Chapter 260 — Dragon Tongue
Fugaku narrowed his eyes.
"Muku… aren't you just a jōnin?"
From the open ground outside Hōzuki Castle, he spotted a cluster of small houses. They were clearly inhabited — smoke from morning cooking, fresh laundry, old women chatting. A civilian settlement.
Ryūzetsu might be here.
Since the guard refused him entry, Fugaku didn't bother arguing. He simply turned and walked toward the houses, deciding to try his luck first.
If Ryūzetsu wasn't here, he would just take another approach. After all, entering Hōzuki Castle wasn't exactly difficult for him.
Outside one house, an old woman was hanging quilts under the sun. Fugaku didn't waste time — his Sharingan spun to life, casting genjutsu over her in an instant.
"Do you know Ryūzetsu?" he asked.
"I do," she answered, face slack.
Fugaku's eyes brightened slightly. "Where is she?"
"Ryūzetsu is in the Lord's Manor of Hōzuki Castle."
So she was inside after all.
He could wait for her to return home later — like a patient hunter lying in ambush — but it was only ten in the morning. What was he supposed to do, stand here for an entire day?
There was absolutely no need.
Hōzuki Castle wasn't a dragon's lair.
Just a shabby little prison watched by an elite jōnin. A place he could walk in and out of freely.
Dispelling the genjutsu, Fugaku headed straight toward the castle.
The old woman blinked as her senses returned, confused and dizzy, unaware of what had just happened.
"Stop! No entry!"
The gate guard barked again as Fugaku approached.
Fugaku didn't even look at him — the guard's eyes glazed over instantly under Sharingan genjutsu.
He walked past him calmly.
More soldiers hurried over, clearly suspicious. Fugaku enveloped them all in genjutsu with a single glance.
They froze in place, staring blankly.
"Where is the Lord's Manor…? Forget it," Fugaku sighed. "You take me."
He pointed at one soldier and ordered him to lead the way.
Hōzuki Castle was called a prison, but in reality it felt like a small town. People moved about the streets freely — civilians, workers, a few shinobi here and there.
No one even glanced at Fugaku.
That suited him perfectly.
Soon, the soldier brought him to the Lord's Manor. More guards stood outside, but under Fugaku's genjutsu they were no different from wooden statues.
He entered the manor as casually as if he lived there.
Anyone who tried to ask who he was got the same treatment — a flash of Sharingan, a hollow stare, and silence. He didn't bother explaining himself.
The manor was surprisingly large, with rock gardens and curved pathways. But even after walking around for a while, he didn't see Ryūzetsu.
A maid rushed by, head lowered in haste. Fugaku stopped her.
"Hello, guest," she bowed quickly, assuming he'd been invited by the master.
Good.
Fugaku asked directly, "Do you know where Ryūzetsu is?"
"Yes, I do," she replied immediately.
"Where? Take me to her."
The maid hesitated. "I—I'm very sorry, honored guest. I have something urgent to attend to. Could you wait here for just a moment?"
Fugaku sighed inwardly.
Her urgency has nothing to do with me.
He didn't waste words — Sharingan flared, the maid's eyes went blank.
"Take me to Ryūzetsu."
"Yes."
She turned obediently and led him deeper into the manor.
They passed through a circular stone arch and entered a rear garden. Laughter echoed ahead — high-pitched and carefree.
Fugaku looked closer.
Two children, a boy and a girl, were chasing each other through flowers and grass. Both were about the age of Naruto and Sasuke.
The girl had shoulder-length white hair.
Ryūzetsu.
"Ryūzetsu!" Fugaku called.
She turned instantly.
Found her.
The girl walked over curiously. "Who are you?"
Fugaku studied her eyes — the faint ripple-like pattern of the Ryūmyaku.
She asked again, "Mister, what do you want with me?"
He didn't answer, simply activated Sharingan.
Her expression went empty.
Fugaku lifted her onto his shoulder and headed back.
Behind him:
"Stop! Put her down!"
Muku's voice cracked — the boy had seen everything.
Fugaku didn't stop. He didn't even glance back.
Muku burst out of the archway and saw the maid standing motionless.
"Why are you here, Kikuko? Weren't you going to— argh! Never mind! Go get help! Someone took Ryūzetsu!"
But the maid just stood there, unmoving. Muku stomped in frustration and sprinted after Fugaku.
Somehow the man always seemed just a few steps ahead — close enough to grasp, yet impossible to catch. Even running flat-out, Muku never closed the distance.
He could only watch as Fugaku disappeared with Ryūzetsu.
Breathless, he bent over, sweat dripping, but didn't dare waste time. He turned and ran again, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Servants quickly rushed over.
"Young Master, what's wrong?"
Muku shouted, panic rising,
"A stranger took Ryūzetsu! Hurry and stop him!"
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