Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Chapter 9 Li Shengzhen
The twilight is shrouded in mist.

Kuryu Mari, holding a dark blue umbrella upside down, looks up at the sky.

The light was dim and indistinct.

Water vapor rose and turned into rolling black clouds, pressing down heavily on the horizon.

The air was so humid it seemed to solidify, yet not a single raindrop fell. Only the rumbling thunder rolled incessantly in the clouds, as if gathering its strength, waiting for the opportune moment to unleash a torrential downpour with a deafening clap of thunder.

I don't know when this rain will start.

Kuryu Mari was filled with worry.

three days ago.

The sudden order from the Anbu to seal off the village caused an uproar among the village's ninjas.

As one of the five great hidden villages in the ninja world, Kirigakure's influence extends over a wide area.

Almost all missions in the Land of Water and surrounding small and island nations are carried out by the Hidden Mist ninja. Every day the Hidden Mist Village is sealed off, the lost mission rewards amount to nearly a million.

How is this possible?

The village's Jonin immediately investigated the source of the blockade order, only to discover that such a crucial decision came from a secret service captain codenamed Great Tengu.

The reason given by the Dark Division for the lockdown was very simple: spies from other villages had infiltrated the village, and the village was sealed off to prevent the secrets of the Hidden Mist Village from being leaked.

This ridiculous reason is simply treating people like monkeys.

I've never heard of someone cutting off their own economic lifeline just because a spy infiltrated the village. I think you're the village spy.

The enraged Jonin decided to unite and report the matter to the Mizukage, who then lifted the ban.

but……

Mizukage has disappeared.

Not only the Mizukage, but also the elder Yuanshi who controls all affairs of the village, the representative of the common people in the village, the Anbu captain codenamed "Kyouba" Kuriyu Shun, the representative of the Bloodline Clan ninja faction Terumi Mei, and Ao, known as the "Illusion Killer" and skilled in sealing techniques, and other important figures in the village have all disappeared.

Gradually realizing the seriousness of the problem, the Jonin calmed down and began to inquire with the Anbu about the whereabouts of the Mizukage and the others.

Rumors have leaked from the secret service that the Mizukage and his men are in the village, their whereabouts a closely guarded secret. To protect the village and await the Mizukage's return, the village is temporarily placed under wartime lockdown.

There was no further objection to the decision by the secret service to seal off the village.

The elite Jonin had no objections, and the lower-ranking ninjas naturally dared not object either. The absurd sealing of the village was actually carried out under the orders of a mere ANBU squad leader.

The order was executed as usual.

However, the few words spoken by the secret agents could not dispel the doubts in everyone's hearts.

As a result, Kuryu Mari, the younger sister of Kuryu Shun, the captain of the Anbu, came to the Anbu to inquire about the specific situation.

In front of the tightly closed gate of the Misty Hidden Gate.

"Miss Kurio."

When the ANBU members who were blocking the village's exits saw Kuryu Mari arrive, they all greeted her. Even Mist Raven and Bloodhound lowered their heads, no longer displaying the arrogance they had shown towards the civilians.

Everyone in the entire Dark Division knows how much the Captain-Commander cherishes his only younger sister.

They treated it with such care, as if they were afraid it would fall if held in their hands or melt if kept in their mouths.

Internally, many ninjas even referred to Kuryu Mari as the "Young Lady of the Anbu" in order to curry favor with the Captain-Commander.

Kurio Mari nodded.

"Where's my brother?"

Faced with Kurio Mari's question, the members of the Dark Guard exchanged bewildered glances.

The rules of the Dark Division were strict, and no one dared to offend the captain's sister, so for a moment no one dared to answer.

"Who's in charge here?"

Kurio Mari calmly scanned the area.

The members of the ANBU exchanged glances, and their eyes finally settled on one of them who was wearing a raven-face mask.

The ANBU member with the crow's face looked left and right, then shrugged helplessly and stepped forward: "Hello, Ms. Kuryu, I am Captain Ōtengu's subordinate, codename Mist Crow."

