The night passed quickly.
Early the next morning an attendant knocked on the door, inviting the three inside to meet the Daimyo.
After a quick wash, Hayashi led Mikoto and Himeji through the winding corridors toward a grand reception hall.
When they arrived, the Daimyo seated at the head of the room welcomed them warmly.
"Welcome, Konoha Ninja."
Though it was only May, the Daimyo held a small red fan in his right hand. He wore lavish garments and a bright headdress that gleamed in the morning light.
"It has been quite some time since our last meeting. This gift was entrusted to me by the Third Hokage to present to you. A token of respect."
In this era where ninja of high rank did not kneel before feudal lords, especially when representing Konoha's leadership, Hayashi offered a respectful bow and lifted the gift slightly.
A guard stepped forward and received the gift on the Daimyo's behalf.
The Daimyo beamed as he spoke, "The Third Hokage remains ever courteous. Truly, your arrival honors me greatly."
To everyone's surprise the Daimyo rose from his seat, walked around to Hayashi, patted his shoulder, and continued, "Indeed, heroes rise among the young. I hear Sunagakure calls you Konoha's Lightning Flash. Is there a tale behind that name?"
"I once performed a ninjutsu that struck down like lightning from the sky," Hayashi answered calmly.
The Daimyo laughed with approval and gave a thumbs-up, "I must see it firsthand someday."
For a moment the two conversed as though no one else was in the hall. The other ninja present were left unnoticed.
After an uncertain amount of time the Daimyo seemed to realize the situation. He opened his fan quickly, covering part of his face, apologizing to everyone present, "Forgive me. I was overly enthusiastic in greeting Konoha's ninja and lingered too long. Please forgive my distraction.
"Ah, yes, Hayashi, please take a seat along with your companions."
Hayashi offered a polite smile and sat at the Daimyo's right, bringing Mikoto and Himeji with him.
From his seat he surveyed the spacious hall. Though no one openly showed impatience, the assembled ninja clearly wore expressions of discomfort after being ignored.
Hayashi paid them little mind. Whether the Daimyo genuinely admired him or was intentionally isolating him did not matter. Konoha was a colossal force, one that a handful of Guardian Ninja could not unsettle.
The dispute over the Jade seemed almost laughable. With the power of the Hokage behind it, what leverage did the Daimyo truly have?
Hayashi's attention shifted as his gaze fell upon Oda Ichi, the one who had caused trouble the day before. With the Daimyo present she could not speak, but her eyes followed him, as though amused by the entire scene.
Once the Daimyo returned to his seat he began his formal address.
"First, I extend my welcome to all of you in the Tenshukaku. Whether you are from Konoha Village, various clans of the capital, or the monks of the Temple of Fire, prosperity in my land would not be possible without you."
There was a pause and everyone applauded in unison.
Raising his fan for silence, the Daimyo continued, "As you know, the previous Twelve Guardian Ninja met tragic ends three years ago. Investigations concluded that Sunagakure bore responsibility."
Hayashi and Mikoto shared a glance before turning their eyes to a distant vase.
The Daimyo's voice continued, "In short, reorganizing the Guardian Ninja is essential. But there are only twelve positions. How we choose the next group is for all of you to decide."
After speaking, he lifted his tea and sipped slowly.
True to his words, there were twelve slots and those seats had already been assigned. Yet Hayashi had arrived with an extra person. The Daimyo did not want to publicly refuse them, so instead he handed the decision over to the assembly.
A rough voice interrupted, "If the slots are already set why go through all this trouble?"
Hayashi turned toward the voice and saw a burly taijutsu specialist step forward. He recognized him immediately; this was Sato, the famed Taijutsu expert recommended by the so-called Great General Suppressing Japan.
Hayashi answered casually, "To serve as the Daimyo's Guardian Ninja one must prove strength, not connections. Are you suggesting a challenge?"
Sato, familiar with the reputation of Konoha's Lightning Flash, estimated that he might not win. He lowered his stance and said, "No one doubts your strength, but these two beside you…"
At once the attention fell on Mikoto and Himeji.
Hayashi could not help but laugh. Himeji, though the oldest, was only sixteen. Even from Konoha, how formidable could she appear to someone like Sato?
He leaned in and asked quietly, "Himeji, can you handle this?"
"No problem," she said with confidence, stepping forward.
Sending Himeji was the logical choice. Mikoto had just become a Chunin and honestly would have struggled against Sato. But Himeji was already a Jonin, her strength more than sufficient to take on a wild card like him.
This only highlighted how diluted the Guardian Ninja ranks had become if even a teenager was called upon.
As they stepped forward, Hayashi stood and watched the room fall silent with anticipation. The Daimyo sipped tea without concern, unbothered by the upcoming contest.
Actually the Daimyo seemed unsure why he had invited the Lightning Flash to be a Guardian Ninja himself. If not for the ninja examinations he would have thought he was under illusion.
Resigned to his own curiosity, he attended to the ceremony as best he could.
Once he sat again, Hayashi picked up his tea and began chatting with the monk beside him.
The monk looked about thirty, dressed in traditional robes yet bore a fierce expression, far from a gentle ascetic.
"How should I address you?" Hayashi asked.
"Just call me Jikū," the monk replied.
"You are from the Temple of Fire?"
"Yes."
Because of its reputation in the original tales, Hayashi had a favorable impression of the Temple of Fire. He was especially intrigued by the ninjutsu Raigō: Senju Kōten, a technique reminiscent of the First Hokage's True Several Thousand Hands. In legend it lasted less than five seconds before Chiriku fell, but who knew if his true power had been fully unleashed?
Hayashi was about to pursue the topic when Himeji suddenly returned.
She carried nothing in her hands, but the scent of blood clung to her clothes unmistakably.
Everyone knew Konoha ninja were powerful, but they had not expected such strength. Suddenly the entire hall was quiet except for her footsteps.
Hayashi raised his teacup and murmured with a hint of amusement, "Warm tea to decapitate Sato, indeed."
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