Shinobi Savior

So this is the other world Aldo spoke of, and the capital of its western land...

Although it was once engulfed in the flames of war, the people and market still thrive. They have a strong will to live, much like the people of Kogane.

Huh?

A ninja cat? What is it doing here?

Is this...for me? Could someone have asked this cat to deliver a message?

Let's see what it says... "Celebrating 30 years in business! To show our gratitude, all dishes are half price."

It seems like an ordinary flyer, but no ninja cat would deliver such a thing. Could it be a code, perhaps? Then there must be a clue to decipher it. Let's see... "Our waitress will be putting on a ninjutsu performance during lunch hours to commemorate the occasion."

...Their waitress will be WHAT?

Ninjutsu is a secret art! And she plans to show it off?! Just what is she thinking?!

Wait! What are you trying to tell...

...It's gone.

Likely headed for the tavern marked on this map.

I came to this world to see how ninja like myself are treated. Perhaps that cat will lead me to the answer.

I believe that cat came in here...

Tsubame! Show us what you got! You know, the usual!

The usual what?

They aren't...talking to me.

Then who...

Oh. (That must be the me of this world.)

Very well. As the face of this fine establishment, I suppose I can't disappoint.

Now let me show you my finest jutsu!

(She's going to show off a secret jutsu in front of all these people?!) (To what end?!)

Haaaaaah...

Ninja skill! Sexy Jutsu!

No... Is she going to bewitch the customers?!

I must stop her!

Ah-haaan...

......

Mmm-hmm!

Hah... Ahahaha! Gets me every time!

Heh heh. It ain't a trip to the tavern without seein' that jutsu!

What in the world...was that?

I see... So that's the Sexy Jutsu. I came here to learn more about it, but it seems far too advanced for me.

Oh, hello there, kitty.

Should I give a tip for the performance?

How much do patrons normally give? Would some gold coins suffice?

Whew... Yet another day of entrancing customers with my Sexy Jutsu.

Does that make me a sinful woman, I wonder. What do you think, Suzume?

Suzume?

Where did you go? Suzumeee...

......

......

You...aren't Kamome, are you? You look to be a fellow ninja, but why have you disguised yourself as me?

I haven't. I'm...

Oh no!

Our pursuers might be out there somewhere! I have to find her!

Wait!

I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry...

You wish to find Suzume, yes? Allow me to help.

I appreciate your offer, but why would you help me when we just met?

Because Suzume is...

Because I can tell how important Suzume is to you.

And I would hate to see you two become separated.

I see... Then help me, please. I can't waste any more time. I must find my sister.

Of course. Perhaps she's still nearby.

She's not here. I wonder where she could've gone...

We won't find her this way. I'll ask a ninja cat for help.

Do you have anything we can use to track Suzume's scent?

She made me this talisman a long time ago. Will it do?

Hehe... It was sewn with great care at the beginning, but it seems she ran out of thread near the end. I'm glad to see that absent-mindedness is still present.

After all...I find it quite endearing.

......

Now then. Cat Calling Jutsu!

Would you please trace this scent to its owner?

Let's go. This little one will show us the way.

Of all places...she had to go to the castle.

If Aldo were here, I'm sure they would let us in, but... If we leave to find him, something may happen to Suzume in the meantime, so we'll have to do something ourselves.

Now what? I highly doubt they'll just let ninja waltz on in.

(There's only one guard here, and no one is looking this way.) (I could easily finish him off...)

We could force our way in, but I'd hate to harm an innocent even if it means getting Suzume back.

......!

Let's resolve this peacefully.

...Ninja living in a world without war certainly do see things differently.

What do you propose to do?

Use my finest jutsu, of course! Sexy Jutsu!

So you plan to captivate him with humor?

No, to make him fall in love with me!

You cannot be serious!

What you saw at the tavern was only seventy percent of my true power.

I usually keep it suppressed, but I'm actually quite strong, strong enough to bring a country to its knees.

(She seems entirely convinced... I see there's no talking her out of this.)

...Th-Then I will do it.

It is best you save your power. We may need it to rescue Suzume.

Thank you for thinking of her... Then I will leave this to you.

Halt! No one is allowed to enter without permission!

......

Wh-What are you doing, staring at me like that?

(I can feel her bloodthirst in the air...)

Let me show you what I am capable of.

*gulp*

Ninja skill! Sexy Jutsu!

......

(...Please...)

(Please say something...anything...before I die of shame...)

...Ah-haaan!

Those glimmering eyes and flushed cheeks! Brows furrowed in embarrassment and anticipation! Those fidgeting fingers... H-How captivating you are!

Huh?

I think... I think I've fallen in love!

I never thought I'd meet anyone who could pull that off as well as me!

You're incredible.

(My face feels flushed... I wish I could disappear...)

(How can a fellow ninja do this without dying of humiliation?!)

Hehe. It looks like this one's ready to head inside. Let's go.

