Daimyo's Mansion.
At the shrine, Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi sat at opposite corners of the dining table.
Akishinomiya Yuri had finished eating much earlier and was now resting in a room in the shrine's rear courtyard.
Just then, Hyuga Setsuna, who was eating, suddenly froze.
A flood of memories then surged into his mind.
Feeling the memories in his head, Hyuga Setsuna set down his chopsticks, closed his eyes, and sorted through the intelligence and memories sent back by his Shadow Clone.
Kakashi looked at Hyuga Setsuna, who had suddenly closed his eyes, and a look of realization flashed through his gaze.
Clearly, his Shadow Clone had obtained important intelligence, and Hyuga Setsuna was now organizing it.
After a while, Hyuga Setsuna opened his eyes, his gaze filled with obvious surprise, astonishment, and gravity.
Watching Hyuga Setsuna's shifting expression, Kakashi asked doubtfully.
"Have we been discovered?"
"No, we haven't been discovered!"
Hyuga Setsuna shook his head, indicating that they had not been found out. After pondering for a moment, he voiced the intelligence he had sorted out.
"The enemies this time are very strong, Kakashi."
"There are three Jonin-level enemies, as well as one ninja who is extremely powerful even among Jonin. They should be a team."
"And there is also a mysterious employer hiding in the shadows who hasn't appeared yet!"
After saying that, Hyuga Setsuna paused briefly, took a sip of water to wet his throat, then continued recounting the four men's intelligence, weapons, strength, targets, and distinguishing traits one by one.
As Hyuga Setsuna continued to relay the intelligence, Kakashi's expression immediately turned grave.
Huff!
After hearing the intelligence, Kakashi let out a heavy breath. He had not expected such powerful enemies to appear during this mission!
As Hyuga Setsuna continued describing the intelligence obtained by his Shadow Clone, the shrine fell silent as well.
After a while, Hyuga Setsuna broke the silence.
"Let's notify the daimyo of this intelligence first, so he can make preparations in advance."
He then discreetly slipped both hands into the wide sleeves of his kimono and began forming hand seals.
Kakashi nodded and calmly continued eating. He had not forgotten that there was still a Falcon in the sky watching them.
A figure darted continuously through the Daimyo's Mansion toward the daimyo's room, carefully avoiding the Falcon's surveillance overhead.
Inside the daimyo's room, Akishinomiya Kensuke sat in the seat of honor, reviewing the matters submitted by his officials.
Whoosh!
A faint sound of wind suddenly came from within the room.
Hearing the sound, Akishinomiya Kensuke immediately looked over, quietly moving one hand beneath the desk.
"Who is it?!"
"Lord Daimyo, it's me!"
Hyuga Setsuna's figure appeared in the room as he looked at Akishinomiya Kensuke.
Seeing the Leaf Village ninja before him, Akishinomiya Kensuke relaxed, surprise in his eyes.
"Oh, a Leaf Village ninja. What is it?"
Hyuga Setsuna did not waste any time and immediately relayed the intelligence he had acquired.
As Hyuga Setsuna continued explaining the intelligence, Akishinomiya Kensuke put away the dagger he had been gripping beneath the desk.
Akishinomiya Kensuke listened to the intelligence with a grave expression.
After a while, Hyuga Setsuna pursed his lips and spoke.
"That's roughly the situation. I hope Lord Daimyo can make preparations as soon as possible."
He had delivered the intelligence. All subsequent arrangements would depend on Daimyo Akishinomiya Kensuke before him.
Akishinomiya Kensuke said solemnly, "There is no need to worry about my side."
"My daughter's safety will depend on the two of you. I hope you will do everything in your power to protect Yuri!"
Seeing Akishinomiya Kensuke sincerely entrusting this to him, Hyuga Setsuna nodded silently.
For this mission, he could only "do his best" to protect Akishinomiya Yuri without using his trump cards. If Akishinomiya Yuri was truly killed, then there would be nothing he could do about it.
After all, Hyuga Setsuna could not risk exposing his trump cards for a girl he had only known for a month.
If he exposed his trump cards for this girl, Hagoromo would definitely discover him and kill him!
"Lord Daimyo, I will do my utmost to protect Lady Yuri!"
Hearing that, Akishinomiya Kensuke slowly let out a breath, looking at Hyuga Setsuna with satisfaction in his eyes.
As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reliable. It seemed he should increase his support for him in the future.
He recalled how Sarutobi Hiruzen's letter had repeatedly described how outstanding and talented these two were, and how they would absolutely be able to protect and satisfy Yuri.
At the time, Akishinomiya Kensuke had only set aside the lofty attitude befitting a daimyo and received them because he trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.
Now, it seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen had indeed not been wrong. Even in such a dangerous situation, the person before him showed no hesitation in doing his utmost to protect Yuri, which greatly pleased Akishinomiya Kensuke!
However, even he, the daimyo of the Land of Fire, was not safe under such circumstances.
A smile appeared on Akishinomiya Kensuke's face as he looked at Hyuga Setsuna.
"Then you may leave first. I will make preparations here as well, so don't worry!"
"Yes, Lord Daimyo!"
With a bang, Hyuga Setsuna turned into a puff of white smoke.
Watching Hyuga Setsuna vanish into white smoke, astonishment appeared in Akishinomiya Kensuke's eyes.
"A Shadow Clone?"
At the shrine, Hyuga Setsuna was discussing tonight's plan with Kakashi.
However, both of them appeared perfectly calm. To outsiders, it looked like nothing more than an after-dinner conversation.
Naturally, this scene was also for the Falcon in the sky to see. Since they were being watched, they had to keep up the act.
Just then, Hyuga Setsuna's expression suddenly went blank for a moment before immediately returning to calm.
"Kakashi, the daimyo has been informed. He'll make preparations!"
After quickly sorting through the memories sent back by his Shadow Clone, Hyuga Setsuna shook his head and spoke to Kakashi.
Kakashi remained calm after hearing that, twirling the Kunai in his hand.
"Then according to the plan, I'll deal with the sensory-type ninja!"
After speaking, he paused, concern in his voice.
"You're taking the strongest of the four. Are you sure you'll be all right, Setsuna?"
After all, judging from the intelligence, that person was the strongest among the four.
Hearing Kakashi's concerned words, Hyuga Setsuna smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, Kakashi. Just leave that guy to me!"
"The daimyo will send people to hold off the other two!"
Having said that, Hyuga Setsuna wore a teasing smile.
"Kakashi, don't let that sensory-type ninja defeat you. Otherwise, you won't deserve that title of 'genius'!"
At those words, Kakashi's eyes beneath his dog-face mask turned icy, his voice carrying a murderous edge.
"I'll show that guy the terror of the Hatake Clan's blade techniques!"
Is that so?
Looking at the razor-sharp Kakashi before him, a complicated expression appeared in Hyuga Setsuna's eyes.
If the Sharingan hadn't held you back, Kakashi, how far would you have gone?
Would you have stood shoulder to shoulder with the White Fang, or surpassed the White Fang?
Coo coo, the first update is here!
Thanks to "Name Too Awesome to Display" for the 100-point donation. This is the third day in a row you've donated—thank you for your support, dear reader!!
This original Royal Capital arc is finally about to start wrapping up. I feel like I set up and foreshadowed too much earlier on; I'm starting to forget it myself... damn it.
Once the Royal Capital arc ends, we can return to Leaf Village!!!!
Before you continue