After Kawasuke set down the wanted notice, the Western Border guards first turned their attention to the entire migrant caravan.
"Seal off the camp."
The order had barely been given when Gen raised a hand to stop the messenger heading toward the wooden palisade.
"On what grounds?"
"They're harboring a wanted ninja."
"Who is harboring him?"
"He was found in their medicine wagon."
"We can verify who handled the medicine wagon. That doesn't make all two hundred and thirty-six people accomplices."
The guard captain pointed at the Ninja Blade behind Kawasuke.
"At least disarm everyone first."
"Registered weapons will continue to be handled under the existing rules. Isolate Kawasuke alone."
This was not a declaration that the caravan was innocent.
Ling had known someone was beneath the wagon, yet she had not told the checkpoint.
Whether Luma had known still required investigation.
The carpenter who had modified the hidden compartment also had to explain why.
Several people might bear responsibility, but the inquiry had to begin with provable involvement, not infer guilt merely because they traveled in the same caravan.
Two guards approached Kawasuke.
"Put down the blade. Keep your hands away from your body."
Kawasuke obeyed the first instruction.
As the Ninja Blade hit the ground, a horse suddenly neighed at the rear of the caravan.
Opening the medicine wagon had startled the packhorses tethered on the slope.
One horse snapped its reins and charged down the slope, dragging half a water wagon behind it.
A child who had not let go in time was still hanging beside a wheel.
Both guards' attention was diverted.
Dust suddenly swirled beneath Kawasuke's feet.
He did not charge toward the wooden palisade.
Instead, he stepped onto the water wagon's tilted shaft and pursued it downhill.
Mistaking this for an escape attempt, one