Arc VIII Chapter 9<div>


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    <strong>Arc VIII Chapter 9


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    “It''s an honour to wee such illustrious guests in my modest home. The ck Princess of Konoha, your reputation truly precedes you.


    I was told about your name and real identity, Lady Asami. I am quite satisfied that I can rely on suchpetent hands as yours.”Mitsuhikogreeted them in person. He was their mysterious client.


    Asami andpanypassedthegates,and entered a kingdom ofdoors, rooms, and tatami mats. A significant number of guardsapanied his lordship. Nothing extraordinary.Theirclient was a daimyo, a rich and influential man. Rich and influential men wereconcernedabouttheir personal health and security.Theworldwas dangerous, and powerful ninja roamedthends without ountability.


    Mitsuhiko bought the best protection money could afford. He recruited samurai and ninja alike, assembling a little personal army. His guards observed her with open distrust. They followed her movements, and Asami sensed their prying eyes. Not that she cared. Mitsuhiko''s little show of force amused her.


    Mitsuhiko led the way. He was young, handsome, ambitions, a man hungry for theurels of history.His face, his eyes, his smile were charming, but Asami distrusted her new friend.


    His fa?adedidn''t deceive her. His smile was perfect, but his lipscked genuine emotions. The man was a slyfoxdespite his young age, skilled in the craft of subterfuge and maniption.


    Asami maintained her smile. “The honour is all mine, Lord Mitsuhiko. Humble ninja like us rarely enjoy the privilege to serve a mighty daimyo.”


    “...”Mitsuhiko maskedhis annoyance. So much cheekiness trapped in such a frail body, but the girl was genuine. Theck Princess, her pride, her arrogance werelegendary. So were her abilities.Hername carried meaning. Her name demanded respect.


    Following her betrayal, her name was known across thends. The girl was rumoured to have sided with Orochimaru during the invasion before stainingher handswith the blood of her formerrades. The ck Princess had turned against her vige in cold blood.


    Henever expectedto hire her upon contacting Akatsuki, yet the girl was standing before him, a girl named Asami.


    His smile gone, Mitsuhikochuckled. “Your tongue is sharp for your age.”


    Asami giggled.“You tter me, Lord Mitsuhiko. Pleasantries aside, I notice you summoned quite the number of guards.Do you feel threatened, Your Grace?”


    “...”Her words hit a nerve. Mitsuhiko scowled, but hemustered a smile. Of course, he felt threatened by thehomicidal girl.“They are present... for security purposes.Rebellious elements among the minor nobilityare discontent with my rule.”


    “...” Asami listened. The rumours were true, Mitsuhiko ruled hisnd with an iron fist. Mitsuhiko was an ambitious man, and ambitious men provoked opposition. Considering the number of men under hismand, he didn''t settle his disagreements peacefully.


    Mitsuhiko sighed. “I fear a repetition of what happened to my brother. A tragedy.”


    Asami raised hereyebrow. “You had a brother?”


    “An older brother. He died a premature death after seeding our father. He, his wife, and his daughter died together in a terrible fire. The voracious mes nearly imed the entire castle. A tragic day.” Mitsuhiko didn''t care in the slightest. His emotions were hollow. “We never uncovered the culprits, but we suspect disgruntled nobles were responsible for this heinous crime.”


    Asami listened and smiled along. Details didn''t add up, but Asami refrained frommenting. His older brother died in a mysterious fire, only to be seeded by him. A fortunate turn of events.


    Mitsuhiko inspected herpany. “I seethat you have brought a girl along with you. May I ask forher name?”


    “...”Yuki shared her antipathy for Mitsuhiko, hidingbehind her silhouette. The girl clutched her hand and Asami reciprocated.Her little sister was precious.


    Asami beamed proudly. “Tsukimi-chan is my little sister. She is a bitshy around people, but isn''t she adorable, Lord Mitsuhiko?”


    Mitsuhikochuckled. “Tsukimi, a lovely name indeed.Anyway, follow me.We have much to discuss.”


    A door opened. Mitsuhiko prepared a room, as their mission was a matter best discussed behind closed doors.


    Asamihalted.“Tobi, Tsukimi-chan, you won''t apany me. I will go alone. Wewill meet upter on.”


    Yuki looked worried. She didn''t want Nee-santo go. “Nee-san...”


    Asami leaned down, rewarding herwith a gentle head pat. “Don''t worry, Nee-sanwill return.”


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    “...”Asami observed Mitsuhiko. Guardssurrounded him, his most trusted aids.


    Her voice broke the uneasy silence. Unsolved questionsdemanded an answer after years of silence.


    “Lord Mitsuhiko, your mission ... What does our mission exactly entail? Unfortunately, Your Lordship, wasn''t forting with the specifics. As far as we know, we are supposed to locate a certain person.”


    Mitsuhiko sipped on his tea. “Correct, your objective is to locate and eliminatea girl. The girl must be silenced. We will reward you ordingly.”


    Asami enjoyed her tea. The tea was apparently safe. “I hope so. Ourservices are in high demand.”


    “So which girl is destinedto die, Lord Mitsuhiko? I need her identity. I need information.”


    Mitsuhikoagreed.“Understandable, I expected such. Kazuma, hand her thescroll.”


    Kazuma stepped forwardsand Asami epted hisscroll without hesitation.


    Mitsuhiko continued his exnation. “The scrollcontainsall the information we collected.We hope the information will prove useful and aid you in your endeavour.”


    Asami scanned the contents. Her hand froze, and her gaze turned cold. The picture. Her name. Both were familiar.The picture dated back years ago, butAsami recognised the girl. Her cheeks. Her fluffy hair. Her hopeful eyes. Her cute little nose.


    Asami mumbled her name. “Yuki ...”


    Mitsuhiko enjoyed his tea. “Your mission is to locatemyniece and eliminate her.Unfortunately, Yuki survived the fire years ago and escaped. One of my brother''sloyalretainers saved her.The girlis eluding us ever since, which is an issue. My brother''s line must end. Her mere existence as the true heiress threatens my legitimacy.”


    “...”Asami understood.


    Mitsuhiko''s grin broadened. “Wehope you will be graced with more sess than your predecessors.Even the Konoha-ninI hired failed.Contact ceased. I honestly expected more from them, but the rumours seem to be true, Konoha''s quality has declined. Their ninja fall short of their once legendary reputation...”


    “Lord Mitsuhiko, we must talk.” Asami deposited her cup of tea. Her eyes glimmered purple. Her Susanoo struck. Her skeletal arm pinned Mitsuhiko against the wall, strangting him. Mitsuhiko suffocated as her grip tightened.


    “Mitsuhiko, tell me, more about that night.” Asami offered a seductive smile. “I want to know more ...”


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