Jirocho

Before leaving, Shuji had given them instructions. So when Anko and Itachi saw Shizune at the Wasabi Family residence, they tacitly kept their distance and did not rashly strike up a conversation or probe for information.

Instead, Shizune took the initiative. Noticing the faint distance maintained by the two younger ninja from the village, the young woman slowly approached.

"My name is Shizune," she said calmly. "I used to live in Konoha too, but later traveled abroad with my teacher... It's been seven or eight years since I left the village." She first explained her background.

Hearing where she came from, Anko's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Since Shizune was a senior from the village, a frank smile appeared on her face. "Shizune-senpai, you're already a Jonin, right?"

"No." Shizune hurriedly waved her hands, her movements carrying a touch of earnestness. "I was only a Chunin when I left the village, and I still am." Her gaze instinctively swept the surroundings before she lowered her voice slightly and added, "My ninja registration number is 010800."

"Anko Mitarashi, Chunin." Since Shizune could provide an official registration number, her credibility abruptly rose. The purple-haired kunoichi readily introduced herself.

"Uchiha Itachi, Genin." The black-haired boy's reply remained concise.

"Yes, Shuji mentioned you before he left." Shizune nodded slightly, her expression warm. "I specialize in medical ninjutsu. If you're injured, don't hesitate—come find me anytime." She paused, and her tone took on a sincere assurance. "As for combat... I may not look like much, but I do have some ability to defend myself and provide support."

Shizune was not normally good with words, but facing two younger members of her village, that long-missed bond tied to Konoha made her speak more than usual. Under her gentleness and sincerity, Anko gradually lowered her guard as well.

"Shizune's teacher..." Anko finally could not hold herself back, but immediately realized she had asked something she should not have. "Sorry."

"It's all right. It's just that my teacher has retired, so as her disciple, I retired with her."

Just then, a subdued commotion came from the direction of the Wasabi Family's front courtyard. Jirocho hurried back, his face as dark as the sea before a storm.

"The city gates have been shut by the guards!" His voice was low and urgent. "Those people declared martial law across the city under the pretext of an emergency... Beast Soldier Guard is making his move!"

Shizune immediately stepped forward, speaking faster. "Please go to the rear courtyard at once! Leave the front to us."

Anko and Itachi swiftly exchanged a glance. Without a word, Itachi quietly retreated and vanished into the shadows of the corridor—this was the team's established tactic. Itachi would remain concealed in the dark to observe the battle and decide for himself when to act.

But Jirocho firmly shook his head. "No. I'm their target. If I hide, they'll head for the inner residence." His gaze swept over Shizune and Anko. "Besides, for ninja, being able to hide in the shadows and observe the enemy first gives you an advantage. If I hide, you'll have no choice but to expose yourselves first."

Taking a deep breath, Wasabi Jirocho said, "I'll lead my men and stand ready in the front courtyard. When to make your move will be for you to decide."

The head of the Wasabi Family bowed deeply to Shizune and Anko. His gaze then turned toward where Itachi had disappeared, and he offered an equally solemn bow in that direction.

"Everything is in your hands! For Chujie Port, for the Wasabi Family... I will remember this debt of gratitude for the rest of my life. Please!" With that, he did not linger. He turned and strode toward the front courtyard, his back straight with the resolve of a man ready to stake everything on one throw.

Watching his retreating figure, Anko could not help murmuring in admiration, "That Mr. Wasabi... he's a good man."

"Yes," Shizune replied softly. "That's why he is my teacher's friend."

The air in the courtyard suddenly became thick and oppressive. From the front courtyard came the low shouts of the Wasabi Family guards, the soft scrape of metal, and the chilling sound of weapons being drawn. Tension coiled silently around everyone's nerves like invisible vines.

Shizune said nothing more. She opened her ninja tool pouch and checked its contents. Pulling back her right sleeve, she inspected the concealed weapon launcher strapped to her arm.

Anko's smile also faded as her right hand quietly slipped into the wide sleeve of her dark purple coat.

Time passed second by second in the suffocating wait. The heavy breathing of the Wasabi Family guards in the front courtyard could be heard clearly, their knuckles turning white as they gripped their weapons. Every gust of wind passing over the wall sounded like approaching enemy footsteps.

Suddenly!

BOOM—!!!

A deafening blast tore through the dead silence! The heavy gates of the Wasabi Family's front courtyard seemed to have been struck by an invisible siege hammer. The entire gate, along with the wooden frames on both sides, twisted and shattered in an instant before exploding inward! Countless sharp splinters shot out like a torrential downpour!

Through the billowing dust, three figures stepped over the wreckage of the gate and slowly entered the front courtyard like evil ghosts emerging from a crack in hell.

The man at the front was tall and imposing. It was Beast Soldier Guard, the commander of the city garrison! His white haori snapped in the blast's gusts. Though the sword at his waist, which never left his side, remained sheathed, a tangible, biting killing intent already washed over them, forcing several Wasabi Family guards in the front row to stagger back with bloodless faces.

To Beast Soldier Guard's left stood a terrifying figure. His left arm was tightly wrapped in filthy bandages soaked through with blood, yet the five exposed fingers were an inhuman bone white, unnaturally sharp. Beneath his ragged sleeve hung a strip of dark red cloth, as though saturated with bloodstains. Most eerie of all was his left eye: cloudy amber, lifeless, like the eye of a dead fish, coldly sweeping over the terrified people in the courtyard.

To Beast Soldier Guard's right stood someone shrouded in a broad oilcloth cloak mottled with mildew and water stains. The hood was pulled so low that only a bluish-gray chin, as if it had been drowned for a long time, could be seen, along with two dry, cracked, bloodless lips. He carried an enormous brown gourd on his shoulder, nearly half a man tall. Its surface was likewise covered in slick moss, making it seem heavy and bizarre.

The moment the three appeared, the temperature across the entire front courtyard seemed to drop by ten degrees. The Wasabi Family guards felt as though they had fallen into an ice cellar. Their weapon-gripping hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and their courage rapidly crumbled beneath that utterly inhuman pressure.

Beast Soldier Guard's gaze was like a cold razor. It passed over the shivering guards and fixed precisely on Wasabi Jirocho, who stood surrounded by the others at the center. A smile without a trace of warmth spread across his lips. His voice was not loud, yet it rolled through the courtyard like muffled thunder.

"Wasabi Jirocho... your road ends here."

His gaze slowly swept across the pale-faced guards before returning to Jirocho. His tone was flat enough to chill the blood.

"And these insects can be crushed along with you."