"There's no need for that." Naruto's voice was colder than the underground space itself. "After eating an egg, there's no need to go see the hen that laid it."
Beneath his mask, Zero smiled awkwardly.
Naruto's fingers suddenly stopped tapping on the console.
His gaze shifted from the densely packed military data on the screen to a separate pop-up window. It was the file of the member codenamed "Cicada Shell." Beneath Neji Hyuga's photograph, a line of red text stood out starkly.
[Loyalty: High.]
[Potential Risk: The "Caged Bird" Curse Mark planted by the Hyuga Main House.]
Naruto frowned in thought. He greatly admired Neji's talent, but the Caged Bird Curse Mark was like grit in a meal—unpleasant and impossible to ignore. He did not want his soldiers to live forever beneath a dark cloud.
Yui... the daimyō... power.
In an instant, a new chain of logic formed in his mind.
"Then perhaps I should meet them after all." Naruto changed his mind as though his previous refusal had never happened. "After all, I have something I'd like to ask the daimyō to help with as well."
Zero did not ask further. He merely bowed slightly. "Yes."
He never questioned orders. He only needed to understand and carry them out.
The tea room of Konoha's most exclusive inn, the Pine Wind Room.
It was reserved for nobles and Jonin, with exceptionally strict security. Zero's subordinates had long since taken control of the surrounding area. No movement, however slight, could escape their surveillance.
Naruto changed out of his practical training clothes and into a newly tailored black uniform. The fabric was crisp, the cut fitted, and there were no unnecessary decorations. Only simple patterns traced in silver thread adorned the collar and cuffs, while a small but exquisitely crafted silver Uzumaki