Kuryu Mari's azure eyes sized up the so-called Mist Raven's ANBU member, her expression grim: "I don't care who you are, answer my question, where is my brother?"

"The captain... he's left the village," Mist Raven answered truthfully after a second's hesitation.

"reason?"

"I don't know either." "Then have your captain come over."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Kurio. Due to the busy nature of the Anbu (Anbu headquarters), the captain is unable to meet with you."

Kuryu Mari looked at the seemingly earnest, head bowed, her beautiful face ashen.

She didn't recognize any of these secret agents.

Having grown up playing in the secret service base, she knew her brother's subordinates, if not intimately, but at least by name.

She had never even seen the ninjas who were now sealing the gate before, let alone recognized them.

This shows that these people were not the brother's subordinates at all.

The water lily has disappeared, her brother has disappeared, and even her brother's loyal subordinates seem to have disappeared as well.

Kuryu Mari's mood worsened.

An ominous premonition loomed over me.

"Is your captain too busy to get away?"

"Yes."

Kuryu Mari stared intently at the narrow eyes beneath the Mist Raven mask, her sharp gaze seemingly piercing through it: "If I were to leave the village now, would he appear?"

"The village is currently under lockdown..."

"You dare to stop me?"

Kurio Mari's tone suddenly rose, and she questioned him, enunciating each word clearly.

Mist Raven slowly raised her head and met Kuryu Mari's gaze, while the numerous ANBU behind her tensed up. Bloodhound's breathing was slightly heavy, his chest heaving, and his short, blood-red hair stood on end like steel needles.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

moment.

He reached out and pinned down the restless bloodhound behind him. The raven-face mask covered his features, making it impossible to see his expression.

"Miss Kuryu is the Captain-Commander's younger sister. We sealed off the village only to capture spies, and it has nothing to do with you."

If you wish to leave the village, we can open the gate at any time.

"If you wish to see the captain, you need his permission. I am merely an ordinary member of the Dark Guard and cannot make such a decision. As for the whereabouts of the Mizukage and your brother, I know absolutely nothing about them."

The fog crow slowly shook its head.

Staring at the stubborn Mist Crow in front of her, Kuryu Mari felt a sudden toothache.

The attitude was impeccable;
They knew nothing about the news.
The task is issued by the team leader;
Leaving the village will not be hindered;
The captain could not make a decision;
She's a complete tough nut to crack, a seasoned veteran in the workplace. Mari Kuryu couldn't really storm into the Dark Side base to confront Ōtengu; if Ōtengu was focused on hiding, she wouldn't be able to find him anyway.

Dealing with this kind of person is like a dog trying to bite a hedgehog—it's impossible to know where to begin.

Seeing that she couldn't get any answers from him, Kuryu Mari gave up on using her brother's authority to act tough any longer. Under the watchful eyes of the other ANBU members, she snorted coldly and turned to leave.

We had just left the gate of the ninja village.

Tick ​​tock!

Raindrops fell from the sky, leaving wet marks on the ground.

"It's raining!"

Someone was shouting, and pedestrians on the roadside covered their heads and scattered.

Kuryu Mari calmly opened her umbrella, about to continue walking, when a soft, timid voice came from her side:
"Hello, has the ban been lifted?"

Her voice was soft and melodious, causing Kuryu Mari to involuntarily stop and tilt her head to look at her.
Pedestrians scattered to avoid the rain, and the street corner was somewhat chaotic, except for one person who sat quietly on the side of the street.

The girl sat timidly under the eaves, holding onto her white cane with both hands. A wide black cloth covered her eyes, and her high nose bridge and delicate features made her look like a large porcelain doll.

Her long, gray-silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her skin was fair and translucent. A white cloak, stained with dust, covered her small body, making the girl look petite and adorable, like a kitten.

What a beautiful blind woman.

Kuryu Mari was momentarily stunned by his beauty and began to scrutinize him closely before realizing that he was speaking to her.

"Uh... little sister, are you talking to me?"

As if afraid of disturbing the cat-like girl in front of her, Kuryu Mari's voice involuntarily rose as well.

(End of this chapter)