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Chapter 60 is out on patreon
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"The Fujiwara Mountain Vein is one of our clan's three major mines. The iron ore produced here is of superior quality. Basically, all the ninja tools forged by the clan rely on it. The surplus is exported to various Daimyō and Shoguns, making it an extremely important source of financial revenue for the clan.
"However, about half a month ago, five groups of bandits suddenly arrived. They harassed the mine's operations separately and robbed the ore shipments heading to the clan, causing severe losses. Transportation has basically stagnated. If this continues for another month, the clan will lose over a million ryō."
Masa pointed at the mine map on the table, explaining seriously to Xuan. The paths he highlighted were all essential routes for transporting ore out, and they had now been cut off by the bandits.
Xuan stared at the map, pondering for a moment before asking, "Have you fought them? Logically speaking, you are clan ninjas. Even ordinary Genin shouldn't have much trouble dealing with bandits. How could they cut off the trade routes? Do they have ninjas too?"
Masa smiled bitterly. "Yes. I fought one group of bandits. That group had two Chūnin. I was no match for them, so I retreated and asked the clan for reinforcements. Others also found traces of ninjas among the other bandit groups, but we couldn't confirm their ranks."
Xuan looked at the map quietly, analyzing the intelligence he had heard. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something strange about this whole situation.
Smack!
A rough palm slammed onto the map in front of him. A large face reeking of alcohol appeared. Xuan frowned in dissatisfaction. He recognized this face; it belonged to one of the five Genin stationed here, named Kyou.
"Kid, stop pretending. I don't know why the clan sent a brat like you here, but this isn't a place for you. Be a good boy and go back to drink your milk. Let the clan send a real ninja!"
Xuan hated being interrupted when he was thinking. The Genin in front of him was so rude that it only deepened his disgust. His gaze turned cold.
"Haha! Look, everyone! This kid's eyes are so scary! Like a little tiger baring its fangs... Oh, wait, I should say like an angry little kitten. A little stray cat... Hahaha!"
The other Genin nearby laughed along, their mockery undisguised.
Because the Fujiwara Mines were so close to the clan grounds—essentially under direct clan control—these stationed ninjas were, to some extent, a forgotten group. As long as they supervised the miners daily, they were ignored by the clan's main leadership. They had held onto this resentment for a long time. Seeing the clan send a mere child today only fueled their anger, leading to this scene.
Masa looked embarrassed. Although he was also dissatisfied that the clan had only sent a child, Xuan was still from the main clan. He intended to persuade him nicely to return and ask for someone else. There was no need to target a child like this.
"Little stray cat?!"
Xuan muttered the phrase, a cold sneer forming on his lips as he slowly stood up.
"Oh? What if I call you a stray cat? Want to fight? Your expression really looks the part. But let Uncle tell you, in this world, you rely on strength... Hmph..."
Bang!
Before he could finish his sentence, his entire body was hit by a massive force. He flew backward, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. The intense impact created countless spiderweb cracks in the wall, and Kyou passed out instantly, unable to withstand the force.
All of this happened in a spark of flint. No one had even seen Xuan move.
"Laugh. Why don't you keep laughing?"
Xuan turned his head, scanning the four Genin who had been laughing just a moment ago. His eyes had turned a demonic red, the three tomoe within them clearly visible.
"Guh... guh... guh..."
Everything happened too suddenly. Their brains still hadn't processed what had just occurred. Their smiles froze on their faces, creating grotesque expressions as they made strange, choking sounds.
"Three... Three Tomoe!" Masa took a step back, his face filled with shock, murmuring unconsciously, "How is that possible? Three Tomoe... how can a Three-Tomoe Sharingan appear on a child?!"
The other four Genin could only stare blankly at his eyes. Their brains struggled to even turn. Wasn't the Three-Tomoe Sharingan a realm only Jōnin could reach? Why would it appear on a child? What was wrong with this world?
Xuan sat down slowly. The three tomoe in his eyes spun in reverse, fading back to their normal color. He said indifferently, "Continue introducing the situation of these bandits to me!"
Masa shuddered and hurriedly walked to Xuan's side. His attitude changed completely, becoming respectful. He pointed at the map and began introducing the situation of each bandit group in detail. Regardless of who this child was, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan wasn't fake. That was enough. In the clan, the level of the Sharingan was the symbol of status.
Xuan listened quietly without interrupting. After Masa finished, he tapped the table rhythmically with his right hand. After a long while, he said, "Something is wrong!"
Masa paused, instinctively asking, "What?"
Xuan said calmly, "The situation is too weird. I can't see the purpose of these bandits. What exactly do they want?"
Masa smiled, shaking his head internally. Even a genius is still a child. He can't even see such an obvious goal. He couldn't help but say, "This is a mine. The ore produced here is famous throughout the Warring States period. Their goal is obviously the ore."
Xuan turned to look at him strangely and said seriously, "What do they want the ore for?"
Masa felt a bit stifled. He thought, This kid is strong, but is his brain a bit slow? Is this the price of opening the Three Tomoe at such a young age?
"They want the ore to forge weapons, of course. Wait... forge weapons?" Masa was suddenly startled, realizing something. He looked at Xuan in surprise.
Seeing that Masa understood, Xuan continued, "That's right. Ore is an important resource, true. But ore does not equal weapons. It doesn't even equal iron. The iron ore from Fujiwara Mountain needs professional smelting to remove impurities before it becomes iron. To turn it into weapons requires even more professional means. These bandits have none of that. To them, the ore is just a pile of useless rocks. Tell me, would anyone go out of their way to rob useless rocks?"
Masa shook his head blankly, staring at Xuan dumbfounded. The word "Monster" echoed in his mind.
Xuan ignored him and continued his monologue. "Also, this is clan property, and it's close to the clan. A Jōnin can arrive in less than a day. Yet they still have the guts to rob this place and blockade the trade routes. This isn't seeking wealth anymore; it's practically seeking death. How could there be such stupid bandits in the world? Don't you agree?"
Xuan smiled at Masa and asked softly.
Masa could only nod woodenly.
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