Arin's expression changed, showing a hint of doubt. "That's what's strange. The Soul Collectors seem to be up to something, but I can't be sure what. Recently, they haven't been seen at all in the black market."
Kakashi leaned slightly forward, his relaxed gaze turning curious.
"Not seen? Why haven't they been seen? Are they hiding or something?" Kakashi asked, his voice radiating anticipation.
Arin, standing near a small table, sighed before answering. "I'm not sure," Arin said in a slow but firm tone. "However, they seem to be hiding something. Even the people from the Black Market, who usually know everything, can't find any information about them."
Kakashi tapped his fingers on his knee, a habit that emerged when he was deep in thought. "Hmmm... That's strange," Kakashi murmured.
Kakashi squinted. "Does that mean... these mysterious masked people are the Soul Collectors?"
Arin nodded slowly, his face looking serious. "I can't say for sure, but it's possible," Arin replied.
"And do you know where their headquarters or location is?" Kakashi continued, his voice filled with hope.
Arin shook his head, his expression showing frustration. "Unfortunately not. Every time I try to follow them, they use some kind of strange ability. A thick fog suddenly appears, covering everything, and before I know it, they've vanished. Because of that, I can't track their headquarters."
"Hmmm, I see?" Kakashi rubbed his chin, thinking hard. "But why don't you try to defeat them and get information directly from them?" Kakashi asked, this time his tone slightly more challenging.
Arin snorted softly, his expression turning flat. "I won't do that. If they really are from the Soul Collectors, then it's likely I wouldn't be able to defeat them. Besides, my task is just to gather information, not to fight or interrogate," Arin said firmly, his gaze fixed on Kakashi.
Kakashi smirked slightly. "Hey, I could pay you more, you know?" Kakashi said casually.
"No matter how much you pay," Arin replied coldly, "I don't want to get further involved with the Soul Collectors."
"Alright, alright," Kakashi raised his hands as if surrendering. "So they are buying a lot of explosives, huh?" Kakashi murmured while propping his chin. Kakashi's mind began to process the possibilities. "Are they trying to create chaos at the City Academy? Perhaps during the Sports Festival?"
Meanwhile, Arin, hearing this, was taken aback, his eyes widening as if trying to digest Kakashi's words. Arin's heart began to race, and a sense of worry started to creep into his mind.
Thoughts of his younger sister, Alina, who was currently studying at the City Academy, surfaced in Arin's head. Arin's anxiety escalated, imagining the possibility of an attack that could threaten Alina's safety. Unconsciously, Arin clenched his fists, trying to suppress the surge of emotions within him.
"Ah, right, what about your wounds?" Kakashi asked, recalling Arin's condition the last time, which was quite serious.
Arin let out a light sigh, then replied in a flat tone, "I've fully recovered. All thanks to that woman's Beauty Salon."
Kakashi nodded slowly. "Hmm..." Kakashi murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly as if analyzing Arin's response.
However, suddenly Arin asked in an unusually nervous tone, "Are... are you going to hurt that woman?"
The question left Kakashi speechless. His eyes stared straight at Arin, slightly surprised that Arin seemed so concerned. In his heart, Haruto, who was disguised as Kakashi, didn't expect that Arin genuinely cared about Ino.
Yes, the woman Arin referred to was Ino. Ino's Beauty Salon had now become very famous in the area.
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[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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