"Samurai Tournament?"
Ryōken's eyes held a trace of amusement as he looked in Tetsuki's direction, his gaze carrying a meaning that was hard to fathom.
"The Land of Iron's daimyo, huh?"
The last time, he had mentioned to Honda Tadakatsu that the Land of Iron's daimyo might still have descendants living elsewhere. He had not expected that to be true.
Ten years ago, during a coup in the Land of Iron, nearly all of the daimyo's bloodline had been wiped out. Tetsuki alone had survived, escorted to Konoha.
Under the care of the Hatake Clan, Tetsuki gradually grew up until today, when Ryōken escorted her back to the Land of Iron.
Ryōken's mission was to claim victory in the Samurai Tournament.
Not only would this display Konoha's strength, it would also allow Tetsuki to take control of the Land of Iron's authority more smoothly.
The Samurai Tournament was a competition held in the Land of Iron to select candidates for the position of general.
The victor could become the current general's disciple and eventually succeed him as the Land of Iron's next general.
The current General Yamamoto had sided with the daimyo during the coup ten years ago. However, certain matters had held him back, preventing him from arriving in time to offer support.
Thus, Tetsuki's safety was still somewhat guaranteed.
But obtaining real power would be rather difficult.
And Konoha needed Tetsuki to gain a voice among the Land of Iron's upper ranks.
Having grown up in Konoha since childhood, Tetsuki would naturally be friendly toward Konoha.
If she could gain control of the situation in the Land of Iron, then even if the nation continued to maintain its neutral policy, it would still be a great help to Konoha.
The Land of Iron's metalwork was quite good, after