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Some true diehards needed to be eliminated in advance.
This way, even if Hisashi Shigeru really avoided the ambush, he would be powerless to reverse the situation when he returned to the village. This was originally a method of playing with the time difference.
The moment Hisashi left the ninja village...
The initiative had actually already fallen to Menma and Mui.
If Hisashi had stayed in the ninja village, it would indeed have been very troublesome, but now, relying on methods alone was enough.
A figure stepping in openly and squarely from the main gate.
There was no need, nor could he hide his tracks.
"Hm!? Is this?"
"Ah, it seems to be Lord Mui!"
The moment the group approached...
The Grass ninja responsible for security at the main gate noticed immediately. The young Grass ninja naturally couldn't know Mui.
But the older Grass ninja among the guards could easily recognize him, even if they hadn't seen Mui with their own eyes for nearly ten years.
Because of this...
These Grass ninja all showed nervous expressions.
They were very clear about Mui's current identity and duties, as well as his relationship with the current leader.
They didn't know their current leader had already quietly left the ninja village. Now seeing Mui return, a very dangerous thought subconsciously surfaced in their minds.
"Ah, isn't this Arakawa and Oki? It's really been a long time. You've also aged a lot."
Seeing familiar faces...
And companions from the same era who had fought side by side...
A rare faint smile appeared on Mui's face, which was usually as cold as an iceberg.
"Yes, it has indeed been a long time, Lord Mui. I wonder if you have any urgent matter for returning this time? Is Hozuki Castle alright?"
On the left side, a middle-aged man with black hair and green eyes named Arakawa took a deep breath, then stepped forward directly, blocking Mui's path. He asked with an expression that was respectful but very serious.
Their ninja village had been peaceful for a decade or so.
The political power in the village was very stable.
As a Jonin of the village, even though Arakawa belonged to the group that supported Mui's rise more than a decade ago, now that he was getting on in years, he didn't wish for chaos to appear in the village. Mui's return, in Arakawa's view, was a very dangerous act.
He had to clarify what Mui's intention was.
And while speaking, he also used very obscure hand gestures to give instructions to the other Grass ninja behind him, asking them to immediately transmit the information back to the leader's office building.
"Hehe, haven't seen you for so many years, you're still the same. Rest assured, there won't be any problems at Hozuki Castle. I have arranged everything. As for Hisashi-san, you don't need to do anything extra. My return today proves that everything is different. Arakawa, stop doing meaningless things. Hisashi is not in the village now, including people like Sanji and Raichi, and they should never be coming back."
Mui returned to that indifferent posture, looking at Arakawa in front of him with a cold gaze. The words he spoke instantly made Arakawa, and Oki beside him, feel a chill all over their bodies, their pupils shrinking subconsciously.
"What did you say!?"
That expression of disbelief was clearly revealed.
"Do you think I'm lying to you? If not for this, why do you think I chose to return at this point in time? Arakawa-kun, it's about time."
Mui finished saying this with a flat expression.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Inside the village.
Suddenly, more than ten figures flashed over.
"Lord Mui!"
"Welcome back, Lord Mui!"
"Greetings, Lord Mui!"
The aura revealed by each one was either Jonin or infinitely close to the Jonin level.
Arakawa could also recognize at a glance that these people were all companions responsible for some important posts in their ninja village.
Some people were indeed like him before, leaning towards Mui.
But the vast majority belonged to the type that either leaned slightly towards the leader Hisashi, or were purely of the 'Power Faction'—whoever held power in the ninja village, they would follow.
Judging from the current situation...
Their Lord Hisashi was indeed not in the ninja village.
If he were...
These people couldn't possibly make such a choice.
He was the justifiable leader of the ninja village after all.
"See that? Arakawa-kun, this is the truth. And what choice will you make?"
Mui still carried that trace of indifference, looking at Arakawa faintly. The massive mental pressure exerted under the calmness...
This was just within a short few seconds.
While showing a bitter smile, Arakawa also knelt on one knee, saying very sensibly: "Welcome back, Lord Mui."
Oki beside him also knelt on one knee to salute at the moment Arakawa saluted.
Even the young Grass ninja who didn't understand the situation, seeing both captains choose to salute this man who didn't look like a good person, all knelt on one knee to salute as well.
This wasn't sincere submission.
But submission forced by the situation.
But for Mui...
This was already enough.
The general trend sometimes comes like this.
As long as he could master the dominance of the ninja village in name and openly, even if Hisashi could really come back alive, it would be meaningless.
"Mhm, very good. Then, let's enter the village."
Mui nodded gently.
Immediately after...
Surrounded by a group of people, and under the curious gaze of many ordinary people in the residences on both sides of the village main road...
Mui strode toward the location of the leader's office building that he almost could have entered more than a decade ago.
Time was tight.
There were many things to do.
Mui didn't dare to delay at all.
Don't look at how Menma still wasn't that assured about the father and son, Mui and Muku, but in fact, the father and son already fully identified with Menma and were willing to work for Menma's great cause. Even if the father and son weren't very clear about all of Menma's plans and situation currently, at least they absolutely understood that the power of the Hidden Grass Village was a very important piece of the puzzle for Menma.
The two naturally hoped to make the transition of political power as smooth as possible, not to further damage the effective strength in the village.
With Mui's forceful return...
In the absence of Hisashi Shigeru...
There really weren't many people in the Hidden Grass Village who could resist Mui.
If it were a few years earlier, there were still a few elders with relatively deep prestige and qualifications in the Hidden Grass Village who could check and balance Mui.
But now, under Mui's series of operations...
Almost all power, big and small, in the Hidden Grass Village had fallen into his control. A portion of stubborn elements attempting to resist were also ruthlessly suppressed by Mui.
Those who should be killed were killed.
Those who should be imprisoned were imprisoned.
In this aspect, Mui showed no mercy at all.