Attending the Meeting

Gradually, Yuzhen was starting to gain some confidence in his "acting."

In a situation as chaotic as this, Yuzhen only needed to maintain a serious expression to be considered a master actor. At most, he would occasionally let a look of pity for the suffering world flash across his eyes. In a life-or-death crisis, wouldn't you look stoic instead of smiling?

Yuzhen, resuming his role as an "Elder," returned to the side of Daisuke's corpse and diligently continued his examination.

Before long, two more ninjas found him.

"Elder, the Clan Leader is urgently summoning the clan's high-ranking officials."

Yuzhen trembled and feigned difficulty as he stood up.

He had just witnessed the Elder's attitude towards the deceased, which seemed to show genuine emotion, so he roughly understood that their relationship was unusual.

Seeing this, the two ninjas didn't find it strange. One of them even quickly helped Yuzhen up.

"What happened now?"

"Two mission squads that were supposed to return to the village tonight are still missing and haven't sent any news. The Clan Leader suspects they were also killed."

"Meaning, the enemy isn't just one person, and they're attacking us from both inside and out?" Yuzhen retorted.

"Yes, Elder."

Yuzhen nodded. It seemed Uchiha Nanami and Fūma Kotarō had made their move.

Dealing with internal affairs here and external threats there, a comprehensive approach. One could see how fortunate the Tsugawa Clan was.

"Elder?"

"I understand, I'll go see the Clan Leader now."

Yuzhen turned to leave, but after only two steps, he stopped and said, "Bring Daisuke's body with you. Let's go to the Clan Leader's place together."

The two ninjas exchanged glances, then nodded simultaneously:

"Yes, Elder."

Yuzhen continued his act, but he needed them to lead the way.

Although he had gathered intelligence about the village's layout, he couldn't grasp the internal structure of certain buildings. Without actually entering, intelligence alone wasn't enough to support him in acting with the familiarity of "strolling through a garden."

Therefore, he needed guides.

Furthermore, bringing the body was also normal. On one hand, the Elder greatly valued this Captain. On the other hand, a Combat Captain was already a high-ranking official within the clan's top ten. If such a person died, their body should naturally be displayed; otherwise, how could his importance be conveyed?

Facing Yuzhen's request, these two ninjas could only play the role of ushering the wolf into the house, leading him to the clan's core center of power... which was the village council.

Yuzhen's stealthy infiltration and pincer attack strategy achieved the expected combat effect.

Faced with an elusive enemy like a ghost, the mid-to-lower-ranking ninjas of the Tsugawa Clan began to panic.

The higher-ups couldn't ignore such a infiltration and assassination attempt that shook the clan's foundation. In fact, they clearly recognized the danger posed by such an enemy. Therefore, except for one Combat Captain who was out on a mission, all the clan's high-ranking officials were gathered together.

A meeting was necessary; they couldn't proceed without one.

"Putting aside the lost war materials, a large amount of daily necessities and production materials crucial for the clan's survival have been reduced to ashes. How long can we last now?"

"Since the village was established, we haven't been attacked before, but I cannot accept the reality that we have suffered such heavy losses without the enemy paying any price."

"Price? We haven't found the slightest trace of the infiltrator. How many enemies are there? What's their origin? Why are they attacking us? We know nothing."

"The supplies and the logistics department were destroyed together. If the infiltrator is still hiding in the village, what should we do?"

"Someone who can use this kind of silent infiltration and assassination technique would never be an unknown figure. Based on the current intelligence, can't you deduce their origin?"

The high-ranking officials of the Tsugawa Clan, who were in the midst of their meeting, were almost all exasperated. However, no one could fail to see the panic hidden beneath their agitated emotions.

The Tsugawa Clan Leader was named Tsugawa Taishi. He was a ninja in his late thirties, in his prime. He cleared his throat and interrupted everyone's argument, saying, "Xiu Ping, did you find anything at the crime scenes?"

