Tales of a Ninja Magician: Of Games of Body and Soul

Lies of Ignorance

The perp was sitting in a self-assured position. His breathing was steady. His lackluster, barely standing out from the usual civilian sample size chakra signature was too minuscule for Mana to get a solid read on and look into. Even with Chogen's sacrifice of his dignity in front of this man, things would not be easy for Mana.

"You've been caught with supplies that did not come from this village. We could not care less about whatever you were doing with them, we only want to know how they got in and find the people responsible. We're Village Protection, ensuring the safety of the gate and all that lies within it is all we care about." Mana started boldly. Perhaps a bit too bold and imposing but words were not how she intended on getting answers. This was just a meaningless precursor before Mana got to the meatier part of the interrogation she had to rule out all other means.

"So you'd just let me go if I tell you about the smugglers? That sounds pretty engaging." The perp's eyes widened. For a moment there Mana wasn't sure if she was being played or not. Could it really have been this easy to get this man on her side?

"I'm not sure how that would work but we could work it out. Your financial crime shenanigans are nowhere near important enough to cover a potential security hole. If you talk, it's going to happen." Mana sensed it. Doubt in her own voice. She had not considered this opportunity, she had not scoped it out with Hoju and the Police Force and there was a distinct possibility that the perp would sense it.

"Yeah... Thought it sounded too good to be true..." the man slumped in his chair, his eyes began wandering, shooting wildly in all directions. This was such an alluring opportunity to get this man to talk without trying anything too bothersome and invasive. Mana would have very much preferred it. "As if a showgirl like you could even offer something like that. What're you doing with the Village Protection anyway?"

"I'm a ninja. Haven't you seen the Chuunin Exams this year?" Mana sat down. This may not have been as bad as it initially seemed. The man was still talking. Talking rubbish, changing the subject but talking nonetheless. If Mana was working for the Police Force she would have entire hours, an entire night to get him to say what needed to be said. Most Police Force ninja would spend that time on torture and beating, some would only resort to it once all other means failed.

Mana neither was a Police Force ninja nor intended to resort to such measures.

"Nah, I was working. Not everyone has the ryo to see it." The man scratched his chin. He probably thought that by having Mana talk about herself he was beating her at this, truthfully, he was getting used to Mana without knowing it. He was getting to know about her and associating thoughts and emotions with her. That could have been useful later on.

"Doesn't happen all that often, not in Konoha. Could have saved up if you planned ahead." Mana scolded the man probably twice her size about responsible management of his finances.

"Pfff, whatever. Wasn't on vacation anyway. Wouldn't have had the time even if I had the dough." The man squirmed. He wanted to hide the grin. It was not a grin of fondness, Mana was not gullible enough to believe it was but the absurdity of this interrogation did invite a smile to his face.

"I don't really get why you wouldn't want to tell on whoever gave you those supplies. When we find the hole, we're gonna plug it. Smuggling by abusing a security hole like this is much more serious than whatever you're into, they won't be able to retaliate in any way. Not inside the village and you don't strike me as a guy that makes enough to travel abroad." Mana tried poking the man with a hot rod a little bit just to test how much of a connection she had formed so far.

"I don't have to talk to you, you know? If you guys beat me up for two days straight and I stay silent – I get to walk. Even I know that much." The man closed back in again, surrounding himself with a thorn wall of crossed arms and a turn to the wall.