Chapter 138 – The Daimyō's Counterattack
When Itachi spoke of his two younger brothers, his expression softened almost unconsciously.
Seeing that rare gentleness, Kisame chuckled knowingly. "Alright then… I'll look forward to meeting them."
His hand brushed the gills on his cheek, a trace of unease flickering across his face. "Though… I wonder if my appearance will frighten them."
Itachi shook his head. "Neither Naruto nor Sasuke would be afraid of something like that."
Relieved, Kisame gave a toothy grin. "Good. Then I can relax."
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Meanwhile, a hundred miles from Konoha, three shinobi were speeding down the main road, leaping lightly between branches. Their forehead protectors gleamed with the emblem of the Hidden Leaf.
Two were women—striking in their own ways. The man with them, however, appeared frail: pale skin, sunken cheeks, and heavy dark circles beneath his eyes. To the casual observer, he looked like someone drained by long nights of indulgence. In truth, this was Gekkō Hayate—born with a chronic illness that left him coughing and weak since childhood.
Alongside him were Uzuki Yūgao and Yūhi Kurenai. The three had departed Konoha on a mission several days ago, tasked directly by the Hokage to travel to the Land of Fire's capital.
Now, exhausted from their return journey, fatigue weighed on all of them. They had pushed themselves to the limit, rushing for two days and nights without rest to deliver Konoha's request to the Daimyō's residence.
But instead of being received with respect, they had been left to wait for hours upon arrival.
By the time they were finally summoned inside, night had already fallen. Yet even then, they weren't granted an audience with the Daimyō himself. Instead, a shrewd old official dismissed them with vague words, dodging every mention of the funds that were supposed to be allocated to Konoha.
His tongue was sharp, polished by decades of bureaucracy. Kurenai, Hayate, and Yūgao—still young despite their skill—found themselves outmaneuvered at every turn.
Kurenai's patience wore thin. She remembered what the Hokage's assistant had told her before leaving: that if this mission succeeded, she might be considered for promotion to jōnin. But now, with negotiations stalled before they had even begun, she couldn't help but grit her teeth.
Just as she considered using genjutsu to break through the official's evasions, movement stirred behind the screen.
Four figures emerged—three men and one woman. Their attire was identical: a dark sash with a triangular cloth tied at the waist, marked with the red kanji for "Fire."
The Guardian Twelve.
Hayate's eyes narrowed, his voice low and hoarse. "Kurenai… careful. These are members of the Guardian Twelve."
Kurenai stiffened. She had heard the name, of course. An elite order of shinobi, handpicked to protect the Daimyō. Even Asuma Sarutobi, the Hokage's son, had once been among their ranks.
Her mind briefly flickered back to him—memories blurred by time. They had parted ways years ago.
Beside her, Yūgao whispered gravely, "I've heard each of the Guardian Twelve is at least jōnin level. The three of us won't hold an advantage if it comes to a fight."
Kurenai forced herself to remain composed. This wasn't Konoha; they couldn't act recklessly here. Still, frustration burned in her chest.
The official gave a thin smile now that reinforcements stood at his back. "There's no need for alarm. These guardians are only here to welcome Konoha's shinobi."
But the change in his tone betrayed his thoughts. He suspected them—suspected they might use genjutsu or some other trick to force answers from him. Otherwise, the Daimyō's protectors wouldn't have appeared at all.
After a few more curt words, he turned and left with the four Guardians in tow, leaving the Konoha trio abandoned and ignored in the vast hall.
Kurenai's hands clenched at her sides. She wanted to storm into the Daimyō's chambers, to demand the audience they deserved, but Hayate and Yūgao stopped her.
"It's no use," Hayate murmured between coughs. "The Daimyō is protected by the Guardian Twelve. Forcing our way in would only make things worse."
Yūgao added quietly, "If we escalate, we'll be jeopardizing relations between Konoha and the Daimyō himself. We can't afford that."
Kurenai bit her lip, unwilling but unable to deny their reasoning.
Still… she wasn't ready to give up.
"Then there's another way," she said at last, her voice low but firm. "Asuma Sarutobi once served among the Guardian Twelve. If he's still there, perhaps he can get us through to the Daimyō. If anyone can whisper in his ear, it's him."
The others exchanged glances. It was risky—but at the moment, it might be their only chance.
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