The tavern owner handed over a glass of wine.
"Oh? What is it?"
Insect Man picked up the glass, took a sip of the wine inside, and squinted his eyes.
"The mission issuer is an elder from Woods Village, they have entrusted Mr. Insect Man and his Nokizaru Group to reclaim their secret techniques. The bounty offered is eighty million ryo."
"Eighty million ryo? Such a high bounty?"
Upon hearing the bounty reward, Insect Man's eyes widened slightly, seeming a bit surprised.
Even for the Nokizaru Group, they rarely receive such high bounty missions in a year.
Most of the bounty missions they take pay between ten million and thirty million ryo.
The eighty-million-ryo task reward hasn't been encountered for over a year.
In the Ninja Village's commission system, such a task undoubtedly requires several Jonin to complete, a top-level S-rank difficulty mission.
"Although it's hard to believe, this is indeed the bounty given by the client."
The tavern owner's expression was serious.
"It seems the secret lost by Woods Village isn't something simple... Or the target of the theft isn't simple either."
Insect Man muttered.
The tavern owner nodded and leaned closer to whisper something in Insect Man's ear.
After hearing it, Insect Man's expression grew increasingly somber, but he ultimately nodded in agreement.
Since their debut, the Nokizaru Group has never faced defeat without battle.
No matter how difficult the mission may be or how terrifying the enemy, they should at least give it their best shot.
◎
"Reclaim the secret techniques stolen from Woods Village?"
In the town's inn, after accepting the mission, Insect Man began discussing with the other four members of Nokizaru Group.
The other four were: Earth Man, who specialized in Earth Style Ninjutsu.
Fire Man, a master of Fire Style Ninjutsu.
Water Man, skilled in Water Style Ninjutsu.
And Shadow Man, who used Yin Style Ninjutsu.
Each of them was endowed with a particular jutsu system, though none alone was a powerful ninja, their strength lay in their coordination.
To handle most enemies, only four needed to be deployed, but should they encounter highly skilled ninjas, Insect Man would use his Bursting Insect to blow the enemy to pieces.
The danger posed by the Bursting Insect was such that even Jiraiya, one of the Konoha Sannin, had suffered from it.
In the Ninja Realm, few ninjas could match the Sannin, which is why the Nokizaru Group was feared in the underground black market, becoming esteemed guests of many clients.
"That's correct." Facing Shadow Man's inquiry, Insect Man nodded and continued, "It was reported that a few days ago, some unknown ninjas entered the Land of Woods, aiming to steal a certain secret technique handed down through generations within Woods Village. After some skirmishes, Woods Village's secret technique was taken... The mission issued by the elder of Woods Village is for us to retrieve the stolen Secret Jutsu Scroll."
"Then who are the ones who stole Woods Village's secret techniques..."
"Hidden Cloud ninjas."
Insect Man slowly uttered these words.
The rest frowned, sensing the tricky nature of the situation.
To enhance their military strength, Hidden Cloud relentlessly collects secret and forbidden techniques, a fact not hidden in the Ninja Realm.
However, due to reverence for the Land of Lightning, the other four nations, while verbally condemning Cloud's actions, often turn a blind eye.
Thus, if Woods Village truly possesses potent secret techniques, it wouldn't be surprising if Cloud learned of it and sought to steal them.
This is Cloud's dominant and authoritative style.
Because of Cloud's relentless pursuit of power, the ninja villages of other nations also have to bolster their military to guard against Cloud.
"Who's leading the Cloud ninja?"
Earth Man inquired.
Insect Man shook his head and replied, "Currently unknown, but the Cloud ninjas who entered Woods Village were a few Hidden Cloud Jonin, skilled in swordsmanship and Lightning Style, injuring many from Woods Village."
This outcome was rather expected.
Woods Village was just an obscure small village, long diminished, and the Jonin from Hidden Cloud, generally being a powerful martial faction, were stronger than those from small villages. A small, declining village being unable to handle a few Jonin from Cloud wouldn't be surprising.
Some ninja villages are genuinely small, needing only a few Jonin to conquer.
While the ninja force of Woods Village isn't weak to this extent, it's not particularly strong either.
"Let's investigate then. Since we've accepted the mission, even if the opponent is Cloud, we must complete it."
Water Man stated.
Insect Man and the rest nodded; it was indeed true.
It's not outright confrontation with a ninja village, merely retrieving the Secret Jutsu Scroll, which isn't beyond possibility.
Moreover, if they find they can't win, retreating wouldn't be too late.
Faced with an opponent like Cloud, they dare not be too complacent.
"Additionally, after finishing this mission, headquarters has another mission for us."
Insect Man spoke up then.
"What mission?"
Scanning the crowd, Insect Man said, "The leader has tasked us with finding Tsunade, one of the Sannin, as there's important business to discuss with her. If there are no other issues, let's set off."
Having said that, Insect Man was the first to leave the guest room, followed closely by the other four, starting the pursuit of the Hidden Cloud Village ninjas who stole Woods Village's Secret Jutsu Scroll.