Chapter 9: The Songstress
Standing atop a tall water tower, Su Xiao observed the situation within the Hidden Mist Village through his scope.
Although the Spider Queen's skill 'Optical Infrared Detection Scope 8x (Active)' literally meant eight times magnification, that wasn't actually the case. The so-called eight times range only referred to the infrared detection range. At this distance, the Spider Queen could detect an enemy's body temperature and such.
By adjusting it, the [Optical Infrared Detection Scope 8x (Active)] could achieve up to 20x magnification, though without infrared detection at that level.
Adjusted to this degree, Su Xiao needed to slow his heartbeat and hold his breath. Breathing would cause the 20x scope's view to shake violently, making it impossible to lock onto an enemy.
The Spider Queen had been switched from burst fire to single shots. Each shot required precise calculation, taking 1 to 3 minutes per round.
Watching the Hidden Mist ninjas scrambling like headless flies through his scope, Su Xiao didn't let his guard down. They would find him sooner or later; he had to withdraw before being discovered.
Two minutes later, the Hidden Mist Village was like a hornet's nest that had been violently poked. A large group of ninjas rushed out of the village, undoubtedly coming to find Su Xiao.
At this moment, Su Xiao was a full 1.4 kilometers away from the Hidden Mist Village in a straight line. The Spider Queen had a silencer. Finding him wouldn't be that easy.
...
Ten minutes later.
Inside the Mizukage's office, Terumi Mei sat behind her desk with a furrowed brow.
She had succeeded. If everything went smoothly, within no more than half a month, she would be the new Mizukage. She had been lacking an opportunity before. Su Xiao's appearance gave her that chance—an opening for the hawkish faction to show their weakness.
A masked ninja in black robes suddenly appeared in the Mizukage's office, holding a small box.
"Lady Terumi Mei, Lord Ao's Byakugan has been found."
Seeing that small box, Terumi Mei showed no emotional fluctuation. The Byakugan was likely damaged; otherwise, it wouldn't be in a box.
"Damaged?"
"..."
The masked ninja from the assassination squad lowered his head without speaking.
"Has Ao's body been buried?"
"Not yet."
"Give him a grand burial. Arrange for his family to receive the treatment of a hero's family."
"Yes."
That Anbu member felt a hint of envy. The treatment of a hero's family was indeed enviable. Just as he was about to withdraw, Terumi Mei spoke again.
"Bury the Byakugan with Ao."
"Yes."
Terumi Mei paused for a moment, then said, "The Anbu will do everything possible to find that villain. Also, release his information to the other four great nations. His specific strength..."
She tapped the desk lightly and stood up.
"Mark him as: Capable of assassinating Kage-level..."
Before Terumi Mei could finish her sentence, she suddenly sidestepped and leaped away.
Crack! The glass window shattered. A dark bullet hole appeared on the desk, which was nearly broken apart.
Terumi Mei stood up, her expression unpleasant.
"Persistent ghost."
As she spoke, that Anbu member had already rushed out the window.
...
On a mountain at the edge of the Hidden Mist Village, Su Xiao pulled the bolt of the Spider Queen and ejected the magazine.
He had fired four shots in total, three of which were aimed at assassinating Terumi Mei, but all had failed.
Su Xiao hadn't expected to succeed. It would be strange if Terumi Mei were that easy to kill.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang's bark came. Su Xiao turned his head to see Bubu Wang holding two treasure chests in his mouth. Mastering the divine skill 'You Can't See Me,' the risk of Bubu Wang retrieving the chests wasn't high.
There was no point in staying any longer. Su Xiao prepared to withdraw first. His goals had been achieved: first, to retrieve the treasure chests; second, to let the Hidden Mist ninjas know he hadn't fled, which would reduce their pursuit intensity and make them search around the village instead.
He took the two chests. One was a blue-quality chest, dropped by that taijutsu jonin. A jonin only dropping a blue chest was rather unlucky.
The second chest was a purple-quality chest, dropped by Ao.
Su Xiao was curious about what these two chests would yield. Ninjutsu? Equipment?
If he got ninjutsu, he'd be rich. Chakra was one of the most popular power systems in Reincarnation Paradise, and ninjutsu scrolls commanded high prices.
