"We almost fell into your trap, just like those klutzes!" one of the trio shouted, still breathing heavily after the swift attack.
"But you won't get rid of us that easily!" the second chimed in, his eyes blazing with battle fervor.
This trio was already preparing to give the young upstart a good lesson when Satoru, to their complete astonishment, merely smiled slyly:
"Oh no, my dears. Dealing with you is very easy indeed."
In the next instant, with a quiet pop, the young man's figure turned into an ordinary wooden log once more.
Consider it yourselves: would a calculating shinobi like Satoru so carelessly reveal his true position and engage in open hand-to-hand combat? All his intricate preliminary tactics would lose any meaning then.
He had prepared at least two decoy bodies from the start. What he had just "revealed" was merely another ploy to mislead these last three, the strongest opponents.
And right then, as if by magic wand, a massive, sturdy net plummeted from the sky, instantly ensnaring even these seemingly more seasoned warriors.
They desperately tried to break free, but this net was far from ordinary. It wrapped around their bodies tightly, like living tentacles, depriving them of any chance to form seals for techniques.
"Satoru, you're truly strong, no denying it," came a muffled but respectful voice from one of the captives in the net. "You knew we'd come to you tonight, didn't you?"
"No need to hide underground anymore. Come out," a calm, measured voice said from somewhere in the shadows.
At that moment, a monk in simple robes slowly emerged from the dense bamboo thicket.
Konoha's young genius immediately realized this man was likely the tenth member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and probably the strongest of them all, since he alone had pinpointed the youth's true location without error.
With his hiding spot exposed, there was no point in concealing himself further. And so, the young shinobi finally revealed himself to his foes in the flesh.
"My name is Jizo," the monk introduced himself, his voice soft and soothing. "Truth be told, I had no desire to come here tonight. It was they," he nodded toward the warriors struggling in the nets, "who insisted on testing you. So I tagged along. I never expected they'd be the ones getting schooled." There was no hint of hostility toward the young ninja in Jizo's words, which greatly surprised Satoru and earned his involuntary respect.
"Argh! Master Jizo, instead of helping us, you're mocking us!" one of the captured Twelve Guardians exclaimed indignantly. "And we've known each other for quite a while!"
"My apologies, but if we get to the bottom of it, this all happened because you envied Satoru and his splendid apartments with the inner courtyard," the monk countered gently but firmly. "Each of you thought himself most deserving to live here. That's where the conflict arose. Humanity's greatest suffering stems from unfulfilled desires. Thus, one should strive for desirelessness. Am I not right, young friend Satoru?" Jizo looked at the young man with such sincere kindness and concern that the thought of attacking never crossed his mind.
"Ha-ha-ha," the young shinobi laughed in response. "Striving for desirelessness is fine, of course. But then a person stops being human, right? After all, humans are beings who spend their lives fighting to fulfill their desires, striving for more. Don't you agree?"
"A human life should be devoted to battling one's desires," Jizo said with gentle persistence. "To conquer one's passions, to rein in one's wants—that is true purpose and ultimate goal."
"Everyone has their own path, and people are all different. That's the essence of human nature, isn't it? Ha-ha!" Satoru clearly wasn't in the mood for lengthy philosophical debates with this enlightened monk. He deftly changed the subject: "As they say, you don't make friends without a fight. Gentlemen, we'll all be protecting the Daimyo together from now on. Allow me to help you."
With those words, the young man deftly untangled the nets, freeing the hapless attackers. The other nine elite squad members stood in stunned silence, unsure how to break the awkward pause or what to say.
"I'd like to know, young friend, how you guessed we'd come tonight?" Jizo broke the silence, his gaze keen and perceptive.
"Lord Daimyo hinted as much," he replied, "and honestly, I vaguely suspected it myself."
"So the Daimyo fooled us all!" one of the newly freed Guardians exclaimed in annoyance. "He told us to check you out tonight, see if you're really worth anything!"
The young shinobi understood everything. The cunning ruler had given two groups conflicting orders just to see how they'd perform and what they were capable of.
