Chapter 82: , The Gradually Unfolding Prelude

Two hours later.

As time slipped into the dead of night, the entire Kirigakure Ninja Village was shrouded in an eerie silence.

Almost every ninja of any note had begun to move in the shadows.

If someone were to scout the entire Kirigakure Village, they would be astonished to discover:

The Mist Anbu, the Mizukage Guard, the Mizunuki Clan, the Kaguya Clan, the Hozuki Clan—

Almost every organization and clan with significant combat power in Kirigakure was moving in secret.

And to avoid detection, almost all the ninjas were acting in the dark, doing their best to keep their movements sufficiently covert.

On the other side, the Kirigakure Mist Anbu Minister, Xuanwozhang Sect, was already busy beyond measure.

The matter was of great importance, so he had to coordinate everything himself, doing his best to manage all aspects to avoid any major errors.

"What exactly is the situation with the Iwagakure ninjas?"

Xuanwozhang Sect asked the Mist Anbu ninja beside him responsible for liaising with Iwagakure, his tone filled with impatience.

"Still in contact; no information has been transmitted back yet."

The Mist Anbu ninja lowered his head, replying to Xuanwozhang Sect with a nervous tone.

Hearing this, a flash of suspicion and impatience crossed Xuanwozhang Sect's eyes.

It seemed he had already grown suspicious of the abnormal situation with the Iwagakure ninjas.

But just as he was about to order an investigation, an Mist Anbu ninja walked over quickly.

"Minister!"

"Jonin squad leader Tian Yuanshi has suddenly arrived, saying he wishes to see you."

The Mist Anbu reported to Xuanwozhang Sect at a very fast pace.

The words originally on Xuanwozhang Sect's lips were interrupted. Upon hearing the Mist Anbu ninja's report, Xuanwozhang Sect's brow first furrowed into a "chuan" shape, then quickly smoothed out.

"Why has this old guy come to find me at this hour?"

"Could he have sniffed something out? Or does he hold some intelligence in his hands?"

"No way."

Seemingly thinking of a certain possibility, Xuanwozhang Sect's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Xuanwozhang Sect was now filled with vigilance and doubt; Tian Yuanshi's sudden arrival in the middle of the night had become an urgent matter he had to face, and he had to go and deal with it personally!

"Take me there quickly!"

Xuanwozhang Sect knew he could not delay; he had to test the attitude of this old guy, Tian Yuanshi, as soon as possible.

"You, contact the Iwagakure ninjas as soon as possible and give them an ultimatum!"

"Tell them not to waste any more time; they must be in position as soon as possible!"

After throwing these words at the Mist Anbu responsible for liaising with Iwagakure, Xuanwozhang Sect followed the Mist Anbu who had come to deliver the message to greet Tian Yuanshi.

Tian Yuanshi stood inside the Mist Anbu building, his hands behind his back, gazing at a giant "Water" character hanging in the very center of the Mist Anbu building.

This character looked somewhat familiar to Tian Yuanshi.

Because at the entrance of the Mizukage building, there also hung a giant "Water" character.

The thoughts Xuanwozhang Sect harbored by comparing his Mist Anbu building to the Mizukage building were already completely laid bare.

If this were before, Tian Yuanshi would not only have pretended not to see it.

Deep down, Tian Yuanshi might even have harbored some thoughts leaning toward Xuanwozhang Sect.

But now...

It must be said, the one thing Xuanwozhang Sect should never, ever have done was touch Kirigakure's bottom line.

Thinking of the intelligence he had just obtained from the Mizukage, Tian Yuanshi sighed in his heart, calling it a pity.

Soon, a thin figure with a baby face arrived before Tian Yuanshi.

It was none other than Xuanwozhang Sect, followed by two Mist Anbu ninjas.

When Xuanwozhang Sect saw that Tian Yuanshi had actually come alone, his inner doubts grew even stronger.

"Squad Leader Tian, what business brings you here alone in the middle of the night?"

Xuanwozhang Sect asked Tian Yuanshi with a smile as he walked.

Hearing this, Tian Yuanshi turned around, still wearing that serious, zombie-like face, making it impossible for anyone to discern his inner thoughts.

"There are some things I need to discuss with Minister Xuanwozhang."

A light, understated sentence was spoken from Tian Yuanshi's mouth, which made Xuanwozhang Sect increasingly unable to fathom Tian Yuanshi's depths.

The more understated Tian Yuanshi was, the more he suspected whether the other party knew something.

"Must it be now?"

Xuanwozhang Sect countered, probing Tian Yuanshi.

"Right now."

Still the same indifferent voice, calm words, and unfathomable zombie face.

Xuanwozhang Sect's vigilance had reached a peak; at this moment, a hint of killing intent had even faintly arisen in his heart toward Tian Yuanshi.

But his inner reason kept Xuanwozhang Sect from acting rashly.

"Please!"

Finally, Xuanwozhang Sect made a gesture of invitation.

Signaling for Tian Yuanshi to go inside to talk.

Tian Yuanshi did not show the slightest timidity, following the direction Xuanwozhang Sect pointed and striding inside.

Watching Tian Yuanshi's back, Xuanwozhang Sect fell into confusion once again.

He really couldn't figure out what medicine Tian Yuanshi was selling in his gourd.

In a secret room, Tian Yuanshi and Xuanwozhang Sect sat opposite each other.

The two just looked at each other, neither speaking first.

It seemed they were testing each other's patience.

And in front of them sat a pot of tea brewed by an Mist Anbu ninja.

Tian Yuanshi poured himself a cup of tea without the slightest hesitation, sipped it lightly, and let out a sigh of appreciation.

"Good tea."

This remark could be considered breaking the stalemate.

Xuanwozhang Sect stared intently at Tian Yuanshi's zombie face and asked slowly.

"What exactly is the matter? Squad Leader Tian can speak now, right?"

As he spoke, Xuanwozhang Sect's gaze did not relax in the slightest.

"Hmm..."

"I heard Minister Xuanwozhang plays Shogi quite well; why don't we play a couple of games?"

Tian Yuanshi said nonchalantly, leaving Xuanwozhang Sect unable to see through him at all.

"Shogi?" ===== CHAPTER 84 =====