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Mifune gave a curt nod. "Very well. My second-in-command, Tatsuya, will accompany you. He knows the locations of the black market dealers and will guide you accordingly. What you do with them... is entirely up to you."
Inoiki stood, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Efficient. I like that." He turned to Tatsuya. "How long will you need to prepare? When should I return to pick you up?"
Tatsuya met his gaze without hesitation. "No need to wait. You can follow me right now—I'm ready. Mifune-sama informed me beforehand, and I know my task."
Inoiki glanced back at Mifune, his smirk widening into something more knowing. "You were very confident that I'd accept your offer, weren't you?"
Mifune remained composed. "You were willing to talk, which meant you didn't want to be our enemy. The Daimyo and I were certain you would see reason."
Inoiki chuckled but said nothing. Instead, he turned and strode toward the exit, Tatsuya falling into step beside him. As they stepped outside, Inoiki glanced at him and said simply, "Don't resist."
Before Tatsuya could respond, a sky-blue aura flared around Inoiki, and in an instant, that same energy enveloped Tatsuya. He barely had time to process what was happening before his feet left the ground.
He tensed, instinct screaming at him to fight against the unseen force lifting him into the air. But it was futile—Inoiki's control was absolute. Resist? he thought wryly. Could I even if I wanted to?
Inoiki's voice cut through his thoughts. "Which direction?"
Tatsuya exhaled slowly, then pointed. "That way. There's a small town ahead—one of the larger black market hubs."
Without another word, Inoiki shot forward, carrying Tatsuya along with him. The two streaked across the sky like twin rays of light, disappearing into the horizon.
Below, Mifune and the guards watched their departure in silence.
Inoiki and Tatsuya stood before an unassuming shop, its worn wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze.
Tatsuya glanced at it and said, "This shop hides the entrance to the black market."
Inoiki gave a short nod and stepped inside without hesitation, with Tatsuya following closely behind. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old wood and ink. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man, his sharp eyes assessing the newcomers with quiet suspicion.
Tatsuya, still reeling from the astonishing speed at which they had arrived—barely ten minutes from General Mifune's mansion—kept his mouth shut, watching closely.
Inoiki wasted no time. "Where is the entrance to the black market?"
The shopkeeper's expression hardened instantly. His voice was firm, unwavering. "I don't know what you're talking about. There is no black market here."
From behind, Tatsuya murmured, "You need to say the password before he'll let you in."
Inoiki barely acknowledged him. "No need."
Without warning, a pulse of sky-blue energy flickered around him. The shopkeeper gasped as an unseen force lifted him into the air and then slammed him against the wall to his left. A strangled grunt escaped his lips as the impact rattled the shelves, sending a few trinkets tumbling to the floor.
Inoiki didn't spare him another glance. With a flick of his fingers, the counter wrenched itself from its place, revealing a hidden trapdoor embedded in the wooden floor.
"There it is," Inoiki muttered.
Before Tatsuya could process what was happening, another burst of psychic energy erupted from Inoiki, shattering the trapdoor as if it were made of brittle glass. Dust and splinters flew into the air, revealing a dark passageway leading below.
Inoiki took a step forward, peering down into the shadows. "Shall we?" he said, glancing at Tatsuya with a smirk.
Tatsuya swallowed hard. This man is terrifying.
Without another word, they descended into the depths of the black market.
As they descended the worn stone steps into the depths of the black market, Tatsuya hesitated before speaking.
"Isn't it a bad idea to make this much noise?" he asked cautiously.
Inoiki didn't even glance back. His voice was calm, almost amused. "On the contrary, it's exactly what I want. The more noise I make, the more chaos it causes. And the more chaos there is, the faster the leaders of this black market will come to me."
Tatsuya exhaled through his nose, understanding the ruthless logic. But one thing was clear—if someone wanted to act this brazenly, they needed the power to back it up. And Inoiki had that power.
The moment their feet touched solid ground, the dim glow of lanterns revealed a sprawling underground market teeming with activity. Stalls lined the walls, their merchants peddling everything from rare poisons to stolen weaponry. The air was thick with the scent of metal, incense, and secrecy.
But before Inoiki could take another step, more than ten armed men blocked his path. Their swords gleamed under the flickering lantern light, their postures tense and battle-ready.
The one who appeared to be their leader stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the intruders. His voice was steady but laced with warning. "Who are you, and why have you caused such a disturbance?"
Inoiki tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I am Inoiki Yamanaka. If that name means nothing to you, perhaps my other title will."
"They call me The Silent Reaper of Konoha."
The leader's face drained of colour. A shiver ran down his spine as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He had no idea who Inoiki Yamanaka was. But The Silent Reaper?
There was only one man with that name.
And he was standing right in front of him.
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