Chapter 199: Mayor Who Can't See Suffering

Mu Yue had the disciples investigate whether the giant hawk was harassing the people, and also some of the townspeople's opinions on the town chief, while he himself went straight to the town chief's home to begin his investigation.

However, to prevent any accidents, Mu Yue sent a shadow clone to secretly protect the disciples.

Although Mu Yue had never asked where the town chief lived, he didn't need to ask, because he knew heading straight for the most luxurious courtyard was sure to be correct.

Mu Yue quickly found a large courtyard that was clearly much more luxurious than the other houses, complete with flower beds and a pond; he quietly slipped inside.

"Haha, I'm clever, right? As long as we spread the word, someone will definitely help us deal with that strange bird."

A proud middle-aged voice reached Mu Yue's ears.

"Yes, you're resourceful and wise, Lord Town Chief." Someone nearby flattered.

"Of course, that's why I'm the town chief." The town chief chuckled proudly.

"Do you really think those dirt farmers can hire ninja to take care of that strange bird? I bet that man already took the money and ran, or died on the road. These days are very chaotic."

"You are wise, Lord Town Chief. But since you know that dirt farmer might not come back, why not just take the thirty thousand taels directly as compensation for your losses, or assign someone to follow him?" The nearby person asked in confusion.

"Foolish. The resistance I'd face by having them spend money to get the job done and by directly robbing them are two entirely different levels. And besides, it's dangerous right now. The men I pay to protect me aren't meant to protect those dirt farmers.

Thirty thousand taels isn't important to me. What is important is making those dirt farmers have no money. There are still a few fields in the town that aren't mine, and that bothers me. Plus, that youngest daughter of the Bao family isn't bad either."

Mu Yue silently memorized the town chief's fat, lecherous face. After hearing this exchange between the town chief and his subordinate, he essentially understood the general situation.

Bin Jilang indeed hadn't told the whole truth. It was even possible that the two strong men were hired to put on a show, or were simply people from Chuanbei Town, all in order to stir up their sense of justice to deal with the town chief.

Although Bin Jilang hadn't told the whole truth, his accusations against the town chief were basically true. Just from what Mu Yue overheard in this short time, the town chief had exposed his forceful land annexation and even his intention to force someone to sell their daughter.

"Has the intelligence on that strange bird's whereabouts been gathered? Those ninja were already urging me this morning. What a bunch of weirdos, working for free and still so diligent." The town chief couldn't understand those ninja.

Mu Yue could only say that each trade has its own mysteries. Perhaps the town chief was skilled at land annexation, but he couldn't imagine the value of a bird-type summons to a ninja, because he had no idea that summoning techniques and summoning beasts even existed.

The town chief's subordinate nodded, and then the two of them, along with several guards, prepared to head to the place where the ninja were temporarily staying.

"How dare you beg here? Don't you know our town chief is famously kind-hearted and can't bear to see suffering? Get out of here." The subordinate spotted someone begging in the courtyard and shouted at him.

The beggar, seeing so many fierce-looking guards, quickly bowed and apologized, then walked off to another place.

Mu Yue flashed and followed him.

"Ninja-sama, we've brought the intelligence on that strange bird's whereabouts. The strange bird's nest is at the mountain peak." Speaking to the ninja, the town chief changed his tone, putting on a kind smile.

"Then there's no problem. We'll go deal with that strange bird later." Said the black-clothed ninja with a sword on his back, speaking calmly.

"I'll take this opportunity to wish you all success in eliminating the pest for the people." The town chief said with a righteous expression.

"Heh heh, since it's for the people, shouldn't the town chief show some appreciation?" A black-clothed ninja with well-developed muscles said with a smile.

"Wasn't it agreed that no reward would be given?" The subordinate asked in confusion.

"How dare you speak to a ninja-sama like that? The matter of reward is negotiable. As long as you can eliminate the strange bird, I'm willing to pay fifty thousand taels as a labor fee." The town chief said with a chuckle.

Inwardly, he was screaming curses. If he hadn't seen the terrifying scene of the ninja fighting the strange bird, he would have already flipped out. They said they wouldn't take money, and now they're going back on their word.

Those ninja were like human monsters; they could even release lightning. The thugs he employed were no match at all.

"Haha, then it's a deal." The muscular black-clothed ninja nodded in satisfaction.

A bird-type summoning beast big enough to carry a person, plus earning some extra cash on the side—this trip was incredibly profitable.

Perhaps because he was stung by the loss of fifty thousand taels, the town chief soon left without any further pleasantries.

"Beroka, won't this reflect badly on the village?" A tall, thin black-clothed ninja said after the town chief and his men had left.

"Hairo, you're too rigid. What bad reflection? They didn't post a commission in the village, so they're not even our clients. Besides, this isn't in the Land of Lightning, and we came without our headbands." Beroka said with a look of indifference.

"Probably wouldn't matter even if we did wear them. These people might not even recognize the Cloud Hidden headband."

"Iraka, what do you think?" Beroka looked at the black-clothed ninja carrying the sword and asked.

"Hairo's concerns are not without reason. If this war goes smoothly, Cloud Hidden will become famous across the ninja world, and we'll get many more foreign commissions. If news of this gets out, it'll be trouble. After we capture the beast, kill those people. Anyone who can build a courtyard like that likely has a lot of money at home." Iraka said blandly.

"You're the ruthless one." Beroka gave Iraka a thumbs up.

He had only thought of scamming a bit more money, but Iraka was directly talking about wiping out the whole family and taking their wealth.

"And we can leave behind a Sand Shinobi headband on the spot." Iraka continued.

This is used to mislead the local populace. The common people don't understand that much anyway, so he wouldn't be bored enough to kill everyone. His target is only the wealthy town chief.

During wartime, the death of such a small fry wouldn't attract attention.

Iraka had the two of them sort out their equipment, then set off toward the mountain.

"With that kind of appearance and skin color, they must be from Kumogakure." Muyue confirmed the identities of the three.

He took a look with his Appraisal Technique. Only that Kumogakure ninja named Iraka had decent stats—over four thousand chakra, and a Proficient-level Lightning Nature Transformation at two thousand points. The other two Kumogakure ninjas each had just over three thousand chakra and no powerful skills.

"With stats like these, they're quite suitable as opponents for Kakashi and the others," Muyue thought to himself.

He had no intention of making a move against Kumogakure ninjas of this level; he felt they could be used to train his disciples' practical combat ability.

Apart from Kakashi, both Obito and Might Guy lacked real combat experience.

Last time, because the enemy had two Jonin—one of them an Elite Jonin—Muyue had acted hastily. This time, he decided to leave it to his disciples to handle.

Muyue split off another Shadow Clone to follow the Kumogakure ninjas, while his main body activated the Byakugan and made another round to prevent any strong Kumogakure ninjas from hiding in the shadows.

There will be another chapter later.