The sun rose.
Shangguan Yun and Gu Yue gathered in Ye Cangtian's room.
It had been several days since they arrived in Dongying!
The two had nothing to do and hadn't been anywhere else besides the hotel these past few days.
After all, Ye Cangtian had to operate under the guise of Xuan Qi, and they couldn't appear frequently lest they attract too much attention.
"Mr. Ye, has Gu Qin been located?"
Gu Yue was the most anxious.
Her sister Gu Qin had fallen into the hands of the Kawada family. Until she was rescued, Gu Yue's heart remained in suspense.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Gu Yue and said, "Don't worry, Gu Qin should be out of mortal danger."
Currently, both Heavenly Net and the Dark Association wanted to obtain Gu Qin, and also cooperate with the Shinobi Department.
As such an important bargaining chip, the Shinobi Department would naturally not let her come to harm.
Saying this, and seeing Gu Yue still looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, Ye Cangtian pondered for a moment and said, "Let's go out and relax."
Having stayed in the hotel for so many days, it was bound to arouse suspicion.
Therefore, Ye Cangtian planned to make an appearance, which could also help Gu Yue relieve some of her stress.
Gu Yue did not refuse upon hearing this and nodded in agreement.
...
Sakura Mountain.
Located within Dongdu, it had been known as the sacred mountain of Dongying since ancient times.
The mountain was covered in cherry blossoms, and the scenery was breathtaking.
Most importantly, there was a shrine on Sakura Mountain, the Sakura Shrine.
The Sakura Shrine was constantly visited for worship, holding a high status among the local people. Many foreign tourists also came to visit.
Currently, Ye Cangtian was also bringing Shangguan Yun and Gu Yue to visit.
The cherry blossoms that covered the mountainside were indeed quite healing. Gu Yue's mood had significantly improved after arriving here.
Shangguan Yun, however, looked increasingly grim.
"Big Brother, why did we come here?"
Seeing that Ye Cangtian was about to lead them up the mountain to visit, Shangguan Yun finally couldn't help but inquire.
The Sakura Shrine, though called a shrine, did not enshrine any deities, only a Yamata no Orochi.
Besides that, there were memorial tablets for Shinobi Department members who had sacrificed in past battles.
The Yamata no Orochi was nothing, merely a ferocious beast!
But the memorial tablets of those ninjas were something Shangguan Yun didn't want to look at.
After all, many of them had died fighting the Dragon Group.
He was now considered a member of the Dragon Group, so it was inappropriate for him to visit!
Moreover, the Shinobi Department might not even be willing!
"Haha, just a visit!"
"I just want to see how many unlucky souls attempted to strike a stone with an egg and fell in battle."
Ye Cangtian laughed heartily. In fact, he had another purpose.
According to the deduction of Viper from the Death Squad, the headquarters of the Dongying Shinobi Department was very likely located within the Sakura Shrine.
Ye Cangtian's objective, simply put, was to show his face.
After all, in the eyes of the Shinobi Department, he was going to Kawada family to rescue someone, so he had to put on a show, to provoke the Shinobi Department a little, so as to avoid arousing their suspicion.
"You truly have your own ways."
Shangguan Yun listened to Ye Cangtian's words, his lips twitching slightly. He gave Ye Cangtian a thumbs-up.
Speaking of which, coming to someone's lair to provoke them, such a crazy act was something only Ye Cangtian could pull off.
...
Kawada Family.
A Genin was reporting something to Gangcun, who was sitting upright in a chair.
"What?"
"Ye Cangtian and the others went to the shrine? Truly courting death!"
Killing intent instantly flashed in Gangcun's eyes. The shrine was sacred and inviolable.
What's more, the shrine enshrined warriors, many of whom had died at the hands of the Dragon Group.
Now that people from the Dragon Group were going there, it wasn't a sightseeing tour, but a blatant mockery!
Saying this, Gangcun was silent for a moment, then whispered a few instructions.
"Yes, Lord Gangcun!"
The Genin respectfully replied and then turned to leave.
...
After sightseeing for a while, Ye Cangtian and the others began to climb the mountain path.
A long time later.
