Surprise and Objectives

Listening to Darui's very obvious feigned ignorance.

The Minister of the Left of the Land of Lightning merely smiled faintly and said nothing more. Some things didn't need to be spelled out; it was enough for each of them to understand. As the Daimyo's envoy, he had come to the Land of Snow not only to discuss international affairs, but also to convey certain things to his own village. There was little room for give-and-take in a conversation between a Daimyo and a Kage. But a conversation between the Minister of the Left and an important Jonin from the village—possibly even the strongest candidate for the next Raikage—carried enough weight while still allowing for some leeway. That was why the Minister of the Left had dropped that hint just now. The rest only needed to be understood and then reported back.

Conversations between clever people were always this simple.

Watching the man beside him—the younger brother of his own Daimyo and a highly respected Minister of the Left—Darui kept his expression unchanged, though he was privately grumbling. Honestly, he really hadn't wanted to come to the Land of Snow. The trip was troublesome, and some matters weren't easy to decide. But he happened to be one of the best choices for the job, and with an order from the Fourth Raikage, he had no choice but to obey.

It was obvious that this trip to the Land of Snow

would involve handling the competing interests of the Snow Ninja Village, Kirigakure, Konoha, and numerous other villages.

He also needed to reach a tacit understanding with the high-ranking officials of his own country.

What a troublesome business...

Looking at Lin City's harbor, now drawing closer by the moment, Darui couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Beside him, Samui, the blonde beauty from