Chapter 205: Discovered as Expected

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Discovered as Expected

Chapter 205: Discovered as Expected

Saki Castle

It was the most prosperous city in the Land of Fire, second only to Daimyo Mansion.

And as with all nations, the economic heart often beat strongest at its center.

The closer one drew to that center, the harder it was to blend in.

This city was a complicated tapestry nobles, shinobi, government officials, merchant clans, and samurai all interwoven into a delicate balance of power.

Though not as grand as Daimyo Mansion with its distinct separation of inner and outer city, Saki Castle still boasted refined living conditions.

In the outer ring, ordinary families lived typical lives.

But the inner circle was another world entirely, exclusive, elegant, and fiercely guarded. Only nobles, government elites, and wealthy conglomerates had the privilege of residing within its bounds.

Saki Castle derived its name from the Saki clan, an old family of generals who had long since laid down roots in the city’s core.

"The Saki clan... they’re just regular folks now, right?"

In the inner district, atop a lavish teahouse, Hoshicai leaned casually against a window, gently stroking an old cat perched on his lap. He watched the flow of people along the streets below, sipping tea with the air of an idle noble.

He no longer looked like a country peasant. At this moment, he wore the disguise of a refined, handsome young man.

For a shinobi, cross-dressing or identity-swapping was child’s play, not like the clumsy theatrics seen in movies.

Even the identity he assumed was grounded in reality: the eldest son of a minor but respectable merchant group in the Land of Fire, known well enough to avoid suspicion.

"The Saki clan are commoners," Hoshicai said, eyes still on the street. "Even if their ancestor was once a general, that doesn’t change the fact he was a civilian. And this is the age of shinobi."

Sitting beside him, the old cat tilted his head in confusion. "But how do they still hold so much influence, even after all this time?"

There was an undertone of respect in the cat’s puzzled voice.

In the days he’d spent following Hoshicai, he’d come to understand what a true mentor-student bond could be.

Hoshicai had taught him many things with endless patience, unlike Ryosuke’s violent, crash-course methods.

It reminded him of his kitten days, learning to hunt from his mother.

"I’m afraid I can’t answer that," Hoshicai replied, shaking his head.

To the old cat, Hoshicai had become something like a parent, steady and wise.

"The noble families’ positions are... complicated," Hoshicai continued. "Even with the intelligence I have, I can’t pinpoint the reason. Maybe you should ask Lord Ryosuke."

"But aren’t you someone Lord Ryosuke trusts? Shouldn’t that give you access to the clan’s intelligence network?"

Hoshicai didn’t look away from the street as he replied, "Information alone doesn’t solve this. In the long history of the Land of Fire, several daimyo have risen and fallen.

Sometimes it’s bloodlines, sometimes it’s talent but all of them, without exception, came from noble families. There’s never been a daimyo from commoner roots."

"So naturally, any daimyo who takes the throne treats these families with caution and respect."

He paused. His tone shifted, firm and low, with a note of warning.

"The world of civilians can be more treacherous than ours, old friend."

"If you offend the wrong person, you won’t even know who you angered before you’re caught in a storm of unseen enemies, hunted from the shadows without a clue why."

"Never underestimate someone just because they don’t wield chakra."

"...That serious, huh?"

The old cat squinted at the closed gates of the Saki family estate below.

To him, the idea was still hard to grasp. How could these powerless people inspire fear in someone like him?

Be it in the alleyways as a wild feline or within the hierarchies of human society, one truth remained: power commands respect.

That was the rule. The strong are honored. The weak obey.

Ever since awakening his Devil Fruit ability and feeling its tremendous power course through him, the old cat had become... cocky.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand how dangerous the world could be. On the contrary, he knew exactly how terrifying humans were.

He’d seen ninjas level forests. He’d watched Ryosuke tear through foes like a force of nature.

But now...

Now he felt something shift inside him. With this new power, he believed himself equal or even superior to the elite shinobi of the Hyuga clan, even his own teacher Hoshicai, at least in raw stats like physical endurance, muscle strength, and reflexes.

If not for his lack of genjutsu proficiency and battlefield experience, he might have even dared to challenge the Hokage.

That was a thought he’d never considered before.

"You...." Hoshicai started, reading the pride in his eyes, wanting to correct it.

But before he could speak further.

Clack.

The heavy gates of the Saki estate below swung open.

A tall, lazy-looking man stepped outside, moving with an almost theatrical lack of effort.

Several people trailed behind him, bowing and scraping.

He turned and said something, probably telling them not to follow.

They hesitated, then obeyed, staying behind as he continued on alone.

The moment Hoshicai saw him, his eyes flicked away to avoid direct contact.

Experienced shinobi instinct.

The truly powerful didn’t need jutsu to sense a stare. Some could pick up on killing intent or gaze pressure alone.

Hoshicai shifted focus, using only his peripheral vision to track the man.

"...Target confirmed. Red hair, missing an arm, samurai blade at his hip."

His voice was barely above a whisper, but the old cat caught it clearly.

He turned his head for a look, but Hoshicai quickly added,

"Don’t stare too hard. You’ll blow your cover as a ninja cat."

"But I look like a normal housecat," the old cat replied, crouched at the window.

He licked his paw, brushing it over his whiskers with feigned laziness.