Yuzhen didn't immediately realize the leader was calling him. He knew the Tsugawa Clan had an Elder named "Tsugawa Xiu Ping," who served as the Clan Leader's strategist, but he couldn't be sure if "Xiu Ping" was the one he was currently impersonating.

"Xiu Ping?"

Seeing no response, Yuzhen finally confirmed that the leader was calling him.

"Yes, Clan Leader."

He agreed, followed by a period of silence, as if he were organizing his thoughts.

The Clan Leader couldn't help but frown. Elder Xiu Ping was never this hesitant before. Fortunately, at this moment, someone whispered to him about the assassination of the Combat Captain, and the Clan Leader understood why Elder Xiu Ping was reacting a beat slower.

"The enemy didn't leave much behind, but it's certain that he or they are extremely skilled in assassination techniques, possibly using very special methods for concealment and movement... If I'm not mistaken, it's likely Earth Style Ninjutsu."

Yuzhen began to analyze himself, and without a doubt, his words were ambiguous.

"The enemy's assassination techniques are extraordinary. Our ninjas all died silently from backstabs. It's conceivable that he is most likely still hiding in the village, but finding him will be extremely difficult."

"The important thing now is how we should respond... I suggest that at any time, for any action, we must gather in groups of three or more, and everyone must be vigilant of each other's backs."

"Cease all external missions. All ninjas should gather together according to their unit affiliation."

"Scouting and sensory ninjas should be deployed dispersedly, with their sensory ranges overlapping each other. Other ninjas should be placed as much as possible within their sensory range."

"Although it's difficult for us to find the infiltrator, if he's still in the village, it means his objective hasn't been achieved."

"We just need to wait by the stump for the hare. When he makes another move, seize the opportunity and eliminate him!"

Although the attitude was very serious, Yuzhen felt increasingly strange. I'm setting up tactics to arrest myself? While the plan sounded plausible, how could it possibly work?

The referees, the referees, and the sideline referees are all my people? No, it's all me.

"What about the general clansmen?" the Clan Leader asked the crucial question after a moment's thought.

No one could guarantee that the infiltrators' targets would only be Ninja and not civilians.

Yuzhen remained silent, implying, You understand what I mean, don't you?

How to weigh the options was the Clan Leader's prerogative; Elder Xiu Ping was merely offering suggestions.

After a long silence, the Clan Leader said, "Arrange it. Follow Elder Xiu Ping's plan and have the clan's Ninja move quickly."

Ninja are an immediate fighting force, the foundation of a clan. At this time, the Clan Leader had to make some sacrifices.

Yuzhen glanced at the other Elder, who had remained silent the whole time. While Yuzhen was acting as the strategist, the other Elder was likely the muscle.

The enemies infiltrating the village were bound to be limited in number, but the enemy was in the dark while they were in the light. What was the use of having fighting strength if they couldn't use it? If they didn't adopt passive defense measures, people might become casualties at any moment.

Who would have thought that Yuzhen was also "in the light"? It was just that others couldn't see him.

The Clan Leader's actions were certainly not wrong. The more concentrated the Ninja, the more exposed the civilians would be. They would not have security guarantees and would naturally become more panicked as time went on.

This was no longer the time to consider supplies or anything like that.

They immediately began arranging defensive matters, setting up a "wait by the stump for the rabbit" plan.

Yuzhen, sitting right beside the Clan Leader, naturally saw all these arrangements clearly.

But he didn't act immediately. The brewing, spreading, and diffusion of panic always took time.

It was so good to stay at the village committee. Everyone here was talented and spoke so nicely.

After another hour of discussion, the Combat Captains began to leave. They would gather their teams to appease and control the lower and middle-ranking Ninja.

The Clan Leader and the two Elders took turns on watch, preparing to respond to any emergencies in a timely manner.

So, what would happen tonight?

For a wage slave, what was worse than working the night shift?

It was working the night shift for the enemy, and they didn't even pay you.

Therefore, nothing else would happen tonight.