Unlucky Deidara

The news of Houka becoming a Missing-nin had naturally reached Takigakure by now.

It left Shizuki, Takigakure's former leader, and Shibuki, its current leader, restless with anxiety. Neither had slept well for days.

Shizuki was now practically half of Houka's faction. With something like this happening, his scalp went numb.

Assassinating the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—wasn't that tantamount to going against Konohagakure? Wasn't that like striking a stone with an egg? He was even beginning to regret throwing in his lot with Houka.

Fortunately, because of Takigakure's location, word of its affairs had not spread, and no one knew of his connection to Houka. But there were no secrets that could stay hidden forever. Shizuki felt that he needed to make a choice.

Should he continue following Houka, or go to Konoha, confess everything voluntarily, and strive for leniency?

Before he could think it through, Houka arrived.

"Lord Houka."

Beneath Takigakure's Sacred Tree, Shizuki forced himself to show a strained smile.

"How are the fleet preparations coming along?" Houka asked with a smile, as though he had not noticed the reluctance and awkwardness on Shizuki's face.

"They're... they're going fairly smoothly. By summer, the fleet will be able to head for the Land of Snow."

Shizuki smiled bitterly. Yes, he had taken a huge sum of money from Houka to purchase ships, and then invested another large sum in buying the supplies needed by the Land of Snow.

If he fell out with Houka now, the money invested in the fleet would probably be completely lost!

How miserable.

Seeing the conflicted expression on Shizuki's face, Houka could not help but laugh. "Shizuki, what are you worried about?"

Hearing him ask, Shizuki gritted his teeth and got straight to the point. "Lord Houka, the news that your assassination attempt on the