The next morning, before the morning mist had fully dissipated, the group set off. The rchant carriages groaned and rattled as their wooden wheels crunched over the gravel path.
Perhaps influenced by their conversation the previous night, Ryuji Ida intentionally kept the caravan about a hundred ters behind the Takigakure squad—close enough to maintain contact, but distant enough to avoid over-familiarity.
Shisui Abura didn't walk with the ninja squad either. Instead, he reclined on one of the moving carriages, legs crossed.
In this world, carriages lacked rubber tires, and the roads were uneven; every pit or stone sent a jarring jolt through the fra.
At the front of the line, Yuki Ono kept glancing back, muttering, "What's with that rchant? Why is he trailing so far behind?" What he really wanted to ask was why "Brother Takigawa" wasn't walking with them.
Naoto, sensing sothing but not quite grasping it, replied, "Maybe because he didn't technically hire us. He's just traveling the sa way and doesn't want to overstep."
"Mind your own business and focus on the periter," Captain Yoshisuke barked, cutting their chatter short.
Back on the carriage, though Shisui was far behind them, his Kikaichu were already spread wide. Every movent within a one-kiloter radius was caught in his sensory web.
Furthermore, with his heightened ntal energy and ability to read lips, their conversations were as clear to him as if he were standing between them.
"So, Naoto isn't just a fool; he understands a bit of the world's ways after all."
Since last night, Ryuji Ida had been calculating. He intended to hire the Takigakure squad, but only if they proved they had the strength to actually see him through his peril.
He was feigning ignorance of their hints, waiting to see how they handled the "City Lord Incident" before committing his gold.
If they failed, or if the squad took heavy losses, he would simply move on to a different plan.
Shisui wasn't surprised. A rchant's nature is to seek profit and avoid harm; choosing self-preservation at the scent of danger was second nature.
Around noon, the silhouette of a city appeared on the horizon. Like most major cities in the Land of Waterfall, it was built against a mountain.
Gray-black walls andered along the terrain, with high towers where sentries could be seen patrolling. The surrounding area was a patchwork of erald-green farmland and manors, the crops having recently been refreshed by yesterday's rain.
About three miles from the city gates, at a fork in the road, an elderly man in a gray robe stood waiting with two servants. The man looked to be about sixty, his white hair ticulously combed, his face wearing a respectful smile.
"Excuse , are you the noble shinobi from Takigakure?" the elder asked, bowing.
Yoshisuke halted, scrutinizing the man. "And you are?"
"I am the steward of the City Lord's mansion. My na is Matsumoto." He bowed again. "My Lord has sent to welco you. However... I must ask for your indulgence, as we cannot go to the mansion just yet."
Yuki frowned. "Why? The mission brief said—"
Steward Matsumoto gave a pained smile. "It is a matter of great sha. The mansion is currently... occupied by those wandering ninja.
Going there directly might trigger a violent reaction. My Lord has instructed to take you to a manor outside the city to rest first."
He paused, then added, "That manor is a property of the Lord, but it is currently held by a group of ronin who have incited the tenant farrs to riot.
My Lord requests that you first resolve the issue at the manor. Once that is done, he will send a letter detailing the plan to deal with the ninja in the city."
The air went silent for a few seconds.
Shisui maintained a gentle, polite smile, but inwardly, he sneered. How convenient. "First, solve the manor problem."
Nearby, Ryuji Ida had overheard the exchange. His expression shifted subtly. He offered Shisui a quick, apologetic nod and signaled his servants to reorganize the cargo—a clear sign he was breaking away.
Sure enough, as soon as Matsumoto finished speaking, Ryuji approached the group with Keita.
"Lord Ninja, since we have reached the city outskirts, we shall trouble you no further. I have business with so local rchants and minor nobles to sell off so stock. We will part ways here."
Yoshisuke stared at him, seeing no further move toward a contract, and finally nodded. "Very well."
"Thank you for your understanding!" Ryuji bowed repeatedly, then turned to Shisui. "Master Takigawa, thank you for your care on the road. Once I've settled my business, I will find you to express my gratitude properly."
Shisui hopped down from the carriage and nodded. "Take care, Mr. Ida."
The caravan departed in a hurry toward the market district on the other side of the city, Ryuji not looking back once, as if a beast were snapping at his heels.
"He sure runs fast..." Yuki grumbled.
"That's what smart people do," Yoshisuke said flatly. He turned a sharp gaze toward Steward Matsumoto. "Lead the way."
Matsumoto's smile never wavered as he bowed and began to lead them.
Farther down the road, Keita looked up at his father. "Father, why aren't we staying with Brother Takigawa? I thought you liked him."
Ryuji did indeed "like" him; otherwise, he wouldn't have sought him out the previous night. But liking a man and doing business were two different things.
"Son," Ryuji said quietly, "in the face of danger, it is acceptable to lose a little reputation or sentint. We are rchants; we cannot place ourselves in the center of a storm.
Let the ninja settle their own affairs. Only after they have finished can we talk about cooperation and contracts."
"As for Takigawa Shuu... I just have a feeling. I have seen many ninja, but compared to the others, Master Takigawa has a looseness about him. One could even say a complete lack of caution."
"I didn't notice it until these other ninja appeared and provided a contrast. Do you know how it feels? The others are like taut bowstrings, ready to snap. He is relaxed."
"I cannot tell if he is truly powerful, but I can feel that his heart is incredibly strong. A man who does not care for the dangers of the outside world is either a fool... or he is so powerful that no danger can touch him."
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