Assassination

Splash—

The rain still fell in an endless curtain, restless and chaotic, unsettling the heart.

Inside the Hidden Crafts Village's assembly hall, several of the village's higher-ups had gathered together. All of them hung their heads, their feelings complicated.

Ever since they had received Enkō and his group yesterday and laid everything out in the open, the atmosphere had become exceedingly awkward. Both sides needed time to digest this sudden information, so they had not discussed much further. After arranging accommodations for Enkō's group, they convened an emergency meeting early the next morning.

However, everyone wore troubled expressions, and sighs occasionally echoed through the room. Only after a long while did someone ask Qingming, seated at the head of the table, "Lord Qingming, what do we do now?"

Qingming also frowned in considerable distress. What should they do? To be honest, Qingming wanted to know that himself.

Kirigakure alone had already been troublesome enough, yet now another Flame Hidden Village had appeared. Neither side was one they could afford to offend. It was like a top courtesan being requested by two wealthy young masters at once, while being unable to refuse either of them.

If it were up to the Hidden Crafts Village itself, they naturally would not join either faction. Though a small village survived in the cracks between great powers, at least it retained the right to govern itself. Once it joined another village, their interests would be directly bound together—sharing glory and ruin alike—but they would also lose their independence.

After all, who did not harbor ambitions of standing shoulder to shoulder with the Five Great Shinobi Villages?

When there had only been Kirigakure, Qingming could still maintain a detached approach. They would not formally join Kirigakure, but they could give it priority in forging ninja tools. But now that there were two sides, doing the same would mean offending both. They might very well destroy the Hidden Crafts Village first out of the mindset that if they could not have it, neither could anyone else.

One of the higher-ups below complained resentfully, "If I'd known, we never would have forged those ninja swords for Kirigakure. What a bunch of ungrateful bastards."

"Exactly. And who knows what the Uchiha Clan is thinking? Why did they all have to come at the same time?"

"Now isn't the time to complain about fate," Qingming said calmly. "Tomorrow, Kirigakure will also send people to discuss bringing us under its control. So, I want to hear everyone's opinions."

A burly man muttered, "What opinions can there be? It's just choosing between two options. I say we join Kirigakure. The Flame Hidden Village isn't a shinobi village from a great nation, so how many resources can it really spare for us?"

Someone voiced a different opinion. "But the Uchiha Clan is clearly stronger. Though it belongs to a small nation, it has plenty of room to grow."

"I think Kirigakure is the safer choice."

"I feel like choosing the Uchiha Clan would be better."

They chattered for half the day without reaching a definite choice. Everyone once more turned their gazes toward Qingming. "Lord Qingming, what do you think?"

Qingming pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Perhaps we can do nothing at all."

"Hm?"

A sharp glint flashed through Qingming's eyes. "Whether it's Kirigakure or the Flame Hidden Village, they only want to win us over so we can forge ninja tools for them. In that case, we'll simply do nothing and let them negotiate a result themselves. The Uchiha Clan has always used forceful methods, and Kirigakure isn't exactly benevolent either. There's a good chance they'll end up fighting."

The people below considered it. "But wouldn't we still have to follow the winning side? Rather than passively accept it, I think we'd be better off choosing for ourselves."

"No." Qingming shook his head. "If the two sides fight, both will only suffer. Even the victor will be badly wounded. Then we'll make our move and deal with the winner as well. They'll never suspect we have that kind of strength. They'll only point their blades at each other, and we'll break free from this predicament."

Everyone's eyes lit up. After exchanging glances, they all nodded.

Qingming smiled faintly. "I hope they won't disappoint us."

Elsewhere, Enkō lay fully clothed on a crude wooden bed, staring fixedly at the ceiling while pondering the current situation.

Before coming here, he truly had not expected Kirigakure to be involved as well. This meant the two sides would inevitably come into conflict.

If he were Qingming, he would watch the two tigers fight and reap the benefits himself. It was an open and aboveboard scheme.

