lerbook #148 - Chapter 148 Sand vs. Cloud and Rock (3)
#148 - Chapter 148 Sand vs. Cloud and Rock (3)
“So many people!”
On the bustling street, two young girls named Sara and Kuru held hands, their eyes shining as they looked at the lively crowd on both sides, as well as the bustling shops, stalls, and snacks, walking here and looking there, as if their eyes weren't enough.
Behind them, Kunimi, looking like an adult, followed closely behind the two girls.
Although Kunimi looked serious, it could be seen from his relaxed state that he was actually very happy.
Just then, the aroma of grilled meat attracted Sara, and she happily ran through the crowded people.
This was an open-air barbecue restaurant. The owner of the barbecue restaurant, with a happy face, was turning the grilled meat on the grill, which exuded a tempting oily sheen. The small tables next to it were full of people, eating with greasy faces. Seeing Sara walking over, the chubby boss asked very enthusiastically.
“Would you like to try some, customer?”
Sara curiously pointed to the sizzling grilled meat and asked.
“Uncle, what is this?”
“This is our Sand Village's special barbecue: grilled camel. Would you like to try it?”
“Eh, can camel meat be eaten?”
“Of course, and it tastes very good!”
At this time, the girl named Kuru on the side asked strangely.
“Sara, didn't you have grilled camel in Rouran before?”
“I don't know about that, but I haven't eaten it before. My mother doesn't allow me to eat these things.”
Hearing this, Kuru also said with a smile on her face.
“Is that so? Then you must try it. Uncle, please give us three servings!”
“Oh, no problem, wait a moment!”
Soon, three servings of grilled camel meat were distributed to the three of them. Sara tentatively took a bite, and after finding that the taste was good, she completely let go and ate it in big mouthfuls.
Compared to Sara, who was the Divine Palace Maiden, and Kunimi, who was the son of Mikawa, Kuru, as a commoner, was still relatively humble in her heart, which made her more concerned about other people's thoughts. Seeing Sara's happy appearance, she was also very happy, but she soon noticed Kunimi, who was chewing slowly, and asked with some overthinking.
“What's wrong? Kunimi, is it not tasty? If you're not used to it, you don't have to force yourself.”
Kunimi's eyes were a little strange, but then he reacted and said.
“No, it tastes good. It's just that my father taught me that eating should be done slowly to be good for the stomach!”
“...”
Kuru was a little stunned, but then she realized Kunimi's identity and understood.
Sara on the side said with empathy.
“It's the same when I was in Rouran. The maids around my mother always wanted me to be a lady. I couldn't even make a sound when I ate. It was no fun at all. It's more interesting to eat meat in big mouthfuls like this.”
Hearing this, Kuru inexplicably seemed to feel that her identity as a commoner was not bad.
She didn't have to be like Sara and Kunimi, who were restricted by rules in everything.
Just then, suddenly, Kunimi's voice rang in their ears.
“Um, do you have any plans for tonight?”
“What's wrong?”
The two looked at Kunimi strangely. Kunimi thought for a while, and a trace of expectation appeared on his serious little face.
“I would like to invite you to my house as guests!”
“Eh, is that okay?”
Kuru was a little excited. As an ordinary commoner, she was naturally very interested in the life of the village's nobles: the Sand Clan. Sara directly agreed.
“That's great. Anyway, my mother won't be home these few nights, and I'm bored at home. By the way, we should prepare a gift for the first visit, right!”
“Yes, yes, yes!!!”
Kuru also reacted.
Kunimi immediately waved his hand and said.
“No need, no need, your presence is enough.”
“That won't do. How can we not prepare a gift for our first visit to a classmate's house!”
Kuru said with a stubborn face.
Sara's eyes lit up. As a former princess who was confined in the palace, she was full of curiosity about the colorful life now. She immediately made a decision.
“I've decided, Kuru, our mission today is to choose a gift to bring to Kunimi's house! Let's go!!!”
“Yeah, yeah, let's go!!!”
Seeing Sara and Kuru's happy appearance, a smile appeared on Kunimi's serious little face, and he followed closely.
And just as the three of them returned to the crowd, not far from where they were, in a small alley.
Two ninjas wearing Cloud Village headbands, their figures hidden in the shadows, watched the direction in which the three of them left.
“Are those them?”
“That's right! That black-haired kid is the only son of Mikawa, a high-ranking official in Sand Village, and that red-haired girl is the former queen of Rouran, now the only daughter of Shingu, the assistant to the Kazekage. If we want to quickly inquire about information about Sand Village, it's most appropriate to start with these two kids.”
“Okay, I understand. Leave it to me!”
As soon as the voice fell, the figures of the two disappeared into the wall....
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
On the other side of Sand Village, in a room at a certain hotel.
In the dark room, Huangtu, the ninja leading the Iwa Village team this time, secretly appeared here.
Opposite him was a man with a wine-stained nose and a body full of alcohol.
Compared to Cloud Village's temporary intention, Iwa Village had obviously prepared long ago. After the Grass Village incident, they had already sent spies into Sand Village to secretly investigate the affairs of the Uzumaki clan's orphans.
“Did you investigate the matter that Lord Tsuchikage asked you to investigate clearly?”
Facing Huangtu, a high-ranking member of the village, the wine-stained nose man asked with a nonchalant look.
“What is Lord Huangtu talking about?”
“The Uzumaki clan's orphan?”
The wine-stained nose man did not disappoint Huangtu.
“Found her. That girl is called Hanataba, and she is now a disciple of Chiyo, the elder of Sand Village, and lives with her.”
“Chiyo? That's really a tricky old woman. Is there any way to get in touch with this girl?”
“Sorry, it was possible, but recently, this girl has suddenly disappeared.”
“Suddenly disappeared? What do you mean?”
“It's the literal meaning. It seems that the people of Sand Village should have sensed your purpose and hid the girl.”
“Then can you find the place where she is hiding?”
The wine-stained nose man glanced at Huangtu. Huangtu took out a bag from his pocket and threw it in front of the man. After the man opened it and looked at it, a satisfied expression appeared on his face, and then he said.
“Sorry, I can't find it, but I can give you another special piece of information!”
“What information?”
“You should have heard of the green miracle that appeared in Sand Village, right!?”
“Hmm? What does this have to do with the girl's hiding place?”
“Hehe, it's very simple. I discovered something.”
As the man spoke, he reached out and pointed in one direction.
“In that direction, around Sand Village, there was originally supposed to be a desert, but suddenly a strange oasis appeared. Hehe, perhaps the source of all the secrets you are looking for is in that place, but I can't guarantee it, after all, I don't have the guts to approach there.”
Huangtu's pupils shrank, and then he nodded and stood up and said.
“I understand, thank you for your hard work, these gold coins are your reward!”
After saying that, Huangtu's figure gradually disappeared into the floor.
What Huangtu didn't see was that the wine-stained man didn't even pay attention to the brains on the table. Instead, a strange smile appeared on his face, along with pale, eerie skin, and white spores that stuck to their feet as they left...