Chapter 69 - Meeting Acquaintance

I could tell there were around 90-100 Suna shinobi in the village. Cat Mountain village isn't in Suna territory, not it's Iwa territory. They don't belong to any Shinobi village's faction nor land. It is just a small and peaceful village in a tiny nation.

This is why I never expected the whole hunch of Suna shinobi would be here. Since they are here, no matter how much I want to deny, it's clear as day that they will be involved in our mission no matter what.

"Why are there so many shinobi here? Where did they come from?" Yahiko asked.

"According to their uniform, they should be Suna shinobi," Konan answered Yahiko.

"Cat Mountian village is close to Suna territory, but it doesn't belong to them. Are they trying to fȯrċɨbŀƴ occupy it?" Nagato gave his thoughts.

'According to mission detail, Cat Mountain village is reported to have no natural resources. They have only a few shut-down mines due to unsafe. They rely on selling average medicine plants found in the mountain.

With these all mediocre attributes, I don't think Suna is interested in this village unless they found chakra metal mines. For now, I shouldn't ȧssume things yet without evidence.'

"Alright, here is the order. You three will stay far away from here. It will be better if you find a cave to stay there temporarily. I will leave Biller with you guys in case of an emergency."

"What? No way! We are in the mission, but why we had to hide? Besides, how come Genji-nii can go while we have to stay?" Yahiko complained as expected.

"Because I am your superior, and I have the strength to escape if a fight breaks out, but you three don't. Your mission is just to eradicate bandits. It's too early for you three to confront chunins or Jounin level shinobi."

"Genji-sensei is right, Yahiko. He is worried about our safety. You can see there are hundreds of Suna shinobi. We will just drag down sensei if we accompany him. I am sure sensei will call us when it's time to hunt down bandits."

Being Yahiko's best friend, Nagato smoothly persuaded Yahiko with ease. There were possibilities Yahiko dying during this mission, so I was not taking any risky chances here.

I ordered Biller to lead three kids to somewhere safe in the mountain. He can contact me by his cry since I had an understanding of Eagle's language.

After sending off Yahiko and the other two on Biller, I slowly walked to the Cat Mountain village. 3 years have passed since the war, but there is no way Suna and Iwa's hatred for each other will diminish during that short period. We tend to battle out each other rather than ignore it during the encounter.

As soon as Suna shinobi saw me, the Iwa shinobi, they all got tensed and surrounded me with no time to spare. However, they weren't foolish enough to attack me on sight. I applauded for their correct judgment, or else I would have to kill them, which makes things complicated.

"Tell Pakura-san that there is Iwa bug here now. We will stay here and watch under him."

'Oh, Pakura is here too? So is she the commander of Suna units? It's been a long time since I saw her. I wonder if she can recognize me?'

The one seems to be the leader of a small platoon ordered. I looked around to realize there were 9 Chunin-level shinobi.

"Hey, what's with this tension. I don't know why there are so many Suna shinobi here, but I am just here to do my mission. No need to be so tense. I promise I won't interfere with whatever the business you are doing, so would you mind letting me enter the village?"

I politely asked them with a smile. But no matter how much I wait, there was no response to my question. Suna shinobi just kept battle stances and didn't move or answer me at all.

'Am I talking to robots or something? What am I suppose to do now? Wait or retreat?' additional

Just as I didn't know what to do, I saw a few more Suna shinobi group, including Pakura coming here.

'Woah! Would you look at that beautiful lady!! In terms of face, she definitely won't lose out to Mei or Tsunade. Definitely one of the top 10 beauties in Naruto series.'

"Pakura-san, please come and look. We find suspicious Iwa shinobi. He said he is here for the mission, but I am not too sure."

While I was appreciating Pakura's beauty, the leader of the small unit reported to Pakura. As expected, Pakura was surprised to see me. Seeing Pakura's face, Suna chunin asked her.

"Pakura-san, do you know him?"

"Oh, since you all are Chunins, you might not know his face well. But he is quite famous in the Jounin circle. He is the one who beat Rasa and played quite a heavy role in defeating Ebizo-san's force during the war. Now he is one of the top Jounins in Iwagakure."

"Wait, you mean he is that Genji? The one who beat Rasa-san? Why is high-rank like him here then?"

"That's what we are going to find out. So would you mind telling us why you here?" Pakura asked.

"As I said before, I am here for a simple mission. This village has few terrible bandits, so they asked us to eradicate them. Since this is the first B-rank mission with my Genin team, I was hoping nothing would happen. But that turned out to be my just wishful thinking."

"Oh, really? Then where is your genin team?"

"I hid them first before coming here. I don't know what would happen if a possible fight breaks out." I told them truthfully.

"mission? Sunagakure is the closest to this village. If they want something, then why would they ask for help to far away Iwagakure?"

"It's because you damn greedy Suna is charing a lot for their service. That's why they had to come to our village.

Enough about me, what the hell you lot doing here?"

Suna shinobi and Pakura got a bit annoyed after hearing my explanation.

