Coup d'état

Asuma Sarutobi was initially wavering between Konoha and the Land of Fire's court, but the assassination attempt Daimyo the Asuma Sarutobi made him realize the darkness within the Land of Fire.

Although Asuma was unwilling to admit it, Asuma suspected that the assassination of the former lord was very likely carried out by the new Daimyo, Retsu.

The Daimyo left a will, Asuma, as the Guardian Ninja, was to fulfill his duty as a subject and protect the new Daimyo.

As for actions like those of Kazuma, which seek revenge for the late ruler and then install the original heir, that are problematic.

Asuma admired her, but having received the excellent education of the Sarutobi Clan and been repeatedly warned by Sarutobi Hiruzen, he understood that he should not get involved in these court intrigues.

At this moment, Asuma understood the principle that all crows are black. Although Konoha had its flaws, as the son of the previous Hokage, Asuma understood his position, which was why he came tonight specifically to deliver a message.

In Asuma's eyes, his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu and the strongest Hokage, was the strongest ninja in the world.

The Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara, may have been very strong, but he couldn't possibly be stronger than his father. A ninja attack of that scale would have been extremely dangerous even for his father.

Naraku did not answer Asuma's question. After pondering for a moment, he said softly:

"Asuma, if Lord Hiruzen knew about your actions, he would be very pleased."

Naraku smiled and offered a compliment, then changed the subject, saying:

"However, I promised His Daimyo the Daimyo that I would stay in the palace for a week. This is both to honor my late lord and to protect the Daimyo."

The Hokage's methods are definitely different from those of ninjas like Asuma. No matter what, the Daimyo is Konoha's most important financial backer.

Regardless of who the Daimyo is, this contract will take effect. Although the way this new Daimyo may have some problems, these matters actually have nothing to do with the Hokage.

The only thing that might be related to the Hokage is the Daimyo reducing or withholding funds. As for the Daimyo requesting Konoha's protection, that's a perfectly normal request, Naraku has no reason to refuse.

Asuma Sarutobi was somewhat surprised upon hearing Naraku's words and said urgently:

"Fourth Daimyo! You may be powerful, but Lord Koharu and Lord En are old, and you only have a small squad of guards... I'm afraid I cannot protect you, and besides, Your Daimyo..."

Naraku raised an eyebrow.

Do I need guards? If I needed guards to protect me, I would have died countless times over.

He traveled with a few guards simply because he didn't want to lose the air of a leader.

"Alright, alright, Asuma, your most pressing matter is protecting the Daimyo assassination. As for us, you don't need to worry about us."

Naraku spoke calmly and gently. The confidence in his words, in Asuma's eyes, was nothing but arrogance.

Asuma Sarutobi's face showed anxiety, and he wanted to try to persuade her further.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several loud explosions were heard from the palace not far away.

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Naraku disregarded Asuma Sarutobi and clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and activated Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

"Why would there be the sound of Explosive Tag exploding in the palace? Could it be..."

Upon hearing the sound of the explosion, Asuma's expression hardened, and he guessed what had happened.

Naraku did not answer Asuma, but instead focused on using his Sensory Ninjutsu. In Naraku's perception, the Guardian Ninja Kazuma were followed by hundreds of faint Chakra, rapidly advancing towards the palace.

At the residence of the Daimyo, Xia Chang, dozens of people with considerable Chakra were locked in a fierce battle.

Outside the pavilion where Naraku was located, thirty-five groups of considerable Chakra were stealthily approaching Naraku's pavilion. There were ten from the east and west, and fifteen from the south, employing First Shinobi World War open.

"Kazuma is leading over a hundred ninjas and is rushing towards the palace. It seems that a battle has already broken out on Prince Xia Chang's side."

Asuma, as one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve of the Daimyo, your most urgent task should be to protect the Daimyo."

Naraku opened his eyes, his face somewhat serious, and spoke in a deep voice to Asuma in front of him.

"Fourth Lord! What about your safety?"

Asuma's eyes were filled with conflict; whether to protect the Daimyo or follow the Hokage was a difficult decision for Asuma.

Call out!

A ninja dressed in Anbu uniform and wearing a mask suddenly appeared in Naraku's room Yamato. The Anbu member was not tall and looked to be in his early teens. He was Wood Release ninja codenamed Tenzo.

"Fourth Hokage, an unidentified ninja is approaching."

Tenzo calmly reported the situation to Naraku. This shows that Tenzo's skills in the Anbu training were very solid, and he remained calm in the face of danger.

Naraku did not answer Tenzo's question, but instead spoke in a deep voice to Asuma beside him:

"Asuma, I command you to go and protect His Daimyo the Daimyo now."

As for us here, you don't need to worry.

The rebellious Guardian Ninja have already reached this place. There are enemies in the southeast, west, and north directions. Go out from the north and protect the Daimyo. Go!

After Naraku finished speaking, he waved his right hand.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing the order, Asuma did not hesitate and vanished from the room in a Body Flicker Technique.

The loud explosion startled Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who were in the two rooms next to Naraku's bedroom. The two, wearing robes, slowly walked into Naraku's house.

"Fourth Hokage, why is there the sound of Explosive Tag in the palace? What happened?"

Naraku dismissed the meddling Asuma and, upon hearing the two advisors' questions, whispered:

"The Guardian Ninja rebels are plotting to assassinate the Daimyo; their targets likely include us..."

Boom!

Naraku finished speaking than a violent explosion erupted outside the pavilion, accompanied by shouts of battle.

Naraku's residence is surrounded by a wall, with a garden and pond in the center, a picturesque scene that was originally a playground for Daimyo.

At that moment, hundreds of people rushed into the garden.

Outside the pavilion, Hatake Kakashi, dressed in Anbu, drew his long sword with his right hand. A blinding flash of lightning emanated from the Ninja Sword he held, and he shouted:

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the Hokage's resting place! Get out of the way!"

Warnings and reprimands had no effect whatsoever; hundreds of figures ignored the words and stormed into the courtyard.

"Capture the Hokage alive!"

"Kill them!"

"Charge!"

Hundreds of figures shouted loudly, and countless Shuriken flew towards Kakashi.

Ding ding ding ding!

The Shuriken pierced the silver-haired, masked ninja who was blocking their way, turning him into Shuriken. After the Guardian Ninja finished firing their shuriken, they rushed into the building and overwhelmed the silver-haired ninja whose body was covered in Kunai.

Sizzle!

From behind the door on the first floor of the pavilion, another Kakashi rushed out.

Kakashi's longsword crackled with lightning. With a single swing, the lightning expanded into Lightning Blade several meters long. The blade irregularly ejected arcs of electricity, which formed an electric net, instantly killing the dozen or so assassins who had stormed into the courtyard.

The dozen or so people turned into a puff of white smoke, leaving only two actual corpses.

"Five, ten, eighteen, Captain! About eighteen enemies, the rest are clones!"

On the eaves of the pavilion, a short- Anbu with bloodshot eyes behind his mask saw through the hundreds of figures and analyzed the number of enemies.