Monitoring was the work of the ninjas. And it was their responsibility to find the culprit. But they hadn't shown any results yet.

This was the reason why Gozoto was furious at the man in front of him. But the man refused to explain. He chose to smile silently instead as if waiting for something.

*Knock* *knock

A knock resounded at Gozoto's door drawing in his attention. The lips of the man rose higher making Gozoto frown. Gozoto walked closer pulling open the door only to be greeted by Akihiko's face.

"Come in, Ueda Akihiko.

" The smiling man claimed.

Akihiko frowned but he walked in anyway.

Gozoto's temper got no better. He stormed close and lifted the man by his collar. His blood shot eyes threatened to kill him.

"Are you going to speak or…

"

"Gozoto… Gozoto… you must understand. I am not part of them. I am just a representative, not your punching bag.

"

"You!

"

Gozoto fist shook but he left the man letting him stand on his feet.

That was right. The man was a part of the Kishigakure village or to be more concise he was a representative the same as Klautz.

One must note that Mizukigakure was a newly found ninja village. Most of the recruits that went there were trained as ninjas. That means that Mizukigakure had but very few representatives causing Akihiko to work it out himself.

But the same wasn't true for Kishiogakure. It was an old village with its own share of history. As such most of their negotiations were carried out by representatives. The ninjas never made their appearance.

"Good that you understand,

" the man said as he brushed off his shirt that was distorted due to the lift.

The representatives had no role in the village's activities. As such Gozoto letting out his anger on the man would only prove detrimental to him. It wouldn't be taken in a good light. And Gozoto wasn't confident enough in ticking off the higher ups.

"What is going on here?

" Akihiko asked.

Gozoto sighed but the pulsating vein on his forehead didn't disappear.

"The Kishiogakure pulled back their ninjas.

" He claimed.

"We should have caught the culprit tonight otherwise.

"

Akihiko's ears twitched in surprise.

"Wait why?

"

Even Akihiko knew that what was needed for this mission was not strength but the greater number of ninjas which his own village being a fairly new one, was unable to provide. Naturally like every year the responsibility fell on Kishigakure but it seemed like this year it was not the same.

Gozoto glared towards the man. HIs splitting as if threatened to cut him apart.

But he could only raise his arms in submission.

"I don't make the decisions remember!

"

Nothing ticked Gozoto more than when a human weaker than himself tried to put on airs on him because of their strong backing. Tolerating the second gen was already his limit and now he must tolerate this good for nothing too? His hands itched to land a punch on his face.

One must note that Gozoto was like the teacher… the sole de facto of the newbie drill. He was like a teacher to the newbies of course but even more so to the second gen. And they were a headache to him. He had to go through this same migraine every year when the newbies flaunted their backings and tried to belittle him.

'Just you wait, one day I would make you guys mouth shut tight!'

That was what he wanted and he was moving steadily forward towards it. It was just that it was not the time for it yet.

And that was also the reason why Gozoto was interested in the culprit. He would be lying if he said that he didn't want to capture the culprit himself. For it would have made a fine spot in his collection.

'Tsk, I left it to him but they!'

But the circumstances didn't allow Gozoto to find the culprit alone. This was causing even more of a headache because the ninjas who were supposed to corporate, backed away.

"Why?

" Gozoto slammed his fist.

"I need a proper explanation for this.

"

Gozoto's anger wasn't unfound. Technically speaking he was their client and they were bound by the contract to help him yet they pulled back.

"I want a refund!

" Gozoto screamed.

"Holy Moly, chill pal. We already know who the culprit is. There is no need to be worried.

"

Gozoto squinted his eyes.

"What do you mean?

"

"We will catch the culprit the day after tomorrow at the earliest. So we are doing your work, not breaking the deal. You have no entitlement to ask for a refund.

"

The man spoke nonchalantly as he cleaned his long nails.

"What the **? Why are you delaying?

" Gozoto asked tilting his head.

The man shrugged not caring even a single bit about Gozoto's worry.

"Well, my superior said that there is a lack of ninjas in the village so we don't have enough ninjas for this mission.

"

Akihiko gritted his teeth. Any further arguments were pointless for he understood the meaning behind their words. They were delaying it purposely and they knew Akihiko cannot afford it to be delayed.

No matter who it was whether it be Kishiogakure or the obsessive Akihiko or Gozoto himself, they all had their own interests in mind. No one cared for the innocent lives that were dying in the newbie drill one after the other. For them, they were just like ants. If a few of them die more will come over. There was no need to worry.

But their death wasn't what Akihiko was concerned with.

'They will be coming tomorrow. I need to catch the culprit before that.'

Gozoto gritted his teeth.

"Speak! What do they want.

"

The man shrugged nonchalantly as he nodded. Finally, Gozoto was able to get the cue.

***

Author:

Creation is hard for authors. Cheer me up with your power stones.

Let me know about your thoughts on the chapter in the comments sections.