Three days later, at the village entrance, Kazuyama looked at the three kids in front of him, all geared up and ready to go. He couldn't help but smile.
"This mission is very special. Kakashi, analyze it."
Kakashi nodded. Kazuyama had already briefed them on the mission.
"Our task is to go to the Daimyō's Manor."
"The Daimyō's Manor is the pinnacle of power in the Land of Fire. Even our Hokage is technically subordinate to the Daimyō."
"That's why this mission is so important."
"But normally, the Daimyō isn't directly involved in conflicts between villages, which makes this situation unusual."
"I suspect someone is trying to completely destabilize the Land of Fire."
Kazuyama nodded in approval. Kakashi's analysis was solid.
"That's true, but don't forget about the recent instability in Kirigakure."
"The Village of the Bloody Mist isn't called that for nothing. This time, they've officially joined the war, and their intent is clear."
"I suspect they'll be our biggest threat on this mission."
"After all, the Land of Water is a place where everyone, from the Daimyō to the Mizukage, is insane."
His words made the three younger ones frown slightly. They had some knowledge of Kirigakure's brutality, but they hadn't expected the mission to involve them.
"Pfft, what are we afraid of? Whether it's the Bloody Mist or not, we'll just fight them when we get there!"
"Are we supposed to be scared?"
If anyone was the most optimistic and fearless, it was Obito. Ever since their last battle with Iwa, he had been itching for another chance to prove himself.
"Haha, Obito, you've got plenty of energy. That means you'll be in charge of night watch when we get there."
"Alright, let's move out."
The Daimyō's Manor of the Land of Fire was located deep in the country's central region.
Perched atop a high mountain, it was a grand and imposing fortress.
Upon arrival, Kazuyama and the others stated their purpose and were escorted inside to meet the current Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
To Kazuyama's surprise, the man before him was not the frail, soft-spoken figure he had expected. Instead, he was a middle-aged man with a strong, commanding presence.
When he stood, he was even half an inch taller than Kazuyama, exuding an unmistakable air of authority.
The three younger ones instinctively held their breath.
The Daimyō regarded the four of them, then chuckled as his gaze fell on Kazuyama.
"So, you're Orochimaru's student? Which makes you Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand-student?"
Kazuyama: ...I mean, technically, yeah—but why did it sound so ominous coming from this guy?
"Hiruzen has great confidence in you."
"This escort mission was originally meant for Orochimaru, but he personally recommended you instead. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Come, show them to their rooms. They will be responsible for the follow-up escort mission."
The Daimyō smiled as he waved his fan, signaling the attendants. Something about the scene made Kazuyama uneasy.
Suddenly, he felt that this mission wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Under the attendants' guidance, the four of them were led to a luxurious courtyard.
Obito and Rin were momentarily speechless at the sheer opulence of their surroundings.
Only Kakashi stood at the door, frowning.
"What? Kakashi, do you feel something's off too?"
"Well... I can't quite put my finger on it. It's just that the Daimyō's attitude seemed a little too—"
"Too happy, right?"
Kakashi looked up sharply at his sensei, who was also frowning.
Kazuyama's mind raced, and he quickly found the problem.
At this point in time, the Daimyō's Manor had not yet established the Twelve Guardian Ninja, meaning he still relied on Konoha's shinobi for protection.
Judging by the Daimyō's attitude, it was clear—he was already preparing to form his own elite guard.
"Alright, you three rest up. I'll go patrol the area."
"Remember, always keep the special kunai I gave you on you at all times."
With that, Kazuyama vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
The Daimyō's Manor was vast, filled with guards, but ordinary soldiers were no match for a ninja's assassination tactics. That was precisely why shinobi like Kazuyama were needed to patrol.
Using the Transparent Escape Technique, however, he didn't actually patrol. Instead, he headed straight for the Daimyō's residence.
Inside, the Daimyō was in a meeting with two of his ministers—one dressed in white, the other in blue. The former was an elderly man, while the latter was middle-aged.
"Are you really planning to form a ninja unit under the Daimyō's Manor?"
"If so, I expect Konoha will strongly oppose it."
The old man in white spoke seriously, confirming Kazuyama's suspicions.
The Daimyō was indeed preparing to establish the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Hmph, Yanagimura, have I not always supported Konoha?"
"And what's the result? Every time war breaks out, we're always on the defensive. The Land of Fire hasn't lost any territory, but it hasn't expanded either."
"Now that the Land of Water has entered the war, you know full well the brutality of the Bloody Mist."
"There are even rumors that they've sent assassins into the Land of Fire to kill me. That's why I need Konoha's shinobi for protection."
"But if my Daimyō's Manor had its own ninja force, I wouldn't need to rely on Konoha at all!"
It was clear—the Daimyō was not only dissatisfied with the current situation but also with Konoha itself.
Yanagimura fell silent at the Daimyō's words.
"So how do you plan to form this ninja force? Recruitment? Or will you take people from Konoha?"
At this point, the man in blue finally spoke. His hoarse voice was somewhat unpleasant to hear.
The Daimyō smiled faintly at the question. Instead of answering, he posed a question of his own.
"What do you think of the strength of Kazuyama, who arrived today?"
The man in blue nodded and pulled out a report.
"Based on the evidence, Hiruzen was not lying."
"Though young, Kazuyama has mastered a secret technique of the Second Hokage and has already made significant achievements on the battlefield."
"His strength is undeniable."
Then, his expression shifted to surprise.
"Wait... are you planning to bring him under your command?"
At this, the Daimyō burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, and why not?"
"I've looked into him as well."
"The Konoha Gekkō Clan—well, he's practically the clan head. After all, there are only two of them left."
Hearing this, Kazuyama had a question in his mind… but he wasn't sure if he even wanted to ask it.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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