Following the clues all the way.
Hozuki Mangetsu, as a Hidden Mist Jōnin, lived up to his name as a genius. Even tracking was his forte. Following the initial clues, he was always able to determine the direction.
In addition, Shinji discovered something else.
This guy seemed to be trying to shake them off.
Too naive.
Giving a look, Hidan and Tobi immediately understood and formed a triangle with Shinji, placing Hozuki Mangetsu in the middle.
This way, no matter which direction he wanted to run, it would be impossible for him to shake them off in the first place.
Hozuki Mangetsu immediately knew that his thoughts had been seen through.
He wanted to lead them in another direction, but he could only delay it for a while.
After thinking about it, he decided to find Suigetsu first and confirm his safety before doing anything else.
If he could escape by then, that would naturally be the best. If he couldn't escape, he would just join that Jashin Cult.
Anyway, he couldn't defect from the village, and he wouldn't do anything that harmed the interests of the village and the country.
If he found out that he had been deceived in the end, he would just leave that Jashin Cult.
A lean camel was bigger than a horse, and he didn't believe that the other party would dare to fight the Hidden Mist to the end.
After figuring this out, Hozuki Mangetsu felt much more relaxed, and his speed increased again.
By the time it was almost dark, they followed the clues to a village with a somewhat strange atmosphere.
As soon as they walked into the entrance of the village, a black shadow suddenly darted out from the side.
"Leave quickly, outsiders are not welcome here, leave quickly!"
It was a woman who was dirty and disheveled, and she seemed to have some mental problems. Especially the smell on her body, it was really spicy to the eyes (not a typo).
But before Shinji and the others could figure out what was going on, there was a burst of noisy footsteps.
"Leave quickly, you won't be able to leave if you don't leave now, get out! Get out!"
Amid the woman's hysterical shouts, two young men rushed over and covered her mouth without saying a word, taking her away.
At this time, the others behind them also arrived, about 5 or 6 people, led by a middle-aged man in his forties, who looked somewhat wealthy and had a kind smile. Before he even reached them, his apologies came first.
"I'm really sorry, I apologize to you. You weren't frightened, were you? I'm Matsuzaka Ichiro, the village chief here."
"What was wrong with that woman just now?"
Matsuzaka Ichiro narrowed his small eyes and noticed the forehead protector on Hozuki Mangetsu's forehead, and immediately bent his back down another three points.
"In response to the words of the ninja adults, that woman is actually a miserable person. Her husband and three children were killed by monsters, and she has become crazy ever since. She looks at everyone with ill intentions, and drives away outsiders when she sees them. I hope the ninja adults won't hold it against her, a crazy woman."
"Please come inside, please come inside."
Shinji looked at this guy and felt that something was not quite right.
After going inside, he saw the reactions of the other villagers and became thoughtful.
There was nothing else to it, this guy was just too enthusiastic.
Logically speaking, even if the village chief saw ninjas, his emotions should be more of awe, like the old man who was the previous village chief.
But when facing them, not only did the other party talk eloquently and clearly, but he was also very enthusiastic and proactive.
The way he bent over seemed to be done for them to see.
This was somewhat abnormal.
Looking at these villagers again, they were all sallow and emaciated. When they saw their arrival, they didn't show joy or resistance, but instead had somewhat complicated expressions, like. pity and numbness?
"Something's wrong, something's very wrong here!"
Shinji suddenly stopped and said with a smile to the village chief, "There's no need for food, we're here to find someone. I don't know if you've seen a white-haired child, about 12 or 13 years old?"
Village Chief Matsuzaka frowned and began to recall hard, "White hair, 12 or 13 years old. I remember, is it a little boy? And he has a mouth full of sharp teeth, and his appearance is somewhat similar to this adult's?"
"That's right, have you seen him?"
Hozuki Mangetsu stepped forward and immediately took over the conversation.
"I have seen him, but he only stayed for one night, and left the next day."
"Which direction did he go? Did he say where he was going?"
Village Chief Matsuzaka looked embarrassed, "He seemed to have mentioned something, saying he was going somewhere, but I didn't listen carefully, and I can't remember it. Adults, how about this, it's getting dark anyway, I'll prepare some food and arrange a few rooms for the adults to rest. Give me one night, and I'll definitely be able to remember!"
It seemed that things were becoming more and more interesting. Shinji took a deep look at the other party, "Then I'll trouble you."
"It's no trouble, it's no trouble. If it weren't for the protection of the ninja adults, we ordinary people would have been eaten by monsters long ago."
Village Chief Matsuzaka very happily led Shinji and the others to their accommodation, and then hurriedly went to prepare.
It had to be said that there was actually such a large courtyard in this small place, which was very surprising.
In response, Village Chief Matsuzaka said that it was passed down from his ancestors, and was renovated and maintained every year.
It was usually used to entertain some distinguished guests, or rented out as a hotel to earn some small money.
Shinji probably didn't believe a word of these lies.
"This guy has a problem, and this village is also strange."
After the people left, Hozuki Mangetsu directly said his opinion.
"That's right, but your brother should have been here too. I just don't know if he's fallen into their trap."
A flash of killing intent suddenly flashed in Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes, "If something happens to Suigetsu, I won't let any of the people involved here go."
"I might as well kill everyone here." Hidan suggested.
"Waaa, Senior Hidan is so scary~"
"Tobi! Even Lord Jashin can only endure three times! Do you believe I'll chop you up!"
"You haven't even seen Lord Jashin, how do you know?"
"I. I'm going to strangle you!"
"Ahhhhh!"
The two of them wrestled together again.
"These guys are really not normal."
Hozuki Mangetsu quietly sat further away, making this judgment.
But Shinji had long been used to it, and while calmly drinking tea, he said, "There's no hurry to attack, let's see what tricks the other party is playing. Since they are so enthusiastic about leaving us here, we must give them a chance to show their talents."
Boom!
Clang
Just as Shinji finished speaking, Hidan and Tobi, who were wrestling together, rolled over and crashed into him.
The teacup first fell on his pants, and then rolled onto the floor.
The unfinished hot tea quickly soaked and spread out.
Shinji looked down, unconcerned, and when he looked back, the Snake Skin Sword had inexplicably appeared in his hand.
"I'm going to stab you two to death, get over here!"
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