The Daimyō of the Land of Fire

Come to think of it, his cooking alone could probably make him famous throughout the Shinobi World...

The thought of the lavish dinner Eiji had promised lifted Tsunade's spirits. Letting him move into the Senju Ancestral Home was the smartest decision she had made in a long time.

And so Eiji kept up his daily physical training with Minato and Kushina, using his spare time to guide them in their Rasengan practice.

Minato progressed rapidly. He could already keep the water balloon more or less spherical, and would probably master the Rasengan completely in another month or two.

Kushina lagged behind. She often burst her water balloon, then clung to Eiji's arm to vent her frustration.

Eiji never minded the trouble. Time and again, he taught her how to control the flow of her Chakra with precision.

Still, while teaching her, Eiji couldn't shake the feeling that Kushina was messing up on purpose. He saw through it but said nothing.

Bringing it up would only embarrass her. Besides, he wasn't losing out, so why mention it?

A wealthy young lady was going out of her way to get close to him. Refusing her would be rather ungrateful.

As for Nawaki, he challenged Eiji to a duel every few days, only to be pulled in by Eiji's Blue and sent flying.

Because defeating an opponent increased his character Fusion Rate, repeatedly beating Nawaki eventually earned Eiji another 5%.

That brought his Fusion Rate to 20%. He hadn't gained any new abilities, but his overall strength had improved considerably.

Nawaki's perseverance touched Eiji so much that he started making him desserts from Food Wars! whenever he had the chance.

They were easy enough to make, since they didn't need to glow. Eiji's desserts had now become a staple of afternoon tea at the Senju Clan.

Three weeks passed in the blink of an eye. With only one week left until the ninja graduation exam, an important visitor arrived in Konoha: Imagawa Yoshiteru, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Oxen pulling his carriage passed through Konoha's gates, followed by the palanquin carrying the Daimyo. Under the curious, admiring gazes of the villagers, his procession headed straight for the Senju Clan Compound.

Watching from the tallest building near Konoha's main gate, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. There was nothing he could do about it.

After all, Konoha had been founded by Mito Uzumaki's husband, Hashirama Senju. It was only natural for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire to visit Lady Mito first.

Even so, Hiruzen found it rather dispiriting. He, the Third Hokage, had prepared to welcome the Daimyo, only to be left standing there.

The people of Konoha made no effort to hide their curiosity and awe as they watched the Daimyo's procession, drawn by its "divine oxen."

In the Shinobi World, the title of Daimyo was synonymous with exalted status. Even messages were usually delivered by Konoha ninja traveling to the Daimyo's Palace in person. A Daimyo visiting a Shinobi Village was rare indeed.

The procession stopped a short distance from the Senju Clan Compound, and the Daimyo stepped out of his palanquin.

He looked toward the Senju Ancestral Home with a solemn expression. Though he ruled an entire country, he could not help but feel awe for the distinguished lady he was about to meet.

A girl stepped out with him. Her glossy black hair was styled in a princess cut, and she wore a twelve-layered robe in predominantly black. Though she looked only six or seven, every gesture showed the poise of a well-bred young lady. She was Imagawa Sayuri.

"Sayuri, do not forget your manners. We are about to meet Lady Mito Uzumaki. You must not be discourteous."

"I understand, Father."

The girl called Sayuri nodded slightly, her voice humble.

"And the boy Lady Mito mentioned in her letter—whether everything she wrote is true or not, you must win his favor."

"...As you wish."

Imagawa Yoshiteru told his guards and retainers to wait outside, then walked to the Senju Ancestral Home with his youngest daughter, Sayuri.

Eiji, Kushina, and Nawaki had been told in advance that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was coming to visit. Out of courtesy, they had dressed neatly and were waiting behind Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade.

As the Daimyo exchanged greetings with Mito Uzumaki, Kushina tugged Eiji's sleeve and leaned in to whisper.

"Eiji, his hat looks so strange. It's like someone stuck a fan on his head."

"Uh..."

She wasn't wrong.

But Eiji gave no response. What could he say? Kushina's description was apt, but saying it aloud would be a little rude.

After a few pleasantries, the Daimyo turned to Tsunade.

"Little Tsunade, you've finally grown up! I hear your medical skills are now unmatched in the Shinobi World. If you don't mind, could you take a look at my health?"

Tsunade agreed and stepped forward to give him a quick examination. She said his health was fine, but he should indulge himself a little less. The Daimyo's mouth twitched.

At last, his gaze settled on Eiji.

"Oh...! What beautiful eyes! Even more magnificent than the letter described. They shine like precious gems!"

Imagawa Yoshiteru's eyes lit up. Mito Uzumaki had briefly described Ryuuzaki Eiji's strength in her letter, but now those eyes interested him more than the boy's power.

The reliable inheritance of the Sharingan and Byakugan was known throughout the Shinobi World. Could his eyes be passed down as well?

In the Shinobi World, the prestige of one's bloodline mattered enormously. The Daimyo's family proclaimed its bloodline supremely noble, but what proof did they have?

If such a distinguished bloodline could run through the ruling family of the Land of Fire, it would surely benefit the Imagawa's rule!

"Sayuri, come and introduce yourself. You're close in age, so I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about."

At his words, a poised, properly dressed girl stepped out from behind Imagawa Yoshiteru.

Sayuri approached Eiji, folded her hands in front of her, and bowed slightly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Imagawa Sayuri. I apologize for imposing on you these next few days... I hope we'll get along. I've admired you ever since I read about you in the letter. You're even more impressive in person."

Imagawa Sayuri knew that as long as she carried the blood of the Royal House, her family would decide her future. Not even her status as a princess could spare her.

So when her father told her he was taking her to meet a remarkably talented boy, she had prepared herself for what that might mean.

She had no say in choosing the man she would marry. There was nothing she could do but accept it.

An older cousin had married into the Land of Lightning, only to find her husband foolish, incompetent, and lecherous. The thought that she might meet the same fate had nearly made Sayuri faint.

If even her gifted cousin could not escape and now spent her days in tears, how could Sayuri, a daughter born to a concubine, hope to evade her fate?

But now that she had met Ryuuzaki Eiji, only one thought remained.

Thank you, Father, for arranging this...!