A magnificent and solemn shrine appeared before their eyes.
Like ordinary tourists, Ye Cangtian, Shangguan Yun, and Gu Yue toured the place briefly.
But before long.
Ye Cangtian stopped in front of a building, his expression turning grim.
Even Gu Yue and Shangguan Yun beside him had extremely displeased expressions.
This was because a sign was hung in front of that building.
The sign had several large characters written in Chinese: 'No entry for Chinese and dogs.'
This was clearly an insult to the Chinese people, how could they tolerate it.
*Smash!*
The next moment, Ye Cangtian walked forward and smashed the wooden sign to pieces with a punch.
*Swish swish swish...*
The moment the wooden sign shattered, figures emerged from the shadows. Looking around, they were all ninjas from the Shinobi Department.
Wielding katanas, they surrounded the trio. Then, a middle-aged man slowly walked out.
"How dare you cause trouble in the shrine, are you tired of living?"
Ye Cangtian glanced at the other party and then asked, "Which bird are you?"
"I am Gangcun, a Jonin of the Shinobi Department!" the other party shouted.
Was this Gangcun from the Kawada family?
Ye Cangtian was not too surprised; he had guessed that the other party would not be able to resist.
Moreover, if he caused trouble in the shrine, it would give them a reason to act, as the shrine was considered a spiritual pillar of the Shinobi Department.
On the other hand.
Killing intent surged in Gu Yue's bright eyes.
It was this person named Gangcun who had captured her sister Gu Qin.
However, she forced herself to hold back, knowing very well that she couldn't disrupt Ye Cangtian's plan at this moment.
Otherwise, rescuing Gu Qin would become even more difficult.
"Can you make the decisions here?"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Gangcun and said faintly.
Gangcun snorted and didn't take it seriously. After all, since they were causing trouble here, he, as a Jonin, could naturally intervene.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian sneered and said, "Since you can make the decisions, then I demand that you apologize to me and all Chinese people!"
Huh?
Gangcun was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, saying with utter contempt:
"Ye Cangtian, have you gone mad? You caused destruction in the Sakura Shrine, and you want me to apologize? You should be kowtowing and begging for forgiveness!"
"You must know that not a single blade of grass or tree in the Sakura Shrine can be desecrated by anyone!"
"Yes, I've also heard that the Sakura Shrine is the spiritual pillar for all of you, a sacred place!"
"But now, in such a sacred place, you've put up a sign publicly insulting my Chinese compatriots. This is hostility towards Chinese people and can be considered a provocation!"
"If you do not apologize, I have the right to issue a challenge to you on behalf of the Dragon Group!"
Ye Cangtian snorted coldly, his attitude extremely firm.
"You!"
At this remark, cold sweat broke out on Gangcun's forehead.
What the other party said was correct. Publicly excluding Chinese people would indeed easily incite their anger and cause significant repercussions.
But for him to apologize like this, how could he accept it!
Thinking this, his eyelids twitched, and then he sneered, "Ye Cangtian, you've already smashed the sign to pieces, there's no evidence left, and I won't admit it even if you say it!"
Saying this, Gangcun smiled triumphantly, "I can even say that this was a rather important sign for the shrine, and you've destroyed public property within the shrine, so you should kowtow and beg for forgiveness!"
"Heh heh!"
Ye Cangtian was somewhat surprised by the other party's shamelessness, then sighed helplessly, "So the Shinobi Department is indeed a bunch of scoundrels who dare not admit their actions and even shift the blame!"
"Since you have no shame, then I won't bother with you any further. Goodbye!"
After saying this, he turned and left with Shangguan Yun and Gu Yue.
Seeing Ye Cangtian and the other two turning to leave, Gangcun immediately became anxious and shouted, "Damn it, is the Sakura Shrine a place you can come and go as you please?"
"Stop them!"
He immediately waved his hand, and the surrounding ninjas instantly surged forward.
"As expected, a bunch of scoundrels!"
Ye Cangtian mocked with a cold laugh, his body already darting forward. Shangguan Yun and Gu Yue also stood back-to-back, jointly fending off the surrounding ninjas.
*Clang clang clang...*
A fierce battle was about to erupt.