"As long as I don’t talk or use chakra, he can’t possibly know I’m different, right? He’s not a mind reader..."

His golden eyes glanced over the street.

"Need me to pass a message to anyone?"

On the street below,

whether it was the two old men playing chess by the stone table near the bridge, the street vendor shouting energetically, or the lady walking her dog, all of them were part of the same team. Like Hoshicai, they each wore different disguises to conceal their identities.

Some time ago, after tracing signs of the alien’s movements, they had followed him across several regions.

Initially, they assumed his target was Daimyo Prefecture.

But after he entered Saki Castle, his trail went cold. After several illusion-induced interrogations, they discovered that the red-haired samurai was residing in the Saki family’s estate.

"Need not!"

Hoshicai firmly interrupted the old cat’s suggestion. His voice was cold, resolute.

"Caution and vigilance have always been the tradition of our Hyuga clan. I won’t allow you to become the first reckless fool in our lineage."

But then, realizing this was the old cat’s first mission, Hoshicai’s stern tone softened slightly.

"It’s better to be too cautious than too bold. This alien... treat him as you would Ryosuke-sama."

"At least, based on Lord Ryosuke’s reply, it’s clear he values this alien, especially his strength on the battlefield."

"He even advised that if we’re discovered, we mustn’t use force to subdue him. Instead, we are to evacuate immediately. You’ve been with Ryosuke-sama long enough to know the weight behind his words."

The old cat, who had been lazily licking his paw, suddenly froze. His movements stilled. The casual aura around him faded.

Ryosuke knew his strength and if he even said to withdraw without confrontation, then this red-haired man wasn’t someone to take lightly.

While they spoke, the red-haired man had already started walking down the street.

His gait was unhurried, aimless. He looked like any traveler exploring the Land of Fire, taking in the culture and scenery at ease.

There was a kind of lazy elegance to his demeanor.

He wore a white shirt with the buttons casually fastened, his strong, defined muscles peeking from the seams. Draped over him was a long black cloak that brushed the ground with each step. On his feet were a battered pair of old slippers.

Yet, at his waist hung a beautifully forged and strangely shaped longsword. Somehow, he exuded the presence of a seasoned general, like the kind who, with a single swing of his sword, could command thousands.

It was hard to explain, but simply standing there, the man stood out like a flame in the wind, dazzling to the eye.

That visibility worked in Hoshicai’s team’s favor.

Since the red-haired man naturally drew attention, it was easier to watch him unnoticed. Following him directly would only make them more conspicuous.

Even as he walked out of the street and turned into East Street, curious whispers and hushed conversations about his identity followed him.

Trailing him were the disguised lady walking her dog and the street vendor.

"Byakugan!"

From his seat inside the teahouse, Hoshicai didn’t move.

Unlike the others, his current role didn’t allow him to check out and leave without drawing suspicion.

But that didn’t hinder his ability to observe.

Veins swelled around his eyes as chakra surged within his body.

He located the figures of the noble lady and the street vendor just down the street.

Hoshicai’s Byakugan wasn’t developed enough to see through solid matter. He relied on tracking the flow of chakra instead. Those without chakra were beyond his sight.

Thus, he could only monitor the status of his companions indirectly gauging the red-haired man’s actions.

But even if the red-haired man did possess chakra, Hoshicai didn’t dare to observe him directly.

Still...

His expression suddenly froze.

Without hesitation, he stretched his hand out of the window and made a subtle signal.

The two old men playing chess by the river slowly rose, pretending to have just finished their game.

They packed up the board, discussed their moves as they always did, and headed off, coincidentally, in the same direction the red-haired man had taken.

"Were we discovered?" the old cat asked, his ears twitching.

Hoshicai nodded gravely. "They’ve been stopped."

Just moments earlier, he’d seen the lady halt mid-step.

At first, he thought it might be idle small talk after all, Ren, the one playing the lady, was quite attractive.

But then the chakra in both the lady and the vendor froze, either cut off, sealed, or suppressed into unconsciousness.

That confirmed it. Their covers were blown.

The old cat’s expression shifted slightly.

How long has it been?

Only seconds since the red-haired man left the street, and already... discovered?

Hoshicai frowned, eyes narrowing as he watched the two chess-playing elders who had just received his signal.

Soon, a helpless expression crossed his face.

"It’s over... all of them have been caught."

He watched as the two elders entered East Street.

When they reached the middle section where Yoshie and the others were stationed they too abruptly ceased movement.

It was just like the others—chakra sealed, possibly unconscious.

"So... should we evacuate?"

The old cat’s face scrunched into a frown, like a steamed bun collapsing under pressure.

According to Ryosuke’s orders, once compromised, they were to evacuate immediately.

But now, four of their members are out cold. Retreating would mean leaving them behind.

Hoshicai hesitated briefly before locking eyes with the old cat.

"You return to the village. Bring back the intel. Request backup."

The old cat stiffened. "What about you?"

"I’ll investigate. Don’t worry. Just do as I say."

Hoshicai remained calm despite the tension rising. His tone was composed but firm.

"First, the red-haired samurai is holding back. That suggests he wants information from us, not our lives at least for now."

"Second, I’m the commander of this provisional unit. That makes me your acting captain. I’m responsible for your lives."

"And finally. this information has to reach the village. Don’t talk about staying or switching places with me."

"Now... follow the order."

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