Chapter 50 - City Of Roran
Emerging from the rift, I took a deep breath, fully aware of the strength and capabilities I now possessed. I was prepared for the challenges ahead, equipped with newfound skills and an increased confidence in my abilities. With the rift behind me, I set my sights on the journey that awaited, ready to face whatever lay ahead with renewed determination.
After activating my Concealment Jutsu, I slipped into the city of Roran, my presence completely undetected.
The scene that greeted me was a stark contrast to the lifeless future I knew—a time when puppets and dolls ruled the streets. Here, towering structures reached high into the sky, connected by lifts and escalators. The streets were alive with ordinary people going about their day, and children's laughter echoed as they played nearby. The city was vibrant, with a population that seemed to number between 300 and 400.
'Not what I expected… I thought, scanning my surroundings'. 'But I can't afford to be distracted.'
Without wasting a moment, I moved toward the center of the city.
Channeling chakra to my feet, I clung to the sides of the towers like a spider, leaping from one to another with the grace of a rabbit. My target was the central tower.
As I reached the tower, the large balcony came into view. A woman in her mid-twenties, with an air of authority and grace, stood there, addressing the crowd below. Her voice was strong, yet filled with concern as she spoke about the city's food shortage. *Queen Sēramu,* I realized.
"...We face great challenges," she continued, her voice unwavering. "The harsh winds of this land make it nearly impossible to cultivate our crops. Without proper irrigation, our fields wither before they can yield any harvest."
*So this is what's troubling her...* I mused, watching the scene unfold. Behind the queen stood a man and a puppet, their expressions masked by shadows.
As Sēramu concluded her speech, the crowd began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. The queen turned, her regal figure retreating into the tower, the heavy doors closing behind her.
Inside the grand hall, I positioned myself in the shadows, my Concealment Jutsu still active. The queen's voice, now tinged with frustration, echoed off the walls.
"How many times must I tell you?" she snapped, her patience clearly worn thin. "I will not use the power of the Dragon Veins' chakra for such purposes!"
Her words hung in the air as she spun on her heel, ready to leave.
"But, Queen, I—" the man beside her started, desperation in his tone, but she cut him off sharply.
"No more discussion," she declared, her eyes hardening. Without another word, she strode out of the hall, her presence commanding even in her anger.
As soon as the queen was out of sight, the man—Mukade—let out a dark chuckle, his expression twisting into one of malevolent glee. Leaning closer to his puppet, he whispered, "Just wait two days... you'll die by my hands."
So that's his plan… I thought, my muscles tensing. But not if I have anything to say about it.
Unseen and unheard, I stayed in the shadows, my senses heightened, prepared for what was to come.
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