Land of Fire Capital, inn.
"I'm telling you, we've been waiting nearly two hours already, haven't we?"
Asuma Sarutobi had a cigarette hanging from his lips as he leaned against the window, idly watching the street below. "What exactly does the Daimyo mean? He called us here, then just left us waiting around?"
His tone carried clear impatience.
He was young, after all. Naturally, he lacked patience.
"Please remain calm, Asuma."
A peaceful voice came from the corner.
The speaker was a monk clad in robes, holding a monk's staff.
It was Rikudo, a guardian monk from the Temple of Fire who had arrived ahead of them.
With his hands pressed together, he said, "We should not casually speculate on a ruler's intentions."
Asuma clicked his tongue and said nothing more, but his attention was drawn to the scene outside the window.
The streets were far too prosperous.
Merchants, craftsmen, and commoners with all kinds of accents mingled together, every face wearing a smile.
In the roadside shops, wartime luxuries such as White Sugar and silk were displayed prominently as though they were ordinary goods.
Commoners regularly entered to ask prices and make purchases.
"This is damned strange."
Asuma muttered under his breath.
He remembered coming here with the old man last year. The capital had been considered prosperous then too, but it had never possessed such vitality.
The air itself seemed filled with vigorous, upward-driving energy.
At the other end of the room, Kazuma and Natsukawa sat in their chairs, staring at the bustling city beyond the window with eyes full of awe and longing.
"Natsukawa, did you see that butcher shop...?"
Kazuma lowered his voice, unable to hide his shock. "I saw several commoners buy half a pig at once... Good heavens, are people in the Land of