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"Recently, there indeed is a task, but it requires quite a long time, at least twenty days to start. I don't know if you have the time."
The manager of the underground exchange in Chikuzen County continued, "We've cooperated a few times, and I know you're strong, so I'm telling you about this profitable task. Recently, you're the only one who meets the requirements. What do you think, want to consider it?"
"It's a bodyguard task, and the client is not short of money. If you can defeat three of their bodyguards, it's six million for twenty days; defeat five, and it's twelve million."
After thinking for a moment, Yōichi shook his head and said, "Twelve million is considered a lot? Isn't that less than a Jōnin from the five great ninja villages is worth? Do you have any better tasks?"
"That's all, and the price isn't calculated like that. A Jōnin's corpse is very valuable. A bounty for a Jōnin without requesting the body is around five million."
The manager of the underground exchange shook his head, explaining the scarcity of personnel recently and that the client didn't want any mediocrity. His two recommended bounty hunters were rejected, leaving no choice but to persuade Yōichi.
"Fine, I'll take it. Tell me who the client is and how to contact them."
After some thought, Yōichi accepted. He didn't inquire about other bounties, assuming the man would offer him cheap C or B rank missions if he refused this one.
Earning little money for troublesome tasks wasn't appealing.
"Take this, go to the capital of the River Country, one block street, and look for a person named Inoue Sansui. He will take you to meet the client."
After finishing, the manager smiled and added, "If you do well on this task, you might not need to worry about money in the future. If the client is happy, they might hire you long-term."
"Hmph!"
Yōichi took the commission letter and left with Kakashi.
Once they were far from the underground exchange, Kakashi couldn't help asking, "Captain, a twelve million bounty sounds tough. That's at least twelve S-rank missions."
"It's different, Kakashi. You can't compare the village's missions to the tasks from the underground exchange. And one million is the lower limit for S-rank missions, not all S-rank missions are one million."
Yōichi explained, if every S-rank mission was one million, then thirty-five million could hire thirty-five Jōnin teams. Not to mention other villages, even the Temple of Fire couldn't survive without a single cockroach if the mission wasn't clean.
"Twelve million indicates the client anticipates ninja assassins, likely even a Jōnin. Thus, they might have hired not just us but at least five teams, and the employer also has their own guards."
Kakashi nodded, then quickly realized that still implied a difficult task.
Before Kakashi could inquire further, Yōichi continued, "Based on the pay, handling a Jōnin is enough. If there's more, I suggest we immediately retreat. It's not worth risking our lives for money."
"Of course, if you want to train, that's fine. But when I give the retreat order, you must obey!"
Kakashi nodded, "I understand, Captain."
After some time, they arrived at the River Country's capital and found the contact as instructed by the underground exchange. Then, they were led to the River Country's Daimyo's residence.
Kakashi whispered, "It really is the Daimyo's residence. But Captain, isn't it odd? Even for a small country's Daimyo, who would dare assassinate him? Why does the River Country's Daimyo hire so many guards?"
"The Daimyo isn't a fool. If he's hiring so many, he must feel threatened. As for where the threat comes from, only he knows!"
Upon entering the Daimyo's residence, they were led to a spacious garden where a dignified person in a high hat, looking like the Daimyo's steward, approached them, followed by a group of samurai.
"You two are the ones who accepted the commission, right? You've been informed of the rules. I need to see your strength first."
After the official of the River Country's Daimyo's residence inquired, he gestured to the samurai behind him. After five stepped forward, the official asked, "Do you want to challenge three or five?"
"Five, just me."
Yōichi stepped forward and flexed his wrists. If it was just samurai, they were much easier to deal with than ninja.
Samurai attack methods are too simplistic, believing that by honing themselves, they can reach the pinnacle. Thus, their approach to combat is one-dimensional, limited to swordsmanship.
In contrast, ninja are different. Chakra was meant to connect people's spirits, but ninjutsu was born from the necessity to kill!
---
"Captain, I've confirmed that there are a total of one hundred and twenty guards inside the River Country's Daimyo's residence, including five elite samurai from the Iron Country. The rest also include several dozen samurai who can use chakra. However, it seems there have been quite a few more people in the Daimyo's residence these past few days, some dressed like they're from the Wind Country."
Yamanaka Ryōsuke reported the intelligence he had gathered. Having the ability to explore others' minds and invade their spirits, gathering intelligence within the Daimyo's residence was easy.
"Can we confirm if they're from Sunagakure?"
"We can't. They're wearing bandanas, and although they don't have ninja uniforms, their presence in the River Country's Daimyo's residence at this time suggests Sunagakure's involvement."
Hearing Ryōsuke's words, he closed his eyes to think.
The others didn't dare interrupt. Several team members had teamed up with Sakumo before and greatly respected his leadership.
"Find out where those from the Wind Country are staying and deal with them first. Ryōsuke, clarify the details about the new arrivals at the Daimyo's residence but don't reveal your ninjutsu."
Sakumo spoke, then looked around at everyone, "This time, under no circumstances can we expose our information, or the mission fails outright."
Even if they successfully kill the River Country's Daimyo, exposing their identities would still mean failure.
If the entire ninja world knew that Leaf ninja killed the River Country's Daimyo, the impact on the Leaf would be unpredictable. Even if the enemy suspects, they must not leave evidence.
"Yes, Captain!"
Everyone responded in unison. Except for Ryōsuke, who received orders, the rest stayed at the base.
The more people deployed, the higher the risk of exposure.
Meanwhile, inside the River Country's Daimyo's residence, Yōichi and Kakashi passed the test. Due to Yōichi's overwhelming strength, he earned an additional two million reward, to be given after the mission's completion.
Moreover, his guard duty was deepened; initially tasked with patrolling the front mansion, his exceptional abilities led to his assignment at the Daimyo's castle keep.
(End of Chapter)