Plan

Maruboshi Kosuke listened in silence, then slowly let out a breath. "Your deduction... is highly plausible. If the City Lord is truly involved, then this is no simple criminal case. It concerns local officials of the Land of Fire and has already exceeded the scope of our authority and jurisdiction as shinobi."

"According to the agreement between Konoha and the Land of Fire, as well as village regulations, we must immediately suspend the investigation and report the situation back to the village for the Hokage's decision. We must also negotiate with the capital of the Land of Fire and obtain the Daimyo's authorization. Acting on our own would cause enormous political trouble."

"Senior, then should we return to the village directly?" Shinichi asked.

Maruboshi Kosuke pondered for a moment. "I had originally intended to visit the client in a nearby village, even if the mission was considered complete on the surface, but..."

Changing the subject, he looked at Shinichi. "Shinichi, what do you think?"

"Leave the city immediately." Shinichi answered without hesitation. "And we need to look hurried and anxious, as if we have noticed some major development. Once outside the city, we head straight for the village."

"Oh?" Maruboshi Kosuke did not interrupt, signaling for him to continue.

"At first, they might only have wanted to use that explanation to placate us and send us away. But judging from the steward's repeated yet covert observations after I entered the Lord's Mansion, there is likely some extremely important 'trait' on me in their eyes. His repeated confirmation suggests they may have changed their original plan—from seeing us off to keeping us here."

Shinichi's analysis was calm and clear. "They are likely mobilizing people and setting traps right now. What we need to do is disrupt their rhythm and proactively step out of the encirclement they may be weaving. If we appear rushed and suspicious, leaving the city in a hurry, it may very well force them to act early and intercept us on the outskirts."

"Lure the snake from its hole?" Maruboshi Kosuke immediately understood his intent.

"That's right." Shinichi nodded. "As long as they strike at us first, no matter who they are, morality and the law will be on our side. It is a grave crime for Konoha shinobi to attack local officials without cause. Conversely, it is equally an unforgivable crime for local officials or their forces to attack Konoha shinobi carrying out a mission without cause."

Although the Daimyo was nominally the supreme ruler of the Land of Fire, Konohagakure held an exceptionally independent position within the country and possessed substantive, absolute military power. (Note)

Looking across the Shinobi World's wars, each had been directly launched and led by the hidden villages of their respective nations. During wartime, local officials and administrative systems could often only cooperate passively, their duties mostly limited to governing and handling the aftermath in newly acquired territories after the war.

For example, in the later Third Great Ninja War, Sunagakure directly declared war on Konoha on the grounds that the Kazekage had disappeared, without even formally notifying the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.

This had enraged that Daimyo, but after the war, he could only cut some funding under the pretext that "Sunagakure had fared poorly in the war," as a symbolic punishment.

Even earlier, at the First Five Kage Summit, the founding Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages had openly discussed the division of territories and distribution of benefits among the nations. Their power and independence were plain to see.

He further explained the key point. "Konoha shinobi are officially appointed military personnel of the nation. Even if they are suspected of a crime, local administrative officials have no authority to detain or deal with them privately. They must negotiate with Konoha through formal channels."

"Only after Konoha officially declares someone a rogue shinobi may local officials cooperate with Konoha to arrest them upon receiving authorization. If they attack us first, they will be handing us legitimate grounds to retaliate and investigate further."

The nation and its hidden village had long existed in a delicate and complicated symbiosis. Their jurisdictions often overlapped, and their ideals frequently clashed, yet they had formed a peculiar balance and coexistence based on the practical reciprocity of, "I provide you with funding and administrative convenience; you provide me with military force and security."

From this arose a set of rules that were never stated outright but tacitly accepted by both sides: you have no right to deal with shinobi under my command without authorization, and I will not directly interfere in the affairs within your jurisdiction... Together, such rules formed the Shinobi World's unique system of "one nation, one village."

And if your side overstepped its authority without cause, then morality and the law would be on our side.

Maruboshi Kosuke looked at the junior before him, whose thinking was meticulous and who was skilled at making use of the rules. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

This was indeed a brilliant strategy for avoiding procedural risks while breaking the deadlock and striking back amid the current complicated situation.

However, he did not agree immediately. After some consideration, he raised his concerns. "The plan is good, but there are several problems. First, according to village rules, this matter has clearly exceeded the scope of our mission. Second, the risks are unpredictable. We do not know how many people the other side has or how strong they are."

"Even if we ultimately hold the advantage in both morality and law, the village may not appreciate us stirring up unnecessary trouble. They may think we are meddling in affairs that do not concern us and provoking an incident without authorization. Furthermore, even if the Daimyo does not pursue the matter openly, he will inevitably be displeased that Konoha shinobi caused an incident within his territory."

Shinichi's expression did not change as he replied calmly, "Senior, I had already prepared myself for danger the moment I decided to become a shinobi. And I have a little selfishness of my own here—I do not want my first mission to end so anticlimactically and without answers."

"And those children..."

At that, he fell silent for a while. "Their families are still waiting for them to come home. As long as there is even a sliver of hope, we should not give up."

As expected of the inheritor of the Will of Fire personally chosen by the Third Hokage!

Maruboshi Kosuke sighed inwardly.

Shinichi continued his analysis, his words orderly and clear. "Senior, this is not meddling in others' affairs. As Konoha shinobi, we are responsible for maintaining stability along the border and preventing unknown forces from infiltrating. Now, an organization of unknown origin has infiltrated the border of the Land of Fire and may have even turned the City Lord of an entire city. That itself falls within our duty."

"In the end, the Daimyo may not care about the disappearance of a few civilian children, but he will never tolerate officials under his command slipping beyond his control and secretly carrying out plans he knows nothing about."

"Good!" Maruboshi Kosuke made his decision at once. "We'll do as you said. We'll leave the city now."

That night, beside a river near the forest, the moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only the murmur of flowing water.

Shinichi and Maruboshi Kosuke, who had been hurrying along, suddenly stopped—the shadows of the trees ahead silently gave rise to more than a dozen black-robed figures, who blocked their path in a half-encirclement.

"Konoha shinobi, why leave in such a hurry? It makes it seem as though this City Lord has been a poor host." The leader pulled back his hood. It was none other than Nakimachi's City Lord, Kurokawa Yasumasa.

Shinichi did not respond. His gaze swept over the identical insignia on the black robes: a triangle within a circle, its lines rough and its color a dark red like coagulated blood.

That symbol? The Jashin Cult?

"Saint Son, we... meet again." Elder Takahashi slowly stepped forward from the side. His gaze beneath the hood locked firmly onto Shinichi, his eyes brimming with undisguised fervor and desire, as though he were looking at some priceless treasure.

"Please do not resist. If you are willing to submit, this old man can promise to leave your companion... an intact corpse."

His tone was calm, but it carried an arrogant certainty.

Of course. They were only two Genin.

However, the instant his words fell.

Shinichi's hand at his side moved almost imperceptibly, forming an extremely simple hand sign.

The next moment, BOOM!!!

The once-calm river suddenly roared. Countless torrents surged forth, shooting into the sky and forming a vast, towering wave. Carrying deafening thunder and irresistible force, it crashed down upon the black-robed figures on the bank!

Elder Takahashi's pupils contracted violently.

This was Konoha's...

Genin!?