Shibuki was startled by Mizuno Satoru's "terrifying" expression.
Subconsciously, however, he involuntarily recounted the events of the past few days to Mizuno Satoru, one by one.
Mizuno Satoru kept a straight face, listening very seriously.
The beginning was fine.
But when he heard that Fu had come to find Shibuki, asked about his condition, and even suggested that he come watch her training results after he recovered...
Mizuno Satoru's expression became extremely ugly.
"So that's how it is? So that's how it is!?"
Mizuno Satoru closed his eyes, his face clearly revealing a grim look.
"What exactly is wrong? Grandpa Satoru."
Shibuki, standing in front of him, still looked blank, completely failing to understand what had happened.
"Shibuki, you must leave the village immediately and go rendezvous with Jun and the others. Quickly, there's still time. Remember, take the Hero Water with you. Only after meeting up with Jun and the others should you return to the village. Do you understand!?"
Mizuno Satoru grabbed Shibuki's shoulder tightly with his incredibly withered right hand. His eyes widened, and in that moment, his expression became terrifying.
"Why? Grandpa Satoru, what exactly is the problem? You have to tell me..."
Shibuki was completely dumbfounded by Mizuno Satoru's sudden change in attitude.
He couldn't understand the current situation at all.
Wasn't everything fine just a moment ago?
Why did he suddenly look as if the apocalypse had arrived?
"You foolish boy, that's naturally because..."
"That's naturally because if you don't leave, Lord Shibuki, you are very likely to die here!"
Just as Mizuno Satoru looked anxious and was about to say something more...
Suddenly.
A clear voice rang out in the somewhat quaint room.
Even though there was no third person present.
But this voice popped up out of nowhere.
It caused the expressions of both Mizuno Satoru and Shibuki to change drastically.
"Who is it!?"
Shibuki stood up immediately. Pulling out a kunai with a backhanded grip, he held it horizontally in front of him, looking toward the source of the voice with a guarded expression.
"Heh, someone who has come to save you, Lord Shibuki."
As the voice fell again...
Tap, tap, tap.
The crisp sound of footsteps followed.
As a tall, slender figure came into Shibuki's view...
Shibuki's pupils couldn't help but contract.
"Accelerator-san!?"
The moment Mizuno Satoru heard the name Shibuki blurted out subconsciously, his gaze hardened as well.
"Save me? Why do you say that? Also, Accelerator-san, how did you get in here!? This place is a restricted area of our Hidden Waterfall Village!"
This development was completely beyond his expectations.
No matter how naive Shibuki was, he knew the young man in front of him was absolutely no ordinary character. Shibuki, as the leader, knew better than anyone how strict the village's defenses were, not to mention that this was where Elder Satoru was recuperating. It was basically guarded every three steps, with a sentry every five.
To be able to infiltrate silently...
And without him noticing in the slightest... was enough to prove the intruder's strength.
"Of course, it means exactly what it says, Lord Shibuki. Didn't Elder Satoru just tell you to leave the village immediately? That's because Elder Satoru also sees the danger you are about to face, Lord Shibuki. As for how I got in... heh, I used a few small tricks to cover people's eyes and ears. I hope Lord Shibuki can forgive me for that. Ah, nice to meet you, Elder Satoru. My name is Accelerator, a ninja serving under the Fire Daimyo."
Menma wore a smile as he first explained a sentence to Shibuki, then looked at Mizuno Satoru behind him and bowed slightly.
"What!?"
This riddle-like behavior left Shibuki completely confused.
He couldn't understand what was happening in front of him, nor could he understand the words of Mizuno Satoru and Menma.
What did they mean by "danger to his life"?
Shibuki didn't get it at all.
But the only thing Shibuki knew was that this "Accelerator" in front of him definitely had special intentions. His muscles tensed all over, and he gripped the kunai in his palm even tighter.
"Accelerator-kun, is it? It was rude of this old man not to meet Accelerator-kun in person last time. For Accelerator-kun to arrive in such a manner, it seems there must be something very important."
Mizuno Satoru was, after all, someone who had served three leaders of the Hidden Waterfall Village. He saw through Menma's intentions almost at a glance.
Although not 100% certain...
Combining Menma's words just now with certain things he had guessed...
Mizuno Satoru's expression at this moment was very resolute.
"Yes. My intention in coming is exactly as you guessed, Elder Satoru. Oh, there's no need to rush for now, because I spent a little effort stalling Suien. There should be at least an hour or two before the formal attack is launched. Elder Satoru, you don't need to worry too much," Menma said with a smile.
"Suien? You're in contact with Suien!?"
Before Mizuno Satoru could say anything, Shibuki jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on.
A dangerous look appeared on his face, and just as he was about to attack...
"Shibuki! Calm down!"
Mizuno Satoru shouted from behind.
And because he used too much force...
"Cough, cough..."
It aggravated his internal injuries.
His face instantly turned pale, and he began coughing violently.
In that moment, Shibuki disregarded Menma and hurriedly turned to support Mizuno Satoru.
"Grandpa Satoru? Are you alright!"
This was clearly another sign of his unsuitability as a leader.
Menma couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
"Lord Shibuki doesn't need to be so anxious. I am indeed in contact with Suien. In fact, besides contacting me, Suien is also in contact with the Hidden Rain. To kill you and seize the position of Hidden Waterfall Leader, Suien has truly racked his brains. Even Fu, whom you trust the most, has been persuaded by Suien."
Menma spoke indifferently, maintaining his calm tone.
"Impossible! How could Fu be persuaded by Suien? You're lying!"
Hearing Menma's words, Shibuki's expression changed drastically. He stared at Menma, his volume rising instantly.
And in this moment...
Shibuki seemed to somewhat understand what his Grandpa Satoru meant just now.
But the more he understood, the less willing he was to believe it.
"Oh, my wording was improper. She should have been deceived and hoodwinked by Suien."
Menma raised his eyebrows slightly, completely unconcerned by Shibuki's expression, which looked as if he wanted to eat someone alive, and spoke slowly.
"Deceived? Huh?"
"Yes, deceived. And the key point lies with Elder Satoru. If I put it this way, can you understand, Lord Shibuki?" Menma said softly.