This Mission Is More Important Than My Life!

He suddenly held out a palm as large as a fan. "Twenty gold coins per person."

Aoba's pupils constricted sharply, and the kunai at his waist gave off a faint hum.

But Asuma beat him to it, pulling out a money pouch. The crisp clink of coins striking each other rang especially clearly through the silent alley. "We're in a hurry."

The wooden door creaked fully open, and the stench of rotten wood mixed with blood rushed at them.

After passing through the dim corridor, they suddenly found themselves facing a circular arena where more than a dozen ninja were fighting to the death in the center.

The stands surrounded the arena, packed tightly with spectators. Cheers and curses blended into a chaotic roar.

"An admission ticket to Fortune Street."

The woman leading them suddenly spoke, tipping her chin toward the arena. "Either pay up, or go onstage and fight.

"If you win, not only can you enter, but you'll also receive double the wager."

Aoba stared at the ninja in the arena, whose shoulder had been pierced but who was still laughing wildly. His nails dug deep into his palm.

Asuma flicked off some ash. "We'll take the first option."

The woman gave them a meaningful smile, then turned and headed toward a passage at the end of the stands.

As they passed by, Aoba clearly heard the whispers of the spectators beside him. "Yuhi Shinku's people? I heard she swallowed up the Big Dipper Group's territory just last month..."

At the end of the passage was a secret room filled with wine jars. The scent of sandalwood mingled with the aroma of alcohol in the air.

A man wearing a fox mask lounged sideways in a tiger-skin chair, idly playing with a jade ring between his fingers. "Sent