69novels Chapter 382 The Land of Soup, the Mystery of its Population
Chapter 382 The Land of Soup, the Mystery of its Population
Chapter 382 The Land of Soup, the Mystery of its Population
The Land of Hot Springs, a small country nestled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, is dotted with hot springs and is a famous tourist and health resort in the ninja world.
After World War II, their own ninja village shrank due to the daimyo's reduction of military spending, and it quickly became a tourist town.
As for the various missions assigned to them within their country, they were naturally divided between Konoha and Kumogakure.
This phenomenon continued until the later stages of the Third Shinobi World War, when Konoha completely defeated Kumogakure. As the victor, Konoha monopolized all official missions from the Land of Hot Springs.
This is also why Taiichi saw this official from the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Hot Water in the Hokage's office.
"I never expected the legendary White Reaper of the ninja world to be so young. I am Akira Fukuyama, advisor to the Daimyo's office. Nice to meet you."
The advisor, named Akira Fukuyama, was extremely polite, even courteous. Without the Hokage's introduction, he stood up and bowed to Taichi.
His actions made Taiyi feel embarrassed. Taiyi always believed in repaying kindness tenfold, so since the other party was being so polite, he wouldn't be impolite.
Taiichi bowed slightly to the other party and said, "Advisor Fukuyama, you're too kind. 'White Reaper' is just a nickname my colleagues use for me. Please just call me Taiichi."
Taichi stood up and looked at the Fourth Hokage, awaiting his instructions.
Without wasting any words, Minato took out the mission scroll and handed it to Taiichi.
"This is a mission directly issued by the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs. Recently, there have been several cases of missing persons in the Land of Hot Springs."
At first, it was just a few individuals who went missing, but the number of missing people has continued to grow, and now it has developed into an entire village of civilians disappearing together.
To date, at least 500 civilians from two villages have disappeared in this incident.
The situation is serious, and the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs is also very anxious. I want to make a round, and right now, Konoha has the most suitable abilities to complete the mission in the shortest amount of time.
Taiichi opened the scroll, listening to Minato's explanation while looking at the contents. When Minato finished explaining, he finished reading and closed the scroll.
"Okay, no problem, leave it to me!"
Clean, efficient, and without any unnecessary words, it's all about getting things done and having confidence – that's the kind of confidence that comes from competence.
Minato smiled and nodded. "Alright, your mission is to investigate the truth and completely eliminate the hidden culprit."
After saying that, he looked at Akira Fukuyama and asked, "Advisor Fukuyama, is there anything else you want to say?"
"No, that's all. If possible, please set off as soon as possible. The Land of Hot Springs can no longer afford such losses."
Akira Fukuyama stepped forward and bowed deeply to Taiichi at a 90-degree angle, his face full of earnest pleading.
"Okay, I'll pack the supplies right away and we'll set off immediately."
Since his employer had gone to such lengths, Taiyi didn't hesitate. After responding, he gestured to the three high-ranking officials of Konoha, then immediately turned and left the office. Before the door was even closed, he used the Thunder God Technique to return home right in front of everyone.
"Don't worry, Advisor Fukuyama, at Taiichi's speed, he will arrive at your daimyo's residence today."
Seeing that Fukuyama Akira was still worried, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up to offer some words of comfort.
"Please excuse my poor appearance, all three of you. Now that Taiyi has made it to Daming Prefecture today, I must return as soon as possible. I hope that by the time I arrive, Taiyi will have already resolved the issue. Farewell!"
As he watched Fukuyama Akira leave the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed slightly.
"Minato, what's your opinion on the recent disappearances in the Land of Hot Springs? Could it be related to Madara Uchiha?"
"Probably not. Judging from their past actions, they are currently focused on concealment. Such a blatant and large-scale abduction of people is not like their style."
"I hope so!" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. These are truly turbulent times!
While the two Hokage were still discussing the mastermind behind the scenes, Taichi, having finished packing up supplies, had already arrived in the Land of Hot Springs.
As a ruthless individual who traveled to various battlefields during World War III, Taiichi's Flying Thunder God mark naturally remains in the Land of Hot Springs.
Having chosen a location closest to the Daming Mansion, Taiyi instantly shifted the spatial dimension, then, having determined its direction, spread its wings and sped towards the Daming Mansion.
The clouds rushed past beneath me, and the mountains and rivers became blurry patches of color.
Taiyi raised his perception to the limit, carefully identifying the terrain features below.
Speed was Taiyi's greatest asset at this moment. In just over half an hour, the capital city of Yu-no-Tokyo, shrouded in the mist of numerous hot springs, was already in sight.
He retracted his wings, transforming into a streak of blue light, and landed precisely in front of the heavily guarded main gate of the Daming Mansion.
The guards were on high alert, and their spears were instantly aimed at the uninvited guest who had fallen from the sky.
