"Yes. Are you related to Mai by blood? Why do I feel like you two look so similar?"
The question made Momiji freeze for a moment before she nodded.
"We are indeed related. In one generation, the daughter of a former head of the Shiranui-ryu married one of my ancestors, so it's possible that we inherited some similarities."
When she said this, Momiji felt somewhat helpless. Most of the time, ninjas married other ninjas.
It wasn't because of any other reason. Unlike modern people, who had certain expectations of ninjas because of manga, in ancient Japan, the profession of ninja was hated by practically everyone.
When it came to marriage, ninjas could basically only marry dancers or daughters from impoverished families. Those who were lucky might become concubines of important figures, but most of the time, ninjas simply married among themselves.
Because of this, she had developed a certain affection for Ryu Hayabusa, but the problem was that in Ryu's eyes, there was no romantic affection toward her at all. He simply regarded her as a companion and younger sister.
And unfortunately, there was practically no one among the ninja who could stand alongside Ryu as his equal.
"Since we're relatives, let's head to the Shiranui dojo first. After all, it looks like you really need some help."
Although Ryuji was very interested in Bulma, Momiji's assets were simply too impressive. He couldn't help but think of Kasumi Shiranui, and began wondering whether the women of this world's ninja clans were generally blessed with such generous figures.
"Yes... Actually, the reason I came here this time was to ask you to shelter us. These are all children from the Mugen Tenshin clan. We've been attacked by many people, so we had no choice but to come to the Shiranui School for help..."
Momiji quickly explained the situation. She didn't want Ryuji to think that she was ungrateful.
"Mugen Tenshin clan..."
Ryuji was surprised.
He couldn't help but think of Kasumi Shiranui in his own home. He never expected that people from the Mugen Tenshin clan would actually come here seeking help.
If the people from both sides encountered each other...
"Forget it. The conflict was going to erupt sooner or later anyway."
Ryuji didn't hesitate before speaking, but his words made Momiji freeze for a moment.
"How should I put it... Your Mugen Tenshin clan has a rogue ninja named Kasumi, right? She has a clone staying with me. Even if you don't accept my request, I can still shelter you until the people from your village arrive. But if possible, I hope I can use this favor to have you revoke the kill order against Kasumi's clone, Kasumi Shiranui, who has now become a fighter of the Shiranui School, as well as the orders to hunt down Kasumi and her other clones."
The reason Ryuji wanted the kill order against Kasumi revoked was simply to avoid trouble. Douglas had already guaranteed him that he wouldn't hand over any of Kasumi's clones. As for the rebels within the Douglas Group who wanted to leave, they would have to hand over all the clones before they were allowed to leave.
Otherwise, he would expose everything publicly.
As for this demand, those traitors had no intention of refusing. Under Rugal, they could conduct their experiments as they pleased, and they could even take their research data with them. These clones had, in practical terms, already become a burden.
They were more than happy to leave that burden to Douglas.
As for why Douglas knew that Shiranui Kasumi was staying with him, Ryuji didn't care. After all, it was impossible for Douglas not to have people watching him. As long as they didn't spy on him and his harem, he didn't care.
However, the moment Ryuji finished speaking, he noticed two of the children instinctively placing their hands on their swords!
Momiji was completely dumbfounded. Although she had a good relationship with the Mugen Tenshin clan, that was only because her shrine was located within the territory controlled by their village. She immediately rushed over, took the swords away from the two children before they could do anything foolish, and then quickly returned to stand before Ryuji.
"I'm sorry! Mr. Ryuji, these children have been trained as ninjas since they were young. They reacted like this because they suddenly heard this news!"
Momiji was genuinely going crazy. She had never expected something like this to happen!
But her sense of justice made it impossible for her to reject Ryuji's request. From her perspective, Ryuji's request was completely reasonable. But from a ninja's perspective, this was something that could never be tolerated.
Momiji wasn't a ninja. She was a shrine maiden, which was precisely why she could act according to nothing but her simple sense of justice.
Just like this time, when she protected the children simply because she believed it was the right thing to do.
But she also understood very well just how seriously ninjas valued their rules. Looking at the children behind her, she bit her lip and desperately tried to salvage the situation.
"I... I'm not a ninja of the Mugen Tenshin clan, so I can't make decisions about Kasumi's clone. But I can guarantee that the children I've brought here won't attack Kasumi! As for the Mugen Tenshin ninjas who come here afterward, I'll do everything I can to stop them as well! Until my life runs out, I won't let them hurt Kasumi Shiranui!"
She was willing to give her life for this, but Ryuji frowned when he heard her words, because he didn't trust such a guarantee at all.
So, Ryuji looked at the nervous Momiji, then at Athena beside her, and finally at Bulma, who was practically clinging to him, before stating his own request.
"I have no interest in your life, and I don't believe those ninjas will honor your guarantee either. But I'll still protect them. Not for any other reason, but because of the bravery you've shown. However, I want to use this favor for something else."
"Please tell me! I'll definitely do it!"
Momiji agreed almost immediately.
"I hope that when I fight the Mugen Tenshin clan in the future, you and the forces behind you will remain neutral and won't take the other side's position simply because of the people I kill."
After saying this, Ryuji looked toward the young ninjas. After seeing how they had reacted just now, he wouldn't treat them as ordinary children.
After all, rather than children, these kids were more like individual ninjas.
Especially children around this age. They were the ones most likely to act impulsively and do something terrifying. Ryuji understood that all too well.
As for things like gratitude and favors, Ryuji felt that children of this age might not necessarily understand such concepts.
So, he showed them his vicious side.
"If any of you hurt the person now known as Kasumi Shiranui while you're under my protection, even if you injure just one of her fingers, I'll randomly cut off the limbs, tongue, and eyes of one of you..."
The moment Ryuji spoke, he released his Satsui no Hado. As he gripped his sword, the impulsive children instantly saw countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and they instinctively began nodding.
It wasn't that he was making a mountain out of a molehill by using his Satsui no Hado. If he used Conqueror's Haki on these children, they would probably faint immediately, which would defeat the purpose of intimidating them.
Besides, what kind of Conqueror would use Conqueror's Haki to scare children? Using Satsui no Hado was different.
After all, Ryuji had always been the kind of person who said he would wipe out someone's entire family and then actually did it. He wasn't the sort of pedantic person who refused to kill the children of his enemies.
Bulma froze. Athena also wanted to say something, while Momiji couldn't help but try to grab Ryuji's hand, but Ryuji simply spoke casually.
"Well then, the contract is sealed. That's that. Come with me. I still need to arrange food and lodging for you."
Ryuji turned and walked toward the Shiranui-ryu dojo. Under his perception, he could sense the mercenaries and soldiers hiding in the surrounding area were also slowly withdrawing, not daring to take another step into this place.
This is what it meant to be a human weapon.
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