NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25 – Investigating the Missing Children Case
In a secluded corner of the Land of Waves—
"Boss, what's the point of us grabbing all these kids?"
A new group of children had just been dragged in, and the other gangsters working under the shipping company were visibly unhappy.
They were supposed to be gangsters, yet this felt more like human trafficking.
"You don't get it," the one called Boss snapped. "This was President Gato's brilliant decision. You dare question it?"
Clearly, this "Boss" was the leader here. Judging by his strength, he seemed to be a chunin—but probably a missing-nin from some unknown village.
"It's all those damned villagers, always whining about building the bridge!"
He spat on the ground, rage flashing in his eyes.
Couldn't those idiots just shut up and keep working for Gato like obedient slaves?
"This time we've taken so many of their kids. Let's see who still dares to bring up that bridge again!"
A sinister laugh burst from his throat.
"But Boss, I heard that old bastard Tazuna went to Konoha to request backup?"
The others glanced at each other nervously.
Even among smaller nations, the name Konoha carried weight.
"Hmph, like that broke geezer could afford Konoha's fees."
Boss dismissed the concern with a wave.
Tazuna didn't have a dime to his name. He probably posted a random C-rank mission at best. And everyone knew what to expect from a C-rank.
Sure enough, just as they expected—by the time Nagi arrived on the Land of Waves' main island, the village was in chaos.
Parents whose children had gone missing were frantically searching, panic etched on their faces. It was a dirty tactic, but using children as leverage was incredibly effective.
And then Nagi appeared—like a savior from the heavens.
"Thank goodness, a real ninja! We're saved!"
When they saw the forehead protector on Nagi's head, the villagers rushed toward him.
Several mothers even dropped to their knees.
"Please, ninja-sama, save our children!"
Nagi hadn't even asked what had happened yet when an unpleasant voice interrupted from the side.
"Well, well… Looks like you've really lost it, begging some snot-nosed brat for help!"
A group of flashy-looking young thugs swaggered out of a nearby tavern, sneering at the grieving mothers.
"Stand up first."
Nagi glanced at them once, then ignored them completely.
Just some wannabes. Not even real shinobi.
You could find people like this anywhere in the ninja world.
"Someone tell me what's going on," Nagi asked, scanning the crowd for someone who looked capable of explaining.
"Ahem, ninja-sama… I'm the village chief."
An old man stepped forward. He didn't look much better off than anyone else here.
"I'm a ninja from Konoha," Nagi said. "I accepted your request to investigate the missing children case."
After arriving in the Land of Waves, he'd immediately noticed how poor the area was. Most of the villagers looked half-starved. Aside from those cocky punks earlier, everyone here looked like they were on death's door.
But after chatting with the chief, Nagi uncovered something crucial.
"You're saying that all the families whose children were taken were the ones pushing hardest to build the bridge?"
"Yes, ninja-sama!" the village chief nodded respectfully.
That made everything clear.
Aside from Gato, who else would go this far?
Still… something about it felt off.
"This all feels a little too convenient."
The village chief blinked. "Convenient?"
Nagi swept his gaze across the crowd. Just from a quick glance, there were dozens of families affected.
If all of them supported the bridge project—how did Gato know?
"You think… there's a traitor in our village?"
The old man's eyes went wide, quickly grasping what Nagi meant.
"Whoever it is that sold out our own people, get out here now!"
The chief was practically trembling with rage. His blood pressure might've spiked from the shock.
If it hadn't been for this ninja clearing the fog, they'd still be completely in the dark.
"Chief, how can you just believe some outsider?"
"Yeah, maybe he's the one Gato sent to mess with us!"
The same group of thugs started shouting again, clearly displeased with Nagi's accusation.
They tried to claim he was sent to sow discord and turn the villagers against one another.
Nagi, however, only smiled calmly.
"The traitors have already exposed themselves. I don't need to say another word, do I, Chief?"
The entire crowd went still.
"Y-You… What are you talking about?! Chief, he's slandering us!"
"Slander!" they cried, their faces going pale.
Typical. What could you expect from small-time punks?
"You bastards…" The village chief glared at them furiously. He wanted to believe Nagi.
Compared to these lazy scoundrels, Nagi radiated a kind of righteous aura.
"We're innocent, Chief! We're just as heartbroken about the missing kids!"
The thugs forced out a few fake tears, but the chief wasn't buying it.
"If that's true," Nagi said, "then how do you explain why the other villagers are gaunt and malnourished… while you lot are glowing with good health?"
That one line tore through their flimsy disguise.
"Yeah! Those guys haven't worked a day in their lives, don't farm, don't fish… but lately they've been eating meat every day!"
With Nagi laying out the logic, the rest of the villagers started catching on.
The thugs, realizing the tide had turned, flew into a rage.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]