"This Inada Kai is a nuisance. Should I dispose of him? Perhaps there is a better way..."
Amada pondered to himself.
Perhaps I can exploit his ambition and let him reap what he has sown.
A thought stirred in Amada's mind, and a flicker of coldness flashed through his eyes.
Just then, Kushina's voice drifted in from outside the door:
"Amada, Asuma, Kurenai, all of you come to my room. We need to discuss today's events."
Amada reined in his thoughts, quickly stepped out of his room, and arrived at Kushina's quarters.
Asuma and Kurenai had already arrived, and the three sat in a circle within the room, their expressions grave.
Kushina sat at the table, her brows tightly knitted, and asked with suspicion:
"I still feel something is wrong with today's events. The Daimyo's suicide was too sudden, and there were no signs leading up to it. What do you all think?"
Asuma scratched his head:
"Since you didn't find any clues either, Teacher, could it be that the Daimyo simply committed suicide? After all, the suicide note was in his own handwriting."
Kushina shook her head:
"I just feel it isn't that simple. The Daimyo was perfectly fine yesterday; why would he suddenly choose to end his life?"
As she said this, she noticed Kurenai's expression was hesitant, as if she had something to say but dared not speak.
"Kurenai, is there something you wish to say?"
Kushina asked gently.
Kurenai looked up, her face showing a trace of hesitation.
She bit her lip, ultimately deciding to reveal what she had discovered:
"Teacher, I... I found traces of a genjutsu on the Daimyo's body. But it was very faint, so I am not entirely certain."
Hearing Kurenai's words, Amada's heart gave a sudden jolt.
Kushina's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this.
She had not expected Kurenai to discover details that even she herself had failed to notice.
She nodded, feeling a sense of approval:
"As expected of a renowned genjutsu clan."
Kushina continued to press:
"Kurenai, can you determine what kind of genjutsu it was? Or is there any clue that could lead us to the caster?"
Kurenai shook her head:
"Teacher, I have never heard of a genjutsu capable of manipulating someone into committing suicide. If such a technique truly exists, it is terrifying."
Kushina was somewhat puzzled; her understanding of genjutsu was not deep, so she did not quite understand why Kurenai was so wary of this type of technique.
She asked: "Why do you say that?"
Kurenai began to explain in detail:
"Teacher, most genjutsu work by disrupting the flow of chakra in the opponent's brain, causing them to experience hallucinations. However, the survival instinct is an innate drive, a reaction rooted in the deepest parts of the body. If a genjutsu ninja attempts to force an opponent to commit suicide, the effect of the genjutsu will clash with the opponent's survival instinct. This conflict causes the genjutsu to fail."
She paused, her tone carrying a hint of gravity:
"However, the Daimyo's case is completely different. His suicide was very calm, without any signs of struggle, which indicates that the caster's genjutsu bypassed his survival instinct entirely. This kind of genjutsu has exceeded the scope of ordinary techniques. That is why I say it is terrifying."
After hearing Kurenai's explanation, Kushina's expression also turned grave.
She murmured in a low voice:
"In other words, the one who killed the Daimyo is no ordinary ninja."
Just then, Amada suddenly spoke up:
"Teacher Kushina, I also have a discovery."
Upon hearing this, Kushina immediately turned her gaze toward Amada:
"Oh? Amada, what have you discovered?"
Amada nodded, speaking with a serious expression:
"The Daimyo's younger brother, Inada Kai, is suspicious. I privately asked some ministers and found that he was the one most opposed to Princess Tachibana becoming the heir to the Daimyo. Furthermore, I noticed he has had contact with some unidentified ninjas. The ambush we encountered on the road was very likely arranged by him. If so, could the Daimyo's death also be something he had someone carry out?"
After hearing Amada's analysis, Kushina nodded in agreement:
"What you say makes a lot of sense. Inada Kai certainly has the motive to kill and the ability to act. If that powerful genjutsu user is indeed his subordinate, then everything makes sense."
She paused, her brows slightly furrowed:
"However, we do not have concrete evidence yet, so we cannot act rashly. We can only keep an eye on him for now and see what his next move will be."
Having said this, Kushina's gaze fell upon Amada.
"Amada, I am entrusting this mission to you. You are meticulous in your thinking and sufficiently cautious in your actions."
Amada breathed a secret sigh of relief; this was the very opportunity he had been hoping for.
He nodded:
"Understood, Teacher. I will keep a close watch on Inada Kai."
Kushina nodded in satisfaction, then looked toward Asuma and Kurenai:
"You two must also remain vigilant. Kurenai, in particular, the safety of Princess Tachibana is in your hands. Asuma, you are responsible for assisting Kurenai to ensure there are no slip-ups."
Asuma and Kurenai replied in unison:
"Yes, Teacher!"
After the discussion concluded, Amada walked out of the room, secretly calculating his next moves.
He knew that Inada Kai would never sit idly by and wait for his doom; he would certainly take action.
His mission was to keep a tight watch on Inada Kai while using this opportunity to resolve this hidden danger once and for all.
"Inada Kai, you shall bear the infamy of assassinating the Daimyo."
Amada muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Inada Kai was secretly meeting with several Sunagakure ninja in a concealed room.
The room was dimly lit, and the atmosphere was heavy.
With a look of urgency, Inada Kai said ruthlessly:
"We must eliminate Princess Tachibana as soon as possible! That woman is the greatest obstacle to our plan. As long as she is dead, I can rightfully inherit the position of Daimyo, and our plans can proceed smoothly."
The lead Sunagakure ninja frowned, his tone tinged with hesitation:
"The problem is those Konoha ninja. The jonin leading them, in particular, is a force not to be underestimated. The Rice Field Country is still under the protection of the Land of Fire. If we act rashly, we will likely clash with Konoha. That would cause great trouble and could even trigger a war between the two nations."
Inada Kai sneered:
"You need not worry. Once Princess Tachibana is dead, I will be the only candidate for Daimyo. Once I ascend to the throne, I will immediately apply for the protection of the Land of Wind. By then, you will have a righteous cause and can legitimately station ninja within the Rice Field Country. Even Konoha will have no reason to interfere in our internal affairs again."
The lead ninja remained silent for a moment, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
He knew that while Inada Kai's plan was risky, it was indeed the only viable path at present.
If Princess Tachibana did not die, the Rice Field Country would never be able to break free from the Land of Fire, and their plans would remain stalled.
"Very well."
The lead ninja finally nodded in agreement, "We will act as soon as possible, but you must ensure everything goes smoothly. If the plan fails, our Sunagakure will never take the fall for you."
A satisfied smile appeared on Inada Kai's face as he said confidently:
"Rest assured, everything is under my control. As long as you act according to the plan, the position of Daimyo will be mine."
The Sunagakure ninja said nothing more, simply nodding before quickly departing the room.
Inada Kai stood where he was, a cold, sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
He knew that he had reached this point and there was no turning back now.
"Princess Tachibana, do not blame me for being heartless. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for standing in my way."
Inada Kai muttered, his tone filled with cold cruelty.
However, he did not know that everything had been heard clearly by Amada, who was hidden in the shadows.
Amada's figure flickered, and he vanished into the night.
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