Enthusiasm Under the First Meeting

Because this was the Land of Water.

And he had arrived at the Daimyo Palace of the Land of Water.

Naruto's guards naturally could not follow him inside; this was a matter of etiquette.

There was an inherent difference in status.

Naruto himself understood this point.

He did not even need the subtle reminders from Asada Kei and the others.

Before entering the palace.

Naruto instructed Sakura and the others to keep a close watch nearby.

He followed behind Asada Kei, stepping into the interior of this magnificent and imposing palace. Asada Kei's subordinates, including Kyu, were all forced to remain on the outside. Even though Kyu was the person Asada Kei trusted most, he was, in the end, merely a ninja. The only person allowed to enter alongside Asada Kei was that white-bearded old man—Kuroda!

He was not just a subordinate of Asada Kei.

He was also a renowned scholar within the Land of Water, having previously served as the Minister of the Palace. Being a noble from a traditional, prestigious family of the Land of Water, he naturally possessed the qualifications to enter the palace and have an audience with the Daimyo of the Land of Water!

Along the way.

As they entered the circular palace complex.

Naruto could sense the extremely strict security all around.

It was not just the guards in plain sight.

It also included those ninjas keeping watch in the shadows.

In this not-so-long distance.

Both openly and covertly.

Naruto had already detected over a dozen relatively powerful auras.

Every one of these people was at the level of a Chunin or higher.

If Naruto's guess was correct.

These people were likely ninjas cultivated or hired by the Land of Water, or specifically by the Asada Clan. Much like the Guardian Shinobi Twelve who