CH - 28 Shady Exchange

A/N: I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Gavin Martenies for their generous support and for becoming a patron on Patreon. Your decision to join at this early stage is immensely appreciated. Thank you for your support!

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Yahiko's excitement overflowed as he spotted Zetsu. "I've finally found you!" he exclaimed.

The disguised Spiral-faced Zetsu, pretending to be a human, responded in a dismissive tone, "Hey, kid, don't interrupt me while I'm busy with my business," as he glanced at the three children standing before him.

In truth, he wasn't particularly concerned about the red-haired boy or the blue-haired girl beside him. His focus was on the orange-haired kid right in front of him, staring at him intensely.

It felt as if the kid was saying... "There can only be one truth!"

Has he been discovered? Zetsu had been cautious, deliberately concealing his outing from Madara-sama to witness this human festival.

Being a relatively recent creation, he had primarily tended to Lord Madara and rarely ventured outside, unlike the other White Zetsu. He wanted to see firsthand how the human festival differed from the reports he had read.

But what he found was... it's quite lively! So many people and so many different things!

However, he didn't have any money to make a purchase. To avoid exposure and being unable to steal, he relied on his abilities to earn some money.

Drawing! And now... has he been discovered? Zetsu gripped his precious drawing board, prepared to make a swift escape if necessary.

And then... wearing a slightly indignant expression, he gazed at the three children in front of him. "I'm just an artist!"

However...

"Don't lie to me!" Yahiko sneered, pointing towards the nearby artwork. "These soft lines, this dreadful color scheme!"

A brief pause followed. "I can tell at a glance that you're the infamous art student who loves drawing poop!"

The words hung in the air as silence settled over the scene. Yahiko's sudden outburst attracted curious gazes from those around them.

Nagato and Konan exchanged glances, taking a step back with blank expressions, both thinking, "How embarrassing! Yahiko!"

Zetsu, too, was stunned. Indeed, he has been discovered... Wait, no, what was this nickname?

"The art student who loves drawing poop? It's rather... not bad?" Zetsu blinked, reflecting on the revelation.

"Hmph! Just as I suspected, you can't deceive me, Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki," Yahiko declared, placing his hands on his hips, about to boast when he glanced beside him.

"Huh? Where are Nagato and Konan? Nagato! Konan! Nagato..." Spotting Nagato crouching down, preparing to flee, Yahiko grabbed him back in disappointment. "What are you doing? Look! I've finally found him!"

Turning his proud gaze to the black-haired youth, the booth owner, Yahiko continued, "This is the second-in-command of Akatsuki! The academy genius! The first-class representative! Uzumaki Nagato!"

Speechless, Nagato remained silent, raising an eyebrow. Feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him, he desperately wanted to escape, feeling his toes tightly gripping the floor.

Nagato couldn't help but inwardly cry, 'Mom, I want to go home... No, I want to return to the Land of Rain.'

"I am not! I'm innocent! He's lying!" Nagato quickly refuted the claims, observing the perplexed looks of the people around them.

And across from him, Zetsu blinked. It appears that he hasn't been completely exposed, or maybe he has, but not entirely?

After contemplating for a moment, Zetsu mustered his courage and said, "Y-You... How dare you unjustly insult my integrity?"

"Just wait and witness the might of our Akatsuki organization for deceiving me like this!"

Yahiko sneered coldly, about to demonstrate the strength of the Akatsuki leader when suddenly, Nagato interjected, "No! Perhaps he's just an imposter!" Nagato, who desperately wanted to escape, managed to force a smile and continued, "After all, the incident with the art student who draws feces caused quite a commotion. Everyone is aware of it. And if this were an ordinary person sneaking into the school, do you think the teachers wouldn't have caught them?"

"Hmm, you might have a point!" Yahiko shook his head and regarded Zetsu seriously. "My instincts tell me... my hunch is correct! Even if this guy isn't the art student who draws feces, he must be connected to it." Rolling up his sleeves, he declared, "Let me investigate..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Nagato noticed something and pointed ahead, exclaiming loudly, "Huh? Yahiko, isn't that your dad? What is he doing sneaking around? Let's follow him and find out!"

Grabbing Yahiko's hand, they rushed toward the exit. Curiosity got the better of Yahiko upon hearing his dad mentioned, so he didn't resist.

As the two of them hurried away, Zetsu was left behind, wearing a perplexed expression.

"Am I... off the hook now?" He blinked, glancing at the two children who had already distanced themselves, then shifted his gaze to the person before him, letting out an inward sigh.

Oh well, I suppose I should close up shop! I've been here for quite a while, and I've only made a single sale... That kid's words almost exposed me too.

I managed to escape just in time. But upon returning, I'll probably receive a scolding from Madara-sama.

After all, I sneaked out without informing Madara-sama. At that moment...

"Dango! Dango! Delicious sweet dumplings! Taste them before you buy, they're scrumptious!"

Hearing the nearby stall owner's voice, Zetsu's eyes lit up, and he weighed the ten coins in his hand. "What about... getting some dango for Madara-sama?"

With that thought, a smile formed on his face, and he happily skipped over to the stall. "Boss, give me some dango!"

