Not far behind them, over three hundred women were waving toward Shigeo. Farther back, hundreds of shinobi followed, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, calling out,
"Shigeo-dono! We heard you're going to settle accounts with the Orchid Sect's leader, right?"
Shigeo smiled, nodded once, and said, "Yes."
"Shigeo-dono, let us help too!" someone shouted from behind.
"Of course!" he replied.
That—was what it meant to proclaim justice to the world.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Shigeo turned toward Moon City. Dozens of meters behind him, a large procession followed like a tidal wave.
Early risers in the city stared in shock. When they saw the brides from the previous night's ritual, their eyes went wide.
"Aren't those the brides taken by the Sea God last night? What's going on?"
The brides were still wearing their white wedding kimonos, making them stand out even more.
"The Sea God's marriage is a lie! Someone's been kidnapping people for human experiments! We're going to bring him to justice!" shouted one of the rescued women.
"That can't be true! Years ago, when we disobeyed the Sea God's wishes, we were struck by a tsunami! How can that be fake?"
"That tsunami was caused by shinobi—not by any god!"
The crowd swelled as they marched. People explained the truth to each other as they walked. Curious townsfolk joined, eager to learn who had plotted such evil.
The growing procession wound through Moon City, turning toward the western hills and the great manor that stood there.
"Isn't that the mansion of Lord Shichidō, the city lord? Don't tell me he's the Orchid Sect's leader?" someone whispered.
Mei, walking behind Shigeo, frowned. Kirigakure had visited Moon City before to investigate the case, and Lord Shichidō had treated them warmly. Had they been deceived all along?
As she thought this, the group reached the manor gates.
The doors opened. A group of rogue ninjas rushed out. Behind them, an elderly man appeared.
"What do you think you're—"
Before he could finish, Shigeo used Mokuton: Piercing Spear Technique (Wood Release: Piercing Insertion) and ended his life instantly.
No more hesitation. Twice before, the sect leader had escaped because Shigeo delayed. If he stalled again and the enemy slipped away, the entire event would spiral out of control.
With so many witnesses present, he couldn't afford ambiguity. This time, there had to be a clear ending.
Six shadow clones burst from Shigeo's body, scattering to surround the manor.
At the same time, he used Doton (Earth Release) to reshape the terrain underground, sealing off every secret passage. There would be no escape for the Orchid Sect's master this time.
Rogue ninjas rushed forward to block the clones, but the mob behind Shigeo intercepted them. Battle erupted again, steel clashing and jutsu lighting the courtyard.
Mei's heart tightened. This is bad. The city lord of Moon City was said to be related to the Daimyō of the Land of Water. If Shigeo was mistaken, she would be in serious trouble.
She stepped forward and whispered anxiously,
"Are you sure Lord Shichidō is the mastermind? He's the ruler of Moon City—if he's innocent, this will be disastrous. I've met him. He's a man in his seventies, kind and humorous. He doesn't seem like someone who'd murder without blinking!"
"I'm sure," Shigeo said coldly. He had seen the truth in the memories of that old medical-nin. There was no doubt—the so-called lord of Moon City was the Orchid Sect's leader.
The battle raged. Chaos filled the estate. Moments later, three of Shigeo's wood clones appeared, dragging an elderly man into view. Behind him were several jōnin trying to protect him.
But the old man, frail and trembling, could not withstand the chaos. After two brief exchanges, he cried out, "Wait—stop! All of you, stop this instant!"
He had realized the clones didn't care about his safety, and the young man standing calmly in the courtyard must be the real one. Facing him, the old man asked,
"What is the meaning of this? It's early morning—if you have grievances, follow proper channels! Attacking the city lord's mansion like this is excessive!"
The fighting halted. Everyone looked up at the old man held by the clones.
He wore coarse hemp clothing and simple cloth shoes, dirt still clinging to them. His face was kind, calm, even now. Despite being manhandled, he showed no anger.
The townspeople all recognized him—Lord Shichidō, the city's beloved ruler.
He was known for his generosity, sponsoring poor students each year from his own funds. He worked in the fields with the commoners, always in ragged clothes, tilling his private garden behind the manor. He grew vegetables and melons there and shared the harvest with the townsfolk.
A ruler like that could never be a killer, the crowd thought. He's always opposed the Sea God sacrifices and even invited ninjas to investigate. How could such a man be behind all this?
The people looked at him, doubt flickering in their eyes.
Shigeo sneered. "So, you're the Orchid Sect's leader?"
"I don't understand what you're talking about," the old man replied evenly.
In truth, Shichidō had planned to retrieve his secret documents and flee through the underground passage—but Shigeo's earth release had destroyed it. When he returned home, the ninjas caught him immediately.
"Is that so?" Shigeo said. "Then let your people explain everything."
He pressed his hands together in a seal.
Mist rose. Cold wind swept through. Dark clouds rolled over Moon City like a storm.
The rising sun vanished, plunging the city into shadow.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. This is Hyūga Shigeo's power…?
"What are you trying to do?" the old man shouted. "You wouldn't dare destroy Moon City! If you have a problem, come at me! As its lord, I'll fight you myself!"
He lunged forward, fists clenched with surprising speed for his age.
But the jōnin beside him merely stood still, watching. None moved to protect him.
Because this was a setup.
As the old man charged, something glinted in his sleeve—a hidden syringe.
Most wouldn't have noticed, but Shigeo's eyes missed nothing. The syringe flashed toward him.
He caught the man's wrist, twisting sharply. The old man didn't even flinch from the pain. The syringe fell, shattering on the ground as the liquid inside hissed and bubbled—poison.
Shigeo felt it immediately. The man before him had no chakra flow whatsoever.
He was indeed the leader of the Orchid Sect—but now, he was just an ordinary human.
(End of Chapter)
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