Outside Fenghua Castle, facing the guards' reprimand, Taichi directly produced his Ninja ID.
"Konoha Jonin, Taichi Matsushita, here to visit your Daimyo. Please announce me."
Because he did not know in what capacity Tsunade was staying here, Taichi did not state his purpose, using a visit as his sole pretext.
Taichi believed that the identity of a Konoha Jonin would still prove quite useful here.
Sure enough, upon hearing Taichi's identity, the guard's attitude immediately underwent a hundred-and-eighty-degree shift.
A ninja—and a Konoha ninja at that. Regardless of whether he truly was a Jonin, to a remote little nation like theirs, he was a presence requiring serious respect.
The guard respectfully took Taichi's ID, put it through a brief and careful inspection, and, upon confirming the document looked genuine, immediately hurried back into the castle to report.
Complying with proper etiquette, Taichi waited quietly under the gaze of the other guards.
Inside the castle.
The guard walked briskly all the way, and after passing through layers of clearance, finally met his Daimyo.
"Lord Daimyo, Konoha Jonin Taichi Matsushita requests an audience. This is his ID."
Bowing his head, the guard raised the ID high above his head with both hands and presented it.
Kazahana Sōsetsu paused mid-stroke in reviewing documents, a look of immense relief surfacing on his face.
He looked up and waved at the attendant beside him, and someone immediately brought the ID to his hands.
Kazahana Sōsetsu looked at the ninja ID in his hand, confirming at a glance that it was authentic. As for this Taichi Matsushita, he had heard of him long ago and was quite familiar with him.
"Go, invite this Taichi Matsushita to the parlor. I will be there shortly."
Once the guard left, Kazahana Sōsetsu let out a long breath. Thinking of