Yanagimura had just reached the main gate and hadn't even called for it to be opened yet.
Before he could speak, the gate was suddenly smashed open with a scream, and a man was sent flying into the Daimyō's territory.
Luckily, Yanagimura reacted fast—otherwise, he would've been caught in the mess.
As a retainer of the Daimyō's Manor, he had always been high and mighty. No one had ever dared to offend him.
This sudden situation enraged him.
"What the hell is going on?!"
"Why did someone go flying in here?!"
"Who—?"
"Hmm?"
Mid-outburst, Yanagimura glanced toward the gate and immediately saw Kazuyama Gekkō's face, black as the bottom of a pot.
Being the Daimyō's right-hand man, Yanagimura was quick-witted. He glanced at Gekkō's furious expression and clenched fist, then at the man who had been knocked flying.
He instantly understood what had happened.
"Oh my, isn't that Kazuyama Gekkō?"
"Konohagakure sent word that someone would be arriving—I didn't expect it to be you."
"I've really missed you."
"What happened? Did someone offend you? Don't worry, just tell me. I'll make sure justice is served."
Yanagimura hurried outside, his face full of concern.
He understood the situation perfectly. For Kazuyama to lose his temper and attack right at the manor's gate, it had to be the guards provoking him.
Given Kazuyama's current standing—oppressed by his own village—it made sense for him to have a short fuse. The gatekeeper was simply blind.
He didn't even recognize the lifeline of the Land of Fire.
"Oh, isn't this old Mr. Yanagimura?"
"Sorry for causing trouble as soon as I arrived. This temper of mine... really."
"Sorry, sorry."
Seeing Yanagimura himself come out, Kazuyama immediately switched to a cheerful expression, as if nothing had happened.
He and Yanagimura exchanged pleasantries like old friends.
As for the guy who had just been knocked flying—neither of them said a word about him, as if he didn't exist.
The crowd quietly dispersed. Since Mr. Yanagimura had appeared, there was no point in sticking around.
"Come on, Kazuyama, His Excellency has been waiting for you."
"You're staying a few more days this time, right?"
Yanagimura personally led Kazuyama toward the Daimyō's castle, with Obito and Shisui following behind.
Kazuyama's eyes subtly scanned the surrounding watchtowers.
"They spotted me?"
"No wonder they call him Konoha's Ghost—he's sharp."
Atop one of the towers, five figures were watching Kazuyama and his companions from above.
"Kazuma, what's up?"
"Worried that kid's gonna steal our job?"
"Heh, Konoha's Ghost, huh? I'd love to test him out."
The man named Kazuma held a tin staff. Hearing his companion's words, he didn't respond, still watching Kazuyama intently.
"Locust, never underestimate anyone."
"How many times have I told you that?"
Another voice spoke, but Locust clearly didn't care.
He just scoffed.
"Give it a rest, Sparrow. He's just a brat. You really think he's something special?"
"Probably just Konoha hyping him up."
Locust and Sparrow locked eyes, neither backing down.
"All right, enough. Kazuma, even if Locust is being harsh, I'm curious about that Kazuyama too."
"There's no way we five can't handle him, right?"
Another voice chimed in. Kazuma pondered for a moment before speaking.
"I get what you're all thinking, but now's not the time."
"Water Centipede, you know what to do."
Kazuma turned to the silent figure beside him. The man nodded, then turned into a pool of liquid and vanished from the rooftop.
Obito had been to the Daimyō's Manor before, so he wasn't particularly impressed. But Shisui looked around with interest.
"What? Curious?"
"Want me to show you around later?"
"There's a lot of cool stuff in the Daimyō's Manor."
Obito, acting like an experienced local, started boasting to Shisui.
But as they walked past a street, Obito's eyes locked onto something.
Shisui followed his gaze.
A gambling house.
Shisui didn't find it strange. It was common knowledge in the Uchiha clan that they had a gambler in their midst.
Ever since Kazuyama dragged him to a casino, Obito had turned into a true gambler.
He'd often sneak into gambling dens using the Transformation Technique—though he usually lost more than he won.
Shisui sighed, knowing he couldn't talk Obito out of it. The age gap aside, Obito wouldn't listen anyway.
Just then, Yanagimura glanced back at Obito with a barely noticeable smirk.
To him, people with weaknesses were the easiest to manipulate.
Kazuyama also noticed Obito's expression, but he didn't react. Instead, Yanagimura spoke.
"It's normal for young men to have hobbies. The gambling dens here are far more fun than the ones outside."
"I remember you—you're Kazuyama's student, right? If you want to play for a bit, go ahead. Just don't repeat what happened last time."
Obito's eyes lit up. He was already planning how to win big.
But his excitement was quickly cut short by Kazuyama.
"Obito, gambling's fine, but don't come asking me for money when you lose."
"You know your teacher—I'm broke lately. Your teacher's wife is the one holding the purse strings."
Obito quickly looked away, though he was still mentally calculating his remaining funds.
Inside the castle, the Daimyō was already waiting in the hall.
After everyone bowed, the Daimyō smiled.
"Kazuyama, it's been a while."
"You performed excellently in the recent war. Even someone like me, who never leaves the castle, has heard of the Ghost of Konoha."
The Daimyō's friendly tone made Shisui pause in surprise.
Given the tension between the Daimyō's Manor and Konohagakure, he hadn't expected such kindness toward Kazuyama.
"Hahaha, Your Excellency hasn't changed a bit. I've really missed the Daimyō's Manor."
"I wonder if the food's gotten any worse, hahaha."
After all, anyone can put on a show.
And Kazuyama, the born actor, was back in performance mode.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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