But when Taichi calmly revealed his Konoha headband and mission scroll, shock quickly replaced his vigilance.
"A Konoha ninja? So fast?"
The guard captain's voice changed. From receiving the mission in Konoha to arriving at the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Hot Springs, a regular ninja team would need several days to travel, but this guy's journey would have taken less than half a day!
The news spread like wildfire into the mansion.
A moment later, the heavy gates of Daming Prefecture slowly opened.
A middle-aged official, dressed in fine clothes and with a refined appearance, strode out to greet them.
His face was filled with disbelief and shock. He glanced left and right and quickly locked his gaze on Taiyi at the door.
"Ninja-sama, you—you're incredibly fast! Please come in! His Highness the Daimyo has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Led by a middle-aged official, Taiyi passed through the heavily guarded corridor and entered the core area of the Daming Prefecture.
The mansion was luxuriously decorated, and the hot spring water flowed gently through the exquisite stone channels, carrying a faint sulfurous mist. However, the air was filled with a sense of oppression and tension, and the servants hurried about with worried expressions.
Inside the reception room, at the head of the table sat the daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs, an elderly man with white hair and beard and a hunched back, who was struggling to sit upright with the help of his attendants.
His face was deeply lined with wrinkles, and his eyes revealed deep fatigue and worry. Every breath he took seemed to be labored.
Seeing Taiyi enter, he forced a smile, his voice hoarse: "So swift, Konoha, as reliable as ever—I, a citizen of Daiyu, thank you."
Taiichi bowed slightly and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am Matsushita Taiichi, a ninja from Konoha. I have been ordered to investigate the case of missing persons."
"Oh, so it's the White Reaper," Daimyo said breathlessly, "Alright, alright—please take your seats."
The attendants immediately set up a seat for Taiichi in the VIP section, which was right next to the daimyo's right.
Taiyi sat down and quickly scanned everyone present.
The first seat on the left was occupied by a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He had a dignified appearance and a refined air similar to that of the eldest son, but his eyes were filled with anxiety and urgency. According to the introduction, he was the eldest son and the rightful heir.
At this moment, he was looking intently at Taiyi, with undisguised anticipation.
Opposite the eldest son sat another young man, slightly younger, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a handsome face and more luxurious and refined clothes. A gentle and proper smile was habitually on his lips. This was the second son.
However, under Taiyi's keen spiritual perception, this smile was like an exquisite mask, and an extremely subtle sense of rejection and hostility lurked in the heart of this second young master like a venomous snake.
Although he concealed it very well, and even took the initiative to cast a friendly glance at Taiyi, Taiyi perceived the hostility as clearly as a firefly in the dark.
Taiyi didn't understand, but he figured it was just some petty squabbles among nobles, and he didn't care about it.
Several high-ranking officials from the Land of Hot Water were also seated at the table. They all had solemn expressions, remained silent, and created a tense atmosphere.
As the banquet began, exquisite dishes were served in a continuous stream, mostly hot spring cuisine and seafood characteristic of the land of hot springs.
The eldest son clearly took on the main responsibility for receiving guests.
He took the initiative to introduce the dishes to Taiyi and couldn't wait to get to the point, his voice urgent: "Your Excellency Taiyi, the situation is extremely urgent! At first, only a few travelers went missing, and we thought it was the work of bandits or wild animals. We even sent troops to clear out the mountains and forests."
But later, the scale of the disappearances grew larger and larger, from a few people to a dozen, and then—the entire village!
The eldest son's voice trembled with excitement, "Last month, in Tsukimi Village, near the northern hot springs," all 173 residents vanished overnight! Only a few signs of battle were left at the scene, and other traces were scarce."
He took a swig of his drink and continued, "We immediately blocked the news, dispatched more elite samurai and ninja squads to investigate, and even sealed off the surrounding area. But—"
The eldest son's face showed a mixture of fear and anger. "The people I sent out have disappeared without a trace!"
Even more terrifying is that the enemy seems to be fully aware of our movements in Daming Prefecture! No matter how secretly we move our troops, they always manage to avoid us in advance, and even—ambush our isolated groups! It's as if a pair of eyes are watching us from within this very mansion!
As Daming listened to his son's account, he closed his eyes in anguish, letting out a heavy sigh, which made him appear even older and weaker.
Taiyi listened quietly, then picked up a piece of tender fish and put it in his mouth.
He chewed and swallowed without making a sound, his gaze sweeping casually over the people at the table.
The eldest son was speaking intently, his heart filled with worry; the prime minister was breathing heavily with his eyes closed, seemingly exhausted, or perhaps sighing; several high-ranking officials bowed their heads in silence, not uttering a word, but their actions also revealed their anxiety.
