Chapter 245: I Am Not Satisfied
"Daimyo-dono, don't be in such a hurry to leave."
The Daimyo, who was being supported by his servants, froze. He didn't dare move a muscle. His back, wrapped in luxurious ceremonial robes, felt prickly as cold sweat expanded his pores.
"Yotsuki-kun... barging in like this... isn't appropriate, is it?"
Dana ignored the remark. Only when his subordinates had completely secured the assembly hall, ensuring not even a fly could escape, did he speak.
"I'm just worried there might be traitors in the Daimyo's estate. After all, you know perfectly well what kind of mess the capital has become under your watch recently."
Raihara Yukihiro's face flushed red. "You!"
Dana pointed forward. Immediately, someone stepped up and pulled the servants supporting the Daimyo away. Yukihiro was shocked and furious, but he dared not resist.
"Daimyo-dono, please remain calm. It's just a check. After all, for ordinary people, it is very difficult to realize they are under Genjutsu."
Several sensory ninja stepped forward, taking turns examining the Daimyo, the servants beside him, and even the two samurai guarding the door.
Yukihiro's face changed colors like an overturned paint palette. He wanted to jump up and rebuke Yotsuki Dana for his insolence, to remind him that this was Asuka Castle, the domain of the Daimyo! Did he have no respect for the Daimyo's authority?!
But he didn't dare.
A subordinate whispered in Dana's ear, "Dana-sama... no traces of Genjutsu."
Dana's expression remained unchanged. "Check the entire Asuka Castle, from top to bottom. Do not miss a single person."
"Yes!"
Some of the ninja left to carry out the order, while Dana remained in the assembly hall.
Yukihiro said with a stiff face, "Yotsuki Dana-dono, are you satisfied now?"
Dana shook his head. "No, I am not satisfied. I would rather you were under the influence of Genjutsu. Daimyo-dono, how did Jun'en Furuya die?"
Yukihiro's face changed slightly, and he said flusteredly, "How should I know? Everyone says he died accidentally while harassing a maid."
Dana laughed. "A man in his sixties harassing a maid in the Daimyo's bedroom? Forget it. I assume you also don't know how Takero Osawa died, or how so many other retainers died. I won't trouble the Daimyo-dono any further. I'll investigate it myself."
Ignoring Yukihiro's ugly expression, Dana turned to leave, instructing his subordinates, "You guys protect the Daimyo's safety. Do not leave his side for a single step."
"Yes!"
Leaving behind two squads—six ninja in total—Dana exited the assembly hall.
He could have used Genjutsu to directly view Yukihiro's memories, but it would be hard not to leave traces. Moreover, the opponent likely wouldn't leave such an obvious opening. Yukihiro was still useful.
It wasn't time yet.
However, the investigation didn't go as smoothly as expected.
From the Daimyo himself down to the old woman emptying slops, there were 401 people in Asuka Castle. The Special Strategy Division spent most of the day checking everyone, but not a single person was found to have traces of Genjutsu.
Outside Asuka Castle.
People hurried along the streets. In a teahouse, a kunoichi with a high ponytail and a scarred man were calmly drinking tea.
The teahouse owner wanted to close shop but hesitated, ultimately lacking the courage to ask them to leave.
From the window's angle, they could see part of Asuka Castle. While sipping tea, the two watched the castle, occasionally spotting a Cloud ninja leaping between buildings.
"This Yotsuki Dana... truly cannot be underestimated. To take over Asuka Castle so forcefully... I'm afraid the Daimyo means nothing to him."
Yotsuki Teru (Kaguya) said, "Then your plan has failed, hasn't it? He isn't following your script at all."
Black Zetsu, disguised as the scarred man, laughed sinisterly. "No, this might be even better. Although I don't know the reason, this person seems to have absolutely no reverence for the Daimyo's status. Compared to ordinary ninja, such a person is more likely to do shocking things. In the ninja world, especially since the 'One Country, One Village' system was established, people like him are rare."
"Of course. He is the most outstanding man in the ninja world."
Black Zetsu glanced at Teru. "You didn't do anything unnecessary, did you?"
Teru sipped her tea expressionlessly. "Of course not. What do you mean?"
"Nothing. That's good. Everything is for Madara-sama's will."
Teru echoed, "Of course. Everything is for Madara-sama's will."
Knock, knock.
The old wooden door was knocked. A moment later, it opened a crack, revealing a round head with eyes full of suspicion.
Dana revealed a friendly smile. "Momo... right? Hello."
Slam!
The wooden door was slammed shut. Then came the sound of chains and locks being undone from the inside. The door opened again.
Momo had switched to a completely different expression, smiling brightly. "Young Master Dana! You're here!"
Dana walked into the room. Although he had "rendezvoused" with Natsu several times in Asuka Castle before, this was the first time he had stepped into this room.
Located near the bottom of the outer part of Asuka Castle, the space was spacious but lacked decoration. It didn't look like a princess's residence at all; it resembled a commoner's home. Natsu had lived here since arriving at Asuka Castle. originally an empty storage room, the two girls had gradually turned it into a cozy little home—unique within the castle.
Natsu looked a bit embarrassed but invited Dana to sit down.
Dana laughed. "Why so nervous? I don't eat people."
Natsu said, "No, I'm just worried you'll think it's messy."
actually, the place was very tidy. However, Dana, who had kept his "Pulse" Vision active since entering the capital, knew that Natsu and Momo had been frantically cleaning the moment they heard the Cloud had entered the city. Better safe than sorry?
Dana came here partly to check on Natsu's condition and partly to inquire about recent events. Although the reports from the kunoichi protecting Natsu had never stopped, Dana knew Natsu was well-informed within Asuka Castle, especially maintaining good relations with the servants and lower staff.
After chatting with Natsu, he learned that Natsu and Momo were practically firsthand witnesses to Furuya's death. The two bodies that night had fallen not far from their window.
"Momo was so scared she cried all night. She didn't dare go to the bathroom by herself afterward."
Momo looked annoyed at her mistress teasing her but still placed two cups of tea in front of them. When handing the tea to Natsu, she made a playfully fierce face.
"actually, everyone in Asuka Castle knows the Daimyo dragged Machiko upstairs from the maids' quarters. Someone felt it was improper and sent word out of the castle, which is why Jun'en Furuya entered Asuka Castle later. However, it is said that Furuya drove everyone off the top floor and forbade anyone from approaching, so no one saw what happened afterward with their own eyes."
Dana took a sip of tea. Whether it was the tea leaves or the brewing skill, it felt far inferior to Maki Minabe's.
What Natsu said matched what he had heard before arriving in the capital.
Natsu sighed. "Actually, Machiko was quite well-known in Asuka Castle, and everyone was furious. But then even Takero Osawa died, so no one dared to complain anymore. Speaking of which, there is one thing that is very strange."
"What strange thing?"
"Because of the Machiko incident, the servants in Asuka Castle originally resisted the new Daimyo strongly. But then, suddenly one day, many stewards started willingly working for him. Several retainers did the same, seemingly defecting to the Daimyo overnight. That's why he can hold banquets in Asuka Castle every day and command people within the Daimyo's estate."