The sudden commotion outside the town caused the three Daimyo to move to the window at the same time.
In the distance, a luxurious procession was slowly entering the town.
Golden carriages, magnificent banners, a disciplined guard formation, and numerous officials.
The wealth and power of the Land of Fire were fully on display through this procession.
However—
None of that was the most eye-catching part.
All eyes were locked on a massive, heavily reinforced prisoner cart following behind the golden carriage.
Inside the cart.
Three figures were in pitiful condition.
They were the Fourth Raikage A, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki Killer B, and the Raikage's secretary Mabui!
The Raikage was imprisoned in a cart, paraded through the streets as a war trophy the entire way.
A collective gasp of cold air spread throughout the reception room.
If parading three thousand Kumo shinobi was a brutal slap to the face of the Land of Lightning…
Then imprisoning a Kage in a cart for display was tearing the Land of Lightning's dignity to shreds and trampling it into the ground!
The three Daimyo exchanged glances. Even if they treated shinobi as tools, they would never go this far.
"He is truly young and full of vigor," the Daimyo of the Land of Earth remarked.
"Indeed."
Meanwhile, Ōnoki clenched his teeth, his beard trembling with anger.
This Daimyo of the Land of Fire clearly did not consider shinobi to be human beings.
"Father…"
Kitsuchi, standing beside him, also looked grim.
Today it was Kumo's Raikage in the cart.
What about tomorrow?
Could it be their Tsuchikage? Or the Kazekage?
For a moment, a sense of shared dread spread among all the shinobi in the room.
Just as everyone harbored their own thoughts and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Four riders suddenly broke off from the approaching procession.
A middle-aged man, dressed like a high official and escorted by three guards, split from the convoy and galloped straight toward the inn.
"Hmm?"
Ōnoki's old eyes narrowed.
Rasa also frowned deeply.
What was this about?
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the official dismounted in front of the inn and exchanged a few words with the guards.
Moments later, one of the inn's guards came upstairs to report, "Sirs, Tanaka Shigeru-sama, the Minister of Finance of the Land of Fire, requests an audience!"
Minister of Finance?
Why bring someone of that level?
The Daimyo exchanged looks.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire hadn't even arrived yet, but he had already sent his money manager ahead?
"Let him come up," the Daimyo of the Land of Earth said calmly with a wave of his hand.
"Yes."
Soon, footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Tanaka straightened his robes and ascended the stairs with the three guards.
Each guard held an exquisite brocade box.
As soon as he entered, Tanaka gave a deep bow to the three Daimyo. "Tanaka Shigeru of the Land of Fire greets the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, the Kazekage, and the Daimyo of the Land of Water."
"Tanaka-sama, no need for such formality."
The Kazekage opened his fan and spoke with a forced smile. "May I ask why the Daimyo of the Land of Fire sent you ahead?"
Tanaka straightened and smiled warmly. "Daimyo-sama is on his way, but he was concerned about making the three of you wait too long, and felt deeply apologetic."
"So he specifically ordered this humble official to deliver a small token of apology."
With that, he waved to the guards behind him.
The three guards immediately stepped forward and handed the brocade boxes to the attendants of the three Daimyo.
"These are specialty teas from the Land of Fire, along with a few modest trinkets. We hope the three of you will accept them in good faith."
Gifts?
The expressions on the Daimyo's faces became intrigued.
He had just used the Raikage's humiliation to send a warning to everyone.
And now he immediately sent gifts to apologize?
This didn't feel like something a rash youth would do.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth gestured for his subordinate to open the brocade box.
A rich aroma of tea instantly filled the air.
The tea leaves were plump and vibrant in color, clearly top quality.
Beside the tea sat a warm, exquisitely carved pendant. Refined and valuable.
The gifts for the Kazekage and the Daimyo of the Land of Water were of similar nature.
All were elegant and precious, yet not overly extravagant.
The presentation was flawless.
"Haha, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire is very considerate." The Daimyo of the Land of Water's impatience eased as he spoke slowly.
After all, no one strikes a smiling face.
Since the other party had shown such courtesy, as fellow Daimyo, they naturally couldn't act petty.
"Please convey our thanks to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire." The Daimyo of the Land of Earth also said, "We'll wait for his arrival here."
"Yes, this humble official will certainly pass on your words."
Tanaka bowed again, then left with his guards.
After his departure, the tension in the reception room eased somewhat.
Ōnoki scowled but said nothing.
However, Rasa's expression grew even more serious.
This Daimyo of the Land of Fire, able to shift so effortlessly between pressure and appeasement, dominance and grace.
Was a hundred times more terrifying than a straightforward tyrant!
Just then, the noise downstairs surged once more.
The motorcade had finally arrived below the inn.
Arashi stepped down from the carriage, fully escorted by the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
The three figures in the prisoner cart glared at him, eyes burning with hatred.
Powerless rage!
Arashi ignored the three defeated shinobi. Surrounded by guards, he walked straight into the inn.
The sound of steady footsteps echoed up the staircase.
Soon, he appeared at the entrance to the reception room.
Arashi's gaze swept over the room.
At last, it landed on the three Daimyo, and he revealed a polite, perfectly measured smile.
"I apologize for keeping the three of you waiting." He gave a small bow.
"Not at all. You've traveled far, you must be exhausted." The Daimyo of the Land of Earth chuckled and stepped forward to greet him.
"Daimyo Arashi, what splendid presence you command," the Kazekage said, returning the bow.
A greeting full of hypocrisy and subtle probing began.
The Kage stood silently behind their respective Daimyo, watching the exchange, thoughts churning.
Was this calm, smiling youth really the same person who had just paraded the Raikage like a criminal?
Once everyone was seated.
The Daimyo of the Land of Water was the first to lose patience.
He put down his teacup, looked at Arashi, and asked directly, "Daimyo Arashi, you were the one who proposed this Daimyo Meeting. By right, all five nations should be present."
"So why did you request a private meeting with us before the official one?"
As soon as he spoke.
The entire room fell silent.
Ōnoki and Rasa perked up.
This was the real reason they were here!
All eyes turned to Arashi.
"Because…" Arashi smiled slightly. "Some things aren't suitable for losers to hear."
"I invited the three of you here early because I wanted to share the spoils of victory with the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Water."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)