The guard looked troubled, but seeing Kechi's group's extraordinary bearing, he didn't dare offend them easily.
Just then, Kechi raised her hand gently, looking at the scarred ninja with displeasure.
"Rin, what did I tell you earlier? Show some respect to Yugakure's leader."
The scarred ninja called Rin immediately lowered his head in terror, his voice trembling slightly.
"My lady, I was too rash. Please forgive this subordinate."
Kechi narrowed her eyes slightly. Her gaze shifted from Rin to the guard as she spoke softly.
"My subordinate doesn't know proper etiquette, but I truly have extremely important matters to discuss with your village's leader. I'd appreciate it if you could report this as soon as possible."
The guard lifted his head slightly to look at Kechi and froze for a moment.
Earlier, everything had seemed blurry, but now he could see clearly.
The woman before him was stunningly beautiful. Her slightly furrowed brows and mildly pleading eyes made his heart skip a beat.
Only after that gaze sparked Rin's displeasure again did the guard snap back to reality, stammering.
"Please... please wait a moment. I... I'll report this right away."
With that, he hurried off.
Kechi raised her eyes slightly, watching the guard's departing figure with a calm gaze.
A gentle breeze brushed past, lifting the hair by her ear, but she seemed oblivious, maintaining her elegant posture.
The three ninja stood like loyal guards, surrounding Kechi closely while vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Training in the plaza slowly resumed, but people kept glancing toward Kechi's group, whispers rising and falling.
After a long while, the guard still hadn't returned.
The scarred ninja grew impatient, muttering under his breath, "Why are these Yugakure people so slow?"
Kechi glanced at him briefly and spoke softly. "Patience..."
After another wait, they finally saw the previous guard hurrying back with an elderly man in long robes.
The old man approached Kechi and examined her from head to toe. A flash of amazement crossed his eyes before he bowed slightly.
His posture was quite humble.
Of course, ever since Yu no Kuni shifted to tourism and fully opened its borders, it hadn't been able to maintain a high posture anyway.
Inside Yugakure was fine, but outside the village was extremely chaotic, all kinds of riffraff dared to set up their own operations.
And most importantly, Kechi was simply too beautiful.
For someone this gorgeous to appear here so calmly, there were only a few possibilities.
Either she possessed extraordinary ability and strength, came from an extremely privileged background, or was some powerful person's kept treasure.
Whichever it was, they couldn't afford to offend her.
As for the earlier claim about being a daimyo's daughter? Take that with a grain of salt.
What daimyo's daughter would leave the capital to come to a place like this?
"Miss, our leader is currently handling some important matters and cannot see you at the moment."
"However, he's asked me to escort you to the guest room to rest. Once he's finished, he'll come meet you."
Kechi maintained a peaceful smile on her face and nodded.
"Much appreciated."
Under the old man's guidance, Kechi and the three ninja headed to the guest room.
Along the way, they passed through winding corridors. Historical scrolls of Yugakure and introductions to famous ninja hung on both sides.
While walking, Kechi observed everything discreetly, gaining more understanding of Yugakure No Sato.
The guest room's interior was simple yet dignified.
The tables and chairs were all wooden, emanating a faint, pleasant fragrance.
The old man invited Kechi to sit, then ordered someone to bring tea and snacks.
"Please wait here, miss. If you need anything, just let me know." The old man said.
Kechi responded softly. After the old man left, she sat in the chair, fingers lightly tapping the table.
The three ninja stood behind Kechi, watching the door vigilantly.
Sunlight streamed through gaps in the curtains, casting mottled shadows. Dust danced happily in the light.
Half an hour later.
The door slowly opened. A middle-aged man in ornate clothing entered.
Upon seeing Kechi, his gaze seemed magnetically drawn, fixed firmly on that exquisite face.
He must be Yugakure's leader.
Ugh.
Kechi sighed inwardly.
So annoying. Everyone who sees me has this same expression. Have they never seen a woman before?
"Ahem! Ahem!"
After Kechi coughed lightly twice, the Yugakure leader snapped back to reality. Embarrassment flashed in his eyes as he quickly composed himself.
"I heard from Kou that you came to Yugakure No Sato with important business to discuss, miss. Please speak!"
He walked to the head of the seat in the guest room and sat down.
Kechi smiled faintly. "What brings me here isn't just one thing, actually, it's quite a lot. But it can all be integrated into one matter, and it would greatly benefit Yugakure No Sato too!"
The Yugakure leader's interest was immediately piqued. "Oh? Please elaborate, miss!"
Kechi glanced back at Rin and raised her chin.
Rin understood immediately. He pulled out a sheet of paper from his clothes and respectfully handed it to the Yugakure leader.
After receiving the paper and glancing at it, the Yugakure leader seemed somewhat surprised by its contents. He frowned slightly.
Kechi explained, "Since Yugakure No Sato opened its borders, you've had plenty of trouble, haven't you? I can help with that!"
"Help me?"
The Yugakure leader looked up at the blood-stained clothes on the three ninja behind Kechi and scoffed.
"You're joking, miss. You should've witnessed the chaos in Yu no Kuni on your way here, right?"
"This isn't something that can be solved with just pretty words!"
"Those wandering ninja don't care who you are!"
Hearing the disdain in his voice, Kechi nodded slightly, her face breaking into a brilliant smile.
"Of course I know that. But since I've come here and made such a claim, naturally I won't go back on my word."
"You don't think these three are the only people I brought to Yu no Kuni, do you?"
That statement made the Yugakure leader fall silent for a moment.
He'd suspected as much.
The three ninja behind Kechi varied widely in strength and quality, clearly former wandering ninja. Even the strongest among them was only a chunin level at best.
These three traveling alone wouldn't be a problem, but with Kechi's presence...
They definitely couldn't have protected her on the journey with just their strength.
"Then let's hear your plan!" The Yugakure leader waved the paper in his hand. "If you don't have the ability, you won't get the conditions written here!"
"Naturally!" Kechi smiled faintly, her gaze meeting the Yugakure leader's head-on.
"You understand Yu no Kuni's chaotic situation better than I do."
"Those forces running rampant outside the country are like a pack of greedy wolves, constantly eroding Yugakure's peace."
"This has caused major problems for Yu no Kuni's transformation."
The Yugakure leader nodded slightly.
This was indeed a drawback of opening Yu no Kuni's borders.
But without doing this, Yu no Kuni's economy couldn't recover or escape the shadow cast by wartime.
"Continue."
"Give me fifty ninja. Half a month. I'll return an elite force to you, quality absolutely no worse than Konoha ninja!" Kechi stated directly.