They stared in disbelief.
"Shishō, are you really here?"
Another voice answered. Several men in fine clothes stepped forward. One was corpulent and smiling.
"Cheng-da, what are you doing here? Weren't you on East Secret Island?" Shigeo asked, surprised. He had not expected to meet Cheng-da in such a small town.
"No, no. I heard you came this way, so I hurried over. I've been waiting here half a month. I know caravans move slowly and you have matters, so I didn't dare bother you. I've been waiting at the shop. It's been a year since we met. I salute you." Cheng-da bowed deeply. The managers behind him quickly bowed as well.
Shigeo exhaled once and watched the crowd bowing. His head throbbed.
"Cheng-da, you're getting bolder with your showmanship?" His voice betrayed a trace of irritation.
"Shishō, I haven't seen you in a year. You must review the merchant group's accounts!" Cheng-da said, then handed two scrolls. "These are this year's receipts. Please accept them."
After Shigeo restructured the East Secret Island products and trade he had stopped managing the merchant group. To him those matters no longer concerned him. He didn't expect Cheng-da to place the group's profits under his name.
To Cheng-da those profits were Shigeo's by right.
Shigeo felt the situation was awkward. Explaining would only complicate things. He smiled. Who dislikes money? These funds would help Nanmo a great deal.
"All right. I'll take them." He took the scrolls, opened one casually, and scanned it. The revenue was substantial.
The caravan workers gaped. They didn't know the managers up front, but the man at the back was the regional grain-trader boss who handled their routes. If such a figure stood behind Cheng-da, who then was the fat man? And why was he bowing to A-Mo, a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy?
They were stunned. Chen Mazi, kneeling by the store entrance, nearly wet himself.
Shigeo pretended to read the ledgers seriously, glanced at the silver in the other scroll, then nodded. "Well done."
Cheng-da's grin split his face.
Shigeo scanned the crowd. The money was given and the accounts checked. Why hadn't they left? Were they waiting to be treated to a meal?
It took a long moment for them to register.
"Ah, Shishō, we have business to attend. We'll take our leave. How can we contact you?" Cheng-da asked nervously.
Shigeo handed him a summoning talisman. "Burn this. I'll appear."
"Thank you, thank you, Shishō!" Cheng-da accepted the talisman with both hands. He and his men prepared to leave. Only then did Cheng-da notice Chen Mazi kneeling at the grain shop doorway. Cheng-da's expression changed. He glared at the regional trader who'd been overseeing the caravans, signaled his men, and they departed.
The trader understood and kicked Chen Mazi. "You insolent fool. Get out. You offended our boss. Get lost."
Chen Mazi sobbed. He looked miserable.
The caravan members were astonished. That a boy of such an age was the Kōyō Shōdan's boss left them speechless.
After feeding the caravan, Shigeo left them.
…
Atop a high mountain Shigeo sat on a great stone, a blade of grass between his lips, staring at the black-market bounty sheet that bore his own name and photo. Three hundred billion. Who posted that price? Who had once used his name to declare war on the Five Great Villages and the great lords?
He smirked at being the target of every village's hatred.
He rose, used Kamui, and left.
When he reappeared he was above a small town in northern Nami no Kuni (Land of Waves). Cold wind rolled dust across the streets. The town smelled of ranchland.
Ninjas stood talking at the roadside. From a tavern came shouting. An old man was kicked out and collapsed in the street, spitting blood.
"That's too much. I'll avenge my grandfather!" a child of six or seven shouted, forming a hand sign though no chakra came.
"I refuse to give up as a ninja!" he yelled, stamped, and rushed the tavern. In the next moment he was kicked out. Blood ran from his nose and mouth. The old man tried to help him up, but the boy, proud and unbowed, wanted to try again.
A tall figure stepped between them and moved into the tavern.
The boy's eyes fell on the cloaked figure. He froze, mouth open.
The old man nudged him. "Child, what's the matter?"
The boy shoved the old man aside and sprinted forward, grabbing the man's thigh. "Big brother, please take me as your disciple!"
He began kowtowing to Shigeo despite protests.
Shigeo raised an eyebrow and looked around. He had only meant to step into the tavern to listen for bounty-hunter gossip about "Anhe." Why had this kid suddenly appeared to beg to become his disciple?
His gaze shifted to two ragged figures beside the boy. They wore tattered clothing but ninja garb—wandering shinobi.
Shigeo pulled his leg free and strode into the tavern.
"Big brother, please take me as your disciple!" the boy shouted again. He tried to rush in but the old man held him back.
(End of Chapter)
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