Chapter 21: HERO
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Day [28/40]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [24 Days]
NEW MISSION: THE CORRUPT MERCHANT
Gather evidence of a corrupt merchant and sabotage his operations.
"Your target is a corrupt merchant named Hideo Tanaka," Taikumi explained. "He's been gouging the local market with stolen goods. We need you to gather evidence and sabotage his operations."
According to the mission details, a regular shipment would arrive tonight. Following the scroll's directions, I made my way to the docks. The salty air filled my lungs as I crouched behind a stack of crates, just in time to watch a weathered ship pull into port. Crew members scurried about, securing the vessel for the night. My eyes narrowed. Judging from the security, it had to be Tanaka's illicit cargo.
I slipped onto the docked supply ship under the cover of darkness, weaving through a maze of crates and barrels. The air was pungent with spices. In the distance, thunderclouds lit up the sky with flashes of lightning. With Kitty by my side, I counted the number of guards on patrol, assessing the situation.
Finding the evidence in an office was the easy part. I uncovered ledgers detailing the merchant’s illegal price-gouging activities and stashed them in my inventory. All text was in a foreign script, resembling a mix of Japanese and Arabic. But anything relevant to my mission appeared in English—a feature I assumed was courtesy of the Jingozi.
After more exploration, I found and punctured any container that might be flammable. The guards were surprisingly lax, milling around and distracting themselves with idle conversation. We slipped away undetected back onto the dock.
On the other side of the port, about the length of two football fields away, I loaded a [2/5] card and checked the red guiding vector on my interface. The shot would fall short. Switching to a [3/7] card, the vector extended far enough to reach the target if I arced it like a golf shot. Charging it with 9 Zii would ensure maximum impact.
The card zipped into a supply shed on the dock, starting a fire. Alarms blared as the crew rushed off the ship to extinguish the growing blaze. My next card, a fully charged [6/7], sailed through a window in the hull and exploded inside. Within moments, the entire vessel burst into flames.
MISSION COMPLETE: THE CORRUPT MERCHANT
Gather evidence of a corrupt merchant and sabotage his operations.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [2/10]
Remaining Time: [24 Days]
“Stop right there!”
A pair of Samurai guards spotted me, but I threw a smoke bomb at their feet. With no other option, we dove into the icy waters and hid beneath the dock. Kitty kept me warm as more guards searched the area above. Once they gave up and moved on, I dragged myself into a nearby shack.
“That was way too close, Kitty. Let’s not do that again.”
* * *
Day [29/40]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [23 Days]
NEW MISSION: THE CORRUPT OFFICIAL
Gain leverage on a minor Samurai official extorting the poor.
The information from the corrupt merchant’s ledgers pointed me to my next mission target—a minor Samurai official involved in a related extortion scheme. My mission was to confront and intimidate him into ceasing his activities. After speaking with local merchants, I learned he frequently enjoyed the company of geishas sent from a nearby brothel.
It was another stormy night. I positioned myself on a roof across the brothel, watching the geishas prepare for their regular visits, waiting until their cart was ready to depart. A well-placed [2/4] card disabled the back wheel. Disguising myself as one of the geishas, I wrapped my Ninja scarf to cover my hair and adjusted my kimono to look the part.
Arriving at the official’s residence, Kitty leaped onto the roof. As we both leveled up, our communication verged on telepathic, allowing us to sense each other’s intentions without words.
A guard stopped me at the entrance. I told him I was a surprise appointment, compliments of the house for his generous patronage. Summoning my best geisha charm, I flirted with him, batting my eyes with a seductive smile. My disguise wasn’t perfect—like Sora’s would have been—but I flashed enough skin to compensate. Taken by the act, he motioned me in without further questions.
I stepped into the official’s office, eager to get out of my ridiculous outfit. Once inside, I transformed the kimono into my Ninja suit. Spending 1 Zii, its self-cleaning and repair function dried me off in a flash. I searched the office.
Moments later, a guard entered to check on me. My kimono transformed back in a heartbeat, and I reappeared as a geisha. The guard found me lounging on the desk, attempting the cutest pouty face I could muster. After ogling, he licked his lips and left. As soon as the door closed, the Ninja suit was back on.
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When the official finally entered, I wasted no time. Stepping forward, I held up the incriminating papers.
“Recognize these?”
“Who are you? How did you get those?” his surprise turned to anger.
I let the weight of the evidence do the talking. The official’s response was a bribe, offering money and political favors. He shifted to threats when he saw I wasn’t swayed.
“You have no idea who you’re trifling with,” he stepped closer.
Kitty slipped in through an open window, as silent as a whisper. She leaped onto his back, wrapping her tail across his chest. Scales pierced through his uniform, just enough to send the proper message. The color drained from his face, and sweat beads formed on his brow.
“What you’re experiencing,” I said, “is what I affectionately refer to as the corset of blades. It’s a horrible way to die. I’ve seen it firsthand.”
With a mental nod, Kitty’s scales dug deeper as blood started to seep through his clothes.
“Alright, alright!” he pleaded. “I’ll stop! Just get this thing off me!”
Kitty released him, darting back to my side.
“I’d retire and rethink your life choices, or we’ll be back.”
“Guards! Help!”
My smoke bomb exploded in the office, and we vanished, along with all other records he’d never want to become public.
MISSION COMPLETE: THE CORRUPT OFFICIAL
Gain leverage on a minor Samurai official extorting the poor.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [3/10]
Remaining Time: [23 Days]
I stopped by the brothel. The wagon was still unrepaired, and the officer hadn’t sounded any alarms. Despite this, I worried about retaliation.
I froze, realizing my face was completely exposed. How could I have been so careless? The adrenaline from the mission must have clouded my judgment. I quickly reached for my mask, but it was too late.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" a sultry voice called out.
