Chapter 13: First reward
—Haku, do you think Pakura has been acting strange these days?
—Mmm —Haku thought for a moment, then shook his head— Pakura-sensei seems a bit distracted, but I think it's normal. Maybe she misses some of her friends? —Maybe... —I pondered for a while and decided that it's probably because she's not used to living in a place like this, where the shower is actually a miniature rain cloud. She must be constantly asking me how things work since common sense doesn't apply here in her opinion, and that might have stressed her out a bit.
—I'll go down to the mainland for a few days. Pay attention to your teacher's lessons; I'll ask her when I return. —Don't worry, Mr. Enel, I'll work really hard!
After saying goodbye to everyone, I leaped from the edge of the island and transformed to descend and land a few meters from where I originally ascended. Unlike the last time I was here, I now have a headband from my village tied at the top of my thigh and new pockets in my pants while a backpack hangs from my shoulder. I still haven't decided on the design of the uniform, so I'm not wearing one.
—Now, let's see... Should I collect some Kirigakure heads, or should I take a stroll and see what I find while buying the supplies they asked for? —I contemplated while looking at the scorch mark I left on the ground with my landing— I need to improve my control...
I think I'll go back to the village from last time. I'm curious about how the whole situation with the men who died attacking Haku under the instigation of his father ended. It only takes me a moment to orient myself, and I travel there in an instant using my elemental form.
But as soon as I set foot in the village, I can sense something strange in the air. The civilians already regarded me with suspicion last time, but now they seem even more frightened by my presence. I activate my Mantra and immediately pick up stronger bio-electric responses around me than usual. Did the Kirigakure ninja somehow manage to track down the incident? Incredible. And is their response stronger because they have stronger bodies, or does chakra influence it in some way?
—Halt right there! —Hmm? —I turned to see a Kirigakure ninja with a mask on his face; strange, I thought those were only used for bounty hunters— Do you need something from me? —I asked while scratching my nose with the lobe of my left ear. Yes, it turns out I can control my earlobes, which is convenient. I don't have to put down a book if my nose itches; I can scratch it while still reading. Haku found this fact very amusing and laughed a lot.
—Identify yourself —he seems to have noticed the headband on my right thigh— Which village do you belong to? And state your purpose.
—My village is Seimeigakure, and I came here for some trades. The ninja falls silent, and I can't see his expression due to the mask, but I assume he's doing the same as Pakura did once.
—Is it a recently founded village? —he asks with evident doubt. —Yes. —Where is its location? —Confidential. It's a hidden village, after all —I replied, shrugging— A truly hidden one, I mean. Yes, I openly mocked them for calling themselves hidden villages when everyone knows where they are. I have the feeling that he just furrowed his brow in annoyance because of that, but I have no proof.
—Where is the child who was with you? —he suddenly asks. I raised an eyebrow intrigued. Is he trying to make me accidentally divulge information? It seems they do know about us or managed to identify Haku as a remnant of the Yuki clan, given that I was with him here a few days ago. It's logical to assume that they're inquiring about his current whereabouts.
—Confidential. —I'm sure no matter my answer, he will try to interrogate me, so I just replied with the first thing that came to mind. —Enough; you will come with us to answer some questions in private —I see him raise his hand, and they surround me. So predictable. One, two... there are a total of eight, including the one who talked to me so far.
—I refuse; attack! The Kirigakure ninja prepare to charge at me, but they realize that the order to attack didn't come from their leader but from the target, which makes them hesitate as they almost trip over each other and look at each other confused.
—A quick question —I took the Bingo book from my new pocket and opened it to the section on Kirigakure while observing the faces of the others, who don't have masks. I guess they're more common ninjas— Do any of you have a bounty? —Are you making fun of us? —a guy with dreadlocks and bandages covering his nose asked.
—Ask, and you shall receive answers —I see that the first face matches perfectly with the photo in the book— Let's see your information... Name: Takeda. Affiliation: Kirigakure. Estimated Strength: Chunin. Nickname: The Drowned. Bounty: Five million ryo. Information: Uses water ninjutsu to slowly suffocate and enjoys killing his victims during the process. Several minor nobles from the Land of Water have died at his hands.
While I read the information, I remain still and feel kunai and shurikens piercing me, causing nothing more than a few tickles.
—Does he have any techniques like those of the Hozuki clan? —You will come with me —he declared as he put the book away and walked toward Takeda.
—What are you waiting for? —the masked ninja said— Capture him alive! They charge at me while two of them start forming hand seals.
—Hidden Mist Technique! I have to contain my laughter; it's the worst technique they could have considered using against me. With my Mantra, I can locate them without a problem, and I've already memorized which one is Takeda. I point my index finger at one of the signals and squeeze my thumb like a trigger, shooting a lightning bolt in his direction. At such speed and such a short distance, the ninja can't react in time, and the signal disappears. The other ninja in the mist are surprised when they stop feeling the chakra of one of their comrades, but they still can't locate their target.
...Two minutes later...
—That was an unnecessary waste of time, and now I'll have to find another place for trades. Don't you agree, Takeda? —I asked the ninja hanging from my shoulder— Right, I paralyzed your nerves with a discharge to your medulla oblongata, it doesn't matter. That was a rhetorical question —I took out the Bingo book again and flipped to the last page— Fortunately, there are some marks where I can leave you; I don't want to burden myself with you for too long.
When the civilians came out of their houses, the mist vanished after they heard the sound of thunder, and only ashes remained on the ground.
...Twenty minutes later...
Ameyuri arrived at the scene of the battle and frowned when she saw the headband of her village among the ashes, half-melted.
—So, you're still nearby...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone