Bear School Astartes

The situation became clear with the exchange of intelligence.

Wolf's adoptive father, the massive Ninja—Owl, was the biggest traitor to the Hirata family tonight.

Wolf took out the key from his body that opened the hidden Buddhist Hall.

His brain, focused on saving his master, also started to think.

Adoptive father gave me this key 'before dying' to lead me here, and then to fight Lady Butterfly, who was already tense due to betrayal.

Regardless of the outcome of this battle, only one thing is certain—

The defensive power of Lord Yuzi will be exceedingly weak!

So does my adoptive father… intend to harm the master?

"How are you, Wolf?"

Lady Butterfly's fingers still tightly gripped the kunai, and her eyes, as lifeless as a corpse's, were fixed upon Wolf.

"After knowing the truth, are you still loyal to the Iwami Hattada Clan, loyal to your master, Lord Jiulang?"

Uncharacteristically, the always quick, sharp, and straightforward Wolf was now gnashing his teeth.

The muscles in his jaw bulged and fell, just like the turmoil inside his heart.

After a moment, the small Ninja regained his calm.

He sheathed the Samurai Sword in his hand and braced the ground with his right hand, kneeling before Lann's side, facing Yuzi.

He bowed his head deeply and whispered, "Lord Yuzi."

The attitude was clear.

In Owl's teaching, the primary duty of a public-facing Ninja is 'the master is supreme.'

But privately, the adoptive father once told me 'except for parents.'

But now, when the loyalty taught by the adoptive father conflicts with Wolf's own principles, this always obedient Ninja made his choice amidst overwhelming emotions.

He must protect Yuzi Jiu Lang, he must protect this child. Death does not deter him!

"Wolf!" Yuzi ran over, placing his small hands on Wolf's shoulders.

Compared to the 'clear of suspicion' warriors from the Ming Country, it was the day-in-day-out companionship with Wolf that brought him steadfast conviction.

"I understand."

Lann nodded.

"Then let's make some preparations now."

-----------------

The tall Giant Ninja landed silently. It was as if his weight, his thick and frightening fur, clothes, and weapons… nothing on him was a hindrance to his stealth.

Even stepping into the muddy water of the Buddhist Hall didn't make Owl make the slightest sound.

The two commanders of the Lonely Shadow Group, Zheng Jiu and Zheng Chang were now absent, but Owl felt nothing amiss.

They belong to the Inner Mansion, concerned only with obliterating the Hirate family and weakening Iwami's national strength.

Whether Lord Jiulang is captured alive or dies amidst chaos, it makes no difference to them.

But Owl is different; he is not simply a betraying Ninja.

Rather than joining the Inner Mansion for the sake of their offer, even that reason was just a guise.

What he truly wanted was Jiulang himself!

And now, he was about to achieve it.

Butterfly lay on the ground, unable to stop the bleeding, while Wolf caught his breath after just vanquishing the enemy.

The elder, covered in hair, smirked silently, his expression joyful yet soundless.

He slowly drew a Ninja knife from his back, nearly equivalent in size to Chongzang's weapon.

Holding it before him, he was poised to stab into Wolf's back heart!

"Ding!" went a crisp sound.

Owl's eyes beneath his long eyebrows widened abruptly!

Because his adopted son was now blocking his concealed thrust with a reverse blade!

The plan was wrong!

Upon realizing this, the seasoned Ninja immediately retreated.

Yet even at this decisive moment, his prone old companion suddenly struck him hard.

Originally bleeding endlessly in Owl's eyes, Lady Butterfly, who hadn't breathed her last, suddenly raised her hand, firing a slender kunai at Owl's face!

"Uwah!"

The Giant Ninja turned his face with effort, but when he responded, one eye was already slashed open along with the socket!

No longer daring to drag his feet, Owl rushed toward the sole exit of the Buddhist Hall.

The blood flowing from his face dyed his eyebrows, beard, and robes red, paired with his clawed expression and physique, he looked like a rampaging beast.

And just as this beast was about to rampage toward the exit, a silhouette emerged from behind a wooden pillar.

With gloved hands gently resting on the Buddhist Hall's wooden door.

Instantly, a flash of purple Magic Light covered the sole exit like a water wall.

Magic trap—[Yarden Magic Seal].

Just with a rampaging expression moments ago, Owl swiftly turned lightly like a spirit cat, landing in the center of the Buddhist Hall, without rushing into the unseen light curtain.

And his rampaging face vanished as if it never appeared.

This seasoned Ninja was always scheming for disguise.

"Hmm… How interesting."

The remaining eye scanned quietly around. Under thick whiskers, his lips moved.

"Wolf, Butterfly, it's tolerable. But Warriors from the Ming Country, how could they use such despicable tactics?"

Lann withdrew his hand that arranged the [Yarden Magic Seal], giving a slight pat.

"Sorry, my ethics differ from your warriors here. Say what you will, I don't feel offended at all."

Owl watched Wolf and Butterfly slowly close in, lowering his body, tensing his muscles.

"Not offended? I think you're just another Ninja! A Ninja with other motives that infiltrated the Hirata family!"

"Wolf! Butterfly! Don't be deceived by him! Listen to his breathing! Look at his steps! As I came in, I didn't even notice he was behind a pillar near the exit! This skill in breath-holding, do you still think he's a Warrior?!"

"Don't slander people, old man."

Lann pulled out the Lady of the Lake's Sword from behind, weighing it in his hand, adjusting his grip.

"I practiced hard to achieve this. Forgotten that Lonely Shadow Group's Ninja manual?"

"Forget? How long do you intend to fool us loyal retainers of Iwami!"

Owl seemed like an indignant warrior witnessing his lord's humiliation.

"If within less than ten days, one could master your level without a guided Ninja manual, why ever would we Ninjas need apprentices?"

The words were sincere and assured.

If judged by a third party on the scene, they wouldn't likely think the sorrowful-faced old man was anything malicious.

But, triangulating him within, the three faces were either indifferent or amused.

In Owl's eyes, Lann's inquiries during Wolf's rest couldn't be considered guidance.

But Wolf noticeably felt Lann's learning progress each time they met.

Lann's Ninja traits in breath-holding and silencing were watched by Wolf as he practiced.

In Owl's eyes, the most unreasonable and suspicious aspects were ironically the least doubtful.

The scheming and diversion of attention plan announced bankruptcy.

The Giant Ninja's mouth twitched as he spat a bloody spat, clutching his blade tightly.

All that remained was for the sword to speak.