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

Mistaken Development

Uzumaki Midoben stood at the end of his office in a strict and militaristic stance. He took a moment to prepare himself mentally to receive the report and Mana provided him with that moment, given the man's importance in the organization and the heavily unfortunate turn of events on the field.

"We've managed to locate the smugglers responsible for moving in the supplies into the village. However, we've been unable to subdue them without heavily injuring them." Mana started her report on the most important part. The man did not look happy. However, he appeared more curious than angry as well. "The smugglers were breaking into the village territory by using a transportation seal. They weren't too powerful however their mastery and training using the seal allowed them to use it with relative ease even at their low rank."

"In that case, subduing them must have been complicated." Midoben closed his eyes in calmness. "We were fortunate to have Chogen working on the mission, his skill set has a couple of techniques meant to detain a fleeing opponent."

"Given his size, I assume he has to deal with that problem often." Mana nodded in agreement with the boss' assessment. "During the brief scuffle with the hired muscle of the smuggler duo, most of the smuggled goods were destroyed. We have recovered enough for a sample and a case, however."

"It does not matter all that much. I assume the Police Force will take over from here. They can have them." Midoben breathed out before looming over a handful of documents and files on his table and marking some things and writing some of them down.

"The Police Force?" Mana asked.

"Yes. The part of the job that concerned us was to find out how people were slipping in and out of the village. After we analyze this information you've gathered, we will help to improve the village gate and the entire protection system. That's a pretty mean hook with a witty declaration on top for a first day..." Midoben commended Mana.

Mana looked at a blank point, a rustling point of light shimmering on a wall carved into the wall. This turn made the magician appreciate Midoben's turns and his obsession with staring at the candlelight cast onto the walls of his office. She sort of expected the Village Protection to care more about a pair of smugglers that have just been caught rather than fortifying their walls but she could not deny that boss' reasoning made sense.

"Sir... There's something else. We only managed to locate the smugglers and find the location where they've been slipping through the gate because of an interrogation. Is there any way to work out a pardon for the man we've interrogated? He was surprisingly cooperative." Mana wondered.

"You've made a pretty big leap, don't ruin it." Midoben almost growled. This may have been a slightly excessive reaction to something that would have barely concerned the man so the girl just let it go. She used to lack the knowledge of when to press on and bargain but over time she was beginning to learn that. Given her limited experience and knowledge, this situation did not appear to match the criteria for a potentially successful push.

"I see, can I still be helpful today?" Mana sighed.

"You can start reading up on the Liquid Village Sensory System. I think it might be useful for plugging you in tomorrow for a test run." The boss replied with a tame tone. "Other than that, you're excused."

After politely excusing herself and bowing to the head of the Village Protection Mana left the office and returned to Mikapen, the overly excited assistant in the Village Protection. The woman started stacking up piles on top of piles of reading that may have been useful for a potential user of the Liquid Village Sensory System. The size and content of the reading may have intimidated some but as a self-appointed history buff, Mana was used to it.