From both the perspective of the Hidden Leaf Village and the Land of Fire, the ninja clan representatives—especially Hyuga Soushu's actions—could hardly be described even as "overbearing"!
Killing was nothing unusual for ninjas—but who they killed made all the difference!
A single word of disagreement, and in full view of the Daimyo's attendants and a group of samurai, they beheaded a high-ranking samurai retainer. Was such a violent and malicious act any different from openly defying royal authority?
Therefore, Danzo felt bitter inside—he could find no trace of sweetness in this visit to the Daimyo's court at all.
The path from the Embassy District to the Daimyo's palace wasn't long, and the ninja members of the envoy walked at a relaxed pace, so the news of the Hatamoto's death reached the inner palace quickly.
Thus, when the envoys arrived at the palace gate, shadows flickered atop the towering walls. Occasionally, bright flashes of blades gleamed—it was clear the nobles within had already made some preparations, or perhaps were simply putting on a show.
This was the moment when the Daimyo's personal attendant needed to step forward.
Under the intense gazes of the ninjas, the trembling attendant staggered ahead and quietly reported details to the armored inner minister stationed at the palace entrance.
But the inner minister only half-heartedly listened to a few sentences before waving his hand dismissively. The attendant retreated nervously, and the inner minister then called out toward the envoy: "His Lordship has summoned the Konoha representatives inside!"
Thus, the Daimyo's elaborate display of martial power easily became nothing more than decoration.
Representatives from each ninja clan accepted this without question, as if it were nothing unusual; although countless sinister plots churned through Danzo's mind, he outwardly maintained an expressionless composure.
Even upon entering the palace gates, the Uchiha squad leader exchanged a firm handshake with the inner minister.
This sight astonished Hyuga Soushu.
Although he knew that last night the representative of the Uchiha Clan had entered the palace to meet an important figure, he had never imagined their connection ran so deep!
"The Uchiha Clan supports the Daimyo's legitimate heir, and this inner minister is indeed a relative from the heir's mother's side."
Without glancing sideways, Hizashi Hyuga whispered directly into Soushu's ear using chakra-based sound transmission, while the latter wore an expression full of realization.
"Still, the battle for the Daimyo's succession has not yet concluded. Though the legitimate heir holds righteousness, there also exists a beloved eldest bastard son ahead of him in line."
"So that's what the Uchiha have been plotting..."
Soushu responded using the same chakra-based whispering technique.
"Ambition too great. Although great rewards await upon success, failure could bring complete destruction upon the entire clan."
Thus, engaged in secret conversation, the delegation arrived before the main hall of the palace.
Only after going through another set of ceremonial procedures—reporting names, exchanging formal greetings, and requesting entry—the envoys finally entered the palace calmly to pay homage to the Daimyo seated high behind thick curtains.
"You've traveled far from Konoha. Please be seated," the Daimyo replied in a cold, shrill voice reminiscent of a calling crane.
The Konoha ninjas bowed again in gratitude before taking their respective seats according to rank.
It was only then that Soushu began observing the people gathered inside the hall.
Besides the Konoha ninjas, there were also noble courtiers dressed in luxurious robes, exuding an air of wealth and extravagance one could instantly tell was priceless.
Apart from these good-for-nothings who feasted on the nation's payroll, Hyuga Soushu also noticed among the attendees several individuals who clearly emanated chakra energy yet wore lavish attire.
Moreover, one of them was a trained Sensor. While Soushu was openly scrutinizing him, this man immediately turned his head and shot Soushu a fierce glare.
However, to Hyuga Soushu, such a threatening stare was utterly insignificant.
"His Highness has already acknowledged Konoha's request. However, we would still like to hear details regarding the current situations at various fronts."
After a round of polite greetings, the Left Court Minister—one of the Daimyo's senior officials—rose and asked.
"The ninja encampments guarding each border of the Land of Fire have all firmly held their ground. Although the enemy's forces are vast, they still haven't managed to breach Konoha's ironclad defense!"
Danzo, leading the Konoha delegation, chose his words carefully in response.
Though the clan representatives had already celebrated last night, Danzo's cautious nature refused to let even a small mistake slip by in this formal setting.
"The enemy's forces are vast..."
Before the yet-to-speak Left Court Minister could respond, the same elaborately dressed ninja who had been locked in silent staring contest with Soushu earlier loudly interjected: "Isn't that precisely because your so-called Konoha ninjas are incompetent?"
"Konoha ninjas, from top to bottom, are loyal and dedicated, courageously fighting enemies on the frontlines! Such words surely must be aware of how deeply they might wound the morale of those brave warriors on the battlefield!"
Danzo immediately retorted.
"What do you mean by 'loyal?' Do you mean your people only obey the Hokage, ignoring the Daimyo?" The richly dressed ninja fired back quickly. "If it weren't for the incompetence of Konoha's ninjas, why hasn't the war concluded decisively yet? Wasting resources at the borders without making even an inch of progress truly damages the prestige of the Land of Fire!"
"Konoha defends against Sunagakure to the west, resists Iwagakure to the north, vigilantly watches over Kumo, and repeatedly defeats Hanzo's Rain ninjas—how can such tremendous achievements be discarded by mere words?"
Danzo bellowed in reply: "Rather than questioning us, you should reflect on yourselves—you parasites who feast on the Daimyo's rice yet contribute nothing, nothing but burdens to the country!"
The Guardian Ninjas
Soushu watched coldly, lost in thought.
And that was exactly what the Guardian Ninjas were hoping for.
"You have insulted the honor of the Guardian Ninjas! I challenge you to a duel!"
