Since the nobles refused to let Nanmo govern in peace, they decided Nanmo would not have peace either. The Zōdo Rinoki Shrine Festival was their opportunity—a public stage to show those "Nanmo-loving peasants" who truly ruled this land.
"Patriarch He, your words are mistaken," Mayor Masada said firmly, his tone steady and righteous. "Times change. A hundred years ago, your ancestors were peasants too. Why don't you go curse them at their graves?"
Shigeo, still disguised as a small boy standing below the platform, smiled faintly and began to clap. The crisp sound echoed through the crowd. Others followed, until the plaza was filled with applause.
The nobles' faces turned red with fury, beards trembling, but they could do nothing.
"Let the race begin!"
At the sound of the whistle, the grand competition officially started.
Attendants brought tea to the upper seats where the nobles and officials sat. Tea from the Tea Province was renowned across the ninja world, and this brew in particular was of the highest grade—clear, fragrant, perfectly steeped.
Masada, once a tea farmer himself, looked at the delicate color and aroma and couldn't help wanting to taste it.
He lifted the cup to his lips, but before he could drink, Hōzuki Tsukiyo stopped him.
"Mayor Masada, wait—I need to test it first."
"Hah! What's wrong, peasant? Afraid someone might poison you?" mocked a noble nearby.
"The last mayor was poisoned," Tsukiyo said coldly. "If you're not afraid, switch cups with us."
Without hesitation, she took Masada's cup and handed it toward the patriarch of the Wasabi Clan—the man who had spoken.
The noble's expression changed instantly, his face darkening with anger. "Insolence! Do you know who I am? How dare a mere ninja speak to me like that! Guards—arrest her!"
At his command, the Mist Village ninja beside him stepped forward, ready to strike. The tension in the room surged—until a voice rang out from outside:
"Mo-kai Town's representative, Xiaoyou, is currently in the lead—heading toward West Island!"
The shout broke the standoff. Some cheered, others frowned.
Taking advantage of the moment, Tsukiyo dipped a silver needle into the cup. It turned black immediately.
"Poisoned," she said grimly. "Unbelievable."
She threw the tea aside and turned to the sensor ninja. "Shōken—investigate this. Find out who tampered with the tea. And don't kill the culprit—I want a living witness."
"Understood!" Shōken vanished into the crowd.
Tsukiyo looked back at Masada. "From now on, don't eat or drink anything you're given."
Masada nodded heavily, realizing the gravity of the situation.
The nobles nearby exchanged dark looks, their eyes glinting with malice. The Mist ninja who had been ready to fight slowly backed away, unwilling to provoke another incident—at least for now.
This year's race featured five contestants—four representing noble families, and one commoner representing Mo-kai Town.
The winner would not only receive the blessing of the shrine but also the grandest rewards ever offered: a gold kunai personally forged by the First Mokukage, Shigeo, and a golden tea tree gifted by Nanmo's ruler, Wuyouka.
The stakes were enormous—not just for the prize, but for the pride and political standing of every family in the Tea Province.
The He Clan had hired Mist Village ninja. The Wasabi Clan had employed Konoha ninja. The other two noble houses had brought freelance mercenary shinobi. Only the commoner representative, Xiaoyou, was under the protection of Mokunin Village's ninja—two squads led by Hatsufuyu and Hōzuki Tsukiyo.
The race was no longer about running speed alone—it was a battle of influence, deception, and power.
Xiaoyou, gifted with natural speed and endurance, quickly pulled ahead, widening the gap with each stride.
But the other contestants had ninja backing them—and those ninja didn't intend to play fair.
As Xiaoyou's boat neared West Island, Mist Village ninja made their move.
If it had been only one team, it might have been manageable. But besides the Konoha trio—Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke—who had taken another route with the Wasabi Clan's contestant and refused to interfere, the remaining two mercenary teams joined the ambush.
"Didn't expect this, did you?" sneered one of the Mist ninja, facing Hatsufuyu and Kaku. "Nine of us against two of you. You've already lost."
Meanwhile, Kodomo and Xiaoyou had jumped into the water, swimming desperately toward the shore of West Island.
Back in Mo-kai, the spectators boarded ships toward the island's finish line.
For months, the nobles had used West Island as their secret meeting place. Many of the shinobi there were on their payroll. Even if the commoner representative won, they planned to twist the outcome.
And today, anyone who set foot on that island would not leave alive.
To the nobles, Nanmo had denied them power and wealth—so they had decided to betray Nanmo entirely.
They would rebel here, now, and seek an alliance with the Land of Water.
The island lay close to Mist Village's territorial waters; once the fighting began, they were sure the Mist would come to their aid.
If Nanmo had taken their privilege, then they would reclaim it by blood.
They would raise their banners of rebellion and make the entire shinobi world remember—the Tea Country was not so easily conquered.
As Xiaoyou reached the island shore, three rogue ninja appeared to block his path. One, a large man wielding a spiked club, swung down at his head with deadly force.
The strike was vicious—fast and direct.
Kodomo grabbed Xiaoyou's arm, pulling him aside just in time, nearly taking the blow herself.
"Ranton (Storm Release): Chokugeki no Jutsu (Direct Strike Technique)!"
Hatsufuyu had just escaped the ninjas chasing him and saw the scene. His hands blurred through seals, lightning and light merging into a focused blast. The beam pierced the attacker's chest.
Blood sprayed across the sand. The rogue ninja stared in disbelief—beaten by a child.
"Go!" Hatsufuyu shouted.
Xiaoyou stumbled up, determined, and continued running. But he was far behind now—the enemy's ninja had carried their contestants ahead on their backs.
The race had become chaos. Fairness no longer existed.
Spectators could see, from afar, that ninja were literally carrying runners forward. Such tactics were supposed to be instant disqualification—but now, no one dared to enforce the rules.
Shigeo sat calmly atop a large rock along the race route, eating roasted edamame while watching a Mist ninja sprint past with a contestant on his back.
"You people are disgraceful," he said flatly. "Sure, Nanmo didn't forbid foreign ninja from taking missions here—but that's no excuse to cheat. Shameless. Utterly shameless."
He shook his head as he spoke, tone light but cutting.
The Mist ninja froze, glaring at the boy. With a snarl, he lowered the runner from his back. "You go ahead. I'll handle this brat."
"Right," the runner said, dashing onward.
The ninja turned toward Shigeo, unaware of who he was really facing.
(End of Chapter)
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