Fleeing from Konoha

Oyashiro pretended to cry and began to whine.

Seeing Ichihime remain unfazed, he stopped his fake tears and laughed lightly, "But since you’re as adorable as my daughter, I’ll forgive you this time."

Looking at Oyashiro’s crying and laughing face, Ichihime was a bit unsure of this man’s true nature.

She couldn’t discern whether he was genuinely sad or just pretending.

His expressions and actions were perfectly executed.

Even though she told herself that he was just acting, she couldn’t help but be amazed by his performance, as if it were real.

"Names don’t matter. I’m here just to investigate something. I’ve heard you have some clout around here, so I wanted to get something from you."

At this point, Ichihime paused and continued, "Money for buying information is not a problem."

"Oh, it seems the young lady is the type of heiress who doesn’t really lack money. Indeed, my intelligence fees are quite expensive and most people can’t afford them, but the authenticity of the information is quite high."

Instead of boasting, Oyashiro was stating a hard fact.

"That’s good." Ichihime glanced at Oyashiro and got straight to the point, "I want to know if the merchants here are plotting something in the Land of Waves. And whether they are colluding with officials from the Land of Fire, causing the Land of Fire to completely ignore the situation in the Land of Waves."

"Well..."

Oyashiro glanced at Ichihime with slight surprise.

"What’s wrong?"

"No, I just find it odd. Aren’t you some important figure in the Land of Demons?"

Oyashiro’s smile turned peculiar.

Ichihime frowned, not speaking, which was a tacit admission.

"Before you arrived, an old friend asked me to assist espionage personnel from the Land of Demons military in investigating intelligence about some Forbidden Medicine. I thought you were here for this... but it turns out it’s related to the Land of Waves."

Upon hearing this, Ichihime was slightly astonished.

She understood that the military espionage personnel Oyashiro mentioned were likely sent by her father Hakushi for intelligence gathering.

That Forbidden Medicine was probably the taboo-enhancing medicine developed using Tailed Beast Chakra.

"So, it seems Land of Demons is not in the Land of Waves just for debt collection. Digging so thoroughly, what are they planning there?"

Oyashiro probed.

He felt he might have been deceived by Miyako.

He knew the Debt Collector from the Land of Demons went to the Land of Waves, but assumed it was just for normal debt collection, which obviously wouldn’t require such deep investigation.

Thus, the Land of Demons might be plotting something under the guise of debt collection.

First the major countries, now even the minor ones; Oyashiro was baffled by what the military from the Land of Demons was up to.

Despite having some understanding of the Land of Demons military through Miyako, there were also many unknowns.

Such as the Land of Demons’ plans in the Land of Waves.

Clearly not just for debt collection.

"Knowing too much isn’t good for you. Since Kado recommended me, your credibility should be intact. Even if it falters later, I’ll promptly resolve the issues."

Ichihime said.

"Scary, scary, you wouldn’t really plan on silencing me, right? I’m a benevolent arms dealer."

Oyashiro wiped nonexistent sweat from his face.

"I don’t have time to bicker with you here, just name your price."

Ichihime was a bit impatient, feeling unhappy with the man’s slick and ingratiating tone.

Standing here without a flaw, like a battle-hardened ninja, yet pretending to be an innocent merchant - it seemed insincere.

"Well well, don’t be so hasty, young lady. In this place, as long as you have money, you can buy many good things. Shall we have a meal together first?"

Oyashiro suggested.

Ichihime stared keenly at the eyes behind Oyashiro’s sunglasses, her expression beneath the mask was cold.

Seeing Ichihime’s refusal to budge, Oyashiro shook his head slightly, feeling bored.

"Really, you don’t understand any sentiment. Okay then, let’s proceed with the transaction. I do know some behind-the-scenes happenings related to the Land of Waves."

Oyashiro admitted he had some intelligence.

"How much for this information?"

Ichihime merely asked this.

Oyashiro laughed, "Ah, talking money is too vulgar, and do you think I’m a merchant who lacks money? For a merchant of my caliber, more money is just figures."

"Then what do you want? Or do you have any enemies you want to take revenge on?"

Ichihime asked.

"It’s all about goodwill with others; I don’t easily make enemies, for it could be troublesome to resolve them by the end of the day."

Oyashiro waved his hand, smiling carelessly.

"Tell me, what do you intend to do?"

Ichihime exhaled, directly inquiring Oyashiro’s intent.

As long as his aim wasn’t too outrageous, she might agree.

"For me, entertainment is more important than money. You are a ninja, aren’t you, young lady?"

Oyashiro smiled.

"Aren’t you one too?"

"No, no, I’m just a somewhat wealthy merchant; fighting doesn’t suit me. However, I enjoy watching others fight because it’s exhilarating."