The village head of Takigakure clapped his hands together, clearly relieved.
"That's wonderful. Just in time, our village has a new ninja. His skills are very high, and not long ago he even saved my life during the turmoil in Bujō City. I'll recommend him to join you.
Beiliu, come here. Let me introduce you. This is the one who quelled the chaos of Bujō City—Konoha's Hyūga Shigeo. He may be young, but his strength is unquestionable. You saw the tournament in Bujō yourself, didn't you? He was the boy who won first place in the joint competition—the little hero himself!"
The Takigakure leader's voice was full of admiration as he pushed a new companion forward.
This mission, though entrusted to both the three ninja from Kusagakure and Shigeo, required Takigakure to send one of its own as well. But because so many of their shinobi had not yet returned from Bujō after the incident with the summoned beast, the village head had no choice but to put this "Beiliu" forward.
Beiliu stepped forward, bowing politely.
"Greetings. I'll be counting on you all for cooperation during this mission."
Shigeo's brows knitted as he studied the man. He was short, sickly in appearance, looking barely in his teens at first glance—but Shigeo knew better. His true age was closer to Jiraiya or Orochimaru's.
He wore a long coat that trailed to the ground, with a high collar covering everything below his nose. More bandages wound around his face beneath, concealing his features almost entirely.
To anyone else, he might look like just another eccentric shinobi. But to Shigeo, who had the memories of a devoted fan of the shinobi world in another life, the identity was unmistakable.
This "Beiliu" was none other than the missing-nin of Konoha—Hiruko.
It was exactly the same attire from the legends. Clearly, Hiruko assumed Shigeo wouldn't recognize him, so he merely changed his name and infiltrated Takigakure.
At once, Shigeo understood: the phantom beast during the chaos of Bujō was Hiruko's doing. The wielder of yin-release chakra—wasn't Hiruko himself just such a man?
But why summon the beast? Why force Fū's tailed beast powers out of control? Was Hiruko working with Iwagakure? And what was his connection to these three Kusagakure shinobi, their necks branded with Orochimaru's cursed seals? Were they allies, or simply opportunists crossing paths? Did the Takigakure leader even realize the danger, or was he just being used?
So many questions swirled in Shigeo's mind. Still, he knew he didn't need to investigate aggressively. In time, the truth would unfold on its own.
"Come here, Sheshui!" the Takigakure chief suddenly called. A small boy was pushed forward, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Hyūga hero, could I trouble you to take my son along? He's the same age as Fū. His abilities aren't great, so I don't want him to fight. But I hope he can broaden his horizons, to see the strength of shinobi. Please, let him accompany you. My son—Sheshu!"
The boy, about Shigeo's height, clung nervously to his father, obviously terrified.
"Father, I don't want to go. I'm scared. I won't go!" he cried.
The village head frowned.
"You and Fū have never gotten along. Maybe this is the chance to make amends. The day she left the village, you two quarreled, didn't you? Perhaps that's why she ran away. If you go and apologize, maybe she'll come home."
Shigeo sighed. Naïve… this man doesn't even realize what game is truly being played.
"Village Chief, think carefully. The chaos in Bujō came from the summoned beast. Fū's disappearance is tied to it as well. Doesn't that strike you as an organized plot? Don't push the blame onto your son. I won't take him."
"I will." Hiruko suddenly cut in, stepping forward. He crouched and held out his hands to the boy. "Since the young master is from Takigakure, naturally I should be the one to take care of him. Come now, let me carry you."
Shigeo's eyes narrowed. He grabbed Sheshu's arm first and pulled him back.
"No. I'll take him. You worry about yourself."
This was the village chief's son—if Hiruko got his hands on him, the boy might be in grave danger.
The boy and Shigeo were of similar height, and the chief beamed with relief to see them standing together.
"Sheshu, you must learn from this hero. All right, everyone, I leave it to you. Good luck!"
The group of six set out northward.
"Fū went to the Land of Earth, didn't she? Do we know her exact location?" Hiruko asked casually as they traveled.
"I do." Sheshu shook off Shigeo's hand indignantly. "Don't hold me! I can walk on my own."
From his sleeve, the boy produced a small vial filled with glittering scale-dust. Sprinkling it into the air, the particles drifted outward and aligned into a glowing trail.
"Follow this path of powder. It will lead us straight to Fū."
Hiruko's voice purred with false warmth.
"Clever boy. Using such a method to track her—excellent!"
The party moved twenty kilometers before Sheshu began to tire, panting hard.
"Slow down! Shigeo, carry me. If you drag me out here, then it's your responsibility. If you don't, I'll just stop and refuse to go any farther!"
From the trees above, the Kusagakure shinobi perched, watching with cold amusement. Hiruko, too, lingered nearby, silent, his eyes sharp.
Shigeo scowled.
"Spare me. No one's carrying you. If you can't keep up, turn back. That would be safer anyway—better than ending up in their hands."
Hiruko's lips curled. He crouched again before the boy.
"Don't worry, young master. I'll carry you. You're delicate, not suited for such hardship. I may be new to Takigakure, but serving you is my duty. Come now, onto my back…"
(End of Chapter)
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