The Daimyo Applies Pressure

Two days after Prince Takasu's sudden death.

Land of Fire Capital, Daimyo Palace.

In the great hall, nobles and ministers stood in ranks, hardly daring to breathe.

The Daimyo sat at the head of the hall, his face ashen. Several reports lay spread across the table before him.

"Two days."

The moment he spoke, his voice made everyone in the hall lower their heads.

"It's been two days since my uncle was murdered, and the killer still hasn't been caught."

"What am I paying you people for?"

The hall fell silent.

An elderly noble steeled himself and stepped forward. "Your Highness, please calm your anger... The assassin's origins are unknown, and his methods were ruthless. This was likely no common thief..."

"So because you don't know where he came from, you won't investigate?"

The Daimyo slammed a hand onto the table, his voice rising sharply.

"In the hundred years since the Land of Fire was founded, no organization has ever dared lay a hand on a member of the royal family!"

"He dared kill my uncle the day before yesterday. Will he dare kill me tomorrow?!"

"This isn't just about revenge! It's a challenge to the authority of the Land of Fire!"

The nobles in the hall began shifting blame among themselves.

One seized the chance to whisper poison in his ear. "Your Highness... If I may speak frankly, Prince Takasu's death may not have been the work of an outsider."

"A political enemy may have used an assassin as cover to eliminate him..."

Another hurried to distance himself. "Your Highness, I'm willing to assign more ninja guards to protect you day and night!"

Others kept their heads down and said nothing.

One of them held several secret reports on the prince's businesses: the Bounty Office, casinos, pawnshops... He dared