Kosuke Maruboshi listened in silence, then slowly exhaled: "Your deduction... is very likely! If the magistrate of the town is indeed involved, then it's no longer a simple criminal case. This involves local officials of the Land of Fire, which is beyond the scope of our ninja's mission authority and handling."
"According to the agreement between Konoha and the Land of Fire, as well as the village's regulations, we must immediately cease the investigation, report the situation back to the village, and let the Hokage decide. We also need to negotiate with the capital of the Land of Fire and obtain the Daimyo's authorization. Taking action without authorization will cause huge political trouble."
"Senior, shall we return directly to the village?"
Shinichi asked.
Kosuke Maruboshi pondered for a moment: "I originally planned that even though the mission was officially considered complete, I should still go to the nearby village to meet the client, but..."
He changed the subject and looked at Shinichi: "Shinichi, what do you think?"
"Leave the town immediately."
Shinichi's answer was without hesitation: "And make it look urgent, as if we have noticed some major clue. After leaving the town, head straight for the village."
"Oh?"
Kosuke Maruboshi did not interrupt, gesturing for him to continue.
"They may have initially only intended to use that rhetoric to get rid of us, but from the moment I stepped into the magistrate's mansion, the steward's repeated and subtle observations suggested that I might possess some quality that they considered extremely important. His repeated confirmations meant that they might have changed their initial plan, from seeing us off to keeping us here."
Shinichi continued his calm analysis: "They are likely mobilizing their forces and setting traps right now. What we need to do is disrupt their rhythm and break out of the encirclement they may be weaving. If we appear hasty and suspicious, and leave the city in a hurry, it may prompt them to launch an attack earlier and intercept us on the outside."
"Luring the snake out of its hole?"
Kosuke Maruboshi immediately understood his intention.
"Yes."
Shinichi nodded. "As long as they attack us first, no matter who they are, morality and law will be on our side. It is a serious crime for ninjas to attack local officials without cause. Conversely, it is also an unforgivable serious crime for local officials or their forces to attack ninjas on a mission without cause."
Although the Daimyo is the nominal supreme ruler of the Land of Fire, Konoha holds a very privileged position within the country, wielding substantial and absolute military power.
Throughout the various Shinobi World Wars, each one was directly initiated and led by the ninja villages of various countries. During the war, local officials and administrative systems of various countries could only passively cooperate, and their duties were mostly assigned to newly acquired territories for governance and post-war cleanup.
For example, during the Third Shinobi World War, the Village Hidden in the Sand used the disappearance of the Kazekage as a pretext to directly wage war against Konoha, without even formally notifying the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.
This incident greatly angered the Daimyo, but after the war, he could only use the excuse of an unfavorable situation in the Village Hidden in the Sand to reduce some funds as a symbolic punishment.
Even earlier, at the first Five Kage Summit, the first kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages openly discussed the division of territories and the distribution of benefits among the various countries, demonstrating their power and independence.
Shinichi went on to clarify the key point, saying, "Konoha ninjas are officially appointed military personnel by the country. Even if they are suspected of committing crimes, local administrative officials have no right to detain or dispose of them privately; they must negotiate with Konoha through formal channels."
"Only when someone is officially declared a rebel ninja by Konoha can local officials cooperate with Konoha to arrest them after receiving authorization. If they attack us first, it is as if they have handed us a legitimate reason to retaliate and investigate further."
The country and the ninja village have long existed in a delicate and complex symbiotic relationship. Their powers often overlap, and their ideologies frequently clash, yet a peculiar balance and coexistence have been formed on the basis of a mutually beneficial relationship: "I provide you with financial and governance advantages, and you provide me with military and security guarantees."
This gave rise to a set of unspoken but mutually understood rules: You have no right to dispose of the ninjas under my command, and I will not directly interfere in the affairs of your jurisdiction... All of these together constitute the unique one-country, one-village system in the Shinobi World.
If you overstep your authority without cause, then morality and law will be on our side.
Kosuke Maruboshi looked at his junior, who had a meticulous mind and was good at using the rules, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
This is indeed a brilliant strategy in the current complex situation, which can both avoid procedural risks and break the deadlock.
However, he did not immediately agree, but pondered and raised his concerns: "The plan is good, but there are a few problems. First, according to the village rules, this matter has clearly exceeded the scope of our mission. Second, the risks are unpredictable. We do not know exactly how many people the other side has or what their strength is."
"Even if we ultimately gain the upper hand in terms of morality and law, the village may not be happy to see us causing trouble. They might think we are meddling and stirring up trouble. In addition, even if the Daimyo does not pursue the matter openly, he will inevitably feel displeased that the Konoha ninjas have caused trouble in his territory."
Shinichi's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Senior, I was prepared for danger when I decided to become a ninja. I also have my own selfish reasons for this; I don't want my first mission to end so abruptly and without a clear explanation."
"And those children..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Their families are still waiting for them to come home. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we should not give up."
As expected of the successor to the Will of Fire, handpicked by the third Hokage-sama!
Kosuke Maruboshi sighed inwardly.
Shinichi continued his analysis, speaking clearly and logically: "Senior, this is not meddling in other people's business. As Konoha ninjas, we have the responsibility to maintain border stability and prevent the infiltration of unknown forces. Now, an unidentified organization has infiltrated the border of the Land of Fire and may even have turned a magistrate against us. This is our duty in itself."
"In the end, the Daimyo may not care about the disappearance of some commoner children, but he will never tolerate his officials slipping out of control and secretly engaging in schemes unknown to him."
"Alright!"
Kosuke Maruboshi nodded and immediately decided, "Let's do as you say. We'll leave the city now."
That night, beside a river near a forest, the moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only the murmuring of the flowing water.
Shinichi and Kosuke Maruboshi, who were hurrying along, suddenly stopped in their tracks. A dozen figures clad in black robes silently appeared in the shadows of the trees ahead, blocking their path in a semi-encircling formation.
"Why are you in such a hurry to leave? It makes it seem as if I, the magistrate of this town, have failed to provide adequate hospitality."
The leader lifted his hood, revealing himself to be Kurokawa Yasumasa, the magistrate of Narumi Town.
Shinichi did not respond, his gaze sweeping over the uniform markings on everyone's black robes: An outer circle and an inner triangle, with rough lines and a dark red color like congealed blood.
This pattern...? An evil cult?
"We meet again, magistrate."
Elder Takahashi stepped forward slowly, his gaze fixed on Shinichi from under his hood, his eyes surging with undisguised fervor and longing, as if he were looking at a rare treasure.
"Please do not resist. If you are willing to submit, I can promise that your companion will be left with a whole corpse."
His tone was calm, yet it conveyed a sense of superior confidence.
That's true, they're just two low-ranking ninja.
However, the moment he finished speaking…
Shinichi's hand, which was hanging at his side, moved almost imperceptibly, making a very simple gesture.
The next moment…
Boom!!!
The once calm river suddenly roared, with countless streams of water surging out and rising into the sky to form a massive, overwhelming wave.
With a deafening roar and an unstoppable force, it crashed down on the group of black-robed men on the bank!
Elder Takahashi's eyes narrowed sharply.
This ninja from Konoha… is actually rated as Genin?!