Not long after Haseo's main body returned, Sakumo Hatake and Sannai also arrived. At the appointed time, all squad members who had completed their respective tasks gathered together.
With that, the team had completed most of their mission objectives in Daimyo's Castle. However, Haseo slightly frowned as he looked at Sakumo—there was something unusually strange about the way Sakumo was currently carrying someone on his back.
"Sakumo, you were just supposed to rescue her, right? So what exactly happened here?"
This didn't look like a simple rescue operation. Clearly, Sakumo had done something extra.
If Sakumo were a few years older, this situation would've been serious.
But since he was still an innocent child, he completely missed what Haseo implied and instead bluntly stated, "The mission was completed smoothly without any incidents along the way. This is... my little sister."
Hmm, she's just your little sister? Then why does "little sister" say purple suits her so well?
Haseo nodded slightly. Judging from Sakumo's reaction, it seemed he really was telling the truth. He was a trustworthy guy—nothing like Jiraiya. Unlike Haseo, someone like Sakumo probably wouldn't even think to lie.
As for Haseo himself, he was pretty good at lying. He called it "information camouflage" and personally believed that a ninja who couldn't lie wasn't a good ninja.
Tsumiki Nono, being carried on Sakumo Hatake's back, instinctively tightened her grip when she saw Haseo. Although Sakumo initially appeared intimidating when he showed up, Tsumiki now found him gentle. But far more threatening than him was Haseo. Because ninjas are always caught up in fighting and killing, they tend to become numb to some things.
But Tsumiki, a sensitive civilian, was different. She hadn't even realized that Haseo had just killed someone. After all, before returning, Haseo had thoroughly cleaned himself—there wasn't even a trace of blood or stench on him. Yet she could still sense a dangerous aura radiating from him.
The feeling was somewhat mystical, with no logical basis behind it—she simply felt it.
And, as it turned out, she was right.
"In that case, we can withdraw now."
Since the overt objective of the mission had already been achieved, there was no longer a need for the squad to remain inside Daimyo's Castle. They left the alley and stealthily moved toward the city outskirts.
Before long, the squad exited Daimyo's Castle.
But just as they passed through the gates, the whole city erupted into chaos, as if something terrifying had happened.
An earthquake? No one felt anything. Everyone exchanged confused glances.
Sakumo Hatake also found it strange. Even if the enemy discovered the hostage's disappearance faster than expected, one low-value hostage shouldn't provoke such widespread panic across the entire city.
"Sakumo… Did you actually do something else besides rescuing her?"
"So Haseo is a liar," Sakumo flipped the accusation before his teammates could even react.
"..."
Sakumo Hatake shook his head helplessly. He really hadn't done anything inappropriate. But after glancing at the slender arm wrapped around his neck, he finally spoke up, "Well... I did take one of their bed sheets without asking. Still, would Fire Daimyo really put the entire city on alert just for a single sheet?"
Listen to how he spins the story. You'd think someone might at least feel a little guilty. Sakumo Hatake truly hadn't done anything wrong—he even remembered clearly about stealing that one bed sheet. In comparison, Haseo was indeed ruthless and unscrupulous.
"I see... Well we've never owed money to a casino either," Haseo feigned deep thought before continuing, "Whatever the case may be, something big must've happened inside Daimyo's Castle. Hatake and Sannai, you two should return to Konoha with everyone else first. Tsunade and I will temporarily stay here. We need to find out exactly what's going on in this city."
This decision actually made perfect sense. After all, even if the team split up, there wouldn't be any danger within Land of Fire. After a nod of agreement, Sakumo Hatake turned and left with the other two ninja heading back to Konoha.
Tsunade and Haseo remained behind.
"Haseo... What should we do next?"
Tsunade wasn't familiar with Haseo's plan. She originally thought they'd immediately return to Konoha directly from Daimyo's Castle to avoid suspicion after completing their mission. She hadn't expected Haseo would choose to stay.
"Wait until daybreak, then enter the city openly," Haseo replied.
At the very least, he wouldn't return to Konoha until the situation at Daimyo's Castle stabilized. Even showing up bright and early tomorrow wouldn't seem suspicious. Other than the Daimyo himself, who would suspect the loyal Konoha ninja village of harming the country's leader? That simply wouldn't make sense.
By dawn the next day, all four gates of Daimyo's Castle were closed and the city had been completely sealed off.
Arriving at the main gate, Haseo and Tsunade addressed the guards, "Everyone, I'm Haseo, a Jonin from Konoha. I've come on Third Hokage's orders to explain the unfortunate incident where the Daimyo's messenger perished while visiting Konoha. Also, we wish to further discuss matters regarding the 'Twelve Guardian Ninja' recently returned to Konoha... Why has the city been closed off? What happened inside?"
After hearing Haseo's voice, a guard leaned out from an upper window of the gate tower. Upon recognizing the forehead protector on Haseo's head, he immediately went to report something. Shortly afterward, he reappeared, calling down to them, "Esteemed Jonin from Konoha, please come directly up here. Some issues have arisen at Daimyo's Castle, so we cannot open the gates for now."
Exchanging glances, Haseo and Tsunade then proceeded forward as easily as walking on flat ground, ascending to the top of the Tower.
"Jonin Haseo, you couldn't have arrived at a better time. Please follow me right away. We must hurry to Palace."
After Haseo and Tsunade arrived, the captain of the city gate guards immediately rushed over, clearly panicking as he spoke to them… He didn't even bother verifying Haseo's status as a "Konoha Jonin," indicating that these people had already lost their composure.
"What happened?"
Haseo frowned, feigning complete ignorance.
The guard captain hesitated at first, but ultimately decided to trust the Konoha ninja. He leaned close to Haseo and whispered, "I used to be the palace guard captain. Last night… the Daimyo died suddenly under suspicious circumstances. That's why I came here to handle the gate lockdown."
Haseo gave him a look that clearly said, "You've gotta be kidding me." Now *that* was commitment to the role.
"It's true, honorable one. Please, follow me."
The guard seemed to understand how unbelievable this sounded. After all, yesterday the Daimyo had still been perfectly fine. Who could've guessed he'd suddenly drop dead?
Just after Konoha's protective ninjas left, something like this happened. Now the guards and many others were questioning the Daimyo's foolish decision to expel the Konoha ninja. Figures. He brought it on himself, but now the rest of us have to clean up his mess.
"Lead the way."
Finally appearing somewhat convinced, Haseo motioned for the guard captain to go ahead while he followed closely behind.
When they reached the Daimyo's chambers once again, they found a number of clan lords and retainers gathered there. But instead of being disturbed, the "scene of the incident" had been carefully preserved—clearly intentional.
Putting on quite the performance, Haseo stepped protectively in front of the underage Tsunade and muttered loud enough for everyone to hear:
"This… this is utterly indecent.
As for the cause of the Daimyo's death?
Must've been some sudden illness or… natural causes."
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