He thought to himself: once he finished this score, he would retire. This time, he was determined to make a fortune!
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a deafening roar echoed from the back of the mountain. The ground shook violently.
Someone cried out in shock, and immediately afterward, a voice shouted:
"Seal the valley entrance! No one is allowed in or out!"
The man who had been carrying Shigeo panicked. His eyes flickered, and in a rush he threw Shigeo back into the cave before running off.
He didn't notice that the boy he tossed onto the bedding dissolved into a puff of white smoke—an Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone).
Fūka Koyuki stared in astonishment. She tried to steady her nerves, replaying the events in her mind, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure out what had just happened.
She didn't know that in the middle of the night, Shigeo had slipped away, leaving a clone in his place. He had infiltrated the residence of the Kurotsuchi family in the rear mountain, used his Sharingan Genjutsu (Illusion Technique) to force the vault's password from their mouths, and stolen the ten-plus chests of gold hidden inside.
At the same time, his miniature bijū had unleashed a Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Ball), collapsing the mines and throwing the entire operation into chaos.
Because of this, the Kurotsuchi clan had sealed off the valley entrance. No one was allowed to come or go.
The anguished wails now echoing in the night were from the Kurotsuchi themselves—the fruit of their year-long plunder had vanished in an instant.
When Shigeo returned to the cave, black-clad guards had already rushed inside. Spotting the two children, they cracked their whips and barked:
"Everyone, to the main grounds—now! Anyone who resists will be killed!"
Shigeo took Koyuki's hand and led her outside. She looked at him with joy and whispered, "You're… a shinobi?"
"…Yeah."
Together, they were herded into the vast courtyard.
Those miners who had tried to escape were also dragged back, beaten mercilessly. Agonized screams filled the night.
Because Shigeo and Koyuki hadn't attempted to flee, they escaped punishment for now.
Up on the high platform, a black shadow appeared, his outline illuminated by flickering torches.
"That's the head of the Kurotsuchi family," someone whispered.
Shigeo raised his gaze. Cloaked in black, the man's face was hidden—but on his back gleamed two blades.
They were unmistakable: one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist—Raijin no Ken (Thunder Swords: Kiba).
There was no doubt. This was Kurotsuchi Raiga.
At this point in history, he hadn't yet met Ranmaru. But because of Shigeo's earlier interference with the Mist, the timeline had already shifted.
Here and now, Raiga had already defected from Kirigakure. He was the mastermind enslaving civilians, forcing them to mine gold, and ruling with cruelty.
"Big brother, what happened? Why did the mine suddenly collapse? And that explosion—what was that? We've searched everywhere, but found nothing suspicious. Could it be that someone…"
"No."
Before the man below could finish, the figure on the high platform spoke coldly:
"It wasn't outsiders. It was an insider."
The words left everyone stunned. The miners couldn't have done it. That left only their own ranks.
The black-clad shinobi looked at each other nervously.
"Big brother, impossible! We've been here a year, and nothing like this has ever happened. Couldn't it have been the miners? We're all loyal to the clan—we'd never betray each other!" someone protested.
"Why not? Have you forgotten how we left the Mist in the first place? If it hadn't been for a traitor accusing us of helping outsiders ensnare the Fourth Mizukage in genjutsu, would the Kurotsuchi clan have lost its home?"
Raiga's voice was cutting, his eyes cold as ice. "I believe you. But do you believe me?"
The memory was bitter. In Kirigakure, they had lived well enough—until the Fourth Mizukage was suddenly deposed, the Three-Tails rampaged, and chaos nearly destroyed the village.
Then came accusations: that the Kurotsuchi clan had been involved. Branded traitors, they had no chance to defend themselves. Forced to flee, they wandered, taking odd mercenary jobs—bodyguards, smugglers, petty thugs.
Eventually, they stumbled upon a rich mine while protecting its owner. Killing him, they took over the operation, enslaving innocents and growing wealthy through cruelty.
But after a year of toil, they had only amassed a dozen chests of gold. And now, all of it was gone. How could Raiga not explode in fury?
"Boss, what are you saying? Yes, back in the Mist someone betrayed us. But here, we've all worked side by side. You've seen it with your own eyes—how can you doubt us?" one of them cried out.
Raiga sneered, lightning flashing across his swords. His eyes gleamed with venom.
"Sanjō, some things cannot be hidden. Who besides you knew the password to the vault?"
"You're spouting nonsense! I was asleep all night—how could I go to the vault? You, on the other hand, were resting there yourself. Maybe you robbed us and are pinning it on me?"
Sanjō's desperate defense only enraged Raiga further. In a flash, he drew the Thunder Swords: Kiba, lightning crackling violently across their blades.
"Raiton: Raiga (Lightning Release: Thunder Fang)!"
A massive bolt of lightning split the air, slamming down on Sanjō. The range was too wide to dodge—he screamed as the electricity engulfed him.
(End of Chapter)
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