Chapter - 105 The Princess Diaries IV
Everybody paused. Then one of the Kurokami elders questioned.
"Your highness, I am assuming that you are not talking about us leaving here as missing-nin?"
"No, of course not. But since Lord Ren can not trust you all not to sabotage him in Konoha. What if you shift to the capital? Destroying a hundred Fuinjutsu masters seems quite wasteful. So I was thinking. Let the Daimyo take them over. "
Well played, princess. My shield becomes their shield. They will get powerful Fuinjutsu artists while the Hokage won't bat an eye in this matter between me and the Daimyo. He would rejoice if we actually fought. Besides, it was more logical from a nationalist perspective.
Their eyes sparkled. "That seems like a very good suggestion, princess."
"In that case, if the Kurokami are willing to swear their fealty to us, I can take you under the protection of the house of Fire."
Wait, what?
"We graciously accept your offer."
Kurokami Naotora bowed his head and changed his tone instantly. While Rei gave me a smug side eye.
It was a good alternative for me too. Since the Daimyo would owe me for letting him have these guys. I won't have to do a massacre. They will be out of Konoha where they could not scheme against me easily. But unfortunately, it was not that simple. I could tell from the expressions of my clan. This was unacceptable. Plus, with the amount of hate Rei had for me. These guys will definitely become a problem someday if I let them go. I was not going to be one of those foolish MCs. The Princess better have some ridiculously powerful offer from the Daimyo. I could ignore them for now. Doesn't mean I preferred to.
"Oh, I did not know that witnesses spoke without being asked.." I gave my voice a foreboding tone, making the Princess and the Kurokami wary. As a Major clan. Logic was not the only arrow in my quiver.
"By law, I can not stop you from giving that offer, princess. But are you certain you want to give it?"
I gave her the chance to pacify us and make an offer.
"I am the Princess of the Royal House of Fire. We wronged you, so I was calm. Does not mean I am afraid."
Her eyes were firm. Her jaw set. Prideful she was. But why the hell was she going offscript? This is straight up bamboozling. It would make sense if we were a small or even a middling clan. But bamboozling a major clan on reputation alone? and that too of a weakened leader? Is she an idiot?
"Are you sure princess?" I asked in confusion.
She glared at me heavily. "Did I stutter?"
I looked around to the politically sound for advice while protests broke out in the crowd. Everyone was confused. Even the Kurokami were exchanging confused glances.
"In that case. Sure, take them."
She nodded slowly. But before anything else could happen. I added, "By the way, princess,"
She looked up.
"I have thought about your offer. And I have come to a decision. I reject it. You should go back to the capital once your business in Konoha is done. Don't stay on my account."
"You are being too arrogant, Lord Ren!" she spat out.
I did not reply. Was this what facing an arrogant young master feels like? Hana and Kaito weren't here. They had decided to take a 3 day trip downards to some noble clan. I wanted to ask if the Daimyo had gotten his hands on something powerful enough to push us. But in any case, The die has been cast. I just stood up. "Reject their applications. And if any of them are found doing Fuinjutsu within the borders of the Land of Fire. Send Enforcers."
And then I left.
My mind was racing a hundred miles an hour. Was the princess right? Was I being too arrogant? No. That's not it. Then why was she so adamant about fighting me on this? Was the capital that desperate for immediate power that they would risk antagonizing a major clan. ? What's happening here? Well, in any case. A blow had been struck against me today. I will have to strike one back. We have just become a major clan. And how we behave now will determine how we are treated down the line.
"Haruto! Go to the capital and gather information. And if possible, cozy up to the Daimyo's enemies."
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Do you want the Kurokami to go unpunished?"
He nodded and went out.
"Emiko, tell me, how is the information network coming along?"
"My lord, it will take a lot of time to give returns. I have just started out."
"I don't need too much. But look through the surface to see if there is something that our princess doesn't want us to know."
"Yes, sir."
"Raya, prepare to leave for the Inuzuka compound. "
"Yes, Sire."
"And Hina will be joining us."
"Okay"
"Hotaru!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Find an access to the black market. Take a few people with you."
"Yes, sir."
"Reina!"
"Yes, Lord?"
"Go and find a genin named Maito Duy. Fix a meeting between us. And Reina, treat him with respect."
"Yes, Lord."
Raya came and stood at the door. It's time to go, huh?
Inuzuka Tsume's table.
From my side, there were three people. They had matched three too. The Head, her husband, and Elder Renga.
"It's been a while, Kurosawa-san. How have you been?"
"Yes. It has been a while."
"How's Rina. I haven't met her for a while now."
"Oh, she is at camp. It takes time to train ninken. Especially when we are overwriting former training in one of the partners."
"I see makes sense. So anyways, Is there a particular reason that you wished to meet me?"
"No, no particular reason. " The head spoke. She was quite young and looked younger. The last head had retired very recently. "I just wanted to see the man who has joined our ranks from scratch." She smiled brightly. "If you don't mind. I would like to see the infamous Yamigami."
I smiled back and obliged. Yami manifested as a blob on my hand and waved at her.
"My, my. It is quite cute."
This wasn't too surprising. Most Lords just wanted to see the new man in town and make deals regarding the new Fuinjutsu Council.
Maybe it was because I had dealt with Renga before or maybe it was because the Inuzuka had no other demands except the standard ones. The meeting wrapped up smoothly and efficiently. The only thing extra being that they wanted priority in case of the availability of Lost Mirror bracers.
Towards the end, when the talk shifted to general topics. I broached the subject. "Lady Inuzuka. Have you heard of anything from the capital?"
"The capital? Shouldn't I be the one asking you? You are the ones with royal guests."
I smiled. "I suppose so, but it is because of those guests that I am asking."
"Hmmm"
"So? Have you heard anything?"
"Well, since you are a friend of ours. I suppose there's no harm," she emphasized on 'a friend'. I understood and nodded.