I looked down at the small porcelain dishes arranged with meticulous care: steamed fish glistening under a thin glaze, pickled vegetables cut into perfect, translucent slices, and a tiny mound of rice topped with a single pickled plum.
Everything looked beautiful and smelled incredible, and I wished I could just eat already. Dressed in a plain yet high-quality kimono, I sat perfectly still in seiza on the surprisingly soft zabuton mat, knees folded under me, back straight, hands resting lightly on my thighs. From the corner of my eye, I could see the odd ten other Konoha shinobi seated alongside me in similar positions, some more comfortable than others.
I wasn't...
Most here were Clan shinobi from the older generation. The only person I recognized was Tsume, who was sitting closer to the head of the U-shaped low table, with Elder Touka Senju. Her posture was regal,the living embodiment of everything the old stories said about the Senju clan. She wore a simple yet elegant dark-green kimono with the faint spiral pattern of her family crest along the hem. To anyone watching, she was the royal envoy of Konohagakure, and we were her honored retinue.
Sitting in the center was Lord Rougen, Daimyo. He was an older man, in his early sixties if I had to guess, his hair more silver than black now, pulled back into a neat topknot, face lined but still sharp. His ceremonial kimono was deep indigo shot through with threads of silver that caught the light like moving water.
Flanking him were his closest advisors: two older men in subdued gray robes to his left. In a place of quiet was Lady Kiyomi, his elder sister. She was striking. Her kimono was pale silver-gray, almost the color of moonlight on the canals outside, and her hair was pinned up with a single jade hairpin shaped like a lotus bud. She smiled politely at everything and spoke softly.
The forty-odd shinobi had reached the castle yesterday, and servants had led us through winding corridors and over arched bridges until we reached the outer compound. In a fairly isolated place was a beautiful, isolated wing surrounded on three sides by one of the city's larger canals. The rooms were spartan and surrounded by the river that cut the outer castle, with some watchtowers and barracks filled with the Daimyo's loyal Samurai. It was rather beautiful, but if I had to guess, they wanted all the shinobi in one location to keep a better eye on us.
The rest of the retinue were still stationed in the outer castle, while Touka-sama was invited to a luncheon by the Daimyo. I was surprised when Tsume had pulled me out of the room I shared with Riku early in the morning and commanded me to join the luncheon, and when I asked why...
Sensor.
I was the only traditional sensor in the entire group, as it would be quite rude to bring a Hyuga and have them scan the room while having a meal with the Daimyo. Apparently, I was a pretty good sensor by Tsume's words. Touka-sama wanted to know if there was anything underneaththe surface she had to be aware of, and she was right. I focused my senses back to the corner behind the Daimyo. The room itself was lovely, polished cedar beams overhead, walls lined with painted screens showing herons wading through misty rivers, jade ornaments catching the soft daylight that filtered through the shoji. I found a cluster of chakra signatures, four of them almost as strong as a standard Konoha chunin.
It would seem that the Daimyo of the rivers had a clan of shinobi that served his family...Something that we had not known, at least I didn't...
They had enough chakra and density as a standard Konoha chunin. This is not a categorization of their actual combat strength, but it was something to note.
The Daimyo slowly took the first sip of his tea and then started to eat; only then did the rest of the room follow. I slowly followed the people around me, imitating the eating etiquette.
Touka-sama's voice drifted across the table, calm and measured, asking polite questions about the spring rice harvest. Kiyomi answered in her soft voice, every word courteous. Lord Rougen listened, nodded, and occasionally spoke.
We continued eating. The conversation had stayed light at first, drifting over the city's upcoming festival and the bountiful river trade, but I could feel the shift coming. Sure enough, the Daimyo set down his teacup with a faint click, and the real reason for our visit bubbled up.
"We thank you for accepting our summons, Touka-dono, along with your esteemed shinobi," Lord Rougen said in a deep voice, nodding to her and casting a gaze to all of us.
"It was only our honor, Rougen-sama," said the elder Senju, her composed smile never wavering. "After all, your house and our clan have worked closely together in the past."
"Indeed, and for that, we are very happy. But we had hoped to see your grandniece as part of your retinue... to heal our daughter-in-law," he asked, my chopsticks pausing mid-air as I looked more closely at the conversation. I recalled from my memories that Tsunade was probably inflicted by hemophobia by this point, but it was kept hidden.
I'm sure only the high brass back home would know about it.
Touka-sama didn't miss a beat. "Tsunade is integral in the defense of yourborders from the Suna shinobi... as you would have noticed, Suna encroachment has stalled in the past weeks." Touka-sama took a sip of her tea and continued, "But fret not—her students, part of our medic corps, are more than capable of healing the dear Lady Eiko."
I could feel the slight tension slipping into the room. Eyes darted to each other, as their postures stiffened just a touch. The advisors, one with a neatly trimmed beard that screamed 'bureaucrat,' exchanged subtle glances.
