Rainbow Country, One Month Later.
"Mizukage-sama, the Rainbow Country hasn't posted any missions with us for a month straight."
Yagura Karatachi's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing his subordinate's report, and he coldly asked, "Do I need to be informed of such things? Send a squad of Anbu to investigate the reason."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu, kneeling on one knee, quickly affirmed and then vanished.
Soon after, a ninja squad, led by two Jonin, departed from Kirigakure and headed towards the Rainbow Country.
As the two countries were not far apart, the Kirigakure investigation team arrived on the land of the Rainbow Country in less than half a day.
"This... is this the Rainbow Country?"
One of the leading Jonin looked at the tall buildings and skyscrapers before him in shock, asking his teammates.
"It... it should be."
Hearing his teammate's confusion, this Jonin also stammered in response.
"Lord Kumoki, I came to the Rainbow Country two months ago, and it's completely different from now."
"But I can confirm this is the Rainbow Country. The last time I came, I disembarked right here."
Just as the two were puzzled, a Chunin's words from behind them completely confirmed that this was indeed the Rainbow Country.
"You mean these things were built in these two months?"
The Jonin pointed at the dense cluster of tall buildings in the distance, his face dumbfounded.
"Although it's incredible, that's probably the only possibility."
"Alright, no matter what, let's go find the current Daimyo of the Rainbow Country first."
"I'm sure he'll give us an explanation."
Hearing the Jonin's words, the other members of the ninja squad also nodded in agreement.
As they entered the city, the various modern facilities left them dazzled.
"Get out of the way! Don't you look at traffic lights when you're walking?"
An electric bicycle suddenly whizzed past them, startling them into quickly dodging.
"How dare you speak like that? Don't you believe I'll..."
Just as the Chunin drew his kunai, intending to kill the middle-aged woman.
Suddenly, twenty-something figures appeared, surrounding them.
"When!!!"
"Who are you people!"
"Be on guard!"
Seeing the masked figures that suddenly appeared around them, Jonin Kumoki immediately drew his kunai and looked around vigilantly.
The others also quickly drew their respective weapons, warily watching the masked figures surrounding them.
"Hmph, shouldn't I be asking you that?"
The leading masked figure snorted coldly at the Kirigakure ninja surrounded by his group, then loudly asked.
"We are ninja from Kirigakure, ordered to see your Daimyo of the Rainbow Country."
Jonin Kumoki pointed to the headband on his forehead, shouting loudly with a serious expression.
"See the Daimyo? What was that person doing with a kunai? Let's discuss it at the Public Security Bureau first."
"Arrest them!"
As the leading masked figure waved his hand, the twenty-plus masked figures present instantly vanished.
"Not good, Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
"Defense formation."
Kumoki quickly formed hand signs, and immediately, thick fog began to envelop the surroundings, causing the conspicuous traffic lights to disappear into the white mist.
"Hmph, daring to resist arrest, your crime is compounded!"
"Ah ah ah!"
"When!"
Before Kumoki could cast any other ninjutsu, screams erupted from all around.
"What!!! Damn it, Water Style: Water Dragon..."
Before Kumoki could finish his hand signs, a long sword was already held against his neck.
"Why aren't you continuing to form hand signs?"
Kumoki felt the chill emanating from his neck, and a surge of deathly fear instantly welled up in his heart.
Whoosh... With a sudden gust of wind, the rising thick fog instantly dispersed.
Each Kirigakure ninja had a masked figure behind them, holding a sword to their neck.
Swish... Just as the group was about to be escorted away, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared before everyone.
"The bad guy wants to see them. Send them to the City Lord's Mansion first."
After recognizing the person who appeared, everyone present quickly bowed with their hands on their chests, and the leading masked figure spoke respectfully, "Yes, Miss Kochou Shinobu!"
Five minutes later.
"Are you sent by that shorty, Yagura Karatachi?"
Zhong Chen asked without even raising his head, while playing chess with Velgrynd.
"Impudent! How dare you call the Mizukage-sama by his name!"
Pfft... "Ah!!!"
As soon as the Chunin finished speaking, the masked figure behind him mercilessly plunged a sword into his heart.
"Konta!!!"
"How dare you kill our people? Aren't you afraid of retaliation from Kirigakure?"
Seeing his subordinate killed, Kumoki knelt on the ground, shouting in rage.
"Retaliation from Kirigakure? Hahaha, fine, let them retaliate against me then! Checkmate!"
Zhong Chen was amused by the other party's words, but his hands weren't idle, directly delivering a checkmate with a knight move.
"Zhong Chen, has anyone ever told you that your chess skills are terrible?"
Velgrynd rested her left hand on her delicate cheek, a playful smile on her lips as she looked at Zhong Chen.
"Joking! My chess skills are unrivaled in the world!!!"
Upon hearing Velgrynd's words, Zhong Chen immediately became displeased.
Apart from losing to Veldora and Sakuya, no one had ever beaten him, Zhong Chen, in chess.
How dare a mere Velgrynd speak like that? It's outrageous!!!
[Host, you've only played chess with those two. In Ludo, you can't even roll a six...]
[Shut up!!!]
"Oh, really? Take the knight, check... no, checkmate."
Zhong Chen looked at the chessboard, checkmated by Velgrynd in one move, and hurriedly reached out to retract his move.
"Wait... wait... one move back, just one move back..." Just as Zhong Chen's hand was about to touch the rook, a delicate hand grabbed his wrist.
"Once a piece is moved, it cannot be regretted!"
Zhong Chen's face immediately twisted into a distorted expression, his eyes red as he stared at Velgrynd and roared, "Don't force me!!!"
"What, are you trying to use 'World Harmony' again?"
"Uh... how did you know about that move of mine?"
Zhong Chen looked at Velgrynd in disbelief, not expecting her to know his ultimate move.
"Hehe, who in the entire Monster Country Federation doesn't know that Lord Zhong Chen has terrible chess etiquette and loves to cheat the most?"
"Damn it! Which bastard is spreading rumors about me!!!"
At this moment, a certain cowardly dragon, far away in the Monster Country Federation, was haggling with Lady Tamayo before him.
"Tamayo, five hundred lime coins, and I'll tell you another secret about Zhong Chen."
"Oh? Lord Veldora, tell me the secret first. If it's worth it, this doll will be sold to you for five hundred."
Lady Tamayo, hearing about Zhong Chen's secret, immediately showed an interested expression.
"Hehe, Zhong Chen is actually a terrible chess player. He's not only bad but loves to play, and he always cheats. His chess etiquette is awful."
"Hehe, Lord Veldora, so this news was spread by you. However, everyone already knows this news, so I'm sorry, it can't be sold for five hundred!"
"Don't! I have other secrets about Zhong Chen. I'll tell you..."