!"
"Two."
"Hey! That's not how you count! What about four and three?!"
"One."
"I'll go! I'll go! Stop counting!"
He looked at Fukuro, who was skillfully bandaging his own wound. The man was pale, on the verge of passing out from the pain, yet he stubbornly held on.
Takahashi had no intention of using "Please Don't Die" on him. He only needed the man alive long enough to lead him to Orochimaru's secret base.
Fukuro proved tougher than expected, remaining conscious the entire way. Takahashi began to worry about the time; Hinata and Sakura were still waiting. But this was a necessary task. He wouldn't feel at ease until this loose end was tied up. While it might not prevent the Fourth Great Ninja War, it would certainly save a great deal of future trouble. They would have to wait a little longer.
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Stones would be loved