Chapter 54: Bald Guy Skin, Limited Time Return
Wait.
Just as Anko was about to push the door open, Haruko suddenly called out to her.
What's wrong?
I think it's better to be careful. Haruko swept a glance over the hostile-looking guys on the street. If I enter this kind of place in my current appearance, I'll definitely be picked on.
Saying that, he performed hand seals.
Transformation Jutsu!
The white mist dissipated. The originally slender and graceful beautiful youth disappeared, replaced by a bald, muscular man nearly two meters tall with a fleshy face and fierce eyes.
Haruko's Bald Guy skin, limited time return.
Anko narrowed her eyes, looked him up and down, and pouted: What kind of aesthetic is this?
Practicality is enough. Haruko flexed his thick arms, his voice also becoming gruff. This way, I look like someone not to be trifled with, which can save a lot of unnecessary trouble. Do you want to transform into one too?
Ugly, hard pass! Having you like this is enough.
Hmm, that works too. Let's set it as a boss lady and her henchman, here to collect a debt from Jiraiya.
Pushing open the tavern door, the smell of alcohol and rouge mixed together and rushed at them.
Under the dim lights, men and women were either drinking alone at the bar or chatting and drinking in booths, with crude laughter erupting from time to time.
When Haruko, this two-meter-tall bald, muscular man walked in, many people took one look and quickly averted their eyes.
The effect is good.
Haruko nodded with satisfaction and followed Anko toward the bar.
Boss, asking about someone. Anko tapped the bar. A middle-aged man with white hair, wearing a forehead protector with the character Oil, looks lecherous, and loves to chat up beautiful women.
The bartender was a skinny middle-aged man. He looked at Anko, then at Haruko behind her, and swallowed his saliva: Sorry, customer. I don't have any impression...
Don't rush, think about it again. Anko stuffed a banknote into a wine glass, and the bartender's expression loosened a bit.
Anko leaned forward, getting close to the bartender, her voice low: That guy owes me a lot of money, and I must get it back, you... understand?
Cooperating with Anko, Haruko cracked his neck in the back, making a clicking sound.
The bartender shivered, smiling apologetically: Remembered, remembered...
...
In front of a small three-story building, Anko stopped.
302... this is it.
Arriving at the door, Anko gently pushed the handle.
It's unlocked.
The room was very small, with only a bed, a table, and a few chairs.
Anko stepped forward to check: Signs of someone living here. But looking at the dust, that person hasn't been back for three or five days.
Haruko didn't answer; his attention was entirely focused elsewhere.
It's a bit too quiet outside.
Wind of Detection.
Chakra mixed into the breeze and drifted out of the room, probing the situation outside.
Anko, we are surrounded.
How many people?
Anko didn't make any big movements, just slowly reached into her Ninja tool pouch.
At least five. Three at the door, and two outside the window... The ones at the door are coming!
As soon as he finished speaking, the door was kicked open, and three masked Ninjas rushed in.
Don't move! You've already been surroun... Ack!
The leading Ninja hadn't finished his sentence before Haruko punched him in the chest, causing him to hunch over like a shrimp. He was then followed by a hand chop to the back of his neck, causing him to lose consciousness.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
The other two hadn't even had time to react before they were entangled by the poisonous snakes flung from Anko's hands.
The huge Ninja tools they carried were iconic; one look and it was clear they were from the Fuma Clan. But Haruko couldn't understand why they would attack them; they had never had any interaction.
Why is the Fuma Clan attacking us?
Looking at the fangs inches away, the entangled Ninja spoke tremblingly: Fo-for the bounty. You are the bald, muscular man on the wanted list!
Wanted list? Haruko was stunned. What wanted list?
Black market bounty, one million ryo!
Holy sh*t.
He had only used this persona once before, when he went to the Land of Rice Fields " Daimyos Estate to collect the bounty on the Mountain Bandits. He hadn't even used it for a day, and he didn't expect to be targeted.
Misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding.
Haruko shook his head with a bitter smile and performed hand seals. As the white mist dissipated, the bald, muscular man disappeared, transforming back into the white-haired youth.
The three Fuma Ninjas widened their eyes.
You... you aren't that bald guy?
As you can see, I easily run into trouble in this appearance, so I used the Transformation Jutsu. I just saw that bald guy and thought he looked intimidating, I didn't expect it to cause even bigger trouble.
At this moment, noisy footsteps came from the stairs.
You guys, let our companions go! Otherwise, don't think about leaving here alive!
A group of Fuma Ninjas appeared at the door. It seemed the ones lying in ambush outside had gone to fetch reinforcements when they saw the situation wasn't right.
Haruko put his hand to his forehead and sighed: So I said it was a misunderstanding...
...
Ten minutes later, in a private room at the bar.
The two sides sat opposite each other. Opposite Haruko and Anko were the Jonin of the Fuma Clan—Hagiri, Kagero, and Jigumo.
Sorry, our clansmen were offensive. But this Transformation Jutsu of yours is indeed easy to cause misunderstandings. You've seen that bald guy before?
I didn't expect this either. Haruko spread his hands. I saw him near the Daimyos Estate in the Land of Rice Fields before, and heard he wiped out a group of Mountain Bandits to collect the bounty. But that was half a year ago.
So... Kagero, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, her hoarse voice sounding like tree bark rubbing together. What are you two here for?
Sorry, no comme... Anko was just about to refuse when she was interrupted by Haruko.
Anko... Haruko leaned into her ear, lowering his voice. In a place like this, it's not easy for just the two of us outsiders to find someone. It's better to ask the locals.
Anko thought about it and felt it was feasible, changing her tune on the spot: We are looking for someone, a middle-aged man with white hair, wearing a forehead protector with the character Oil, looks lecherous, and loves to chat up beautiful women.
The three people opposite looked at each other and nodded slightly.
We have indeed seen him. He lived here for a while, inquiring about some news.
What news?
There are rumors that Orochimaru has been active in the Land of Rice Fields recently, recruiting subordinates to build his own power.
Hearing the name Orochimaru, Anko's body stiffened significantly, and her hand subconsciously reached toward the back of her neck.
Anko? Haruko noticed her abnormality and asked softly.
I'm fine. Anko took a deep breath, but her voice trembled slightly. Orochimaru... is he really in the Land of Rice Fields?
Kagero shook her head: Just rumors, we don't know the specifics.
Many people have come to the Land of Rice Fields recently because of this rumor. The bald Jigumo added. That guy should be one of them, right?
Also? Anko's breathing began to quicken. Your Fuma Clan isn't thinking of joining Orochimaru, are you?
Her emotions became increasingly agitated, and the black markings on her neck became more and more distinct.
Do you know what kind of person Orochimaru is? He will treat you as test subjects! He will perform human experiments on you and make your lives worse than death!
Anko, calm down. Haruko quickly stepped forward, his hand gently pressing on her shoulder.
Gentle Natural Energy permeated into her, smoothing out the restlessness of the Curse Mark.
I am very calm! I'm just telling them the truth! That jerk Orochimaru...
Enough. Haruko's voice suddenly became stern. You are not in a state to discuss this issue right now.
He turned to Kagero and the others: Sorry, my companion has some... personal grievances with Orochimaru. We should go. Thank you for the information.
He helped the still-trembling Anko leave the bar. The few members of the Fuma Clan looked at each other, but they didn't stop them.
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