At the gates of Kirigakure.
Taiichi pointed toward the source of the tremors and looked at the Mist ninja surrounding him, his face full of mockery.
"Hey, there's a rebellion over there, isn't there? Aren't you going to put it down?"
"Damn you! Who do you think we're standing here for?"
The ninja named Nakamura glared furiously at Taiichi. If he hadn't known that all of them combined were no match for him, he would have attacked long ago.
Taiichi seemed to see right through him and offered a suggestion. "Look, you can't beat me anyway. Standing here is just going through the motions. Why not leave one person behind and let everyone else do whatever they need to do?"
Taiichi's suggestion took their actual circumstances into account. It wouldn't compromise their duties, and it would give them a chance to demonstrate their loyalty.
Every Mist ninja present couldn't help looking at their captain, the yearning in their eyes plain for anyone to see.
The captain gave Taiichi a long look, then turned toward the village. Thick smoke was already billowing up from its center.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and gave the order. "Nakamura, stay here and keep an eye on Lord Taiichi. Everyone else, follow me!"
"Captain, I-"
"Follow your orders!"
Before Nakamura could finish, the captain's rebuke cut him off.
Nakamura wrestled with himself for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement.
Watching their exchange and the Mist ninja rushing into the village, Taiichi shook his head and sighed. "What a shame. People who love their village, only to meet an end like this."
Nakamura was already miserable about being left behind. Hearing Taiichi sigh like that made his temper flare, and he shouted at him without any regard for his status.
"What are you saying? Don't