Konoha * Banquet

By the Tobirama placed the last completed document on the table, dusk had fallen outside the window.

He rubbed his temples, stood up to stretch his stiff neck, then sorted the scrolls by category, neatly stacked them, and put them into the Sealing Scrolls.

Hashirama and Madara hadn't returned yet, and Izuna was probably out playing around somewhere in the street. He was all alone in the Inn, so quiet that he could hear the hollow sound of a bamboo tube hitting a stone in the courtyard.

He activated the Flying Thunder God and returned to Konoha.

Rokuhiko was on duty at the Hokage Building. He wasn't too surprised to see him appear out of nowhere. He simply put down his pen, stood up, took the stack of documents, and checked the contents of each one.

Tobirama stood to the side waiting, and casually asked if anything had happened in the village these past few days.

Rokuhiko said everything was normal, all the families were operating according to the schedule set after the Memorial Service, all the seriously injured people at the hospital were out of danger, and the school would be able to officially open next month.

"There's one more thing," Rokuhiko said, folding the last document and looking up. "Lady Wakako hasn't left yet."

Tobirama as he was about to turn around.

He knew the Daimyo couple's schedule perfectly well.

Three days after the Memorial Service, after the engagement ceremony for Uchiha Takuma and Hinata Rei was held, Yuan Yusheng was supposed to set off back to Kyoto with his Procession. As the Daimyo's Principal Wife, Wakako should naturally accompany him.

But Yuan Yusheng left, Wakako stayed.

This doesn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision; it seems more like it was planned from the very beginning.

A married noblewoman left alone in the Ninja village would damage her reputation and pose a threat to the relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha.

Wakako isn't the kind of person who doesn't know her limits; since she chose to stay, she must have a reason why she had to.

"What has she been doing all this time?" Tobirama asked.

Rokuhiko flipped through the notes in his hand. "I spent most of my time at the Post Station or Hot Springs hotel, and occasionally went to the Commercial Street to buy some fabric and tea. I went to the hospital twice to visit the civilians injured at the Memorial Service. I went to the school once to check on the progress of the classroom decoration. I also went to the Hyuga Clan Compound once and had a cup of tea with the wife of the Tennin Clan Head."

Tobirama mentally reviewed the itinerary.

Visiting the hospital to see ordinary people is a way to win their hearts; visiting the school to see the classrooms is a way to show concern for education; as for going to the Hyuga Clan Compound for tea... the Hyuga Clan had just been forced by Izuna to activate the Caged Bird Seal Release Plan, Wakako turned around and went to offer condolences as the Daimyo's Wife, which was to clean up the mess for Izuna.

Everything was done flawlessly, demonstrating the Land of Fire's concern for Konoha without overstepping the authority of the Daimyo and Hokage.

This woman hadn't been in Konoha for long, but she had already thoroughly understood the Konoha's power structure and the relationships between the various factions.

But why did she stay and do all this? What benefit did it bring them?

"To the Post Station," Tobirama said.

Tobirama led Raisuke through the streets of Konoha at dusk.

The shops on the Commercial Street were closing one after another, and the last wisp of smoke was still rising from the chimney of the Barbecue Restaurant. Raisuke walked behind Tobirama, carrying a cloth bag in his hand, which contained tea leaves and a few snacks that Tobirama had temporarily taken from the Hokage Building warehouse.

According to custom, one should prepare a more formal gift when visiting Daimyo's Wife, but Tobirama didn't have the time for that, nor did he think Wakako would be picky about it.

The servants from the Land of Fire at the entrance of the Post Station already recognized Tobirama and did not stop him, but simply gave a routine announcement.

A moment later, a maid led them through the corridor and into the courtyard.

Wakako sat on the veranda, several documents spread out on the small table in front of her, and she held a pen in her hand, writing something with her head down.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, her gaze falling on Tobirama. She smiled slightly, put down her pen, stood up, and nodded gently to Tobirama.

"Lord Tobirama, please have a seat."

"Lady Wakako, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night." Tobirama stopped in the corridor and bowed slightly. Raisuke handed the cloth bag to the maid and stepped aside.

"Not at all. You gentlemen are so busy with your Lord Tobirama, it is I who should thank you for taking the time to come, Lord Tobirama. Please have a seat." Wakako put down her pen and gestured for a maid to serve tea. She gathered the documents scattered on the small table and placed them to one side, her movements unhurried and composed.

A maidservant served tea, and the aroma of tea wafted in the night breeze.

Tobirama took his seat as a guest. "Lady Wakako, have you been settling in well in Konoha these past few days? The village's conditions are not as good as Kyoto's, so please forgive me if there has been any inadequacy in our hospitality. I haven't had a chance to thank you in person for the guidance you gave us at the Memorial Service."