Now wasn't the time to open them. He needed to leave the Land of Water as soon as possible and then find a faction to join.
Although he had escaped the Hidden Mist Village, leaving the Land of Water wasn't easy. The Land of Water was surrounded by sea. To reach the broader continent, he needed to take a ship.
Ships in the Naruto world weren't very advanced; they were generally rowboats or large sailing vessels.
...
A day later, at a fishing village on the border of the Land of Water.
Inside a somewhat dilapidated wooden house.
Tap, tap.
An old man tapped his long smoking pipe, his cloudy eyes seemingly contemplating something.
"The journey from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire is long. It'll take at least five days, and that's without any incidents."
The old man looked at the young man not far away. He smelled a faint scent of blood on him, which was normal in the Land of Water.
"Isn't there a faster way?"
Su Xiao's expression wasn't good. He didn't want to find a faction to join within the Land of Water. The Hidden Mist Village was the local power here.
"There is a way, but it's a bit difficult."
"What way?"
"Take a large ship. That only takes two days."
"Thank you."
Su Xiao placed several banknotes in front of the old man. This was the currency of the Naruto world, which he had exchanged with Paradise Coins in Reincarnation Paradise.
The old man silently pocketed the money and said nothing more, as if he had never seen Su Xiao.
Getting up and leaving the house, Su Xiao put on his hood as he stepped out.
The Anbu of the Hidden Mist had been relentlessly pursuing him. If not for Su Xiao's expertise in concealment, he would have been found by their tracking hounds several times.
Leaving the Land of Water by fishing boat was no longer possible. He needed to find a large sailing vessel. But the Land of Water was too poor; large ships were scarce, at least in this small fishing village, where even basic necessities were a struggle.
The sky was overcast. In this godforsaken place, it rained for more than a fifth of the year.
A fine drizzle began to fall. Su Xiao took out a map; he needed to head to a nearby 'big city.'
...
Kirigakure Town.
This was a relatively prosperous town within the Land of Water, comparable in size to some cities, located along the coast.
Such a coastal town should have had thriving trade, but unfortunately, the Land of Water didn't encourage commerce. Its prosperity came from being a hub for songstresses.
Songstresses in the Naruto world were somewhat similar to song and dance performers in the real world, but unlike actors, some songstresses possessed harmless 'ninjutsu,' allowing them to perform spectacular shows.
On a large ship docked by the sea in Kirigakure Town, the vessel was preparing to set sail. Its destination was the Land of Fire, followed by the Land of Lightning, for a touring performance.
A slender young girl stood on the deck, seemingly just awake. She stretched, her figure curving gracefully.
"Mr. Hino, when do we set sail?"
The songstress Nao was naturally beautiful, her large eyes bright and spirited.
"Very soon. At most ten minutes."
A short, stout middle-aged man gave Nao a fawning smile, his sycophantic intentions obvious.
"Hey, you there! Move the cargo to the lower hold. Don't just leave it anywhere."
The stout man glanced at a 'laborer' carrying a wooden crate and then ignored him.
That 'laborer' was young, carrying a large wooden crate.
"These dogs."
The 'laborer' suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed on Kirigakure Town. The stout man was taken aback.
"What did you say!"
The stout man instantly flew into a rage, rolling up his sleeves as if to teach this 'laborer' a lesson.
Not only the stout man, but the songstress Nao was also surprised. She hadn't expected a 'laborer' to have such an attitude.
Whoosh~
A masked figure suddenly appeared on the deck. The person stood upright, a ninja sword strapped to their back.
"This is... the Assassination Squad!"
The songstress Nao instinctively stepped back. The Hidden Mist's Assassination Squad was notorious.
"Just you alone?"
The 'laborer' spoke, leaving Nao stunned. Did he have a death wish?
"One is enough. The Mizukage has ordered me to bring back your head."
The word 'Mizukage' sent a chill through everyone on board.
"So that woman Terumi Mei has become the Mizukage? That's surprising news."
The 'laborer' stripped off his tattered hemp clothes, revealing a lean, muscular upper body. A long blade appeared in his hand.
The laborer was Su Xiao in disguise. He had been just one step away from leaving the Land of Water by ship, but the Assassination Squad had caught up. Still, it wasn't a big problem. He would deal with the Assassination Squad and then leave on this ship.