The atmosphere inside the wooden house gradually grew heavy.
The four ninja of the Tsuchigumo Clan had ashen faces. They could even hear one another's breathing.
After a long silence.
En no Gyōja struggled to raise his head. His murky old eyes glared at Shiro Nami as he sought an explanation.
Shiro Nami's father, the previous guardian of the forbidden technique, had been loyal, upright, and reliable.
His death dealt a heavy blow to the Tsuchigumo Clan and marked the beginning of the clan's decline.
"Heh." Shiro Nami let out a soft laugh, remaining silent and composed without the slightest panic.
Seeing his appearance, En no Gyōja and Hotaru looked toward the Great Elder.
Ingetsu, wearing a black hood, also looked toward the Great Elder, signaling for him to continue.
The Great Elder glared at Shiro Nami and beat his chest in agitation.
"Back then, when your father was attacked by a missing-nin, I was among the first clan members to arrive at the scene.
When he died.
His final words.
Were for us to beware of Shiro Nami!
From that day onward.
I did everything I could to investigate and gather evidence of your crimes. You never imagined that there were survivors in the houses near the place where you committed the murder. They escaped quickly, so you never got the chance to silence them.
I didn't report you immediately because I had no evidence against you!
This time, when I went out with the caravan.
I found that family."
As he spoke, the Great Elder pulled a black scroll from his robes and continued:
"This contains their testimony describing the battle over the forbidden technique. As for the witnesses, I've already settled them somewhere safe. I can have them come here and confront you at any time."
The