Your Excellency (1/4)

"Yes, I am Kazuki, a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage's Anbu. Lord Chiba."

At that moment, a man wearing a Raccoon Mask stood before Chiba and spoke with restrained respect.

Lord?

The moment those words left his mouth, Chiba froze.

What was going on? He had even called him "Lord"—what was that supposed to mean? Clearly, Chiba was somewhat stunned. This was the second time he had been taken aback by a form of address. The first had been Yuriko's younger brother, Fujino Ren. Back then, he had merely been surprised by Fujino Ren's friendly attitude. This time, however, his surprise far surpassed the last.

After all, Fujino Ren had only been a civilian. Though Yuriko was an exceptional Medical Ninja, Chiba had not sensed anything ninja-like about Fujino Ren. He was entirely an ordinary civilian. In a sense, it was not strange for a young civilian to admire ninjas, treat them kindly, and address them respectfully. A ninja's life might be perilous, especially during wartime, but in this Naruto World, being a ninja was an honorable profession. Moreover, in Konoha, ninjas generally existed as protectors of civilians, much like the relationship between soldiers and civilians in his previous life. Only, ninjas inspired even more admiration than soldiers had in his previous life. For certain reasons—perhaps the malicious manipulation of certain vile people—soldiers from his previous life did not seem to inspire as much admiration as the ninjas in Naruto.

But as protectors who risked their lives to safeguard these civilians, what was wrong with civilians addressing them respectfully or looking at them with admiration? Besides, ninjas did not demand anything from civilians. Such respect and admiration were only natural.

But now, one of the elite among the village's ninja elite—an Anbu whom even ninjas looked upon with admiration—was