"This guy... No wonder he's the Daimyo. Loves these political games and intrigues," the young ninja thought with mild irritation, yet he couldn't deny the logic in his new employer's actions. Naturally, a client wants to test his contractor.
And at that very moment, as if by magic, the Daimyo himself appeared on the scene, accompanied by his loyal steward, Lord Tenzo.
"Bravo, bravo!" The ruler clapped loudly, his face beaming with delight. "Gentlemen, you were all magnificent! Especially you, Lord Satoru! Your ambush was planned and executed so brilliantly that the other nine were utterly powerless against you! Only Master Jizo spotted you hiding underground!"
Satoru frowned slightly. He noticed the other squad members didn't look too pleased with such praise for the newbie at their expense.
"Now, now, no need to frown," the Daimyo hastened to reassure them, sensing the brewing storm. "I just wanted to learn your strengths and weaknesses better. Each of you has unique talents and skills, and as your lord, I must know your capabilities inside out." After these words, the tension eased, and the warriors' faces brightened.
"Lord Satoru," the sovereign announced solemnly, "from this day, you are appointed head of the Twelve Guardian Ninja! Here is your insignia—accept it. Lord Jizo, henceforth you will be the squad's military advisor and strategist. As for the rest... your task is to guard me reliably!" The Daimyo made several personnel changes and generously rewarded all twelve warriors.
The rewards were quite substantial, and all grudges against the ruler were instantly forgotten.
The insignia Satoru received was an armband like those worn by Hokage, embroidered with the kanji for "Fire." The young man immediately put it on his arm. Essentially, its sole purpose was to symbolize his new position.
No sooner had he assumed the role than the young shinobi became commander of the entire elite squad. Yet he didn't see this appointment as easy or pleasant work. Being a leader meant bearing responsibility for his subordinates' lives, preventing their senseless deaths, and flawlessly fulfilling the main task—protecting the Daimyo.
Once everyone dispersed, Satoru decided to share his suspicions with Jizo, who seemed the most level-headed and rational of them all.
"Master Jizo, all the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire fell ill with the flu at the same time. I don't know if you're aware, but this seems highly suspicious to me, not just a simple coincidence," he said doubtfully.
"Hm, yes, you're right," the monk nodded thoughtfully. "This matter strikes me as dubious too. We must investigate. However, the Daimyo issued a strict order: to prevent the spread of the illness, no one is to approach the sick officials or visit them."
"The Daimyo forbade us from approaching, fearing we'd get infected," the youth mused, his eyes glinting slyly. "But we don't have to go there in person. Shadow clones will do, right?"
"Excellent idea!" Jizo perked up. "Why not head to the Left Minister's house right now and check things out on site?"
In the Land of Fire's hierarchy, the Daimyo occupied the top rung. Right below him were the Left and Right Ministers. Tenzo, as head of internal affairs, didn't hold a high rank but had direct access to the ruler and his trust.
The Left Minister was akin to the left chancellor, the Right to the right.
The youth was stunned: could even the Left Minister of the Land of Fire, one of the state's pillars, catch a mere flu so easily? His suspicions only grew.
Soon Satoru and Jizo headed together to the Left Minister's residence. To their surprise, the official's home was remarkably modest; the young shinobi's own house looked far grander.
"Khe-khe-khe!" came clearly from inside.
The two ninja exchanged glances. They heard the characteristic cough.
Following the sound, they reached the minister's bedroom. There they found the official indeed lying in bed, wracked by incessant coughing. The sound clearly indicated phlegm.
"Looks like the flu isn't made up... And it seems to be running its course quite severely," Master Jizo said quietly.
"While he's alone, we need to find out what's going on immediately," Satoru didn't hesitate. He strode resolutely to the bed and gently shook the invalid's shoulder to wake him.
The Left Minister jolted in surprise and opened his mouth to call for help.
The youth instantly clamped his hand over the man's mouth.
"Don't be afraid. I'm Satoru, head of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. I'm here to investigate the true cause of the mass official illness."