The construction site was deafening, dust flying everywhere.
"Pah!"
Asuma Sarutobi, who had gotten a mouthful of dust, hurriedly spat several times.
He spun around and kicked the earthen wall that had just been formed with Earth Style.
The wall did not budge. Instead, the impact left the sole of his foot numb.
That only made him angrier.
"No! I can't take this anymore!" he growled. "I have to see the daimyo! I want to ask him face-to-face what exactly he thinks we are! Foremen?!"
With that, Asuma turned and headed for the exit of the construction site, Chakra surging through his body in agitation.
"Stop."
A cold voice rang out.
Two ninja wearing Hidden Guard uniforms appeared in front of him.
The leading Hidden Guard spoke in an even tone. "By the daimyo's order, none of you may leave this place before the project is complete."
Asuma's fury shot straight to his head. "Move! I'm one of the Guardians of the Twelve! Not some prisoner under your watch!"
His Jonin-level Chakra erupted, and even the dust on the ground seemed to freeze.
The deafening sounds of construction across the site seemed to pause for an instant.
The Black Wind ninja using Earth Style, along with several Hidden Guards doing the same, merely slowed their movements and glanced over before immediately turning back to continue channeling Chakra.
As though this conflict on the verge of erupting was beneath notice.
That feeling of being ignored made Asuma clench his fists even tighter.
"I'll say it one more time. Move!"
Asuma took a step forward, his right hand gripping the hilt of the Chakra blade at his waist.
The tension was palpable.
The Uchiha ninja in the corner narrowed their eyes and leaned forward slightly, ready to intervene at any moment.
The