Only the Second Young Master, ever since Taiyi entered and announced his name, kept glancing at him with an expression that seemed to go beyond mere curiosity.
"Therefore, Lord Taiyi," the eldest son finished speaking and looked at Taiyi earnestly, "we suspect that this is not the work of ordinary bandits or rogue ninjas. There must be a huge conspiracy behind it, and it may even involve some kind of evil secret technique or organization!"
"Our Land of Hot Water's strength is stretched thin; we can only rely on Konoha, and on you!"
Tai nodded, put down his chopsticks, and said in a steady voice, "I understand what the eldest son has said. The enemy's actions are secretive, their methods are cruel, and they have an unusual understanding of the movements of Daming Prefecture, which is indeed extraordinary."
The immediate priority is to obtain more detailed information about the location and time of the disappearance, as well as all records from your previous investigations. I will begin the on-site investigation immediately.
"Fujiwara!" the daimyo said weakly.
"Yes, Your Highness!" The middle-aged official who had greeted Taiyi immediately stood up. "All the files and maps are ready and are in the side hall. After the banquet, Lord Taiyi can review them."
"Alright—" The daimyo waved wearily. "Then—please, Lord Taiichi, enjoy—the delicacies of the Land of Hot Water—" His voice grew softer and softer, as if he had exhausted his energy. With the help of his attendants, he slowly rose from his seat and left the table.
With the magistrate's departure, the atmosphere at the banquet became even more subtle.
The eldest son immediately leaned closer to Taiyi and whispered, "Your Excellency Taiyi, my father is unwell, please forgive my rudeness. I will personally take you to see the files, and some details need to be explained in person." His attitude was extremely proactive, even a bit overly enthusiastic.
The second young master also rose gracefully, carrying a wine glass, and approached with an impeccable smile: "The arrival of the White Reaper of Konoha is truly a blessing for the Land of Hot Springs. My elder brother is right; Father's heart is heavy with concern for his people. I will rely heavily on you for the investigation. Please do not hesitate to give any instructions if needed."
He raised his glass in acknowledgment, his eyes sincere, as if the previous hostility had been merely Taiyi's illusion.
Taiyi calmly raised his cup in return: "It's my duty, Second Young Master, you're too kind."
He became even more wary. This second young master was extremely shrewd and his performance was flawless.
That hostility was not a misperception, but stemmed from a deeper reason.
After the banquet, the side hall of the Daming Mansion was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
The eldest prince dismissed his attendants and personally laid out a thick stack of documents and a detailed map of the Land of Hot Springs in front of Taiyi.
"Lord Taiyi, please take a look."
The eldest son's finger traced across the map, pointing to several locations circled in vermilion. "These are the areas where the initial sporadic disappearances occurred, mostly near remote hot spring trails or mountains. Then—"
His finger moved north, landing on a larger red circle. "This is Creekstone Village," he said. "Seventy-eight people went missing a month ago. Finally—"
His finger jabbed heavily at a spot near the northern mountains, where a glaring red X was drawn.
"Tsukimi Village, 173 people, all gone! Just ten days ago!"
He pushed the files on the table forward. "These are the investigation files for all the missing persons cases. You are welcome to review them in detail, and feel free to ask me any questions."
Taiyi didn't stand on ceremony. He sat cross-legged on the ground and picked up a scroll to read it.
Time passed second by second. Taiyi put down one scroll and picked up another, until he finished reading the last one.
"What is your opinion, Young Master, regarding the matter discussed at the banquet that the enemy is fully aware of the actions of Daming Prefecture?"
Taiichi's fingers tapped lightly on the location of "Tsukimi Village" on the map. He was basically certain that there was a mole in the upper echelons of the Daimyo Prefecture, and that the mole held a high position and had access to core military deployments and investigation plans.
So far, the eldest son has not mentioned any information in this regard.
"We also had our doubts about this, but after extensive investigation, we couldn't find such a person. In order to avoid causing panic, we had no choice but to suspend the investigation."
Taiyi frowned deeply, never expecting that this mole had been hiding so deeply; it was truly surprising.
Remembering the fleeting hostility the Second Young Master had shown during the meal, Taiyi decided to ask one more question.
"What position does the second young master hold in the household? He doesn't seem to care about that at all?"
"Oh, my second brother was the chief minister of the state. He was the one who investigated and reported the earliest missing persons report, which was then handed over to me."
Taiyi nodded slightly, closed his eyes to think for a while, and then turned to look at the eldest son.
"I already know the intelligence."
Taiyi put away the copy of the dossier and the map rubbing. "I will launch an investigation immediately. Young Master, please restrain the people in the manor. Unless absolutely necessary, they should reduce going out and strengthen security at the manor. My whereabouts must not be revealed to anyone except you."
The eldest son nodded solemnly: "I understand! I entrust everything to you, sir!"