Chapter 164: Hidden Mist Village

Shikamaru quickly found out everything he wanted in a nearby inn and continued on his way. The hidden village was only verbally hidden, so Shikamaru immediately headed in that direction. From the words of the innkeeper, he understood that only the capital with Daimyo looks more or less solid, while the rest of the people throughout the country of Water do not look much better than in this port. Yagura's rule turned out to be ruthless not only to the shinobi of the village, but to the entire country as a whole. He used Daimyo as he pleased, and siphoned out all the resources from people for his own good. In general, not much was learned about the Settlement of the Hidden Mist, ordinary people did not even have a complete understanding of the exact path. Therefore, Shikamaru was moving along an approximate route, deep into the center of the Land of Water. Mountains and a rather harsh climate accompanied him for another couple of days, then he finally approached the right place ...

The density of the incredible fog was mesmerizing, without the ability of his eyes, Shikamaru simply could not see the path ahead. A white haze hid absolutely everything in a certain area. Several bridges and rocks were hidden among the lakes, and through them the path to the hidden village ran. It would be really difficult for outsiders to advance further, but Shikamaru was still not an ordinary shinobi, thanks to the Byakugan he was able to calmly advance further. So he crossed almost a kilometer of inhospitable fog, and then went out into an area surrounded by sharp rocks. At the intersection of the rivers, a stone bridge rose, and further on could be seen even higher mountains from which small waterfalls flowed down, there, in the lowland, Kiri, once called the Village of the Bloody Mist, was hiding.

Shikamaru saw numerous craters all over the place, completely filled with water. There were even several burned-out areas that were slowly colonized by newborn plants. In these places in the past, there have clearly been merciless battles. A distinct feeling of death filled everything around.

Continuing on his way, Shikamaru finally stopped at the stone gate, then the shinobi hidden in the shadows finally appeared.

Instantly, two silhouettes in Anbu masks appeared in front of the guy, and after them a whole party of other ninja appeared, judging by their appearance and equipment - Jonin. The fog in these places was still present, but not so thick, because Shikamaru could see everything with his normal vision, so he turned off the Dojutsu long ago.

Once surrounded, the guy took off his hood and immediately identified the leader of this team. He stepped forward and asked harshly:

- Who are you?! What are you doing on the territory of my village ?!

Shikamaru calmly shook his cloak to reveal the protector attached to his shoulder, then replied:

- Shikamaru Naru of the Leaf. I have a business with your Mizukage about a renegade.

The Chief Shinobi frowned at Shikamaru.

- What kind of apostate?

Shikamaru held out his hand sharply, and the Shinobi reacted instantly, pulling out their blades. The chief waved his hand and continued to peer into the actions of the intruder.

The guy folded the seal, and then a cloak with skulls instantly appeared in his palm. All the ninja around immediately shuddered, even their chief lost his composure for a moment:

- Santoru!

- So you know him? Shikamaru returned the cloak to the ring and covered his hands with the cloak again.

The chief shinobi nodded and after a quiet sigh replied:

“We tracked him down for almost a year, but then he disappeared. Those killed by this bastard are countless, both among our people and among the townspeople of the country.

Before he could finish, his partner Anbu stepped forward and asked a serious question:

"Did you kill him, Shikamaru Nara of the Leaf?"

The guy just nodded, but he heard in response:

- Amazing ... Sado's squad pursued him for three months, and almost everyone was killed, but you could ... How old are you?

Shikamaru smiled slightly.

- Is it so important?

"Well ..." The shinobi scratched the back of his head, but at that moment his more serious comrade coldly said:

- Enough chatter. Kotsu, tell Mr. Ao about our guest and tell him about Santora.

The named Kotsu nodded and instantly moved ...

The Chief Shinobi bowed slightly, greeting.

“My name is Nora, and Santora's murder is a big deal. Even for the Hunter Ninja, this mission turned into a nightmare. Thanks to.

“Don't, I’m not here for a reward and not because of Santora.” He may have killed many people in the Land of Fire, but this question does not concern me. Our shinobi were not harmed.

Nooru nodded and looked at his still focused companions.

- Return to posts.

Next, Nooru led Shikamaru out of the village gates and began to slowly lead him to the Mizukage residence. Usually, among the shinobi, it is not customary to take away weapons, since the ninja himself, even without weapons, is capable of much. In addition, Shikamaru came as a guest so Nooru did not even dare to start a conversation about it. Taking weapons from someone who was able to finish off an S-class criminal is simply a waste of time.

Both were silent on the way, but Shikamaru found it even helpful, calmly surveying the views of the Hidden Mist. The village turned out to be completely different, completely unlike Konoha. The defense was quite good, but in general, their barrier touched the fog, unlike the Liszt. In addition, the entire architecture of the village was reduced to stone buildings, albeit in a different style, but in the same color. Streets were mostly decorated with lantern lights or colorful signs. Everything looked a little gloomy, but still there was some kind of charm in it.

Ao appeared quite quickly, appearing in front of a pair of shinobi. This ninja was different from the common Anbu or other Jonin of the Mist. He wore a green haori with white trim, as well as rather strange talismans instead of earrings on his ears. His left eye was hidden by a black bandage. Shikamaru didn't even bother to pay attention to it, so he knew that this ninja was in possession of the Byakugan.

Ao appeared and immediately greeted, bowing slightly.

“Shikamaru Nara, my name is Ao, I am Lady Mizukage's advisor. Come with me, she wants to see you.

The guy was not particularly surprised, but just followed this calm shinobi. Although his studying gaze was a little unnerving, Shikamaru tried not to pay attention to it. In the past, he had the experience of meeting in a tense environment, so he didn't care about that. Plus, if they were smiling and welcoming, it would have caused much more anxiety, as it was like a controlled environment.

After walking a couple more blocks, on a small hill, Shikamaru was able to get an even better view of a rather impressive building in the center of the village. This was the Mizukage residence, two pairs of stone bridges led to it. The view was impressive, even better than the Hokage residence! The building is in the shape of a circle, with the same roof trimmed with purple tiles, and windows around the circle. Quality worthy of the leader of the whole village. Probably, Hashiram should have taken an example and built something grandiose.