Tianyi rose to his feet and gave a slight bow. "Lord Daimyo."
The Daimyo did not respond immediately. Instead, he stood at the door, covering his mouth with a folding fan as he watched Tianyi with smiling eyes.
His gaze lingered on Tianyi for a long while, traveling from his face to his feet, then back from his feet to his face, as though he were appraising a rare work of art.
Tianyi's expression remained unchanged, but he could not help complaining inwardly, Does this Daimyo have some kind of unusual preference?
The Daimyo finally spoke, his voice gentle and slow. "You are Little Tsuna's disciple? You truly are an outstanding young man." He walked to the seat of honor and sat down, his folding fan still covering his mouth.
"Such an exceptional young man truly makes me yearn for you. How about becoming the chief of my guards at the Daimyo Residence? With the famed Leaf Village Ghost stationed by my side, I would feel quite at ease."
A bead of cold sweat slid down Tianyi's forehead, but he quickly steadied himself. He gave a slight bow, his voice calm and respectful.
"I am deeply honored by Lord Daimyo's esteem. However, I still have many important matters to attend to, so I fear I cannot serve as your chief guard."
The Daimyo chuckled, lightly waving his folding fan with a teasing note in his voice.
"No matter. When you have time in the future, the Daimyo Residence will always be open to you. Come whenever you wish; you will always be welcome."
Tianyi bowed again. "Thank you, Lord Daimyo."
The Daimyo put away his folding fan, and his expression turned serious as he looked at Tianyi. "I have read Little Tsuna's letter.
"The people's representative voting system is novel,