Wise and Mighty

Xu Yue looked at the handsome man before him, his coat hanging loosely open and his expression somewhat cold, and sensed the immense Tailed Beast Chakra within him.

Now that they had met face-to-face, Xu Yue was fully capable of subduing the man, extracting the Tailed Beast, and then escaping with Flying Thunder God.

But since his target was not limited to this one Tailed Beast, and he did not need to extract an entire one, it was better to build things up step by step.

Ordinarily, the most convenient approach would have been to follow him out on a mission, knock him unconscious, and get it over with.

But based on the recent intelligence, Xu Yue decided to try this method instead…

"Mr. Utakata, I have looked into your background. Would you be willing to privately accept my commission and protect me through my next few transactions?"

Xu Yue spoke with a smile.

"Why me?"

Utakata was not particularly interested in this man who had approached him. He disliked merchants who reeked of money.

"Because Lord Utakata is also tired of the atmosphere in the village and wants to go out for a change of pace, isn’t that right? And because of my business, I travel through nearly the entire ninja world, visiting every ninja village. Given your status, if you went to other countries on anything but a private commission like mine, there would probably be trouble. The world is so vast—don’t you want to go see it?"

Before meeting Xu Yue, Utakata had already received a description of him. Naturally, he knew that this merchant named Yue was remarkably stingy.

Had anyone else said such things, they would likely have been treated as someone inciting a Jinchuriki to defect and dragged off for interrogation.

But coming from this man, it somehow sounded perfectly reasonable. He simply wanted to save money and hire the strongest ninja for the least amount possible.

And, inconveniently enough, Utakata was actually quite interested in the proposal.

He had already argued with the Fourth Mizukage several times and was growing fed up. Previously, as a Jinchuriki, he had casually taken on a mission just to get out and clear his head. Just as this man said, it seemed like a pretty good idea…

Persuading Utakata had not been particularly difficult. Xu Yue had guided him by appealing to his own way of thinking, supplemented by a subtle, suggestive Illusion Technique.

Even Obito could influence the Fourth Mizukage. Xu Yue was merely exerting a simple influence over Utakata while guiding him in accordance with his own thoughts. There were naturally no problems or flaws.

Once the man got on board, Xu Yue only needed to find a chance on the road to handle things while he slept.

As for Kirigakure, because the Fourth Mizukage was under Obito’s Mangekyo control, his personality had become erratic. Sometimes he acted according to his own nature, while at other times he was under Obito’s control. It was already a complete mess.

Naturally, he would no longer interfere much with Utakata "normally accepting missions." In any case, it was not the first time Utakata had done this.

Xu Yue even suspected that Utakata had become a rogue ninja because, after leaving on some mission, he simply had not wanted to return…

Meanwhile, Xu Yue had no intention of stopping his dealings with the Taketori Clan. Utakata was only responsible for Xu Yue’s personal safety, while the Taketori Clan needed to protect the cargo.

The coral and pearls Xu Yue had bought with nearly all his savings were already an extremely valuable fortune in the Land of Water. If sold in other countries, their price would be astonishing.

The Taketori Clan had even discussed whether their clan leader should personally make the trip.

However, since Utakata was also involved in personal protection, and adhering to the principle that Kings Do Not Meet Kings, they did not want to be overshadowed by Utakata. In the end, two Taketori Clan jonin led two chunin squads and one genin trainee errand squad on this escort mission.

Their destination was the Land of Wind!

It was both the place where coral and pearls fetched the highest market prices and the location of the One-Tail.

Once things here were finished, Xu Yue could take a break and return to Konoha to check on the progress. His Wood Clone there had not sent back any messages, so there should still be plenty of time…

At the same time, in a remote wooden cabin in the Land of Water, the faces of a small group of Reincarnators were grim.

"Japan has invested a great deal into this Mission Space. Based on the intelligence they sold this time, combined with our accumulated probing, the Taketori Clan’s rebellion should not be far off. But the right opportunity to enter has yet to emerge."

"That surprise attack earlier should have gone smoothly. We have no idea who intervened, but the Land of Water truly cannot be underestimated."

"The method to obtain the Taketori Clan’s bloodline limit was acquired by the legion at great cost. We failed even such a simple mission before. The higher-ups will question our capabilities."

"It is a shame the higher-ups could not spare the time…"

"And who knows what madness has taken hold of Japan this time? They seem to have sold a great deal of truly useful frontline intelligence all at once. The Holy Saints of Heaven also seem to have obtained some other intelligence and are working on Konoha."

As they spoke in low voices, the door was suddenly kicked open, startling them. But upon seeing the man carrying Kubikiribōchō on his back, they all breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully said,

"Greetings, Lord Ling."

"Mm. I’ll lead the team this time. What a bunch of trash—you cannot even handle casually grabbing a few people."

The man carrying Kubikiribōchō snorted coldly, apparently extremely dissatisfied with their progress.

Yet everyone lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.

Originally, Lord Ling should have led the previous operation. But contrary to the intelligence, there had been no news whatsoever in this Mission Space about Kubikiribōchō’s wielder, as though he had completely vanished during the Third Ninja War.

Under those circumstances, Ling naturally seized the opportunity to make use of the sword he had purchased, completing missions everywhere in hopes of obtaining the identity of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

That was why the previous matter had been entirely handed over to them.

They had prepared thoroughly for the mission assigned from above and had performed well, but then they ran into that inexplicable accident without knowing what had happened!

Fortunately, Lord Ling had finally freed up some time this round.

And now he was participating with the new identity of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, which would make many things much more convenient.

An Elite Reincarnator had actually acquired an identity and status at this level in a Mission Space. It was simply unbelievable!

Even the very best among Elite Reincarnators would find it difficult to achieve. It might only be possible for someone at the level of a major figure!

This was one of the calling cards of the Land of Water. It came with sufficient real authority and prestige, and would even increase the precious attribute of Comprehensive Reputation.

They truly had to thank the battle that had wiped out Kubikiribōchō’s previous wielder. It was highly likely that Reincarnators had intervened in it, and they absolutely had to express their gratitude.

"With Lord Ling participating, success is assured. We will immediately search for a new suitable target."

"Why look for a new one? Wherever you fall, that is where you get back up. We’ll go after that same team from last time…"

Ling seemed deeply dissatisfied with the dual-sword squad leader’s choice. He then continued in an offhand manner,

"Now that I can obtain some upper-level intelligence, I know that the village and the Taketori Clan have not yet completely fallen out. If we attack ordinary lone targets on missions, the Hidden Mist assassination units will investigate. I do not want to provoke them."

Though his tone was casual, it could not conceal the trace of pride between his brows.

"However, according to the intelligence, the Taketori Clan has now taken on a private job. The village itself is also dissatisfied with this, so no matter what happens regarding it, they will not interfere. We only need to find the escort team. There is one exceptionally powerful person among them, but he will not involve himself in the conflict between the ninja clan and the village, so there is no need to worry about that."

"As for the rest…"

"Although there are two jonin, they are only ordinary jonin. With proper planning, they are nothing to fear for me now…"

A wise look, as though everything were under control, appeared in Ling’s eyes.

The absolute advantage of intelligence, combined with his own strength, was simply a perfect match.

After obtaining this identity, information he had once risked his life trying to uncover was now delivered directly to his ears. Sure enough, in this Mission Space, one still had to rely on the Five Great Villages to build the greatest momentum!

Hearing his high-spirited words, everyone spoke in unison.

"Lord Ling is wise and mighty."