Kapitel 104: Formal Contact

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Mizuno sat quietly, lost in thought. *Is Shibuki still unfit to lead?*

The question weighed heavily on him, but there was no time for doubt. Takigakure's future was precarious, and his own days were numbered. Even if he lived another two years, who else could shoulder the burden of leadership? The answer eluded him.

This was the tragedy of Takigakure.

Decades of internal strife had eroded the village's strength. Despite its potential, Takigakure had fallen far behind the Five Great Nations. Even Amegakure or Kusagakure might overshadow them now if it weren't for the presence of Chōmei, the Seven-Tails. Takigakure's survival rested on borrowed time.

"Shibuki," Mizuno began, his voice firm but not unkind, "life and death follow their course. I am seventy years old. My fears have long since faded. But you... You are the leader of this village now. You cannot show such weakness. Do you understand?"

He exhaled deeply, his sharp eyes settling on his grandson. There was no alternative. They had to move forward, no matter the cost.

To his credit, Shibuki's kindhearted nature had earned him the trust of the village's neutral factions. But this kindness… it could just as easily become a liability.

"Yes, Grandpa Mizuno," Shibuki replied, bowing his head. "I'm sorry to have let you down."

Mizuno's chest tightened. Shibuki's deference frustrated him. Where was the strength, the resolve? A true leader could not afford such hesitation.

Still, the old man softened his tone and placed a weathered hand on Shibuki's shoulder. "You've done well enough. Don't be so hard on yourself. Now, tell me—what news is there of Shisha? I've been bedridden for days. Has he been captured yet?"

Shisha was a looming threat, a wound festering within Takigakure. Mizuno knew him too well—if not dealt with quickly, the traitor could plunge the village into chaos.

"Don't worry, Grandpa," Shibuki said, his voice gaining a rare edge of confidence. "We've located Shisha. Ajun has already led a team to apprehend him. If all goes well, he'll be brought back soon."

Mizuno nodded slowly. "Good. But listen carefully—if Shisha resists, he must be eliminated. Do not hesitate."

"Eliminate him?" Shibuki flinched. "Grandpa, isn't that too extreme? Shisha was once a trusted ally, and—"

"Shibuki!" Mizuno's voice cut through his protests like a blade. "You are the leader of this village. You cannot afford to let sentiment cloud your judgment. Excessive kindness is a luxury we cannot afford."

Shibuki fell silent under the weight of his grandfather's words. Mizuno's gaze bore into him, unwavering. "Shisha has betrayed Takigakure. He chose this path, and now he is an enemy. If you hesitate, you risk not only your own life but the stability of this entire village. Do you understand?"

Finally, after a long pause, Shibuki nodded. "I understand. I'll give the order."

"Good," Mizuno said, his tone softening. "As the leader of Takigakure, you must be decisive. Mercy is noble, but misplaced mercy can destroy us all."

Shibuki swallowed his reservations and straightened his posture. "Yes, Grandpa. I won't disappoint you."

"Now," Mizuno Satoru continued, "tell me—how was Shisha discovered?"

"It was Fu," Shibuki said, his voice steady now. "She found him. Shisha tried to kidnap her, but she managed to fight back. She was injured but sent word before Ajun's team pursued him. Shisha was wounded in the skirmish, so he can't have gone far."

Mizuno's expression darkened. "Fu? Shisha went after Fu?"

"Yes," Shibuki replied, puzzled by his grandfather's reaction. "Why?"

Mizuno leaned forward, his sharp instincts ignited by unease. "Tell me everything that's happened recently, especially regarding Fu."

Shibuki hesitated but began recounting the events, unaware of the storm brewing behind his grandfather's eyes. Mizuno's mind raced. Shisha targeting Fu wasn't just an act of desperation—it was calculated. And if Fu, the host of Chōmei, was the target…

The implications were far graver than he had feared.

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Shibuki couldn't suppress the wave of dread that washed over him when he saw the horror etched on Elder Mizuno's face. Despite the tension, he found himself recounting everything that had transpired over the past few days.

Mizuno listened in silence, his expression stern and unyielding. For a long moment, his face remained impassive, but when Shibuki mentioned Fū visiting him—checking on his condition and promising to demonstrate the results of her training—Mizuno's expression darkened.

