Return (Continued)

So at this point, what they were discussing was providing financial support to the Daimyo's Estate of the Land of Artisans.

The Daimyo's Estate of the Land of Artisans had gained quite a few benefits and advantages from them over the years.

Now that the Artisan Ninja Village had suffered a calamity, if the Daimyo's Estate wished to continue relying on the Artisan Ninja Village, then it naturally had to provide support—and not a small amount at that.

All of that was quickly settled.

What they were discussing now, the most important matter, was the future planning and layout of the Artisan Ninja Village.4

Everyone had their own ideas, and these people were naturally arguing so fiercely that no one could come to an agreement.

Yet at that moment, unbeknownst to them, five black shadows were heading straight toward them from afar, without the slightest hesitation or detour.

That made sense. With the Artisan Ninja Village reduced to this state, those who truly cared about the village had naturally sent out all the ninja from their conservative faction.

They had sent those ninja to restore order among the currently chaotic residents of the Artisan Ninja Village.

Naturally, there was no need for them to keep guarding anything. After all, the village had already fallen to this extent.

They truly had no reason to worry that anyone would come looking to cause trouble with them.

But they were wrong. Just as they were still arguing intensely,

a gust of wind suddenly swept past. It immediately silenced them, and they seemed to finally realize something.

That was right. As they fell silent and raised their heads,

they looked in a certain direction, guided by their instincts,

and quickly discovered something.

In the courtyard of this small residence, less than ten meters away