Haha, I'll bring a gift for Madara-sama. He wouldn't remain angry with me, right?

...

Meanwhile, Yahiko, who had been pulled away by Nagato, also caught sight of his own father.

However, his father's demeanor was unusual. Instead of his usual smile, he appeared secretive, wrapping himself tightly in a thick coat and holding something tightly in his arms. He glanced around cautiously.

What is Dad up to? Sensing that something was amiss, the two children exchanged glances. Without uttering a word or making any noise, they crouched down and stealthily followed behind.

As for Konan, she had transformed into a stack of papers and flown away earlier, leaving her whereabouts unknown.

The two little ones trailed from a distance. If it weren't for Nagato's keen perception, they would have either lost track or been discovered by now.

However...

"Why is Dad acting like this?" Yahiko furrowed his brow, observing the hidden alley with a serious expression. "Being so sneaky... could he be heading to an adult establishment? But this doesn't seem like the right place either!"

As he spoke, Nagato glanced at Yahiko with a perplexed look. How could he know it's not the right place? But now isn't the time to worry about that!

This area doesn't seem fitting, and Yahiko's dad is behaving suspiciously, carrying something in his arms and sneaking into this hidden alley?!

The two of them had a hunch. Is Yahiko's dad involved in selling information about the Land of Grass?

"No! Dad isn't like that!" Yahiko's eyes instantly turned red as he vehemently shook his head, glaring at Nagato with anger. "He deeply respects Akihiko-sensei, and Akihiko-sensei holds him in high regard. There's no way Dad would do something like that!"

"I understand. Maybe we're mistaken!" Nagato quickly tried to console the furious Yahiko. "We should report this to the authorities now or... find Sensei!"

"No! My dad is not like that!" Yahiko stood up resolutely, shouting, "Absolutely not! I will prove it! If he is... if he is involved, I will personally arrest him!"

With determination, Yahiko immediately turned and dashed into the alley, completely disregarding the concerned Nagato who followed closely behind.

Witnessing the scene, Nagato finally gritted his teeth and followed suit.

...

"You're here?"

"I'm here!"

"What about the items I requested?"

"Well, what about the items I requested?" Mubuki looked at the white-haired young man in front of him with a serious expression. "Let me see them first. You know, this is special..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a roar echoed from the entrance of the alley.

Mubuki was taken aback, realizing who it might be. His expression rapidly changed as he exclaimed, "We have a mole! Abort the deal!"

Confusion filled the white-haired young man's face. He couldn't understand why they were so afraid of two little kids.

"We're not doing anything wrong!" Before the person on the other side could react, Mubuki stepped out, and upon seeing the two children in front of him, his expression turned complex. "Why are you here?"

"Dad..." Yahiko locked eyes with Mubuki, understanding that his father's actions were dishonorable. Especially the person next to him... Yahiko recognized him. He had seen him in the Land of Rain. He was a ninja from Konoha!

Yahiko roared, unable to contain his anger, "How could you do something like this?!"

As Yahiko finished speaking, Mubuki blinked, his gaze shifting between the furious Yahiko and the cautious Nagato. He fell silent for a moment before sighing, "You found out?"

"Dad..." Mubuki's admission struck Yahiko with a sense of despair, but he still looked at his father with hope, pleading, "Come with me to meet the leader. Nagato and I will beg for the leader's forgiveness!"

"Meet the leader? Wait... leader?" Mubuki's expression twitched, but in the eyes of the two children, it conveyed refusal. He helplessly said, "Forget it! To avoid being exposed, I have to... both of you should just take a nap! When you wake up, you probably won't remember anything!"

As he finished speaking, Mubuki reached out towards the two children. Suddenly...

"Don't move! You're surrounded!" A resounding shout echoed from all around the alley.

Mubuki and Jiraiya froze, looking up to see ninjas standing and surrounding them, their crimson eyes fixed upon them.

Jiraiya looked at Mubuki beside him, silently asking, 'Are you betraying me? No, what is this about?'

Mubuki appeared bewildered. 'I don't know either!'

"Somebody reported that you are suspected of treason, Lord Mubuki. Please do not move!"

"Treason?!" The words slipped out of both their mouths in disbelief.

The two of them stood there, once again stunned, and then exchanged glances. 'Is it a crime to buy (sell) this book?'

Mubuki scratched his head, straightened his posture, and said, "You must have misunderstood. I was just..."

Before he could finish his sentence, someone shouted at him, "Don't move!"

Mubuki was immediately restrained!

"The evidence is conclusive, Lord Mubuki." Takeshi Chinoike emerged from the crowd with the two children, staring at Mubuki with a mixture of complex emotions. He sighed, "I didn't expect you to stoop so low. I've already sent someone to inform the leader. Now..." he glanced at the still bewildered Jiraiya, "Hand over your belongings..."

Before he could finish her sentence, due to the sudden movement, something slipped out of Mubuki's arms and fell to the ground.

All eyes turned towards the fallen object—a book with an obscene cover.

"Hiss~" Gasps filled the air as countless people quickly covered the children's eyes.

"Lord Mubuki, you..." They all stared at Mubuki with questioning gazes.

"I was just here to exchange the book!" Mubuki pleaded tearfully. "How does that count as treason?"

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