Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 62: Sudden Change

As the town mayor was about to step into the inn, Kurenai grew increasingly anxious. But just then, she spotted Raido, who was charging toward the inn in a hurry, making a big, dramatic scene.

"Mayor! Mayor!"

The youthful and energetic shout forced the mayor to stop in his tracks.

The middle-aged man initially had no desire to acknowledge the sudden disturbance. However, he knew from experience that some brats had a talent for making a scene at the worst possible moments.

Even though this inn had decent soundproofing, there was no guarantee that this kid wouldn't start pounding on doors or yelling louder.

Reluctantly, he turned and walked toward the source of his headache, eventually spotting Raido standing at a corner of the inn.

As the mayor laid eyes on the boy, he felt a strange sense of familiarity—and then his gaze fell upon the black sword in Raido's hands.

Wasn't that the grand prize from the Sword Tournament?!

Realization struck him.

This kid had defeated over a dozen master swordsmen.

The mayor's breath hitched, and for a brief moment, he hesitated to speak.

"Oh! Finally found you!" Raido grinned innocently, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You're the mayor, right?"

His tone was so childish that even Raido himself found it disgustingly fake—but he had no choice.

Genma had ordered him to act this way.

It was embarrassing, but for the sake of the mission, he had to endure it.

The mayor, however, felt a deep sense of unease.

Why was this kid looking for him?

More importantly, why did such a dangerous child follow him all the way to the inn?

Years of ruling a border town had honed the mayor's instincts for reading people and sensing danger.

And right now, his instincts were screaming at him.

"Yes, yes! I'm the mayor," he forced a smile, masking his wariness. "What can I do for you, young man? I'm very busy, you know~"

"Hehe, Mayor!" Raido beamed, trying to look as innocent as possible. "I was just watching the tournament, and I heard you used to be an amazing swordsman! So I wanted to challenge you in a friendly match!"

He tilted his head playfully, making his biggest, brightest puppy-dog eyes at the mayor.

The mayor's eye twitched.

Why?!

He wasn't some wandering warrior—he was a politician!

And yet, here was a kid begging him for a duel like they were in a samurai drama!

He forced a chuckle, carefully choosing his words:

"Ahaha, my dear boy, I am far too old to fight someone as young and strong as you! My job as mayor keeps me quite busy, and I must take care of my health, you see."

"Oh, don't worry!" Raido grinned wider, pulling out two wooden training swords from behind his back. "We can use these! That way, you won't get hurt!"

The mayor's jaw dropped.

Where the hell did this kid even get those?!

The inn's server, sensing the mayor's discomfort, immediately stepped in.

With a sharp glare, the server barked:

"Hey, kid! The mayor doesn't have time for this nonsense! Get lost before I throw you out!"

"Hey now, why are you speaking for him?" Raido pouted dramatically, tilting his head. "You're blocking the mayor—how rude!"

The server stiffened, realizing he had overstepped his role.

But he quickly recovered, stepping aside with a falsely humble bow, allowing the mayor to speak for himself.

The mayor appreciated the intervention, but he knew he had to keep up appearances.

He sighed dramatically, keeping his tone gentle and patient:

"Young man, it's not that I don't want to talk with you, but I truly have urgent work to do. How about we reschedule for another day?"

The server, now confident in his position, sneered at Raido:

"You heard him, brat. Scram, or I'll have you kicked out."

Raido stuck out his tongue, making a childish "bleh" noise. "Fine, I'm leaving!"

With a dramatic stomp, he marched away—but in reality, his mission was already complete.

As per Genma's orders, he had calculated the perfect amount of time to stall.

Now that his distraction was over, he left without a fuss, ensuring that he didn't arouse further suspicion.

Meanwhile, the mayor sighed in relief, brushing off his uneasiness.

He had more important things to focus on—like the woman waiting for him in Room 201.

"Quickly! Prepare a quiet room for me and bring the lady from Room 201," he ordered. "Make sure everything is done discreetly!"

His ears turned red, his breath heavy with excitement.

The server smirked knowingly, bowing deeply.

"Of course, sir."

—

Inside the private suite, the mayor marveled at the lavish interior.

Unlike ordinary guest rooms, this one had thick, soundproof walls, a massive, luxurious bed, and fragrant incense supposedly designed to enhance one's stamina.

The mayor shivered with anticipation.

When the server finally knocked, announcing the arrival of the mysterious lady, the mayor practically sprinted to the door.

"Ohoho~!" he gasped, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

The woman was even more stunning up close.

As soon as the door swung open, the mayor yanked her inside.

But at that moment…

A new, elegant figure entered the inn.

A beautiful, well-dressed woman, radiating an icy aura of authority.

The moment she stepped inside, the server and the innkeeper both collapsed to their knees in terror.

"I heard this inn provides excellent service," the woman said calmly, her voice devoid of anger—yet suffocatingly cold.

"My husband seems to frequent this place quite often."

Both the server and the innkeeper trembled violently.

This was the mayor's wife.

And even though she lacked her husband's political power, her background was nothing to scoff at.

With just a single command, she could destroy their entire livelihood.

"Shall I remind you again?" she asked, her tone light yet razor-sharp.

"N-No need, madam!" the innkeeper stammered, hastily offering a key. "Please, right this way!"

The server, now pale as a ghost, reluctantly led the mayor's wife to the room.

Moments later—

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

A horrific scream pierced the air, followed by the mayor's terrified squeals.

Genma, Kurenai, and Raido—who had been keeping watch—instantly realized something was wrong.

Without hesitation, they stealthily surrounded the room from three different angles.

Inside—

The seductive woman had her kunai pressed against the mayor's throat.

"Tch. What a useless pig. Looks like I won't have to seduce him after all. Killing him is more efficient."

But before she could deliver the fatal blow—

Vines erupted from the floor, binding her arms and legs.

Her eyes widened in shock.

"This is…?!"

Before she could react, her mind was ensnared in an illusion.

In that instant, the mayor broke free, fleeing toward the door in panic.

As the assassin collapsed to the ground, two kunai pressed against her throat.

She was trapped.

End of Chapter 62