After some lighthearted chatter, the three left the office. Shigeo treated Naruto and Jiraiya to dinner, and afterward Naruto proudly demonstrated the progress of his Fūton: Rasenshuriken (Wind Release: Spiral Shuriken) training. Shigeo praised his control and precision, making Naruto beam with pride. With that, the two travelers departed Ink Village in high spirits, continuing their journey of training.
That night, the village moved in its usual rhythm.
The Ink Shadow's office lights still burned as Shigeo worked late into the night.
Recently, the Blue Gate Division had expanded its operations, and new reports from Higashihime Island had arrived, delivering the last six months of profits from the Xiangyang Trading Company to Ink Village.
The nation was thriving.
After two years of effort, several new cities had risen across the young continent. Towns grew, populations surged, and everything seemed to advance in stable order.
Everything looked… perfect.
Shigeo glanced over the reports, a faint smile curving his lips.
But slowly, that smile faded. He stared at one of the photos in the stack and called out,
"Jinshi, what is this?"
Amid the paperwork lay a report from Higashihime Island. It hadn't seemed urgent, so no one had prioritized it for him—until now.
Jinshi looked at the document and replied, "It's from the Blue Gate Division's secret investigation. About a month ago, Higashihime Island was bombed by an unknown masked man—arrogant and brazen. That's the photo of the explosive he threw. After the attack, he vanished. Both the ANBU and the Blue Gate Division's local branch investigated, but found nothing, so the case was shelved. As for the losses, Commander Cheng Da said the island would handle the costs themselves. But…"
He hesitated. His expression grew troubled.
Shigeo's tone sharpened. "But what?"
If Jinshi used that word, there was more.
"Well," Jinshi continued carefully, "that was Cheng Da's official report. But ANBU intelligence says Higashihime Island has been attacked several times this month. Cheng Da didn't want to trouble headquarters—or you—so he never reported it. These documents were actually forced out of him by Akahana before she left."
Cheng Da had written privately to Jinshi, asking him not to mention the attacks to Shigeo, to avoid causing unnecessary concern.
But Jinshi was loyal. How could he hide the truth from his lord? So now that Shigeo had asked, he revealed everything.
Shigeo frowned deeply. "Several attacks already?"
He looked again at the photo.
A black clay bird.
Even intact, it radiated familiarity. The only reason it had been found was because it failed to detonate. If it had exploded, not even fragments would remain.
A masked man. Arrogant. Black clay explosives.
He didn't need to think twice.
Such dramatic contrast between black and white—trying to hide, yet screaming identity. It can only be him.
Deidara.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. So, we'll meet soon.
"Understood," he said simply.
Closing the folder, he stood and walked to the window.
The lights of Ink Village glimmered beneath him, reflected faintly in his gaze, which had grown sharp and cold.
Higashihime Island was far—thousands of kilometers across the southern sea. Yet Cheng Da and his people had always remained loyal. Every half-year, they sent the full profits from the Xiangyang Company to the main village. Cheng Da even wrote monthly letters—simple updates about the island, trade, and daily life—but Shigeo could always sense his sincerity.
Thinking of that loyalty, Shigeo turned—and vanished.
Jinshi froze. His lord never left without creating a shadow clone. "My lord—where are you going?"
The vast office fell silent. No answer.
Shigeo's presence was gone.
When he reappeared, he was already on Higashihime Island—thousands of miles away—its location hidden deep within mysterious waters, accessible only to ships that knew its secret routes.
The island chain consisted of three main islands.
The central island handled trade goods like crafts and ceramics.
Another, smaller one—once uninhabited—had recently been developed into a steelworks and weapon-forging facility.
Years ago, the island produced no metal goods. But later, mineral surveys revealed rich iron deposits beneath all three islands.
After the Nation of Craftsmen refused to fulfill Nanmo's weapon orders—claiming Ink Village showed "no sincerity" since Shigeo himself hadn't come—Shigeo encouraged Cheng Da to develop their own mines and produce weapons domestically.
Now, the island supplied weapons to Nanmo's shinobi—self-made, independent, powerful.
But his sudden arrival in the main estate immediately drew the guards.
"Who goes there?! You don't belong here!"
A dozen ninja surrounded him, dogs growling, teeth bared, ready to strike.
"Seize him!" the leader barked.
They charged.
Shigeo moved once. Ten seconds later, they all lay unconscious at his feet.
In the distance, he could see laborers repairing a bombed building—evidence of the recent attacks.
He started toward them, but more guards rushed in. He prepared to fight again—until a clear, melodic voice rang out.
"Stop! Everyone, stop! Are you… the lord of Nanmo?"
The crowd froze, staring at him. Someone whispered, "No wonder he looked familiar… it really is him!"
Several rubbed their eyes, disbelief giving way to awe.
The woman with the voice hurried over, clutching a Persian cat in her arms. Her eyes widened when she saw him, filled with stunned reverence.
Before she could speak, everyone around her dropped to their knees.
"Greetings to our lord!"
Shigeo raised an eyebrow. "That title—'lord of Nanmo'—where did it come from? Where's Cheng Da? Is he on the island? I need to speak with him."
He scanned the area, but Cheng Da was nowhere in sight.
Then his gaze settled on the young woman—she looked familiar. It had been years since he'd last been here, but he remembered her face.
"Are you Cheng Mei'er?" His tone carried a hint of command.
Her eyes lit up. She nodded eagerly. "Yes, Lord Shigeo! I never expected you'd come here in person!"
Flustered but elated, Mei'er turned to the others. "Seal the perimeter! Notify the kitchen—prepare a banquet! Tell the steward to ready the main building's best suite for the lord's rest! And send word to my brother—tell him the master has arrived!"
(End of Chapter)
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