"Oh!... You scared me to death. I thought you were one of them..." The man let out a sigh of relief and smiled awkwardly.
Mirai asked him, "What do you mean... their people?"
The man covered his mouth, as if he had nearly let something slip. Seeing that Mirai seemed familiar, perhaps a Konoha man, he gradually relaxed.
"I'm telling you, in Kirigakure, there's a group of people who are mysterious and vicious! They never let go of anything that might harm them, even if it's only a trivial matter."
"Have you seen them?" Mirai asked.
The man said, "No, no... I only heard that some merchants died at an inn the next day because they said the wrong thing. It was such a miserable death..."
Mirai thought that most folk rumors were exaggerated. The merchants being killed might have been true, but being killed merely for saying the wrong thing was probably a bit far-fetched...
Mirai asked again, "Brother, I want to deliver this letter to the Third Mizukage. Who should I report to? You know, I'm afraid that if I say the wrong thing too, I'll lose my head!..."
Mirai deliberately put on a frightened act. His purpose was to learn more about the Land of Water through this merchant. After all, asking an acquaintance for information was the most direct and effective method.
The man thought for a moment, but there was nothing he could do. He brushed him off, saying, "Oh, I'm really sorry. I'm just a small merchant and don't know any high-ranking people. I'm afraid I can't help you... Sorry, sorry..."
After exchanging a few polite words with him, Mirai inwardly sneered, *I'd give you ninety-nine percent of the clothes my grandson wears if you don't know any high-ranking officials. Do you think I'm