"Lord Tobirama, you're too kind. Although Konoha is a new village, it's full of life, and living here is much more comfortable than in Kyoto. As for the Memorial Service, that was your own idea, and I merely said a few unnecessary words."

"You are too modest, Madam. We will always remember the kindness and care that Daimyo and Madam have shown to Konoha." Tobirama changed the subject, "However, according to the original schedule, Daimyo should have set off for Kyoto after the Memorial Service. Now that Daimyo has left, Madam has stayed behind. Is there anything else that Konoha can do to assist with?"

"Indeed, there are a few things that I need to trouble Lord Tobirama."

"Please speak. I will do my best to handle it for you."

"It's nothing major," Wakako said softly. "The first thing is, I want Uchiha Takashi, along with three young Ninjas, to sign long-term employment contracts with me. I want them to be the Minamoto's Guardian Ninjas, just like in the Tale of the Heike."

Tobirama nodded slightly.

Uchiha Takashi had been in the Capital City for quite some time, Wakako specifically requested him, which clearly indicated that she had already assessed his abilities and loyalty during that trip, and it was only natural that she wanted to keep him.

As for the other three spots, she left room for maneuver, giving Konoha room to recommend their own people while also ensuring that she could choose someone she liked.

"Understood. I will compile a list of suitable candidates soon, along with an assessment of each person's abilities and family background, and send it to Madam for her to make the selection herself."

"Thank you for your trouble." Wakako continued, "The second thing is that I want to take Hinata Rei as my stepdaughter and take her away from Konoha to live in Kyoto for a few years. In exchange, I will let my daughter Mariko, come to live in Konoha."

Tobirama did not answer this question immediately.

The matter of taking in a stepdaughter is not complicated in itself. It is common for nobles to adopt daughters. As a girl who was favored by the daimyo 'Hinata Rei Daimyo's Wife during the Tale of the Heike, it is understandable that the wife wanted to be closer to her.

But the phrase "in exchange" completely changed the nature of the matter.

Wakako wanted was not an adopted daughter, but an exchange.

She sent her daughter to Konoha and brought Hinata Rei back to Kyoto, with each side holding one person from the other's camp, thus establishing a trust relationship that transcended the alliance.

This is similar to the Exchange Student put forward by Izuna, and the fact that she brought it up at this time shows that this woman's political skills are more sophisticated than he had expected.

"This is probably not a decision I can make alone," Tobirama said truthfully.

"It's alright, just write it down." Wakako's tone was casual, clearly having expected him to say this. "And there's a third matter. Is your nephew, Senju Yūki, engaged?"

Tobirama paused, looked up, and saw that chilling smile on Wakako's face.

He silently suppressed the thought that "this person is just trying to abduct someone," and said, "Not yet, madam. What do you mean...?"

"I think he's a good match for my daughter, Mariko. How about we arrange a marriage between our children?"

The courtyard was quiet for a moment.

Tobirama looked at Wakako, Wakako looked back at Tobirama with a smile.

"... I understand. I will pass this on to the Lord Hokage. Is there anything else you require?"

"I've already sent Long to pick up Mariko; she should arrive tomorrow. I want to finalize the marriage arrangements for both children before I leave."

"Lady Wakako," Tobirama's voice carried a hint of helplessness, "My Big Brother doesn't know about this yet."

"Then go tell him. The sooner you tell him, the sooner I can get back to Kyoto."

What's wrong with this woman? Why is she so domineering? No wonder she gets along so well with Izuna! They're all so difficult to deal with!

Tobirama rose without changing his expression, gave Wakako a slight Tobirama, and said, "I understand. I'll take my leave then."

Wakako Raisuke, "We await good news."

Tobirama emerged from the Post Station, stood on the stone steps at the entrance, took a deep breath, and then raised his hand to rub his temples.

Sarutobi Raisuke's expression was very subtle; his lips were pursed, his eyebrows were slightly raised, and he seemed to be about to smile but not quite, which looked quite ambiguous.

"Raisuke, go and do the first thing," Tobirama said. "Compile a list of young Ninjas suitable for the position of Guardian Ninja, along with ability assessments and family backgrounds, and give it to me by tomorrow."

"Yes, Lord Tobirama." Raisuke replied crisply, but didn't move his feet immediately.

He seemed really eager to gossip.

Tobirama stared at him expressionlessly.

Raisuke then bowed respectfully, turned around, and strode quickly toward the Hokage Building.

Tobirama stood there, watching Raisuke's figure disappear around the street corner, and then sighed again.

He had to immediately write up the three matters—the marriage of Yūki, the adoption of Hinata Rei, and the hiring of the Guardian Ninja —into official documents and personally deliver them to Hashirama using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

His Big Brother was happily saying in the Hot Springs this morning, "Marriage is the most wonderful thing in the world," but now his son is about to be reserved by Daimyo's Wife. He'd like to see if he can still be so happy.

Apart from the three of them, there was absolutely no one else in the Summer Evening Bar.

