Hanzō looked briefly taken aback. Clearly, he had never expected the mission the Daimyo entrusted to him to be the assassination of the Amegakure Ninja Village's leader. He fell silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what exactly are you saying?"
"What am I saying? Hanzō, you're no fool. Can't you understand something this plain?" The smile faded from the Daimyo's face.
"The Amegakure Ninja Village cannot accept such a commission. Assassinating the leader of one's own village as his subordinate—no one would dare shoulder that responsibility," Hanzō said, watching the Daimyo's expressionless face.
"Perhaps I shouldn't call it a commission." The Daimyo shook his head. "As I understand it, you and Besa are on very poor terms. There are even rumors that Besa intends to have you killed?"
"I wonder where you heard those rumors, Your Highness." Hanzō's heart jolted, and he began wondering who had leaked the Amegakure Ninja Village's internal discord.
Although ninja villages served under their Daimyo and had to obey his orders, the Daimyo could not fully interfere in their internal affairs. This had been agreed upon by the First Hokage and the former ruler of the Land of Fire, and the other ninja villages that followed their example adhered to the same rule. By rights, the Daimyo should not have known about this.
Could the Daimyo have a spy inside the Amegakure Ninja Village? Who would side with him and reveal a secret like this?
While Hanzō wrestled with his suspicions, the Daimyo spoke slowly. "Hanzō, you know that ninja villages were originally founded to cooperate with their countries for mutual benefit. The country ensures the village's funding and living conditions, while the village supplies military strength. Both sides benefit. The Amegakure Ninja Village was like that at first,