Chapter 29: Chapter 28 - Untalented Nija
It did not take them long to reach their destination, but they were shocked by the sight. A purple mist engulfed the small village, making it hard to see what was going on in the inside.
Ernie held Hina and Himari back as he lightly touched the fog, but when he did, he felt an invisible wall instead.
"Some sort of sealing jutsu, one i've never encountered before."
Hina said when she noticed Ernie's hand stop right before he touched the fog.
Ernie nodded in agreement.
"Let's go around to the other side, maybe we'll be able to see whats going on."
Ernie suggested as he walked around the fog.
He spotted a young child with her eyes closed, she laid on the ground sleep.
"Hey, wake up."
Ernie said as he tapped the young girl with his foot.
The young girl yawned as she rubbed her eyes. Shaking her head, she noticed Ernie and the girls.
Suddenly realizing something, the girl jumped up and yelled.
"Finally! Help has arrived."
The girl shouted.
As she jumped up, Ernie noticed two thick green lines under her eyes.
"Help? That depends, what is the problem here?"
Ernie asked as he crossed his arms and looked at the girl.
The two of them were similar in height, but Ernie still tried to look imposing.
It didn't work out for him as the young girl giggled a bit before she turned back serious.
"Yes! My village is in trouble, don't you see this purple mist? It appeared one day and trapped everyone inside, at the time I was gathering berries and was not inside the village. Yet, when I returned I saw this. Please, you have to help us."
Ernie looked at Hina then Himari.
"This mist wouldn't just appear, someone must have put it here. We tried to enter your village earlier but we were blocked by some invisible wall. I assume it's some sort of sealing jutsu, which is going to be hard for us to break. Sadly, it doesn't seem like we will be able to help you."
Hearing Ernie's answer, the girl's eyes started to water.
"Don't go shedding those, and don't look at me that way! It's not going to work."
Ernie told her as he turned his head away from the young girl. Hina and Himari tugged on his sleeve and pointed towards the girl.
"Nope! Stop looking, you'll just be caught in her trap. Trust me on this, kids with tears always get what they want."
Five minutes later, Ernie was sitting down listening to the young girl explain her story. Her name was Nija Uzu, and she was just a lowly clan member even in her clan. She wasn't very talented in the art of ninjutsu and she wasn't adapt in taijutsu either. Seeing that she lacked the skills to be considered an average ninja, she spent most of her time gathering supplies for her family and clan.
She also told Ernie about how a month ago that her older sister disappeared.
"What is the story with these disappearances, this is the second time i've heard about it."
"There is no story, it's just one day a few moons ago people in our village started to vanish. We quickly noticed it and even told people to not travel far, but it still didn't help. Sometimes one person vanishes, sometimes three."
Nija answered.
"Did you guys start anything with another clan? Maybe they were targeted and killed."
Nija shook her head.
"My clan is peaceful, we don't start anything with anyone. We barely leave the village expect for when we need something. Our interactions with others are only when we ask for help, and usually our help as to do with getting us something. So, I don't think any clan hates us."
"Maybe they desire something your clan has."
Himari spoke up.
"Like what? Our clan is small, we have nothing but each other."
Ernie sighed listening to this.
"You don't know what's going on, or who is responsible for it so how do you expect anyone to help you?"
Nija thought about it for a moment and nodded her head as she brought out a large pearl.
"I have this!"
Ernie grabbed the large pearl from her small hands and examined it. Engraved on it was a symbol, one that he hasn't seen before.
"I know this, it's a barrier seal. Used to keep people out or in."
Hina said as she saw the symbol on the pearl.
"The purple mist was throwing me off, it's probably some sort of jutsu while the barrier keeps it inside."
Hina continued.
Ernie looked at the village next to him.
"You think you can break it?"
Hina shook her head.
"I don't think so, it depends. This pearl is the medium, but I can use it to track to person responsible for it."
Hina replied.
Ernie nodded his head.
"Do it then."
After saying that he gave Hina the pearl as he turned his attention to Nija.
"What's your relation to the clan leader here?"
"We are family I guess, he could be considered my great-uncle. Why?"
"Look around you, there isn't anything to look forward to here, and you guys already said you don't interact much with any other clan. I was thinking, if you guys want to live peaceful lives why don't you come live in my village. But, i'll need to talk with your great-uncle I guess."
Ernie said.
"I know! I can tell my mother, she'll talk to him first about this and ease the idea into his head. Then you can finish it, but don't get your hopes up."
Ernie laughed as he listened to Nija.
"Why would you do that? Don't you think i'm trying to absorb your clan?"
Ernie asked her.
Nija shook her head.
"It doesn't matter, it can be considered my reward to you for accepting this task."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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