The Land of Grass Has Strict Laws

You know fear now, huh?

Kusana rolled his eyes and looked at Mujie before him. "Tell me! Why were you acting like some kind of spy chief?"

Wasn't it just...

One selling books and one buying books?

Did you have to be so secretive?

However.

The moment he finished speaking.

Mujie immediately looked at Kusana with resentment in his eyes. "Didn't you tell me to be careful, Chief?"

Seriously!

That had scared him half to death just now!

So many scarlet eyes had been staring at him. He had nearly dropped to his knees!

He had thought he'd committed some major offense again!

"..."

Only then did Kusana remember.

Ever since last time...

When Yahiko had secretly taken the books out and been discovered, Kusana had sternly criticized him, telling him not to corrupt the children of the Land of Grass or ruin the Land of Grass's future!

Kusana gave an awkward laugh, coughed twice, then looked curiously at Mujie. "How did you get mixed up with one of Konoha's Sannin?"

"Oh, I found him yesterday! Then I discovered we shared a common hobby, and he heard I had a signed edition from Teacher Ooki, so he bought it from me."

"You found him yesterday?"

"Yes! He was skulking around, so I caught him!" Mujie said matter-of-factly. "Don't underestimate the grass ninja. Kusagakure doesn't just sell fake intelligence! To gather intelligence, our reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance skills are also very strong!"

"..."

Kusana's mouth twitched.

He had nearly forgotten.

Besides knowing when to yield, the grass ninja also possessed a rather decent talent for intelligence gathering.

Their capabilities were not even weaker than those of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

But.

What was Jiraiya doing here?

Could it be because of "Gambling Shadow"?!

That film was meant to lure in Tsunade.

Come to think of it, where was that rich woman?

Why had she still not come?!

Kusana sighed inwardly, then looked at Mujie, who had casually sat down, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and started sipping it at an unhurried pace. Kusana rolled his eyes helplessly. "Do you know why he came here?"

"Oh, right! Speaking of that... I almost forgot!" As if recalling something important, Mujie slapped his forehead, hurriedly set down his teacup, and looked solemnly at Kusana. "Chief, I have something important to say!"

"??? Say it!"

"I hope the Chief... can issue an order... to find Teacher Ooki!"

"?!"

What the hell!

Find who?

Before Kusana could react.

"Teacher Ooki!" Mujie said excitedly. "Listen, Chief! Teacher Ooki is incredibly popular throughout the ninja world right now. Jiraiya, the Toad Sage and one of Konoha's Sannin, came all this way specifically to visit Teacher Ooki! He traveled thousands of miles to seek advice on writing."

As he spoke, he let out an emotional sigh.

"Who would've thought Teacher Ooki was from the Land of Grass? Teacher Ooki's writing is brilliant, his prose captivating, enough to set one's blood boiling! To create such masterpieces, he must be a grandmaster of his generation. Once we find him, we can have him write stories for us, then film them at the Grasswood you mentioned, Chief! The entire ninja world will definitely love them."

His eyes narrowed. "And once we catch him, I can make him write one hundred thousand words and draw ten chapters a day! Hahaha~"

"..."

There was something Kusana wanted to say, but he wasn't sure whether he should.

Kusana expressionlessly shouted toward the door, "Where's the Military Police Force? Where's the Military Police Force? Where did they run off to?"

As soon as he spoke.

"Chief!" Oyakamon quickly entered, then looked in confusion at the strange scene before him.

The Chief wore a cold expression.

Meanwhile, Lord Mujie... was laughing arrogantly.

As though he had encountered something wonderful.

What had happened?

Before he could ask, the Chief expressionlessly said, "Someone has reported that Advisor Mujie intends to commit treason. In accordance with the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency, although the investigation has yet to uncover conclusive evidence, neither can it prove Advisor Mujie's innocence. Therefore, detain him for now. Release him whenever the matter has been thoroughly investigated."

"And during his detention... to improve the spirit of our cadres, strengthen their resolve, and deepen their self-cultivation... make sure he copies the 'New Spirit of Grass' one thousand times a day. No sleep until he finishes."

"???" x2

The two of them stared blankly at the Chief.

What was going on?

Mujie in particular... snapped out of his earlier excitement and hurriedly said, "Chief, don't do this to me!"

Even Oyakamon hesitated. "Chief..."

"Take him away! Take him away! I don't want to see this guy right now!"

Kusana waved his hand impatiently, and Oyakamon finally understood.

Lord Mujie had probably... offended the Chief!

Realization dawned on him, and he quickly waved his hand and called out behind him, "Men! Take Lord Mujie away, then keep a close watch while he copies! No food until he finishes!"

"Amen, you... Let go of me!"

Several Military Police Force members, their faces confused but still following orders, immediately restrained Mujie.

Their movements were swift!

They subdued him in an instant, leaving him no time to react. He could not even struggle now.

He was dragged away while twisting his body.

"Let go of me! Let go of me! I've rendered merit for the Land of Grass! I've shed blood for the Land of Grass! You can't treat me like this! Amen, I was the one who introduced you to the Chief! Chief! Chief! I still have two children to take care of! I want to go home!"

However.

Those miserable wails... grew quieter and quieter as he was taken away, until... they finally disappeared.

Oyakamon looked oddly at the Chief, who was smiling with great satisfaction, and hesitated before saying, "Chief, Lord Mujie..."

Before he could finish.

Kusana waved his hand, clasped his hands behind his back, walked over to the tea table, picked up a teacup, and said earnestly, "I'm not targeting him. Little Mujie, you see~" He sighed wistfully. "He has developed a serious problem in his thinking!"

His words rang out like a hammer strike!

Firm and forceful!

"If it isn't stopped, it will definitely cause major trouble in the future!"

With that.

Oyakamon suddenly understood. "So that's how it is!"

"That's right! Keep a close eye on him!" Kusana leaned closer and whispered, "Two meals a day! Wild vegetables and cornmeal buns! Don't release him until he finishes copying!"

"...Yes!"

Watching Oyakamon leave without hesitation, his face solemn as he carried out the order, Kusana nodded in satisfaction.

It seemed...

Oyakamon had gotten used to being the head of the Military Police Force as well.

Then Kusana sighed, turned to look out the window at the slowly melting snow, and murmured, "A new year has arrived!"

The founding of the Land of Grass... had entered a new beginning as well.

Meanwhile.

"Sorry to trouble you. I am... ah, a friend of your Lord Mujie? Really, Lord Mujie hasn't committed treason. I can prove it! We're completely innocent!"

"Alright! May I see him? After all, this matter is somewhat related to me as well."

After receiving permission, Jiraiya looked complicatedly at the visitation approval slip in his hand and followed the grass ninja inside.

Before long.

He arrived at a rather dim private room. When he saw Mujie inside... no longer spirited and high-spirited as he had been during their transaction, but staring numbly at the ceiling, Jiraiya let out a sentimental sigh. "Sorry! I never expected the laws of the Land of Grass to be so strict! No wonder you told me to be careful back then!"

Selling a book...

Had actually become treason!

"And..." He hesitated. "Are you still selling books?"