The candlestick on the low table burned forlornly, and the night-blooming jasmine in the courtyard swayed gently in the evening breeze, making it a quiet and elegant place.

Enma sat at the table, holding a wine glass, glancing at the door every now and then.

Haruto, however, played with the empty cup in his hand without a care, the smile on his lips never fading from beginning to end.

"Looks like I'm not very popular," Haruto said casually, as if he were talking about someone else. "But it's fine, it's quiet. It's good that no one's around, we can drink as much as we want."

"You don't mind?" Enma asked.

"What's there to mind? It's their loss if they don't come." Haruto put his glass on the table, stood up, walked to the veranda, and took out a few bottles of wine. "I never expected those people to genuinely come to wish me a happy birthday. It's much more enjoyable to drink here with you two than to deal with a room full of insincere guests."

Izuna replied firmly, "No."

Haruto turned to look at him. "Izuna?"

"Since our guests aren't coming, let's go somewhere else." He stood up, smiled slightly, and said, "Let's go, let's take over someone else's place."

Haruto raised an eyebrow, Enma was shocked. "Uh, Izuna, isn't that word a bit inappropriate...?"

Izuna, completely oblivious to the problem with his choice of words, strode towards the door.

Haruto and Enma exchanged a glance and then followed.

Haruto led the two through several alleys of the Hot Spring Street and stopped in front of a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) away from the hustle and bustle.

The restaurant's facade is small, with a bamboo fence surrounding a small and elegant courtyard. Several paper lanterns hang under the eaves, casting a warm yellow glow on the stone path.

Several well-trimmed pine trees are planted in the courtyard, and an artificial stream meanders through the rockery, its babbling water completely isolating the noise of the Hot Spring Street in the distance.

"This is the restaurant I mentioned before," Haruto said in a low voice. "People from the Land of Hot Water often book this place for banquets, and there should be one tonight too. I heard it's a celebration banquet for some Merchants' Association."

"What exactly are we doing here?" Enma crouched in the shadow of the bamboo fence, looking confused. "Ambush someone, pretend to be them and go in?"

"That's not a good idea," Haruto said, but his eyes clearly gleamed with eager anticipation in the lantern light.

Izuna turned to look at Enma, his expression horrified, as if he had heard something outrageous. "What are you saying? How could you launch a sneak attack? We're going in openly and honestly."

"But without an invitation, the banquet organizers won't let us in..."

"Just you wait and see." Izuna patted Enma on the shoulder, stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the main entrance of the restaurant.

Enma and Haruto crouched behind the bamboo fence, watching as Izuna didn't head towards the main gate but instead turned into the side corridor of the restaurant.

The corridor connects the banquet hall and the restrooms, and guests occasionally come out to get some fresh air or use the restroom.

His gait had a deliberately unsteady sway, his shoulders were relaxed, and his head was slightly lowered, making him look like a guest who had just come from a banquet, a little tipsy but still quite presentable.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor.

A young man wearing a dark blue striped kimono walked back from the direction of the restroom, his face still slightly flushed from being drunk, and he was wiping the water droplets off his hands with his sleeve.

The moment Izuna met him face to face, she suddenly stumbled, lunged forward, and accurately grabbed the young man's shoulder.

"Oh my! Isn't this the young master of the Yamada family! Long time no see! The last time we drank together was last autumn, wasn't it? Whose party is this today? Why didn't you invite me? That's too formal!"

The young man was completely bewildered by the hug, his mind racing to recall the keyword "young master of the Yamada family," while his mouth reflexively stammered politely, "Ah, ah, yes, it's been a long time... Today is my father's—"

"Your father! I'd love to attend your father's party even more!" Izuna didn't give him a chance to finish speaking, grabbing him and pulling him into the banquet hall, shouting as they went, "Uncle! Uncle, do you remember me? Last time when I was drinking with the young master, he kept mentioning you, saying you were the most discerning wine connoisseur in the Land of Hot Water! I'm so glad to meet you today!"

Haruto and Enma stood at the corner of the corridor, watching Izuna move around the banquet hall with ease, greeting everyone and turning this unfamiliar banquet into his own domain in less than five minutes.

The host was amused by him and burst into laughter, while the guests were doubled over with laughter. The young man he had intercepted sat in a corner, holding a glass of wine, his expression still lingering on the question, "Who is this guy?"

"Is that even possible?" Enma murmured.

Haruto straightened up, adjusted his clothes, and strode towards the banquet hall. Reaching the door, he turned back and waved to Enma: "What are you standing there for? Come in. It's my birthday today; there's no reason for the birthday person to stand outside."

He strode into the banquet hall, his voice booming, "Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight's drinks are all on me Ise Haruto!"

Although the people at the banquet didn't know why the young master of Ise was here, they still cheered when they heard the words "all-inclusive".

Enma was dumbfounded.

This is allowed???