Settling the Dust

That evening, the Daimyo's Mansion held a grand banquet.

In attendance were the Daimyo, his wife, and their three children. As for the shinobi clans, Masahiko swept his gaze over them and spotted quite a few familiar faces.

Setting aside the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki, five of the six clan heads who had fought three years ago were present. Only the Hatake Clan Head, who had exchanged blows with Masahiko, was absent. Several members of the Small Clans Alliance had come as well. The only one Masahiko knew was the Sarutobi Clan Head, though the man beside him who resembled Shimura Ken was probably the Shimura Clan Head. The others were likely the heads of clans such as the Fuma, Yamashiro, and Gekko.

However, Masahiko's attention was fixed on a somewhat familiar clan uniform.

"This... isn't that the Kurama Clan? Wasn't this anime-original content? So I transmigrated into the Naruto anime rather than the manga?" There were still some differences between the Naruto anime and manga...

"This clan shouldn't have any awakened members in this era, right... That could be troublesome. Aizen's final boss ability."

While Masahiko was lost in thought, the Daimyo had already instructed the maidservants to serve the food.

As dish after dish was brought to the table, Masahiko no longer had the mind to pay attention to anything else.

"As expected of the Daimyo's Mansion. Even the food is on another level. An alternate-world Manchu-Han Imperial Feast?" Though Masahiko did not even know what exactly the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast contained. If protecting the Daimyo did not seem so troublesome, he would have wanted to stay here.

Ignoring Tobirama at the same table, Masahiko dug in. Eating his fill came first.

The Daimyo seemed to be saying something on the stage, but Masahiko did not listen closely. By the time he had eaten and drunk his fill and raised his head, he only heard the Daimyo say:

"I won't say much more. We can discuss the specifics after everyone has eaten..."

Masahiko burped. He had been eating for twenty minutes, and only then had the Daimyo finished speaking. And he called that not saying much?

As everyone began eating, the already-full Masahiko had nothing to do. He drank tea at the side and observed how the others ate.

There were mysterious types, like the Aburame Clan Head; hearty types, like the Akimichi Clan Head; plain types, like Tobirama; and even delicate types? Like Uchiha Izuna.

"Pfft..."

Masahiko sprayed out a mouthful of tea.

All the clan heads glared at Masahiko. They had already been displeased at being watched while eating, and now they thought he was mocking them.

"It's nothing, nothing. Please keep eating. I choked on a sip."

Half an hour later, everyone except the Akimichi Clan Head had finished eating.

The Nara Clan Head rose to his feet. "Lord Daimyo, thank you for your hospitality. May I ask what instructions you have for us this time?"

"No rush." The Daimyo gestured toward the Akimichi Clan Head. "We can talk after the Akimichi Clan Head has finished eating."

The hall fell silent once more, leaving only the sound of the Akimichi Clan Head chewing.

Another half hour passed. The Daimyo's expression darkened slightly. "It is getting late. I should explain matters first. Akimichi Clan Head, please help yourself..."

"The reason I called everyone here this time is surely something you have all guessed to some extent."

"That is correct. It is still about the Guardian Shinobi. My previous plan to establish the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals was somewhat ill-considered. Actually, I had originally intended to establish the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, but as you can see, besides myself, the Daimyo's Mansion also has my wife and three underage children."

"The Twelve would be enough to protect me alone, but with them included, the defensive forces would be somewhat insufficient."

"Therefore, I wish to establish the Guardian Shinobi Thirty-Six to protect the Daimyo's Mansion."

As Masahiko listened to the Daimyo, he inexplicably wanted to laugh. The previously proposed One Hundred and Eight Generals had still served a purpose—it had stirred ambition in the Daimyo's heart. He would no longer be satisfied with the Twelve. This time, he had immediately proposed thirty-six people.

The representatives of the various clans exchanged glances. Tobirama stepped forward. "Lord Daimyo, it is our duty to send people to protect your safety."

Uchiha Izuna no longer targeted Tobirama at this moment and stepped forward to add, "There are fifteen shinobi clans here, large and small. In that case, each clan can send one person. My Uchiha can send two, for a total of sixteen people to protect the Daimyo. That should be sufficient."

"My Senju can also send two..." Tobirama added.

The Daimyo looked hopefully toward the other shinobi clans, wishing for someone else to step forward. However, in the Warring States, when both the Senju and Uchiha agreed to something, no one truly dared object.

The Daimyo sighed. Compared to the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, seventeen people already satisfied him quite well. Besides...

"Hyuga Clan Head, please come out."

Tobirama's pupils shrank slightly. The man walking in from the room behind them was indeed Hyuga Tenin. He had wondered why the Hyuga had not participated in this matter. It turned out they had long since been bought over by the Daimyo.

"Hmph!" Upon seeing Hyuga Tenin, Izuna snorted coldly. The hatred between the Uchiha and Hyuga had not diminished in the slightest.

Hyuga Tenin ignored him and gave the Daimyo a slight bow. "Lord Daimyo, in answer to your call, my Hyuga will send three people to protect your safety."

Three people?

Tobirama's expression changed slightly. As allies, the Hyuga had not discussed this action with him.

In truth, Hyuga Tenin was also helpless. More than a decade ago, the Uchiha Clan had beaten the Hyuga Clan to the brink of falling out of the ranks of the great clans. Now, aside from a First Elder who had half-retired, only he remained at the clan head level.

Seeking the Daimyo's protection was truly a helpless choice. After all, if they did not do so, in a few more years they might not even be able to keep their clan grounds...

That brought the Guardian Shinobi to twenty people, and both the Senju and Uchiha felt that something was amiss.

Fortunately, the Uzumaki Clan Head stepped forward at that moment. "My Uzumaki Clan suffered severe losses in a battle against the Kaguya a few years ago. We have remained closed off to recuperate ever since. Therefore, we will not participate in this matter."

Besides him, the Kurama Clan Head also had no intention of sending anyone.

Faced with these obvious excuses, the Daimyo did not stop them. Instead, he said, "Thank you all for your support. Then the Guardian Shinobi Eighteen is officially established. I hope you will return to your clans and select your people as soon as possible. For these next few days, I will still entrust my protection to the Hyuga Clan Head."

Masahiko was very satisfied with this result. Though the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals had not been established, the number had increased from twelve to eighteen. He would probably make a huge profit.

With the matter settled, the representatives of the clans returned to their rooms to rest. Early the next morning, they would return to their clan grounds.

Masahiko briefly said goodbye to Tobirama, who wore a puzzled expression.

"Second Grandfather, aren't you researching the Sealing Scroll anymore?"

Masahiko was even more puzzled. "I've already succeeded. Didn't I tell you?"

Tobirama's face darkened. "When did you tell me...?"

"Uh, I'm telling you now... Anyway, tomorrow I'm heading back to the clan with my grandnephew. The next time we meet will probably be years from now. Also, Tobirama, if you research any ninjutsu, be sure to let me know. Second Grandfather can give you some advice... Remember, Second Grandfather knows everything!"

Tobirama: "..."