The elaborately dressed ninja stood up furiously, shouting aggressively: "You! Yes, you! I challenge you to a duel!"
The finger he raised pointed directly at Soushu—who looked utterly bewildered at being singled out.
Setting aside whether or not ninjas actually had traditions of dueling, what did this have to do with him anyway? If a duel was really necessary, shouldn't it be Danzo accepting the fight?
Besides, although Soushu never took seriously those powerless Daimyo officials and puppet-like aristocrats, would starting a fight inside the palace chamber even be appropriate?
Looking around at the members of the envoy, Soushu suddenly realized something:
Among all the Konoha ninjas present in this delegation, perhaps he was indeed the youngest?
"Going for the weak ones, huh?"
Hyuga Soushu chuckled, then rose to his feet without sparing a glance at the others' reactions. He casually unsealed a torch pole weapon from a sealing scroll and began tapping it idly against the golden tiles on the ground.
Even now, the Daimyo seated high above remained silent like a stone-faced idol.
"Protect the Daimyo!"
Gritting his teeth, Danzo sharply signaled the order with a decisive wave of his hand.
This time, the Konoha ninjas did not challenge him. Instead, they instantly body-flickered forward toward the elevated seat. Except for the guardian ninja who had openly provoked them, all five remaining guardians sprang into action to block their advance. Additional figures swiftly emerged from behind the hall, positioning themselves beneath the Daimyo's throne to cut off the Konoha ninjas' path. Thus, both sides stood armed and face-to-face directly before the Daimyo's seat.
Hizashi Hyuga immediately body-flickered to the side of the Minister of State to offer protection.
As for the Daimyo himself, he still sat motionless like a statue of a clay Buddha.
Yet this did nothing to dispel the assumption that the guardians were acting under the Daimyo's direct orders.
"If you all have such a misunderstanding, why not settle it in a manner befitting samurai?"
At this moment, the Minister of State spoke: "But let us not spill blood within the Daimyo's sacred halls!"
Hizashi immediately shot Soushu a meaningful glance.
Got it! Better to draw blood than play games!
Soushu nodded with full understanding.
Although he lacked deep knowledge of Fire Country's political landscape, that wouldn't stop him from handling things his own way regardless.
As chakra surged into the torch pole, its tip flickered with an invisible chakra flame.
As the courtiers stepped aside to clear space, the guardian ninja who had issued the challenge slowly drew his hand across the hilt of his large katana, crouching forward slightly as he lightly bounced in place.
Judging by this stance, he no longer looked like a ninja, but more like those famed warriors from the Land of Iron.
Meanwhile, Soushu held the center of his torch pole horizontally across his chest, chakra already building within him.
[Shin'engeki Ichidō Sen! (True Shadow Style: Single Sword Flash!)]
With a loud cry, the guardian ninja threw his body forward to the right while his back foot came down heavily, stamping the floor with a resounding thud.
From the force of the movement, it was clear—he intended to strike from Soushu's left side.
"A chakra-imbued samurai from the Land of Iron!"
Hizashi, guarding the Minister of State, changed expression instantly.
Though the samurai factions were nearly wiped out when the rise of ninjas began, many remnants survived by seeking refuge under noble clans. After the one-village-one-country system was established, they even managed to install a samurai-appointed Daimyo and founded a nation where samurais ruled as the governing class.
Furthermore, precisely because of the decline of the samurai class, various countries' Daimyos grew eager to recruit or train samurai as personal forces to balance the power of the ninjas. As a result, samurais from the Land of Iron found opportunities to travel throughout the ninja world and serve under local noble families as their retainers.
Of course, it wasn't that Daimyos couldn't afford ninjas—it was simply that samurais offered better cost-performance!
Back to the story.
As the Guardian Ninja prepared to strike Hyuga Soushu's left flank, Soushu subtly turned his body as well, shifting the torch pole toward the left.
"Good opening!"
The guardian ninja's steps twisted eerily. His body, originally rushing toward Hyuga Soushu's left side, veered sharply to the right, lightning-fast.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
At the same time, the katana at his waist began revealing a glint of cold light!
"Flashy, but useless!"
Hyuga Soushu had already seen through these small details. This was exactly the moment he had been waiting for!
"Quickdraw Severance!"
[Flash!]
As the skill activated, Hyuga Soushu vanished from his spot like an illusion!
The guardian ninja's cleave at waist height slashed through empty air!
"Impossible!"
Before the stunned guardian could even retract his blade, a chilling gust of wind brushed against his neck.
[Jumping Slash!]
After flashing away from the fatal strike, Hyuga Soushu locked onto the guardian ninja's head. He leaped forward and swung the torch pole toward his opponent's neck!
"Bang!"
Blood, brains, and bone fragments sprayed in all directions. The hall quickly filled with a bloody stench.
The decapitated body froze mid-strike, still locked in its sword-swinging pose, but blood from the neck already spurted up to the palace ceiling, staining the magnificent dome beyond recognition.
Hyuga Soushu was extremely satisfied that his workmanship managed to crack open the skull without toppling the body; clearly, his control over strength had reached unparalleled mastery!
Moreover, the sound of the torch pole crushing the skull was quite pleasant to hear — pleasing sound meant a good head!
With a swift kick, Soushu sent the lifeless body crashing to the floor.
Then, with a casual flick of his hand, he sent the remnants of brains stuck on the tip of the torch flying toward the high seat!
"Your Lordship, the mission has been completed. All traitors in this hall have been eradicated."
Hyuga Soushu elegantly performed a bow, and then activated his Chronicle Artisan skill right inside the court.
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