Volume 13 Chapter 260 Kazami Rin, The Strongest Proof
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
My name is Kazami Rin. On the surface, I’m just a former ninja turned maid serving the noble Shirogane family.
But that’s only a cover.
In truth, I’m one of the Twelve Bishops—ranking just below the Saints—in the vast religious organization known as the Holy Aqua Religion, which began in Japan and has spread across the world.
Even now, I carry out my duties in silence.
”Hey, what’s going on?”
One of the intruders who snuck into the Shirogane estate falls without a sound.
That’s one down. Hidden in the shadows, I slip behind the next target.
”All units, be alert!”
Flipping the kunai in my hand, I press the pommel to the intruder’s neck. A precise hit to the carotid artery triggers the vagal reflex—he faints instantly.
”Ah…”
That’s two.
As I let the limp body drop, the noise draws the others’ attention.
”What!? What’s happening!?”
The bandits fumble to equip night-vision scopes. I toss a smoke bomb, filling the area with special tinted gas. Military-grade scopes are useless against it.
”Hic—”
”Gwah!”
Three… four. Half of them are down.
”Change of plans! All units, retreat!”
The enemy commander remains calm even now. No doubt—a professional.
Using my wire launcher, I zip ahead and cut off their escape.
”A maid…?”
One of them freezes when he sees me.
”Wait! That’s Kazami Rin! She’s classified S-rank—on the same level as Morikawa Kaede!”
I step out of the shadows, walking slowly toward the trembling intruders.
There’s no need to show mercy to those who disturb our peace.
Moving like a gust of wind, I slip through their ranks. A moment later, every last one drops unconscious.
Just then, the Saint Guards—undercover as Emily-sama’s and Mary-sama’s maids—arrive.
”Kazami-sama, may we take them into custody? The general mentioned needing workers for methane hydrate mining at the northern seabed facility…”
”Do as you like. As long as they’re gone, I don’t care.”
All that matters is protecting this peace.
Emily-sama is here. Aqua-sama is here. If I can protect them—and the kind people around them—that’s enough.
The title of Bishop means nothing to me.
Gazing up at the moonless night sky, I mutter to myself.
”On nights like this… I remember that day.”
In this country, ninjas have existed since the ancient Muro Town era.
The Women’s Mutual Aid Society was formed when a meteorite struck the region long ago. Those who gathered to study its fragments eventually became the first ninjas.
I was born into one such ninja family.
”Rin, you’re a disgrace.”
”How did someone like you get born into our family?”
”I’ve never once considered you my sister.”
”Please. Just stop embarrassing the Kazami name.”
”You’re such an eyesore. Just disappear already.”
Among our many duties, a ninja’s most important task is assassination.
Because I couldn’t bring myself to kill, I was deemed unworthy.
That judgment came on my third birthday.
”Rin, here’s your birthday present. Take good care of it, alright?”
I didn’t yet understand what it meant to be a ninja.
So when my parents gave me a ninja dog, I was simply happy.
”Akimaru, this way!”
”Woof! Woof!”
I named him Akimaru. We were inseparable.
At the time, I hadn’t begun my training, and those days with him were the happiest of my childhood.
Then, on my fourth birthday…
”Use this kunai to kill Akimaru. From today, you’ll become a true Kazami.”
I couldn’t comprehend what my great-grandmother meant.
Trembling, I looked to my mother and sister.
”Congratulations, Rin. Today, you’ll finally be my real daughter.”
”I’m proud of you, Rin. Now, do it. We all did the same. That’s why we raised Akimaru.”
They looked like strangers. No… they looked like something that only resembled humans.
”Now, kill that filthy dog so we can celebrate.”
”I even bought your favorite food.”
The relatives clapped, one after another.
Shaking, I stepped toward Akimaru.
…No. This isn’t right.
”Kuun… kuun…”
He whimpered, staring at me.
I signaled him with my eyes.
He wasn’t stupid—he had quirks, sure, like pouncing on busty women, but he was clever when it counted.
I swung the kunai—not at him, but at the rope.
”Rin, what are you doing!?”
”Damn it, the dog’s escaping!”
”After him!”
Akimaru bolted. But just as hope lit in my chest, a kunai pierced his side.
”Yip!!”
He tumbled off the cliff. I collapsed to the ground.
”Do you understand what you’ve done?”
My mother approached and kicked me in the head. My small body flew easily.
She grabbed me by the neck and lifted me.
”You disgrace! You dare defy this family!?”
I was going to die.
As darkness swallowed my senses, a voice cut through it.
”That’s enough.”
”Tooko!? No, she’s my daughter—my disgrace!”
Kazami Tooko, she is my relative and is the center of attention of both my parents and mother.
”It’s not your decision. Great-grandmother, I’ll take Rin. Do you object?”
”…Do as you please. No one here can oppose someone chosen by Lord Kikuri.”
Tooko had been a maid for Sumeragi Kikuri-sama and a top Garden Guard. Even among our clan, few dared oppose her.
She brought me home and treated my injuries.
”Are you angry at your own weakness? Do you hate me for killing the dog?”
I glared silently.
”Good. Then get stronger. If you want revenge on me, the Kazami, this village—fine. I’ll give you that power. Rin… if you don’t want to lose what matters again, then become strong. Strong enough to protect it all.”
That was the beginning.
Training so brutal I coughed blood.
Again and again, I tried to kill her—to avenge Akimaru.
But I failed every time.
Our sessions were one-on-one.
Until one day, she brought another woman to the village.
”It’s been a while, Tooko.”
Notes:
• Muro Town – Located in Japan. An ancient town where the ninja tradition is said to have originated, linked to the Women’s Mutual Aid Society and the investigation of a meteorite.
• Akimaru – Male. A ninja dog given to Kazami Rin as a birthday gift. He had brown fur and was very loyal to Rin. Their relationship was close, but he was tragically killed during Rin’s ninja training. His death deeply affected Rin.
• Tooko – Female. A relative of Kazami Rin who intervened to save Rin from her mother’s abuse. She has a stern appearance and is a skilled ninja. She took Rin under her wing, training her harshly but ultimately helping her grow stronger. Their relationship is complex, as Tooko was also responsible for Akimaru’s death.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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