Preparing to Return to the Village

"Ryosuke-sama, a few days ago, I truly believed that the reason you came to meet the Daimyo this time was because the clan head wanted to persuade Third-sama to retract his previous decision and planned to start with the Daimyo."

By the time Ryosuke and the other two left Kyoto City, it was already noon on the fifth day.

The moment they passed through the city gates, Souji Hyuga, standing behind him, spoke somewhat impatiently.

Beside Souji, Seisai Hyuga nodded as well, indicating that she had also firmly believed his words yesterday.

A few days earlier, Ryosuke had delivered an impassioned speech to Tokugawa Shigemomo at the Daimyo's Mansion about the spirit and dignity of the people.

His powers of persuasion had been so strong that Tokugawa Shigemomo had directly signed several agreements beneficial to the Hyūga Clan's development.

For example, over the next few years, the amount paid for private commissions would be raised accordingly.

For another, the Hyūga Clan would be granted a Guardian Ninja position.

Regarding these concessions, Tokugawa Shigemomo had explicitly stated that they were the Land of Fire's compensation for the Hyūga Clan's sacrifices this time.

Even if he realized that Ryosuke might be setting him up, he had no intention of gambling on that possibility.

This group of shinobi had not done such knowingly impossible things for the first time.

Better to spend money and avert disaster. As long as they could maintain the current stable situation and continue enjoying themselves happily, giving up a piece of the pie was nothing.

"If they were ordinary officials, giving them a way out over this matter would have been enough. Pressured by circumstances and force, they would have agreed without hesitation. After all, those scholars cared about their dignity."

Ryosuke no longer had the excitement he had displayed when meeting Tokugawa Shigemomo. His mood was very calm.

"But someone in power like Lord Tokugawa may have grown up steeped in the influence and teachings of scholars and refined gentlemen, yet having long held supreme authority, he could not avoid acquiring the greed unique to businessmen."

"Ordinary methods could no longer make him willingly surrender a share of his own interests. So I could only exploit the gaps in his intelligence and place some psychological pressure on him."

Though they were a Taijutsu Family, the Hyūga Clan could also be considered a powerful sensory clan because of their exceptional abilities.

For those reasons, the intelligence network within their clan was extremely comprehensive.

Many times, as soon as the Hokage's Office issued a decision, the Hyūga Main Family would learn of it immediately.

Thus, as a member of the Main Family, Ryosuke had access to a great deal of information and could come into contact with the most elite intelligence and information in the Land of Fire and Konoha.

For instance, Hiruzen Sarutobi had yet to inform Tokugawa Shigemomo of this matter.

Perhaps because it involved their reputation, Konoha's higher-ups had no intention of notifying the Land of Fire's upper ranks.

They planned to turn a major matter into a minor one, and a minor matter into nothing. Once the appropriate compensation was in place, Konoha and Kumogakure would sign a confidentiality agreement to prevent the matter from leaking out.

And that gave Ryosuke an opportunity.

The plan to secure greater benefits from the Daimyo's Mansion this time had been devised by him and Hyuga Hiashi together.

Although they had avoided the incident in advance thanks to Ryosuke's "foresight," and had long anticipated the village's attitude, they did not feel particularly stifled emotionally.

But since the village intended to fight for benefits on their behalf, why not simply take an extra share?

That was how Ryosuke came to have this opportunity to leave the village, train, and see the Ninja World.

Since only members of the Main Family could represent the Hyūga Clan, the task naturally fell to him.

Unfortunately, because their journey here had been relatively secretive, they had not encountered any unexpected incidents or gained any opportunities for real combat experience.

But... the journey back would be different.

"Ryosuke-sama, life with the Daimyo was so enjoyable. Why didn't we stay a few more days?"

The moment they left Kyoto City's boundaries, Souji asked in confusion.

They had spent five days in Kyoto City. Including the journey there, it had been less than half a month, leaving them plenty of time before the one-month deadline Hyuga Hiashi had given them.

After entering the city, aside from the first day, when they discussed practical matters, on the second day, third day... they had lived comfortably alongside the Daimyo and numerous nobles, enjoying a luxurious and wonderful life under their hospitality.

To be honest, that kind of decadent life was rather easy to become immersed in.

At the very least, Souji had thoroughly enjoyed being waited on from the moment he woke in the morning until he closed his eyes to sleep at night.

"I originally intended to leave on the second day, but I delayed for a few more days so that our journey back would be a little more entertaining." Ryosuke turned back with a soft laugh.

Just by looking at Souji, he could tell that the man greatly enjoyed that aristocratic lifestyle.

But Ryosuke had no intention of interfering. Everyone had their own goals and choices. Souji Hyuga's goal was to live such a decadent and luxurious life, and that was not necessarily bad.

Not to mention that such a life truly was wonderful.

After experiencing it for the past few days, Ryosuke discarded his earlier belief that no matter how luxurious and decadent life in this world was, it could never compare to the comfort of his previous life.

This relatively feudal lordly lifestyle was quite wonderful, especially when one stood at the top.

The happiness it brought was entirely comparable to the era of exploding entertainment and information from his previous life.

But... as he had said before, compared to cultivation, such things could no longer give Ryosuke much satisfaction.

"Entertainment?"

Souji and Seisai clearly caught the key point in Ryosuke's words, and their relaxed expressions immediately turned vigilant.

The chakra within their bodies flowed rapidly as they sensed and checked their surroundings.

"It seems these days of luxury have not made you forget that you are shinobi." Ryosuke smiled, turned back around, and continued along their planned route. "Relax. No sign of enemies has been found for now."

"But the road ahead will not be peaceful. I hope you two stay alert. If you want to keep enjoying yourselves, wait until we return to the village."

"Did you receive some information, Ryosuke-sama?"

Although Seisai was a woman, she was calmer and more mature than Souji, and she always caught the finer details.

"No information. Just my guess."

Ryosuke shook his head. "Do you remember what Lord Tokugawa said that day? Besides us, what other clan had raised the matter of increasing mission compensation?"

"You mean... the Uchiha Clan?" Seisai frowned.

"It is only a guess, but there is a high chance they will attack us." Ryosuke's voice remained as calm and gentle as ever, without the slightest hint of worry over the matter.

After all, this was something he had planned from the very beginning.

On this trip, his first task had been to negotiate with Tokugawa Shigemomo and use the Kumogakure incident to secure benefits. This was extremely important to the clan.

The second task was his combat assignment, which was extremely important to him personally.

Thanks to reader Mika Rui for the tip and support.