R-Right. Of course...

We've come quite far into the castle. I wonder why Suzume came here of all places.

I imagine she found herself a target.

A target?!

Has she orders to take out the royal family?

No, no! Of course not!

She just has a bit of a bad habit...

Which makes me believe she's here on her own volition.

It seems like she's in here.

Ahh!

Stand back, Your Highness. She's dangerous.

Your Highness?! Has Suzume set her eyes on the princess?

W-Wait! I...I...

Such rudeness will not be tolerated, no matter how adorable you are!

No! Suzume!

As punishment, you will be cuddled.

Ah, I knew it...

What is going on here? And where is Suzume?

Cats are one thing, but I can't allow humans to simply wander into our lovely castle.

Wait, Soira. They aren't here to harm us.

Their clothes match those of this cat. Are you perhaps her owner?

I apologize for my sister's behavior!

Your...sister?

(The cat is her sister? And has somehow wound up here with the princess? I cannot begin to comprehend what is going on...)

She simply can't control herself when she smells money. She's been that way ever since she was little.

Are you suggesting this cat prefers gold over goldfish?

Yes. She likes money and hunks more than anything.

Okie-dokie. A cash-loving cat, huh.

...Ah, I see. So Suzume has transformed into this cat.

Well...not quite. The situation is far less simple.

Hm? Is someone in there?

(Oh no... If the princess is caught in the company of ninja, it may cause a scene.)

Let me handle this. You two find a way out of here.

Why would you help intruders like ourselves?

You didn't come here to hurt me.

And why would I punish those who have done nothing wrong?

He said the same thing once...

Thank you! We'll take our leave now.

Your Highness, Soira. What are you two doing here?

Hehe. We just had the most adorable visitor.

Yes, a very fluffy and cuddly one.

...I can't believe you went all that way for some coin.

Just what are you teaching Suzume?

I understand wanting to spoil your little sister.

But that kindness is a double-edged sword that may get her into trouble someday.

You're right, and I do understand.

And Suzume... No matter how well you can transform, sneaking in to a castle as a cat is much too dangerous.

I told you, it's not that simple. This isn't a transformation.

What do you mean?

It's quite a long story. Why don't I tell you over a meal?

...Very well. Let us return to the tavern, then.

So she was cursed in the Land of Ro to look like this?

Yes. I was too powerless to protect her... After that, we left the village together and came to live on this continent.

I see...

You look to be living a peaceful life, but it seems there are various things at work behind the scenes here too.

Is it the same in your world then? ...Tsubame.

......

I do not recall telling you who I am or where I came from.

Do you think me so simple? I'm a ninja, and a good one at that. I can figure that much out on my own.

And you looked far too distressed when Suzume disappeared to be a mere stranger.

I could tell at a glance how much you love her.

I suppose that means I am in need of more training.

Or perhaps you don't, and the air here in Unigan is to blame. It is, after all, a town that welcomed a hungry and destitute ninja with open arms.

...The air here is different indeed.

You have no right to be upset, Suzume. What happened this time was entirely your fault. We were fortunate to run into such kind people, but things could have gone far worse. We could've lost our heads.

I know I shouldn't spoil her, but...

Watch, Suzume.

Hunky Jutsu!

I don't think I've ever seen Suzume so entranced by anything. But I expect no less of another me. Even in another world, we're incredible at what we do.

As older sisters, it's our job to be familiar with our younger siblings' tastes.

Indeed. But just who is this lovely man whose face you've borrowed?

Well, he's...

It must be raining.

I hope Sen's found a roof to sleep under...

Who are you?!

We're just a couple of ninja, young lord. You don't need to look so surprised.

We have come seeking mercy, Lord Reimei.

Mercy?

Yes. We hail from the village of Uya.

Uya? What are Father's ninja doing here?

Our thoughts do not align with the lord or our village chief. Ninja are expected to be the hands and eyes of their master. They are not meant to think.

However...

Enough. I understand.

So what business do such unconventional ninja have with me?

We wish for you to protect our sister.

The village has eyes all across the land, making it impossible for escape. However, if you were to take our sister under your wing...

Then they would not be able to reach her so easily.

...Very well.

Very well? But...we are intruders. Strangers to you.

I presumed you would ask us to prove our loyalty by giving up one of our lives or the like.

Why would I punish anyone who has done nothing wrong?

And the girl behind you... She is even younger than myself.

I could not possibly take one of her sisters from her.

......

I wish to douse the flames of war that rage across Garulea.

So long as you do not hinder me, you are one of my people. I will bring you no harm.

(A most futile desire... And yet his eyes show no sign of doubt.)

(He is just like Suzume. Pure of heart, even in the worst of times.)

From this day forth, we swear our allegiance to you, my lord. We shall do anything to see your will fulfilled.

...Then I ask you to become my eyes and hands. And in return, I promise to show you a sky in which even the smallest of birds can fly without fear.

May that day come soon, my lord.