Even eliminating Duy Ni was among the viable strategies.
From the moment Shiki Uzumaki set out, he had resolved not to stop until Duy Ni was dead. He could not afford even the slightest risk in his actions. If pushed into a corner, Duy Ni might lash out in desperation and harm Harada as well.
"If possible, I should kill only Duy Ni. Without a leader, the rescue mission can still be considered successful. Nikamura will become my first supporting village, and these fighters have families here. I mustn't let excessive bloodshed breed hatred against me within this village."
After making this clear decision, Shiki tightened his grip on the sword and strode toward the dilapidated torii gate. Beyond it stood simple buildings that seemed oddly out of place compared with the vibrancy of the village—unfinished structures waiting completion.
Chapter 232: Slaughter
Inside the modest house, laughter echoed—sake cups clinked, dice rattled, and drunken voices rose in revelry.
Surprisingly, all the laughter and joy that was rare in this prosperous village seemed to have gathered in this secluded corner.
Yet nearly no one noticed that an unfamiliar child had appeared among them.
Though his presence seemed inexplicable, he strangely blended in perfectly with the atmosphere.
Frowning slightly, Shiki Uzumaki ignored the noise coming from other houses. Instead, he headed directly toward the building at the far southwest corner of the area. He could already sense that the strongest chakra presence was inside that building.
"My thinking used to be so limited. All along, I've believed absolute strength surpasses any conspiracy."
Shiki sighed softly. Ever since accepting this mission, he'd approached it like an ordinary task. Perhaps because he had been influenced by Ka Natsuko's way of thinking.
But why hide when facing such opponents? With my stamina and chakra reserves, there's no danger of being surrounded anyway.
Once strength reaches a certain threshold, numbers cease to matter.
This was what Shiki realized when he killed his first opponent.
So instead of searching for Harada, he directly targeted Duy Ni—catching him completely off guard! Compared with tracking down someone certainly hidden away like Harada, Duy Ni would never imagine someone would dare try to kill him right on his own turf.
The most unexpected approach was often the simplest and most effective.
Although sensing the strongest chakra here resided inside that house,
he still kept his presence concealed.
One last confirmation—he wouldn't act without absolute certainty.
"The day after tomorrow, we'll execute that bastard Harada in front of the villagers," a young man named Hiroshi spoke sentimentally from within the house. "I can't help but feel a sense of reluctance." His voice carried a strange tone of hesitant sadness.
But no one in the room spoke a word. They all clearly understood one thing—the man sitting at the head of the table would show not a trace of sympathy.
Sure enough, half a minute later—
*Slap!*
The deathlike silence shattered once again as a wine glass crashed heavily onto the ground.
The flying shards caused everyone else in the room to involuntarily shudder.
This was simply the temperament of that young man in the center. Even though he usually treated his subordinates very well,
the moment someone became marked as his enemy, things would turn out like this.
Duy Ni simply wasn't the kind of person who'd feel any sorrow for his enemies!
"Haha! How could I possibly feel sad about someone opposing me? Come on, you guys don't even have a bit of humor. You didn't cooperate at all."
The young man said mockingly, as if making a joke. His tone was so cheerful it even gave off an atmosphere of close friends having fun together.
But
those around the table lowered their heads even further.
Joking?
They naturally knew perfectly well that when the boss made such a "joke," you absolutely couldn't treat it as an actual joke.
Yet among them, a clueless newcomer apparently hadn't grasped this rule yet and had already cracked a forced smile,
seeming eager to respond with laughter to the boss's joke.
"It looks like we'll have to replace someone again."
"What a pitiful newbie, thinking he can actually win his favor this way?"
"Probably he just wants to promote him for some entertainment."
No one spoke, but with just a few exchanged glances between the people seated at the table, they all understood each other's thoughts.
Because events like this were far too common. Their boss certainly wasn't the kind of man who enjoyed having others fawn over him.
"Haha, Duy Ni, what you said was truly hilarious. Hey hey, senior brothers, since he is such a great guy, why are you lowering your heads like this? Are you scared or something?"
Finally, this clueless newcomer laughed out loud. As if trying to help Boss Duy lighten the mood, he even began teasing his senior colleagues.
They were all responsible for various departments of the village, without exception.
Yet they were all under Duy's command, and power among them remained remarkably balanced.
Even though none of them possessed strength threatening to Duy himself, this calculating man still refused to appoint a second-in-command directly beneath him.
As for this newcomer before them…
he was likely about to be in serious trouble.
"Hey, did I give you permission to speak?"
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