[Doubt] Lucy will be the vessel for Death Ninja?
That is correct.
Such explosive news made even Schwarzer pause for a moment. This was the intelligence given to her by the ninja from Zaibatsu Cinema opposite her.
The two sides didn't fight directly; instead, they began to chat.
The Lord's objective was simply to pin down Schwarzer; the method didn't matter.
Standing opposite Schwarzer were four ninjas, led by a man wearing a strange, sun-patterned mask—his name was Shomo.
He wasn't an ordinary member. It seemed the Lord valued her greatly, having dispatched a Dōryō-grade ninja.
Zaibatsu Cinema's general hierarchy was divided into four basic ranks: Dōryō, Master, Tatsujin, and Apprentice. Shomo was among the strongest of the Dōryō.
He knew that the Lord had sent him out against a very strong opponent, one who was rumored to be the vessel for a Mythic-grade ninja.
Even if someone possessed the Ninja Soul of a Mythic-grade ninja, they wouldn't necessarily inherit its full power. Besides, he was very confident in his own abilities, and he had brought three subordinates with him; he couldn't imagine anyone could stand against them.
This was what Shomo truly thought, but...
After truly facing Schwarzer, his intuition told him: he would die!
Just like the fear deep within the genes of a normal person facing a ninja, he had a similar reaction when facing Schwarzer. His body and soul were both screaming at him to run.
What was happening? Why was this happening? Who in the world was she?
As a Dōryō-grade ninja, he quickly controlled his body and avoided losing his composure. Then, he suddenly remembered a rumor—the only possible explanation for the current situation.
Ninja Slayer! The soul possessing her is Ninja Slayer!
Naraku: ?
Schwarzer didn't know what they were imagining. A Ninja Soul's possession doesn't bring with it memories of a past life; a soul powerful enough to exchange a few words with its host was already an incredibly formidable existence.
Naturally, Shomo and his group had no way of guessing the real reason: they had truly been slaughtered by Schwarzer before, which is why they felt such fear.
However, compared to the ethereal legend of an 'angel', the existence of Ninja Slayer was more tangible and a well-known entity. Thus, such a misunderstanding was perfectly reasonable!
Wary of acting rashly, Shomo-san chose a different tactic to stall for time: chatting with her.
'By the way, Schwarzer-san, are you not worried about your 'disciples'?'
Shomo was very curious about this. The two sides had been talking for several minutes, yet she showed no intention of making a move.
'[Answer] I have sufficient confidence in their abilities. Besides, as the price for me not acting, you are to provide me with intelligence that interests me, are you not?'
Schwarzer spoke with great composure, as if she didn't care whether David and the others lived or died. Or rather, she was simply supremely confident.
David and V were both children of destiny. Fate would not allow them to die, at least not now. David was destined to become a legend, and fate would protect him until then.
Soon, a pot of tea was brought out, and five cups were placed on the ground. Schwarzer had already prepared the tea. It was a tea party, and also an 'interrogation' for intelligence.
Shomo's mission was to hold her here for ten minutes. Most of that time had already passed. Clearly, the intel that Lucy would become the vessel for Death Ninja wasn't enough; he needed to provide more information.
The four of them accepted the teacups. The scalding tea was filled to the brim in their hands, but no one dared to put them down. An aura of bloodlust and pressure lingered all around, as if to remind them: put down the cup, and your head will fall.
Schwarzer didn't doubt the authenticity of their intelligence. The Ninja Soul within the Lord was that of the Soga Ninja. If anyone could foresee who Death Ninja would possess, it would be him.
The Soga Ninja—his seppuku ritual opened the Kinkaku, allowing all Ninja Souls to ascend into it. Thus, after a long time, they could possess ordinary people.
Due to the unique nature of the Kinkaku, from the moment of its birth, it existed in both the past and the future. Therefore, regardless of whether it was the past or the future, the Ninja Souls of all True Ninjas could ascend to the Kinkaku after death.
This was precisely why Schwarzer had no doubt about the matter of Death Ninja. Only the Lord had the ability to know who a Ninja Soul would possess before the possession occurred.
So why was this? Was the intelligence that Lucy would be the vessel for Death Ninja important? Of course it was. She quickly figured out the Lord's plan.
'[Analysis] You leak the information about Lucy and Death Ninja, while at the same time, Saburo Arasaka is searching for a way to safely extract a Ninja Soul. Is this your scheme?'
Death Ninja possesses the ability to safely extract Ninja Souls. Once Saburo Arasaka knows this, he will definitely not let Lucy go.
A very simple and direct gambit. As the supreme ruler of Arasaka Corporation, he would certainly need to have Lucy under his control to feel at ease. This meant that what they would face next was an endless series of capture attempts.
The only good news was that he would certainly not harm Lucy, but the lives of David and V would be of no consequence to him.
'Such powerful and sharp judgment, Schwarzer-san. No, I should say, a powerful intelligence-gathering ability.'
Shomo had not expected her to figure out their scheme so quickly. His original plan of stalling for time by explaining things was now shattered.
This also meant she knew of Death Ninja's ability, and also that Saburo Arasaka was a ninja who was searching for a way to extract his Ninja Soul to become a True Ninja.
Doesn't this mean she basically knows everything?!
Shomo impassively took a sip of the tea in his hand, but in reality, he was contemplating how to leave. The bargaining chips they had prepared were almost exhausted.
'Since that's the case, you already know everything, so there's no need for us to explain.'
'Thank you very much for your hospitality. It is time for us to leave.'
Shomo drank the tea in one gulp—scalding, deliberately boiled tea, and he downed it in a single go!
'[Question] One last question. Yoroshi-san Pharmaceuticals' collaboration with Arasaka—what is the specific development project, and where is the location of the joint base?'
The collaboration between Yoroshi-san and Arasaka? Shomo had no obligation to keep it a secret. In fact, letting her go after Yoroshi-san suited him just fine.
'I will have someone bring the relevant intelligence over.' Naturally, he didn't have such unexpected data on him at the moment.
After he finished speaking, the pressure on his body finally vanished. Shomo immediately took his three subordinates and instantly disappeared from the spot, leaving the area.
'As expected of Ninja Slayer, that power is just too terrifying.' The misunderstanding deepened.
________________________________________
Get rewarded for helping with our community goals!
🎯 Reward for all: +1 bonus chapter at 50 Powerstones.
🚀 Tier Reward: Help us reach 20 members for +5 chapters on all stories!
👻 Join the crew by searching Ms. Medusa on (P). You know the spot! 😉