298: Chapter 44: Gathering Wishes Sacrifice (5) 298: Chapter 44: Gathering Wishes Sacrifice (5) On the white mask, a fox’s smile was outlined with red paint.
The pure white robe paired with scarlet hakama was the traditional attire of the Zero Island Shrine Witch.
The witch named “Flower” was a member of the Inari Shrine’s clergy, yet, presumably everyone with the superpower of ninja-like hearing had already realized, the address given to her by the superpower user was “Sakura Dance”…
the title of the Ninja Army Leader!
“Are you talking about me, guest?”
Gongsun Ce said wearily, “My throat is hoarse; I’ll take a break.
Miss Shiyu, please trouble yourself.”
The blue-haired woman arched an eyebrow and said, “So sure I’ve figured it out?”
“After all, you didn’t drink any juice.”
If you’re talking about strange signs, he had actually noticed many upon arrival.
First there was Fu Jian, the very angry granny.
No matter what, wearing such a sour face at a festival was too much unless she was truly very angry.
Just how angry was the old lady?
The witch Flower, who had been set to perform again at the end of the event, had been replaced on her command by Rina, who had arrived on short notice.
This was a festival held by the Inari Shrine, and it should not be acceptable to let a witch from another shrine steal the spotlight, unless she had some reason not to tell outsiders…
If it was a matter of mismanagement within her own shrine, it couldn’t be seen from the well-organized chaos of the festival.
So, could it be that she had personal opinions about witch Flower?
Why was the old granny so furious with this witch today?
Shouldn’t the cause of her anger have been the Shiyu clan’s ambush yesterday morning?
If it were merely that Flower had been defeated by Shiyu, it wouldn’t enrage her to this extent, unless…
the granny felt that the witch had failed to fulfill her responsibilities.
Perhaps she had the power to stop the Shiyu raid but had failed to act for some reasons, leading to the calamitous destruction of the divine statue.
Coincidentally, they had just happened to meet a high-ranking Ninja Army Leader on the train yesterday afternoon.
She had clearly arrived on Purple Island, yet after a brief and symbolic scuffle with them, she had made an excuse to leave, as if there was urgent business to attend to.
Connecting these two events, one could guess the reason for Fu Jian’s anger.
Shiyu Ling, that sharp-witted woman, probably figured it out after her dance performance ended.
Shiyu Ling said lazily, “Another identity of ‘Sakura Dance,’ outside of being a ninja, is that of the Inari Shrine Witch, Flower.
So the old lady is angry that you, knowing of the Shiyu’s impending arrival, did not give warning, leading to chaos at the shrine, hence her anger upon seeing you today.”
The witch with the fox mask smiled gently, “Such a fanciful association!
You seem so certain, surely you have conclusive evidence?”
“Indeed, without evidence it is only speculation,” Gongsun Ce took out his phone and waved it.
“So I asked my companion to compare your movements with those of Sakura Dance.
While we couldn’t see through the physical disguises, the stride length, hair thickness, and breathing rate are much harder to fake.”
“Oh my…” The witch reached for her mask and removed it, revealing the stunning face of the Ninja Army Leader.
“As expected of a ‘Demon’=san, your acuteness exceeds what was reported,” Sakura Dance laughed lightly, “The old lady is too stubborn, there’s nothing I can do.”
Shiyu Ling regarded her with a cold gaze, “A double agent rising to become a Ninja Army Leader, I’m sure the Martial Arts Association is doomed.”
Sakura Dance appeared still nonchalant.
Turning to Gongsun Ce, she said, “There’s something I don’t understand, perhaps ‘Demon’=san could enlighten me.”
“‘Demon’=san, you’ve taken great pains to help the concealed gods gain liberation.
Certainly, this is a kind act that would make the Huojin God smile, but what benefit does it serve you personally?
Gongsun Ce laid back with his hands behind his head, “I’m naturally kind-hearted, I enjoy helping others, and feel uncomfortable if I don’t do a good deed each day.
Are you satisfied with that answer?”
Sakura Dance said nothing but returned a shallow smile.
Gongsun Ce scratched his head and asked seriously, “Sakura Dance=san, whose side are you really on?”
“I’m a ninja of Zero Island.”
“It would be just as good if you lied to me.”
“Heh.” The female ninja couldn’t help but chuckle, “Everything is under the watchful eye of the Huojin God, being creatures connected to the vortex, how can there be sides?”
She put her mask back on and walked away from the white table.
Gongsun Ce watched her departing figure, murmuring, “The Martial Arts Association are followers of the Huojin God too?”
“Nonsense, it’s just a dragon, that’s all,” Shiyu Ling said with a cold laugh, “Shiyu Genmi has never believed in such things.”
“If there really were such a thing as fate, how come Shiyu Genmi hasn’t dropped dead yet?”
“You really hit the nail on the head there.”
The young man with grey hair made a large basket from white material, placing the concealed gods’ gifts inside.
He lifted the basket with his telekinesis, gesturing, “Let’s go!
Off to see Ta Bei to craft our armaments!”
In front of the blacksmith’s shop, the one-armed, one-legged masked man was still forging iron.
Seeing the two approach, he put down his hammer and sighed, “Calamity God’s child, your aura is shining brightly.”
“Maybe I’ve done some good deeds, so the Huojin God has given me some good fortune,” Gongsun Ce placed a large basket of gifts on the ground, “Do you think these could be useful?”
Ta Bei took one glance and affirmed, “They’re more than enough!”
“Wait, how can these things be used to make a psychic shield?” Shiyu Ling picked up a fishing rod, puzzled, “This looks like something used for fishing!”
“Is this a fishing rod?
This is a gift given by an old captain to a benefactor, imbued with his gratitude, thanks, and heartfelt blessings,” the old smith let out a burst of steam, laughing deeply, “Goodwill is the most comforting sentiment!
When you perform good deeds and show kindness, even if you don’t receive a penny, you still earn other people’s blessings.
These blessings help you, fulfilling their intentions, and using them for your own benefit is the most justified and peaceful action.”