"L-Lord Lin Qing... hello."
There was no hiding the fear in Giant Clam's voice.
Summoned beasts had a loose-knit circle of their own, and Giant Clam had naturally heard of Lin Qing's fearsome reputation. It had lived for many years, from the time of the Second Mizukage to the present. If only it could...
Giant Clam hoped it could keep living peacefully inside its shell.
Lin Qing asked, "Why did you become Hori Masashi's summoned beast?"
Mei Terumi had heard the suspicion in Lin Qing's voice. She immediately caught on. "You think... there's something wrong here?"
Lin Qing nodded.
Hori Masashi was over forty, yet still only a Chunin.
Not that being a Chunin was bad, but with his abilities, he wasn't nearly strong enough to subdue Giant Clam.
And yet, here was a man like that.
He just happened to obtain Giant Clam, just happened to be Lin Qing's student, and just happened to appear on the road they had to take to Kyoto... Behind so many coincidences, there was probably someone pulling the strings.
Lin Qing wanted to know who was behind it, and why.
To block their way?
But anyone with any sense would know that Hori Masashi and Giant Clam weren't capable of doing that.
If Hozuki Gengetsu himself had shown up, he might have caused Lin Qing a little trouble.
Or was it meant to get under Lin Qing's skin?
Mei Terumi put her hands on her hips, looking utterly confident. "That would be underestimating you way too much!"
Lin Qing was at a loss for words.
Just then, Giant Clam explained what had happened.
It had been living peacefully by a river when it was attacked by a group of strangers. Outmatched, it fled, with its enemies hot on its heels. By the time