"Hmph, you don't need to know that. However, I will be grateful if you abandon your mission and go back to Iwagakure. It's just a B-rank mission after all."

'OK, something is definitely going around here. Also, this girl has the nerve to ask me to halt the mission? Just because she is beautiful and a bit strong and thinks she can order me around? Well, the answer is yes if she is willing to kiss me though.'

"Pakura, we have known each other since the war. Your face has changed a lot to beauty, but your coldness is still the same as ever. You know what will happen to shinobi if they abandon their mission.

Besides, I am here for an official mission while you all just intruded without any permission of the village whatsoever. So basically, I have more right to enter this village than you lots."

Pakura seems to think for a bit and came out with an unfair and ridiculous suggestion.

"Alright. Let's do this. We will take care of bandits for you, so you can get out here now."

"What? Then what about the payment? Will you give me the payment for this mission?"

"Since we will be the one to kill bandits, why do we have to share the payment?" Pakura asked me like it's a natural thing to steal missions and payments from other villages.

'Do you think I'm an idiot? I felt seriously offended by this bitch.'

"I appreciate your help, but this mission is quite momentous for my Genins growth, so no thanks.

But I promise you, I won't interfere with your business. Just let me enter the village and have a talk with the village elder."

"Hey, we are being nice to you. Pakura-san told you that we will even do your mission for you, so why bother staying? Get lost now, or you are going down!" The leader of the small unit spoke.

"Oh, little pesky thing here is fearless. I really don't want to do this, but you leave me with no choice. Either you let me pass, or I knock you all out and enter by force."

Saying the word, I grabbed my buŧŧerfly swords in my back and ready to draw them for battle. Suna shinobi also did the same and went to battle stance. They were eager to jump out and butchered by me if Pakura sends her signal.

"Put your weapon down. It won't do us any good to battle with him. Genji, you win this one. I will let you enter, but not too long. We also have our own business here. Since you told us you won't interfere, I hope you understand us."

"Sure, as long as I get the information of bandits location from a village elder, I will leave. Don't worry." I smiled at Pakura.

With Pakura's word, Suna shinobi no longer disturbed me. I made it my way to the head of the village house without any trouble.

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"Pakura-san, why didn't we send him away by force? Although I understand we can't beat him. But with our advantage on the number, we can at least chase him away, no?"

"It's indeed possible, but if we fight him now, there would be trouble and commotions everywhere. I was afraid Jukan might escape while all of our attention is on Genji. He is definitely in this mountain or village area.

Remember, our job is to capture traitor Jukan, not worsening our relationship with Iwagakure."

"But what if Jukan is related to Iwagakure and Iwagakure sent Genji to help him escape from us?"

"That's also possible. That's why pick 2 elite shinobi to follow him. Don't let him escape from your sight. Also, we need to search harder to find that traitor."

"Yes, Pakura-san."

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I could someone is following me. Probably Pakura ordered a few shinobi to keep an eye on me. Well, I already expected this, so I didn't mind at all.

I got to the village head house and entered right away. I told them I came from Iwagakure to eliminate the bandits for the village. Thankfully, the Village head didn't mind me intruding without any prior notice, instead welcomed me with a smile.

He led me to his living room to discuss the mission.

"Hello, Genji-San. Thank you for coming all the way from Iwagakure. Recently bandits have been too active around this area, and villagers are quite worried about it. I hope you can find and eliminate them as soon as you could."

"Don't worry, sir. Few questions. When and where was the last time bandits appear?"

"Well, the last time we spotted bandits were at the east side of Cat Mountain 2 days ago."

We talked quite for a long time until I decided it's time to leave. I already got the information about bandits. But as I about to leave, the village head suddenly stopped me from going out and asked to stay for a bit.

Then he went outside to see as to check if there is anyone eavesdropping. It kinda looked stupid since he is just an ordinary civilian it was impossible for him to spot shinobi no matter how he checks.

It seems like he doesn't want others to hear our next conversation, so I put on a sound seal around the room, so no shinobi could listen. I already know there are two Suna shinobi on the roof, trying to listen to our conversation. But with my sound seal, they no longer can hear us.

The village head came back after checking outside and locked the door. If others see his weird behavior, they will think he will fuċk me or something.

"Umm, Genji-san. Would you mind fulfilling my other quest?"

'The hell! The way he acts around is like he is going to **** me or something. Disgusting!!'

"Tell me what your other quest is quick. You are giving me a creep vibe."

"Sorry, Genji-san. Besides Bandits, I also want you to drive away Suna shinobi from this village too!"

I was stunned to hear this old senile man impossible quest.

"Old man, you know that there are around 100 Suna shinobi here. How in the freaking world do you seriously expect me to drive them all? Also, even if I managed to drive them away, what's in for me?"

The village head then showed something that took my interest greatly. It was a sack of bag, full of chakra metal ore.

'Wait, this village is reported not to have any natural resources such as Charka metal. Does that mean that the village head already knew about the chakra metal mine and hid from everyone?'