The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima [Vol. 01]

Chapter 176 - The Thief's Identity

Despite his excitement, Daichi noticed his sensei's somewhat tense posture. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Kakashi looked at his student and let out a deep breath. "What we have isn't solid proof. And our mission was to find the location of our client's heirloom. Instead we might have solved one of the biggest cases of the decade. But more than that, if we're right about who's behind this, then this mission could have great implications."

Daichi's eyes narrowed as he heard that.

"The value of everything the Phantom Thief stole over the years is over half a billion. And that's a low estimate. Since none of the items that were stolen were found anywhere, it's assumed that it's all kept in one location. The 5 Kages put certain conditions in place when they shared the information in the first place. If we're right and we unearth this treasure..." The Jonin just sighed and fell silent.

Daichi understood what his sensei was getting at. "Let's just confirm our theory before anything else. Right now that's all we have. A theory..."

Kakashi nodded and both of them sealed all the documents back into the scroll. To continue their investigation they had to leave the Fire Capital and the two ninjas informed their departure to their client.

Within a couple hours Kakashi and Daichi were on the move with the Jonin leading the way. A few hours later they were in front of a modest looking mansion.

"This is the place." Kakashi said to Daichi. He spoke to the guards outside and a few minutes later Kakashi and his student were let in.

Daichi looked at everyone working in the mansion and used 'observe'. None of them was the Phantom Thief.

A few moments later a man in his mid thirties approached them with a smile. Daichi looked at him and immediately knew he was the Lord of this land. 'This guy is too young. There's no way he could be the thief.' Just to make sure, he used Observe on him but didn't see anything useful.

"Welcome Leaf ninja to my home. I'm Hirohito Inagi. What can I do for you two?" The young lord spoke.

The silver haired Jonin stepped forward and introduced himself. "My name is Kakashi Hatake. I don't know if you remember but 7 years ago your father hired me for an escort mission."

In a few moments Hirohito recalled the incident and smiled. He quickly recognized the man in front of him. "Ahh yes. I remember. My father was very impressed with your work. What can I do for you?"

"Can I speak to your father? It's important." Kakashi came to the same conclusion as Daichi. He knew the man in front of him was too young to be the culprit.

The smile on the Lord's face dimmed. "My father passed away from a stroke 5 months ago."

At that Kakashi turned a bit more serious and looked at the Lord. "I see. Can we speak in private? There is a matter of grave importance that we need to discuss with you?"

Seeing the serious demeanor of the Jonin, the smile on Hirohito's face vanished. He looked at the two ninjas and a second later dismissed his guards and took them to his personal office. He locked the door and looked at the two. "No one will disturb us. Speak."

"The Eternal Crane. That's your house sigil isn't it?"

Hirohito raised an eyebrow at that question. He was silent for a couple seconds but then answered. "It was. But that seal was replaced during my grandfather's time. But my father still had an attachment to it. What's this about?"

"I assume you've heard of The Phantom Thief?"

The young lord slightly laughed at that name. "Ahh yes. The ghost who can appear anywhere and disappear with your riches... Last anyone has heard of him was over a decade ago I believe... What does an infamous thief have to do with my old Family Seal?"