Chapter 261 — Dragon Father and Dragon Mother
The servants exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew who Ryūzetsu was—Young Master Muku's little playmate. Though they didn't quite understand the situation, they didn't dare disobey him.
A quick-witted servant asked, "Young Master, which way did they go?"
Muku immediately pointed ahead.
"That way! Hurry! Go!"
Hearing the urgency in his voice, the servants rushed off at a run.
But by the time they reached the docks, Fugaku had already boarded the boat with Ryūzetsu.
He had instructed the boatman earlier:
Wait for an hour. If I don't return, leave with the deposit.
The boatman was just about to push off when Fugaku paused, frowning slightly.
He wondered whether he should take Ryūzetsu's parents as well.
From this moment on, Ryūzetsu would essentially be his revival card.
If he died unexpectedly, she would have to use her own life to resurrect him.
If that was the case, then letting her family live comfortably—at least while she still lived—wasn't difficult. It was a small price to pay for someone holding his life in their hands.
With that thought, Fugaku stood up again, Ryūzetsu still unconscious on his shoulder.
"Guest… what are you doing?"
The boatman asked, startled by the sight of him carrying a limp little girl.
"It's none of your business. Leave."
Fugaku waved a hand dismissively, jumped off the boat, and stepped onto the water as if it were solid ground. Walking across the surface effortlessly, he returned toward the small settlement outside the city.
The boatman blinked, stunned. But since he'd already been paid, he didn't think too deeply.
Judging from how the man carried the unconscious child, he guessed this ninja probably wasn't doing anything good.
"I'd better get out of here before trouble comes."
Muttering under his breath, the boatman pushed off quickly.
---
Back in the Settlement
When Fugaku arrived carrying Ryūzetsu, the villagers outside the houses turned toward him in surprise.
They didn't recognize Fugaku.
But they did recognize the child on his shoulder—the Ryū family's daughter.
Someone immediately ran to call her parents, while others hurried over to ask questions, anxiety building.
Ryūzetsu was normally well-behaved, loved by everyone. Seeing her unconscious in the arms of a stranger made tension shoot through the crowd.
Several villagers reached toward the girl, trying to take her from Fugaku.
But a single cold look from him—heavy with killing intent—froze them in place.
Ordinary civilians could never withstand the killing aura of Uchiha Fugaku… the Fierce-Eyed Fugaku.
Even trained shinobi often struggled to breathe under that pressure.
The crowd instinctively backed away, trembling.
Finally, an older man gathered the courage to speak.
"Young man… thank you for bringing Ryūzetsu back. Please, hand her to us. Come sit and have some tea to rest."
Fugaku smiled faintly. "No need. I'm waiting for Ryūzetsu's parents. Please have someone call them."
The old man assumed Fugaku simply didn't want to hand the child over to strangers until he saw her parents, which was reasonable. Thinking this, he relaxed a little and ordered:
"Kusama, go call Ryūzetsu's parents quickly!"
Kusama didn't know someone else had already gone, but he nodded and ran off.
Another villager brought a chair for Fugaku, who politely declined. He had no intention of sitting. He simply stood there, Ryūzetsu resting weightlessly on his shoulder.
Awkward but helpless, the old man smiled and stood aside. Others gathered quietly, watching anxiously.
---
Ryūzetsu's Parents
In the fields, Ryūzetsu's mother paused, straightening up from her work.
"Husband… are they calling us?"
Next to her, Ryūzetsu's father—white-haired like his daughter—also stood upright. Despite his years, traces of his younger handsomeness remained.
"Calling us…?"
He listened again. The distant shouts indeed carried their names.
But why?
"Let's go. Something might have happened."
Pulling his feet free from the mud, he began heading toward the bank. Ryūzetsu's mother followed quickly.
Kusama reached them first.
Seeing them approach, he yelled breathlessly,
"Uncle Ryū! Aunt Ryū! Something happened to Ryūzetsu! You must hurry!"
Their expressions changed instantly.
Something happened!? How?
Ryūzetsu had gone to the City Lord's Manor to play with Muku—she should have been safe. She wouldn't leave the manor at this hour on her own.
"What happened to her!?"
Ryūzetsu's father demanded sharply.
"Where is she? Take us now!"
"This way!"
Kusama sprinted ahead, terribly anxious. On ordinary days, Ryūzetsu called him "Brother Kusama" sweetly, and he cherished her deeply. He often shared treats with her, even wished she were his real little sister.
Knowing she was in trouble made his heart twist with fear.
His only thought now was to bring her parents to her as fast as possible—and see what that strange man wanted.
---
A Stir at the City Gate
Back in the settlement, people suddenly turned toward the distant city gate. A commotion had erupted—soldiers were rushing out one after another.
"What's going on?"
Someone asked, confused.
"Did a prisoner escape?"
The theory made sense to many.
After all, Hōzuki Castle was a prison. A large number of soldiers pouring out looked exactly like a pursuit.
And since Fugaku stood calmly among the villagers, completely unfazed, no one even considered that he might be the cause of the chaos.
---