"Kazama-kun, I can't thank you enough for saving my life! I'd heard you were strong, but I had no idea your medical ninjutsu was this incredible. I'm seriously impressed!"
Once everyone else had left, the Daimyō of Hi no Kuni hurried over to Kazama with a big smile.
"There were too many people around earlier, so I didn't reveal your true identity. That's why those royal physicians underestimated you. I hope you'll forgive me for that!"
Hearing the Daimyō's words, Kazama gave a casual nod and a grin.
"No worries, Daimyō-sama. Hokage-sama already filled me in on the situation. I'm here incognito to lure out those bandits who attacked the princess and take them all down in one go. As long as I can protect the princess and eliminate the bandits, I don't care about anything else!"
"Well said! I'll have someone take you to meet the princess right away!"
"Emergency! The princess insists on going to a ball, and we can't stop her!"
Just then, a few guards came rushing in, looking panicked.
Their faces were scratched up, clearly the work of the famously stubborn princess.
"Useless fools!" the Daimyō snapped at them.
"A ball? That's a crowded, chaotic place! If the bandits sneak in and kidnap the princess, you're all done for! Stop her, no matter what it takes!"
"Uh…"
The guards looked totally stuck after the Daimyō's scolding.
They couldn't disobey his orders, no question.
But the princess was his daughter. Using force to stop her? That was a no-go, too.
One wrong move, and they'd still be in hot water with the Daimyō.
"Daimyō-sama," Kazama cut in, "why not just let the princess go to the ball? And while we're at it, pull all the guards away from her."
"What?!"
Kazama's suggestion didn't just shock the Daimyō.
Even the guards shot him curious looks.
They didn't know Kazama or his reputation.
So when they heard him say this, they started snickering under their breath.
Everyone knew the Daimyō cared about the princess's safety more than his own life.
And now Kazama was suggesting they ditch her guards? That was practically throwing her into danger!
"Hmph! This kid's about to lose his head," one of the guards muttered.
But just as they were getting ready to watch Kazama crash and burn, something unbelievable happened.
The normally strict Daimyō of Hi no Kuni… nodded at Kazama.
"Alright, we'll do it your way. Pull all the guards immediately. As for the ball, let the princess attend if she wants!"
"What?!"
The guards couldn't believe it. The mighty Daimyō of Hi no Kuni was actually listening to some random kid's advice?
They exchanged stunned glances, completely baffled.
"What are you standing around for? Go carry out my orders!" the Daimyō barked.
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing the Daimyō's temper flare, the guards scrambled out of there.
"Sigh… I hid my illness from everyone so my daughter wouldn't worry. But now? Not only is she not worried, she's out partying, acting like those bandits are no big deal," the Daimyō said with a heavy sigh.
"Don't worry," Kazama replied confidently. "With me here, catching those bandits will be a piece of cake!"
Seeing Kazama's self-assurance, the Daimyō clapped him on the shoulder with a grin.
"Kazama-kun, when you suggested pulling the guards and letting the princess go to the ball… were you planning to draw the bandits out into the open?"
The Daimyō wasn't just a figurehead—he was sharp, and he'd already pieced together Kazama's strategy.
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