Land of Fire, Daimyo Mansion.
"This way, please."
Two finely dressed servants led the way. Though the corridor was lavish, security was tight. Every few steps, fully armed guards stood at blind spots, patrolling and watching.
The entire floor had also undergone special modifications. Kakashi glanced up and noticed that the ceiling had probably been modified too. Its height did not match the floor dimensions visible from outside.
That could only mean mechanisms or traps had likely been installed above the ceiling, making the interior height inconsistent with the floors seen from outside.
A tower that looked four stories tall from outside might have only two floors inside, with elaborate mechanisms installed above each one to prevent anyone from infiltrating or lying in ambush overhead.
This setup...
"The Daimyo Mansion wasn't laid out like this when I came before. It's been remodeled."
Asuma spoke without betraying any emotion.
"Maybe the new Daimyo feels insecure."
Kakashi shrugged, looking as though it had nothing to do with him and he knew nothing about it.
Asuma said no more. Though he suspected the previous Daimyo's disappearance might have something to do with the village, he would not discuss it with Kakashi here.
"Please forgive us. Since the former lord's whereabouts remain unknown, all visitors seeking an audience with His Highness must first undergo screening for security reasons. Please wait in this guest room for a little while."
The two servants led them into a guest room, then bowed respectfully and withdrew.
"The people here have a much better attitude than the gate guards. Those guys wasted so much of our time."
"Why do I get the feeling ordinary people have an easier time getting in than we do? The moment we said we were Konoha ninjas, they guarded against us like crazy."
Naruto