"First, let me introduce myself. I am Oda Ichi, currently the sheriff of the Daimyo's Residence and the capital."
Inside a hall in the Tenshukaku, a young woman in her twenties, a three-foot katana slung at her waist, frowned and fixed her gaze on Hayashi.
Hayashi met her stare without hesitation, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "The sheriff, is it? I already registered when I entered the Daimyo's Residence. Do I need to register again?"
"General Zhenwo reported that you committed an assault outside the Tenshukaku, nearly harming his groom and injuring him. Did that happen?"
Hayashi scratched his head, feigning confusion. "Are you sure it was me? I'm just an ordinary ninja. Would I really dare?"
"Ordinary?" Oda Ichi leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing, expression cold. "You, Excellency, are far from ordinary. The legendary Konoha Lightning Flash, personally requested as Guardian Ninja by the Daimyo himself."
Hayashi smiled faintly, catching her subtle scent. "Sheriff, I am a law-abiding citizen. My fame is just chatter among fellow ninjas—not worth much."
"Besides, it's my first time at the Daimyo's Residence. I don't know any general personally. Why would I do something so reckless?"
"Whether you admit it or not, you'll find out when you come back with me."
Hayashi laughed softly. "I am a Konoha Ninja. I don't answer to you. Do you plan to strike a Konoha ninja with the Daimyo's sword?"
"You..." Oda Ichi snorted coldly, drawing her katana a few inches from its sheath.
Hayashi burst out laughing. "Your stance is weak. If you want me to react, you'll need some killing intent."
"Surely you haven't killed anyone yet?"
Her words cut, and this time Oda Ichi truly blushed in embarrassment and fury. She drew the sword three more inches but then, frustrated, slammed it back.
"And they call you the legendary Lightning Flash. You don't even dare lift a finger. I think you fall far short of Senior Sakumo."
"I was never as good as…" Hayashi began, then paused. "You know Big Brother Sakumo?"
"Hmph, I'm not telling you," she said lightly, offering a faint, practiced smile before turning to leave.
"By the way," Hayashi called, grinning, "for Big Brother Sakumo's sake, here's a tip."
As Oda Ichi exited the hall, she glanced back with a hint of smugness. "Right now, General Zhenwo is playing mahjong with the Daimyo. He's the one who filed the complaint against you."
She paused, then added, "Also, among the Guardian Ninja is a man named Sato, recommended by General Zhenwo. Watch your step."
Hayashi raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Thanks for the warning."
The girl snorted, a mixture of embarrassment and pride, before disappearing from sight.
Once she was gone, Himeji, who had been silently observing, spoke softly. "Oda Ichi… she must be the daughter of Oda Nobuhide, head of the Oda Clan."
"Is she well-known?"
"Indeed. One of the three major families in the Daimyo's Residence, and reputedly the most beautiful woman there."
"Have you been here before, Himeji? You seem familiar with this place."
"I have. Every year during the Autumn Harvest Festival." She paused thoughtfully. "It's not just the Hyuga Clan. Many major families in Konoha maintain ties with the Daimyo's Residence."
Hayashi nodded, realizing the depth of the political waters he had stepped into.
Mikoto, curious, asked, "And the Daimyo?"
"It's fine," Hayashi said lightly. "We're here as Guardian Ninja, representing Konoha. The Third Hokage told me to be confident, perhaps even a little arrogant, but never to tarnish the Village's prestige. The Daimyo will handle today's matters. Nothing will go wrong."
"That's reassuring," Himeji said, finally relaxing.
"Let's go back to where we're staying," Hayashi said, leading the way.
The Tenshukaku, from the outside, resembled a fortress, but inside, it was a labyrinth of courtyards, terraces, pavilions, and streams with small bridges, almost like a vast garden. The luxury surpassed anything in Konoha.
To ninjas, such comfort was foreign; life in the Village felt ascetic in comparison.
Passing a tranquil lake, Hayashi glanced up and saw a colossal Thousand-Armed Kannon statue perched on a distant mountain.
Himeji whispered, "The Daimyo spent millions of Ryo building it. There's another similar statue at the Temple of Fire."
Hayashi nodded but felt a pang of longing. If only this were the First Hokage's true Thousand-Armed Kan'on…
Still, the Daimyo's extravagance was undeniable. After spending so long in Konoha, he almost forgot this was a feudal society.
"Imagine the Ninja World without a Daimyo," he said suddenly.
"Without a Daimyo?" Mikoto was startled.
"The Land of Fire would probably collapse into chaos… like Konoha without a Hokage."
Hayashi shook his head. "Not quite. The Hokage isn't hereditary. Though he's our superior, we're still largely equal. The Daimyo, however, is inherited, and frankly, mostly useless… at least from Konoha's perspective."
"So should the Hokage rule the Land of Fire?" Himeji asked.
Hayashi smiled faintly. "Village management is difficult enough. Running a country? Impossible. The Daimyo delegates everything to subordinates anyway. Best to let them live in idle luxury, like Celestial Dragons, while we focus on what matters."
He sighed. Even controlling his own fate was a challenge, yet he found himself pondering the destiny of an entire nation.
"Enough thinking. Let's go back and write a letter."
Mikoto looked puzzled. "To whom?"
"Big Brother Sakumo, of course," Hayashi replied with a grin. "One look at Oda Ichi shows her relationship with him is unique. Let's see if we can fish some information using her charm."
"Will… that work?"
"It will. Big Brother Sakumo's luck with blind dates hasn't improved in years."
Mikoto could only shake her head in quiet disbelief.
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