"We could only hope it would happen soon. Mekio-san is in quite a bit of pain, and my dear nephew has barely left her bedside. We have had many of the greatest healers in the lands try to heal her and failed," Lady Kiyomi cut into the conversation, indirectly doubting the competence of medical ninja even after Touka-sama's assurance.
"We will know once Lord Rougen is in agreement to have her be treated by our Shinobi," Touka-sama easily navigated the snide comment, throwing the proverbial kunai at the Daimyo.
He, to his credit, ignored the undertone of conflict and gracefully agreed, "We would be most grateful to have your esteemed healer heal her. The servant can have them escorted to her chambers."
Touka-sama bowed her head in agreement, and then one of the advisors slowly said, "As we have more conversations to be had." The man cast a meaningful glance to his liege lord and the Daimyo, then at Touka-sama, who inclined her head.
"And of course, I would also love to get to know the shinobi here with you, Touka-dono. Perhaps you could join me and some of my ladies for dinner sometime," Lady Kiyomi said, smiling at the rest of us.
"We would certainly like that," said Tsume, her voice gruff but polite to the sister of the Daimyo, answering for us all.
It was interesting to see how the nobles treated us in truth... like exotic weapons to be handled with silk gloves, admired from a distance but never fully trusted.
The meal ended quietly after that conversation. We bowed our heads as the Daimyo then walked out of the room, followed by his retinue and his guards, but I felt the shinobi hidden still maintain their positions. I looked to my side and got up along with the other shinobi. The stern-faced Uchiha veteran with a perpetual scowl gave me a dull nod as we filed out behind Touka-sama.
The walk back to the outer quarters was brisk, our footsteps muffled on the polished wooden floors, the air carrying the faint scent of incense.
We crossed bridges over a narrow canal to reach our assigned quarters. Once we reached the outer compound, Touka-sama paused at the threshold of her private pavilion. "Well done today," she said quietly, her eyes scanning us. "Each of you has your tasks. Report any anomalies by dusk." She nodded once, then disappeared inside with a couple of her personal guards.
The rest of us scattered. My job had been straightforward: note any hidden chakra signatures, like those four shinobi lurking in the hall. I'd already briefed Tsume on the walk back, and she grunted her approval. "Good job, Basara, but keep looking. I'll inform Touka-sama."
Tsume and I headed to our shared quarters, a modest wing of connected rooms overlooking the canal, the paper walls letting in afternoon light. As we stepped inside, the low hum of quiet discussion greeted us. Riku was there, sprawled on a tatami mat, methodically organizing his weapons pouch, having nothing to really do, while Yukimaru and Kuromaru lounged nearby with their heads rested on their paws. Hanami was also sitting down but looked a little winded.
She's probably done with her assignment... she's getting good at infiltration.
Tsume flopped down onto a low couch with a dramatic sigh, loosening the sash of her kimono until it hung open at the collar, revealing her generous cleavage. I had to look away before anyone noticed. She stretched her arms overhead, cracking her knuckles. "Gods, that seiza position is murder on my knees. Alright, Hanami, what've you got? Spill it."
Hanami straightened up, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I slipped in earlier, disguised as a servant girl. Got close to the inner quarters, eavesdropped on some of the ladies-in-waiting while they were gossiping over tea..." she trailed away.
"And what? Don't keep us waiting," I said, sitting down onto a couch myself.
She glanced around, as if someone might overhear us. Huh, as if not with me and two Inuzukas here.
Then she leaned in. "Lady Eiko's condition, it's worse than they're letting on. They call it the 'River Widow's Curse,' some old folk tale about drowned brides haunting the canals, causing wasting fevers and hallucinations to young married women. But the servants think it's poison that's eating her from the inside. She's been bedridden in the Lotus Chambers for months, pale as paper. Lord Yuto's glued to her side, refusing to leave even for meals. He loves her. They apparently married her for alliance, but it's real now."
Hanami continued, looking at us listening intently. "And here's the interesting part: The Festival of Water Lights is in two weeks away. It's supposed to be a big event, lanterns on the rivers to honor the ancestors and renew any vows given, even marital ones. If Eiko isn't cured by then, tradition says she has to step down as primary wife. She will be termed barren or cursed and will get secluded, and another concubine takes her place to ensure the heir's line continues. Even if Yuto fights it, the court won't stand for it; apparently, it's a bad omen for the realm. Kiyomi's pushing one of her favorites, some girl from a minor house with ties to... get this... the Land of the Wind."
I leaned against the wall, processing it all. The pieces were starting to click, Kiyomi's subtle digs, the urgency behind the healing request. "So Eiko's the pawn in a bigger play, huh...?"
Tsume scratched Kuromaru behind the ears,as she grunted in frustration. "This was supposed to be a nice and easy mission, play nice with some nobles and increase our village's favor... Fuck, things are getting complicated. Well, then. Looks like we have a lot to inform Touka-sama."
Yes, we do...