The middle-aged nobleman had a ninja blade held to his neck, yet he had not lost the ability to resist like Danzo.
Danzo had already had his chakra sealed and been dragged out of the courtyard.
Only he remained standing where he was.
The icy blade pressed against his skin, leaving a shallow bloody mark.
He stared at Kurenai Yuhi, the fear on his face gradually turning into anger.
"You can't arrest me!"
The middle-aged nobleman straightened his back.
He forcibly steadied his trembling legs and pressed himself another half-step toward the blade.
The edge cut into his skin.
A drop of blood slid down his neck and into his collar.
The ANBU holding the blade did not retreat.
His wrist remained steady in place.
"Step back."
The ANBU's voice was cold.
"Take another step, and face the consequences yourself."
Yet the middle-aged nobleman seemed to have found his confidence again.
Danzo's capture had indeed exceeded his expectations.
But he was not a Konoha ninja.
Nor was he Danzo's subordinate.
The ninja village had no right to bypass the daimyo and arbitrarily deal with a Land of Fire noble.
"I serve Lord Kinsei!"
He raised his voice.
He deliberately pressed his neck against the blade, with even a hint of provocation on his face.
"Lord Kinsei is a close retainer of the daimyo."
"You ninjas arresting Danzo is an internal Konoha affair."
"But if you dare harm me, you will be provoking the daimyo!"
The surrounding ANBU gave no response.
Several of them gripped their ninja blades, their gazes falling upon him through their masks.
That silent scrutiny sent a chill through the middle-aged nobleman's heart.
But he had no way out.
As long as he could leave the courtyard, he could immediately contact Lord Kinsei.
Then, no matter how