Chapter 180: Two New Members of the Nine Samurai
The whole affair had developed very quickly. From the incident to the widespread rumors, it had only taken a few days. The various powers of the ninja world were watching, some with interest, some perhaps even planning to make a move.
But even with the suspicion that someone was amplifying the incident's impact, it was not easy to investigate. As the current strongest village, anything that made the Cloud look bad had a high degree of "newsworthiness." The news was mostly spread by word of mouth.
In reality, Dana was not too concerned about this so-called "loss of prestige." The Cloud had been too successful in recent years. The older generation could still maintain their composure, but the younger generation had become a bit arrogant. If something could remind them that the ninja world was still full of dangers and that they could not be so conceited, that was not a bad thing.
But not in this way.
The two fallen Cloud ninja had been promising young talents. If they had been a little older, they would have been in the Joint Chunin Exams, perhaps even in one of the seed teams. The village had sent them to the capital to be a part of the Nine Samurai with the intention of training them.
Though they were not old, their skills were real. To have been taken down without even a chance to send a message... it was not the work of an ordinary person. And the matter of the Communication Snails... they had clearly been targeted. The enemy had come prepared.
Two Cloud ninja, with their forehead protectors, escorting a recognizable noble caravan. Not to mention in their own territory, even in the Land of Fire, no one should have dared to attack.
And the assassination attempt on the Daimyo, though it had happened a few days later, the coincidence was also suspicious.
At the Third Raikage's direction, the "Special Strategy Division," which had been operating at a low level during peacetime, was reactivated. Dana and his numerous subordinates set out and arrived at the capital that very same day.
When he stood at the gate of Asuka Castle, even the announcer looked surprised.
A short while later, a servant came to summon him. The Daimyo had invited him to his study.
Dana, in his combat gear, nodded and was about to lead his men inside.
"Lord Dana," the servant said quickly, "your subordinates should probably not come in. There are many women in the castle. It might be inconvenient."
"An assassin has already gotten into the castle," he said, looking at the servant. "For the Daimyo's safety, we need to re-evaluate and rearrange the guard. Since it is not convenient to enter now, let's just investigate the surroundings first."
With a wave of his hand, before anyone could give permission, his subordinates had dispersed.
The servant watched the dozen or so figures quickly disappear around the castle and didn't dare to say another word. This Yotsuki Dana had an engagement with the Daimyo's family, and he was a person of great renown in the ninja world. A small servant like him would not dare to challenge him.
He was led deep into the castle. Along the way, he encountered many maids and servants, and his tall, heroic figure attracted a great deal of whispered comments.
Finally, he arrived at the study in the depths of the castle.
There were two people inside: the Thunder Daimyo and an unfamiliar old man, likely one of his ministers.
The Daimyo did not look well. His large body was a bit sickly. But in Dana's memory, he had always looked like a man who had been drained by a life of excess. So he couldn't tell if he was frightened by the assassin or if this was just his normal state.
"My dear son-in-law!" the Daimyo said, a hint of enthusiasm appearing on his sickly face as he put down his brush. "You've come so quickly. I'm sorry to have troubled you. It has been a very unlucky year."
"Your Excellency was attacked," he said. "It was the Cloud's failure to protect you. Rest assured, we will find out who was behind it as soon as possible."
After a few pleasantries, the Daimyo pointed to the other man in the room. "This is my most capable minister, Jun'en Furuya," he said. "For the investigation, you can just go to him. I have not been feeling well since the incident. I am getting old."
He offered a few words of comfort, but in his mind, he thought, You've been old for a long time.
Just as he and Jun'en were about to leave, the Daimyo, as if just remembering, said, "My dear son-in-law, with the loss of two of the Nine Samurai, there have been some gaps in the castle's defenses. I was worried that there would be another incident, so I have recruited two new ninja to protect the castle with the Nine Samurai. I hope the Cloud does not mind."
"The safety of the castle is the top priority," he said after a moment of silence. "Our previous failure was our fault. But Your Excellency should be careful of ninja of unknown origin. You may be inviting disaster."
"It is just a temporary measure," the Daimyo said with a chuckle. "I may not keep them in the future. But at least it has eased my worries."
He and Jun'en left the study together. "Yotsuki-kun," Jun'en said immediately, "what are your plans? Do you need me to summon the remaining members of the Nine Samurai?"
He glanced down at the old man, who was only up to his chest. You think I need you to summon them?
He had already exchanged information with the Nine Samurai through his Communication Snail.
"I will go and see them later," he said. "But for now, I want to see the two ninja the Daimyo has recruited. After all, the safety of the castle is at stake. If they are just some incompetent fools, I can have my men fill their positions."
Jun'en was a little surprised, but under his gaze, he finally nodded. "Then please follow me."
Behind the castle was a small garden, with a training ground for the samurai and the Nine Samurai. When he arrived, two men were training.
One was a tall swordsman with a black ponytail. The other was an ordinary-looking, sallow-faced middle-aged man. The two of them seemed to have gotten along well with the samurai, who were cheering them on as they demonstrated various shuriken throwing techniques.
"Amazing!"
"Lord Iga is so strong!"
The commotion died down with his arrival. The samurai might not have recognized him, but the man Jun'en had brought was clearly the leader of the group, and they did not dare to be noisy.
"These are the two ninja the Daimyo has recently recruited," Jun'en said. "They are both very skilled. The tall one is Iga Saemon. The other is Mitsumasa Saito."
As he was looking at them, they were also looking at him.
A moment later, to everyone's surprise, he walked up to the tall Iga Saemon and, looking him straight in the eye, patted him on the cheek.
"So tall," he said.
The training ground fell silent.