The method to break the deadlock was simple enough. Either one side yielded willingly, or they flipped the table and destroyed the Hidden Crafts Village so neither side could have it.

But although the Flame Hidden Village's direct combat strength was no weaker than that of a great nation's shinobi village, its logistical foundation was indeed far behind the Five Great Nations. Therefore, he was determined to obtain the Hidden Crafts Village.

Enkō rubbed his temples in frustration. "I also have to watch out for them taking advantage of the conflict."

Rustle, rustle, rustle—

Just as Enkō was considering countermeasures, a nearly imperceptible sound came from the roof. It was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, concealed beneath the howling wind and rain, making it impossible to determine its exact location.

Enkō's eyes narrowed slightly. The Hidden Crafts Village? No. Kirigakure's people haven't even arrived yet. No matter how stupid they are, they wouldn't choose this moment to act. Then who is it?

The sound fell silent for a moment, and then a crack appeared in the room's door. A black shadow swiftly slipped inside.

The intruder was entirely shrouded in a black cloak, revealing only a pair of dark green eyes. The lower half of his face was wrapped in cloth, and his target was extremely clear. With only the faint sound of wind, he appeared beside Enkō's bed.

Enkō had his eyes closed, his expression peaceful. His chest rose and fell with his breathing, making it obvious that he had already fallen asleep.

The figure examined Enkō from top to bottom. His right hand silently slipped from his sleeve, the entire hand taking on an eerie black color. Then he raised it and swiftly reached for Enkō's throat!

Crack—

Smack—

The instant his hand clutched Enkō's neck, Enkō's entire body turned into a cloud of white smoke. When the smoke dispersed, the living man in his grasp had long since become a log!

The intruder's pupils abruptly contracted. Knowing he had been exposed, he was just about to leap away when a thunderclap suddenly exploded behind him!

Splash—

Enkō lunged forward, one hand reaching for the man's shoulder and the other gripping for the back of his neck, attempting to capture him alive!

The man in black reacted extraordinarily quickly. The instant he sensed an attack from behind, his left hand rapidly fired a yellow smoke bomb at the ground!

Bang—

Dense smoke filled the entire room in an instant. Taking advantage of the opening, the man in black had no intention of fighting further and rushed toward the door, intending to flee!

Clang—

A cold flash gleamed within the enclosed room!

The white mist filling the air was torn apart down the middle by a brilliant blade of light, accompanied by a piercing ring of steel!

Having realized that taking him alive would be difficult, Enkō decisively struck to kill. The long blade in his hand slashed toward the black-clad man's face at terrifying speed!

"Hah—"

Finding himself unable to evade, the black-clad man's right sleeve suddenly swelled. He actually thrust out his palm directly against the frigid blade rushing toward him!

Clang—

The three-foot blade struck his palm, yet erupted with the thunderous clash of metal, even scattering a dazzling burst of sparks through the air!

Boom—

Surging chakra erupted between the two, instantly overturning the wooden bed beside them. Enkō retreated three steps with his sword in hand, crushing the floor tiles beneath his foot before stabilizing himself!

Meanwhile, the man in black was sent flying backward. His back smashed directly through the window, and he crashed into the rain outside!

The cold rain striking his face restored the black-clad man's clarity. The instant he landed, he slapped one hand against the ground and flipped backward to his feet, then immediately bolted into the distance!

Uchiha Flame Slash!

Whoosh—

An arc-shaped flaming slash tore through the boundless curtain of rain. Every raindrop that approached the flames instantly evaporated and vanished without a trace!

Terror seized the black-clad man's heart. With no way out, he concentrated all his chakra into both hands, crossed his arms before his chest, and forcibly received the rapidly approaching flaming slash!

Boom—

His clothes exploded apart!

More than half of the black-clad man's cloak was devoured by flames, yet his body remained completely unharmed. Wisps of white smoke rose from him under the intense heat, while the forceful wind blew back his hood, revealing an utterly ordinary face!

Enkō stepped into the rain curtain. When he saw the man's face, surprise flashed through his eyes. He exclaimed, "How could it be you?"