Hyūga Shigeo-kun had just finished his meal when he asked, "Who is Bu-sama?"
The dozen or so people at the long table froze. One of the eldest elders pushed himself up with trembling hands, unfolded the scrap of paper Shigeo had tossed across, and when he recognized the handwriting, tears spilled freely down his face.
Then Shigeo learned what had been happening in Wumou City over the past year.
The woman posing as the city lord — Wuyouka-sama — was a fraud. The original Wuyouka had been gentle and caring toward the townsfolk; this impostor, by some demonic art, looked identical but had a ruthless appetite. She sealed the city with a barrier and treated the citizens like her daily meal, killing two or three people every night to feed herself.
To control the populace she released a fog called mimon-kō — a fragrance that induced powerful hallucinations. The townspeople didn't know the killings were her doing; they only saw the grotesque deaths and grew terrified, so they begged the lord for help. Wuyouka-sama pretended to investigate, then blamed everything on sea monsters.
Ninja after ninja came to deal with the supposed sea monster threat and many died, yet the killings continued. The streets of Wumou City emptied; by dusk the avenues were as silent as a graveyard and shops closed. Over time the rumor grew until one night five people were found dead at once and someone finally began to spread the truth: the city lord herself might be responsible.
One witness — immune to the mimon-kō's effect — had seen Wuyouka-sama sneak into houses at night, drain people's blood and strip their flesh. That witness spread the news, then vanished, very likely silenced by Wuyouka. The town elder Bu-sama confirmed the witness's testimony and had secretly gathered evidence, but before he could reveal it he went into hiding among ordinary households; Wuyouka had imprisoned his family in the castle dungeon on a charge of slandering the lord.
The villagers were helpless, living each day hoping they would not be the next victims.
Meanwhile, Wuyouka used the excuse of hunting sea monsters to hire dozens of shinobi and medical-nin. The townspeople, fearing trouble, avoided strangers and would not shelter them. But today, when Shigeo had been chased through the streets by Wuyouka's men, the villagers recognized him as an enemy of the witch-lord — and a potential savior. A few representative townsfolk quietly gathered, resolved to help him, and that was why they'd dragged him into their homes and fed him.
After the story was told, the elders sighed. "It's worse now. She's hired so many ninja. Soon we'll be reduced to fish on a cutting board."
"Don't despair," Shigeo said after he'd finished eating. "If we find solid proof that Wuyouka-sama is the murderer, the hired shinobi won't simply stand with her. The Five Great Shinobi Nations accept missions under conditions — they don't automatically obey a rich client who wants to do evil. Maybe some freelance thugs would side with money, but if we have evidence, the five big villages won't support a murderer."
The elder Bu-sama dabbed his eyes and bowed deeply to Shigeo. "Young one, will you help us? Restore peace to Wumou City. We don't trust those hired ninja, but we trust you. Please bring that witch to justice."
Shigeo stood quickly. "Bu-sama, don't do that." The villagers murmured in surprise. Someone asked how he'd known Bu-sama. Shigeo pointed to the scrap with Wu Qianling's (Wu Qianling-chan's) handwriting. Only Bu-sama could have organized such a secret resistance; Shigeo had guessed correctly.
Bu-sama trembled, still sobbing. "The young lady has suffered as well. Wuyouka has my family locked away in the dungeon… I—" His voice failed him; rage filled his face.
"Wu Qianling-chan asked me to get you all out," Shigeo said.
"Leave?" Bu-sama shook his head. "There are ninja and guards in the city. Leaving requires a pass personally issued by the witch-lord. We are ordinary folk, not shinobi. How could we possibly slip out?"
"If you want to leave, I have a way. All you need do is decide. If you all agree, we act tonight." Shigeo had promised Wu Qianling-chan and he intended to keep it.
A silence fell. After a long pause, Bu-sama waved a hand. "I will not leave. The rest decide."
One by one the townspeople shook their heads. They would not abandon Wumou City — they would stay and fight the witch, even at the cost of their lives.
"What will you do?" Shigeo asked.
"We will reveal our evidence tomorrow," Bu-sama answered, voice trembling with hope. "With the Five Great Shinobi Nations' ninja already here, they'll see for themselves that the city lord is a murderous impostor!"
(End of Chapter)
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