Ryuji Ida believed that "Takigawa Shuu" belonged to the latter category—the powerful who fear nothing.
Furthermore, the rogue swordsman, Ichiro Kurosaki, had been following them like a shadow; Ryuji didn't believe for a second that the man hadn't been subdued or recruited.
Shisui was clearly not as simple as he appeared, and Ryuji had a premonition that he would eventually find a way to make himself useful to such a man.
The manor was located about five miles west of the city, nestled against a cluster of low hills with vast stretches of farmland out front and several mine pits dotting the slopes.
The estate itself was modest—the perimeter walls were crumbling, the main structure was a two-story wooden house, and a few scattered warehouses and tenant shacks surrounded it.
From a distance, the place looked derelict. No one was in sight, save for a few thin wisps of smoke rising from the shack area.
"This is it," Steward Matsumoto said, stopping at the edge of a forest about a hundred meters from the gates. "The rogue samurai and the rebellious peasants are inside. It is inconvenient for an old man like me to draw closer. I shall wait here for the good news."
He reached into his sleeve and produced a roll of parchment. "This is the manor's layout. My Lord instructed me to give this to you."
Sato Yoshisuke took the map and unrolled it. Shisui leaned over for a glance. The drawing was crude, merely marking the general locations of the main house, the warehouses, and the shacks. Red circles indicated where the rogue samurai were believed to be staying.
Yoshisuke spoke clearly, his words rapid-fire: "Intelligence says there are three to five rogue samurai who have incited about thirty households of tenant farmers to revolt.
Our mission is to eliminate the samurai, suppress the rebellion, and restore order."
Naoto frowned. "Captain, the farmers..."
"Anyone who resists is to be executed," Yoshisuke's voice was ice-cold. "A rebellion is a rebellion, regardless of the cause."
Yuki opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the Captain's face, he thought better of it.
Yoshisuke looked at them and shook his head with a sigh, finally offering a brief explanation: "This is not a question for us to ponder. We are shinobi. We follow the plan and execute the mission. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the group responded.
Shisui followed silently behind the squad, his eyes fixed on the manor. Through the sensory feedback of his Kikaichu, he knew the "intelligence" was garbage.
There weren't just thirty people inside; there were one hundred and twenty-seven. Most of the life signatures were weak and chaotic.
The strongest signatures—four in total—were in the main house. He sensed faint ripples of chakra from them.
The strongest among them was near Chunin level, while the other three hadn't even reached the standard of a Genin.
They were likely "Chakra-users"—warriors who could tap into energy for physical enhancement but lacked true Ninjutsu. Combined with their combat experience, they could still kill a careless Genin.
Beyond that, there were several "abnormalities" his insects were picking up.
Shisui glanced back at Steward Matsumoto. Even yesterday, when Naoto and Yuki first mentioned the mission, Shisui had spotted the holes in the story.
If the rogue samurai and the ninja in the city were allies aiming to seize the Lord's wealth, why were these samurai living in a run-down farm manor? They could have occupied a luxurious villa or stayed in the city mansion.
This isn't just a mission; it's a test.
The Lord was using this rebellion as a litmus test for the Takigakure squad's strength. If they were mediocre, he'd pay them a pittance and send them away. If they were efficient, he'd hire them for the "real" job in the city.
As for why the samurai were in this dump? Perhaps they had no other choice.
Of course, the one doing the testing might not be the "Lord" at all. It could be some other messy political play. But to Shisui, it didn't matter. He was just a passerby watching a play.
Yoshisuke began deploying the team.
"Harusa, go in for reconnaissance. Confirm the positions of the samurai and the rebel leaders. Stay hidden."
"Understood." Harusa nodded, her silhouette flickering as she began her infiltration. Her methods were, in Shisui's eyes, slightly amateurish.
"Naoto, Yuki, check your gear and prepare for combat. Takigawa, you're with us. Once Harusa returns with intel, we'll strike the samurai's quarters from the front."
Shisui hadn't expected to be drafted into the front-line assault. He had only come along because Naoto was being persistent, but it seemed he was caught in the gears now.
He didn't refuse; it was easy enough to play along.
"Understood," he said, stepping back and closing his eyes as if resting.
In reality, his Kikaichu were flooding the area. Some followed Harusa into the manor, while others blanketed every inch of the perimeter, including the mine shafts in the hills.
Half an hour later, Harusa returned. Her face was tight with suppressed emotion—likely anger.
"Report," Yoshisuke commanded.
"There is indeed a rebellion," Harusa said, her voice steady but faster than usual. "The main house has been taken by the peasants.
The manor's overseer was found tied up in the courtyard... he's been dead for some time. In the back of the shack area, several women are being held. Based on the signs... they've been repeatedly assaulted by the tenants."
Yuki gasped. He had done farm work and cleared wild boars, but this level of human depravity was new to him.
"Go on," Yoshisuke said, unmoved.
"Most of the men are gathered at the mines and the fields, seemingly discussing something. As for the samurai..." Harusa paused.
"I found several alarm traps around their quarters. To avoid alerting them, I didn't get closer."
Yoshisuke went silent for a few seconds before waving his hand. "Plan stays the same. Naoto, Yuki, head to the shacks. Rescue the hostages and then move to flank us.
Takigawa and I will hit the front. Harusa, you handle the fields and the mines. Kill the ringleaders immediately to break their morale, then contain the rest."
"Yes!"
The squad split up. Shisui followed Yoshisuke as they rapidly approached the manor, vaulting over the side wall and moving like shadows against the base of the building.
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