"Is that so? Is that so!?" Mizuno's voice was low, trembling with barely contained emotion as his eyes narrowed, his weathered features grim.

"What's going on, Grandpa Mizuno?" Shibuki asked, confused by the sudden shift in his grandfather's demeanor.

Mizuno ignored the question. His face tightened with urgency as he gripped Shibuki's shoulder with a frail but firm hand, his eyes wide and frantic. "Shibuki, you must leave the village—now! Head to Ajin and the others immediately, and take the Hero Water with you. Do not return until I send word. Do you understand?"

Shibuki blinked in disbelief. "What? Why, Grandpa? What's happening? You have to explain!"

His mind reeled at the sudden change in tone. Just moments ago, everything seemed normal. Why had the situation become so dire?

"You foolish boy, it's because—"

Before Mizuno could finish, a voice—sharp and clear—cut through the tension in the room.

"Of course, it's because if Shibuki doesn't leave, he's likely to die here."

Both Shibuki and Mizuno froze at the unexpected intrusion. The voice was unmistakably present, yet there was no sign of a third person in the room.

"Who's there!?" Shibuki leapt to his feet, kunai in hand, his body coiled in a defensive stance as his eyes darted toward the source of the voice.

The slow, deliberate sound of footsteps echoed in the room, and soon, a figure emerged from the shadows—a slender young man with dark hair and a calm, unsettling aura.

Shibuki's eyes widened. "Shirogane-san!?"

Mizuno narrowed his gaze as recognition dawned. His lips pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable.

The young man—Shirogane—offered a faint smile. "Forgive the intrusion, Lord Shibuki. It's been some time, hasn't it? Although I no longer go by Shirogane. Call me Menma now."

"Menma?" Shibuki repeated, his voice laced with confusion. "What are you doing here? And how did you get in? This is a secure area in Takigakure!"

Menma chuckled softly. "Your security measures are impressive, but not impenetrable. As for my presence here… let's just say I'm here to ensure you don't meet an untimely end."

"Save me?" Shibuki echoed, his grip on the kunai tightening. "Why would you say that? What's going on?"

Elder Mizuno leaned forward, his frail frame trembling slightly. "Menma, if you've come this far, it means something significant is at play," he said, his voice sharp despite his weakened state.

Menma nodded. "You're correct, Elder Mizuno. There's no need for alarm just yet—I've delayed Shisha's plans for now. We have an hour or two before the situation escalates."

Shibuki's body tensed at the mention of Shisha, his knuckles white as he gripped his weapon. "You're working with Shisha?!" he shouted.

"Shibuki! Calm yourself!" Mizuno's voice rang out, his words triggering a fit of coughing. The elder leaned heavily against the table, his frail body wracked by spasms.

"Grandpa! Are you alright?" Shibuki rushed to his side, momentarily forgetting Menma as he supported Mizuno.

Menma sighed. "There's no need for such hostility, Shibuki. I'm not working with Shisha, though I've had my share of dealings with him—and with a certain ninja from Amegakure. Shisha intends to assassinate you and take control of Takigakure. Even Fū, someone you trust deeply, has been unwittingly caught in his web."

"That's impossible!" Shibuki's voice trembled. "Fū would never betray me!"

Menma's expression softened, though his eyes carried a hint of pity. "It's not betrayal, not in the way you think. She's been manipulated, Shibuki—deceived by Shisha's schemes."

"Manipulated…?" Shibuki whispered, the word cutting through his rising panic.

"Yes. The roots of Shisha's influence run deep, deeper than you realize. Even Elder Mizuno

has been caught up in it," Menma said quietly, his tone calm but foreboding.

Shibuki turned to his grandfather, searching his face for answers. But Mizuno expression was grim, confirming Menma's words.

"The threat is real," Menma continued, his voice steady. "And Fū, despite her good intentions, has unknowingly become a pawn in Shisha's plan."

Shibuki felt the weight of Menma's words settle over him like a suffocating shroud. His mind raced, battling the urge to deny what he was hearing. But deep down, he knew Menma's words carried truth.

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