Sakai

Uzumaki Hane did not continue the pursuit. A trace of sadness had flashed through the other man's eyes just now, vanishing in an instant, but Hane had still caught it. There may be more to this. It looks like I'll have to keep investigating.

Guard Captain Sakai stood up and said to Uzumaki, "Thank you for your help, Lord Ninja. Otherwise, things would have gone badly for us today. You want to investigate why the ninja disappeared, and our Sakai Family has a bit of a reputation in town. I believe we can be of help to you."

Uzumaki Hane had been looking for a way to get into the Sakai Family and had even revealed his mission just now. If they had something to hide, they would probably make a move, but Hane was confident in his skills and not afraid at all. He said to Guard Captain Sakai, "All right."

Uzumaki Hane then followed them to the Sakai Family estate. Guard Captain Sakai brought him to the sitting room and said, "Lord Uzumaki, please wait here. I'll go inform our family head right away." Then he left.

Uzumaki Hane sat in the sitting room and looked around. It was very luxurious. After a while, an imposing middle-aged man walked in. He looked Hane over and said contemptuously, "I'm Sakai Jiro. So you're the Konoha ninja? You're just a brat, and you don't look like much."

Uzumaki Hane could sense someone outside. Testing me? A Kunai appeared in his right hand, and he threw it straight at the middle-aged man. The man had not expected Hane to attack so suddenly. He drew the sword at his waist in an instant, and with a clang, the Kunai was split apart.

After splitting the Kunai, the middle-aged man's gaze sharpened. His blade flashed, slashing toward Uzumaki Hane in an instant. Hane held a Kunai in his right hand and raised it to block the blow.

At that moment, the person outside the door walked in and shouted, "Stop!" Hearing the voice, the middle-aged man stepped back and sheathed his sword.

Uzumaki Hane did not continue attacking. He looked toward the door and saw a kindly faced middle-aged man walk in. The two men looked somewhat alike, so they were probably brothers.

The kindly middle-aged man said, "Konoha ninja, please forgive our rudeness. I am Sakai Ichiro, head of the Sakai Family."

Uzumaki Hane said, "It's nothing. That didn't even count as a warm-up." As he spoke, Hane watched Sakai Jiro. The man's eyes were still full of contempt, but he made no move. Had everything just now been a test? It seemed the missing ninja had something to do with the Sakai Family.

The three sat down, and Sakai Ichiro had a servant bring tea.

Uzumaki Hane got straight to the point. "Family Head Sakai, a ninja from our Konoha Ninja Village has gone missing in this town. Do you have any clues?"

Sakai Ichiro pondered for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid this matter is closely connected to our Sakai Family."

Uzumaki Hane stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

Seeing that Uzumaki Hane did not respond, Sakai Ichiro went on, "First, thank you for saving my guards. I imagine you encountered that ninja just now. The Konoha ninja's disappearance was probably his doing." He paused and looked at Hane.

But Uzumaki Hane still said nothing, merely studying him. His sharp eyes seemed to see through to Ichiro's heart.

For some reason, Sakai Ichiro found the situation somewhat troublesome. He had thought the other party was just a child. But Ichiro was a worldly man with plenty of experience, and his expression betrayed nothing as he said, "Well, this involves a shameful matter in our Sakai Family. That ninja is named Sakai Fuji. He is the son of my older cousin, Sakai Taichi. Ten years ago, my cousin murdered my father to seize the Sakai Family's fortune. After his plot was exposed, he killed himself, and his son Sakai Fuji mysteriously disappeared. Three days ago, Sakai Fuji suddenly appeared before me, seeking revenge for his father. I never expected him to have become a ninja. None of us were a match for him. Fortunately, a Konoha ninja suddenly appeared and defeated him, allowing us to escape unharmed. We are truly grateful to your Konoha Ninja Village."

Uzumaki Hane was speechless. Couldn't he have made up something better? Hane could come up with several stories as stale as that at any time. Of course, he did not say so aloud. Instead, he asked Sakai Ichiro, "Then how did our Konoha ninja disappear?"

A sorrowful expression appeared on Sakai Ichiro's face. "The Konoha ninja pursued him, and we never heard from that lord again. We thought he had returned to the ninja village. We never expected him to have died. We didn't even get a chance to thank him for saving our lives."

Uzumaki Hane stared intently at Sakai Ichiro, who remained perfectly composed and showed no flaws. Hane said, "Oh, I see!"

Sakai Ichiro had not expected that to be all Uzumaki Hane would say. At a loss for words for a moment, he could only pick up his teacup and take a sip to cover it up. After a while, he said, "We're doing everything we can to search for him now, but as you know, he's a ninja, and we're no match for him. So we hope we can have your assistance."

Uzumaki Hane said, "No problem. Let me know when you find him. I'm a little tired now, so prepare a room where I can rest." He then stood up, ready to leave.

Seeing this, Sakai Ichiro said, "I'll arrange it right away." He then called toward the door, "Someone, come here!" A servant entered and bowed. "Family Head, what do you need?" Sakai Ichiro said, "Take this guest to a room to rest." The servant said, "Yes, Family Head." Then he said to Uzumaki Hane, "Please follow me." Hane followed him to a guest room.

As soon as Uzumaki Hane left, the contempt in Sakai Jiro's eyes vanished, replaced by a grave look. "Brother, I didn't expect a Konoha ninja to arrive so quickly. Our plan isn't finished yet. I wonder if what we said just now will focus his attention on Sakai Fuji and buy us some time?"

Sakai Ichiro said, "That Konoha brat looks difficult to deal with. I'm afraid he won't believe what I just told him."

Sakai Jiro said, "Should we get rid of him, then?"

Sakai Ichiro said, "Not yet. Let's find an opportunity to test his strength again?"

Sakai Jiro greatly admired Sakai Ichiro and naturally would not object to his words. "All right, Brother." He then said, "Brother, I'll take my leave first." He left the sitting room, leaving Sakai Ichiro alone in the seat of honor, his eyes narrowed. No one knew what scheme he was hatching.

That evening, Uzumaki Hane sat cross-legged on the bed. A rhythmic knock came from outside the door. It was the signal Hane and the others had agreed on. Hane got up, went to the window, and pulled it open. Hyuga Tanaka and Yamano Koromo leaped inside.