I turned to see an elegant woman emerge from the brothel's entrance. Her elaborate kimono and confident demeanor marked her as the Okami—the madam of the establishment.
"A little ninja playing dress-up, are we?" she smirked, her eyes appraising me. "You know, with a face like that, you could make a fortune here instead of risking your pretty neck out there."
I tensed, ready to bolt, but she waved her hand dismissively.
"Relax, child. I have no interest in turning you in. Bad for business, you see. But I do have a proposition for you."
Before I could respond, several geishas appeared behind her—faces painted white and lips blood-red. They moved with seductive grace, circling me like predators.
"Come now," one cooed, running a long, painted nail along my arm. "Why fight when you could live in luxury?"
"We could teach you things you've never dreamed of," another pressed against my back, her breath hot on my neck.
"Thanks, but no thanks," I stepped away, my voice firm.
The Okami laughed, a sound like tinkling bells.
"Oh, darling. Do you think what you're doing now isn't working? At least here, you'd be safe. Protected."
The other geisha joined in with a chorus of giggles, sounding like a bunch of drunk junior-high brats.
"That's enough, girls, back to work," the Okami waved dismissively. She fixed me with a piercing stare. "Remember, little ninja. My offer stands. When you tire of playing hero, there will always be a place for you here."
"I have a counteroffer," I said.
Handing the brothel Okami a heavy pouch of coins and currency notes swiped from the official, I instructed her to give all her girls the week off. She was initially obstinate, as expected, but I pressed a Jingozi token into her palm for good measure. Her face went pale, noticeable even under the thick makeup. She recanted with a rapid succession of bows.
Day [30/40]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [22 Days]
NEW MISSION: THE SECRET MEETING
Protect the meeting of a local resistance group.
The leaders of a local resistance group organized a secret meeting to strategize against the Samurai regime. The contract was to protect the meeting from spies, saboteurs, and even rogue mercenary Ninjas. The clandestine gathering was convened in an abandoned temple on the city’s outskirts.
The night was crisp and clear, and the moon cast shadows on the ancient stone walls. I crouched in the rafters, watching for any signs of intrusion.
Kitty climbed up a beam to my side and thumped her tail. Clambering onto the roof, I nodded, and she jumped out the window. Blinking into the Jingozi arena, I assessed the situation. A group of six slinking through the forest appeared to be regular mercenaries—not Ninja.
“Are we having fun yet?” the voice teased.
“When did you get so cheeky?” I laughed.
After blinking back, I wasted no time loading more Jingozi cards. I sent them sailing through the air, each transforming into a flash grenade upon impact. The forest erupted into a dazzling light display, blinding the unsuspecting spies. Their confusion was palpable, and I couldn't help but enjoy the sight as they stumbled about, disoriented and unsure.
In a flash, Kitty parked herself beside me to watch the show.
"This is probably overkill, Kitty. But I need the practice. Watch this."
A barrage of smoke bombs engulfed the area in thick, choking clouds, filling the air with startled shouts and curses. Not stopping there, I unleashed a volley of concussive shots, the mini booms echoing through the night. The combination of sensory overload proved too much for our unwelcome guests. I watched with satisfaction as they scattered like leaves in the wind, stumbling and tripping over each other in their haste to retreat to their original hiding spots.
MISSION COMPLETE: THE SECRET MEETING
Protect the meeting of a local resistance group.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [4/10]
Remaining Time: [23 Days]
I felt more accomplished in one month than in all my twenty-four years. Entering the war room, Hikari and Kaito’s faces lit up with excitement.
“Hey, you two! How did your missions go?” I asked, giving them an embrace.
“I stole this from a secret Shogunate vault. It contains documents that will ruin several corrupt officials.” Kaito grinned, holding up a small, hand-carved box.
“I exposed a high-ranking Samurai having an affair with the Shogun’s wife and concubine,” Hikari added. “He’s in hiding, but the scandal is out.”
We drank tea and exchanged more stories, reveling in our success.
“Ember,” a stern voice cut through our conversation. Taikumi stood at the entrance, looking uncharacteristically grumpy. “I need to speak with you. Now, please.”
With a gulp, I followed him into a more secluded part of the temple. Kaito and Hikari watched with concern but stayed behind.
“The city is whispering about a Jingozi Ninja,” Taikumi began. “They say she’s the new hero to the people. You’re attracting too much attention.”
“I’m being careful. And what’s wrong with being a hero? I’m fixing the problems in this city, helping people with no one else to turn to, like you told me to.”
“You’re putting the entire guild at risk! We operate in secret for a reason. The more visible you become, the more danger you bring to all of us.”
“I don’t care about staying in the shadows. People need help, and I’m giving it to them.” I crossed my arms.
“By shutting down a brothel for a week?”
“What else was I supposed to do?”
“A Jingozi token, no less,” he shook his head. “You’re not listening, Ember. This isn’t just about you alone. It’s about all of us. If you draw too much attention, the Shogun will bear the weight of all his might down on the entire guild.”
“It is about me. It’s about getting home, Taikumi.”
“That’s not what you said a moment ago. What is it about, then?”
Part of me knew he was speaking the truth and had me dead to rights. But I opened my stubborn mouth to argue anyway. He raised his hand to stop me.
“One day, my child, you will learn that not all problems are yours to fix or can be fixed, especially your own.”
“But, Taikumi—"
“Enough of this troubling conversation,” He raised his hand again. “The twins will take you back to your cell tonight. An official diplomatic negotiation is scheduled for tomorrow.”
As he turned to leave, Sora stood in the doorway. She met my gaze, her expression a stone-cold poker face.