"It turns out to be Princess Gale."
Hearing the other party's "Mr. Yōya" which sounded like a joke and a reunion after a long absence, Naruto's tense nerves instantly relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on his face, with a hint of surprise and nostalgia flashing in his eyes.
The visitors are not enemies, but old friends - Land of Snow, current Daimyo, Kazahana Koyuki.
He withdrew his hand from Wooden Sword, closed the door casually, and walked into the living room. The tension in the air also dissipated, replaced by a relaxed atmosphere of reunion with old friends.
"Why are you here?"
Naruto asked curiously while taking off his shoes.
"I didn't even say hello beforehand."
Kazahana Koyuki was still holding Big Yellow. Hearing this, his beautiful eyes blinked, and he said in a matter-of-fact and slightly proud tone, "Of course he is here to establish diplomatic relations with Land of Fire! As Land of Snow, Daimyo, isn't it normal for him to officially visit an allied country?"
What she said was serious, but the agility in her eyes revealed that the purpose of her trip was not just that.
As she spoke, she freed up one hand and patted the empty space on the sofa next to her, her movements as natural as if she were the owner of the home.
"Sit down."
She greeted, her tone familiar.
"Hey, hey." Naruto was amused by her anti-customer attitude and couldn't help but complain, "This is my home."
He ignored Kazahana Koyuki's invitation and walked straight to Karin, who was still sulking and standing by the sofa.
He naturally reached out his hand, gently took Karin's wrist, and led her to sit on the chair next to the dining table.
"Make it like I'm a guest."
Naruto pressed Karin's shoulders to let her sit up, and smiled helplessly at Kazahana Koyuki.
Kazahana Koyuki looked at Naruto's obviously protective and comforting actions towards Karin, a thoughtful light flashed in his eyes, but the smile on his face did not change.
She put Big Yellow on her lap, then leaned back on the sofa leisurely, and threw a "bomb":
"Oh? Really? However, Daimyo of Land of Fire has agreed to let me take you away!"
She tilted her head, revealing a smile that looked innocent but was actually cunning.
"So, theoretically speaking, you are now my vassal, Yōya... or, Naruto?"
Take him away?
Subordinate?
If an ordinary person heard Daimyo from a country say this and also mentioned Land of Fire Daimyo's name, I am afraid they would have panicked or become suspicious.
However, after Naruto listened, his face did not show the surprise, panic or doubt that Kazahana Koyuki expected. He just raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression calm, even with a hint of understanding.
He shook his head slightly and said firmly:
"Land of Fire Daimyo agrees... Then Mr. Third Hokage probably doesn't agree."
It's not a question, it's a statement.
Naruto knows it very well.
Although the Daimyo of Land of Fire has a respected status and is a symbol of the country and one of the supreme rulers, the Ninja village, especially a large Shinobi Village like Konoha, has a high degree of autonomy.
The transfer of Ninja is definitely not something that Daimyo can decide on.
Normally, Daimyo would talk to Hokage, and Hokage would give it a try and agree. After all, Konoha would have to pay part of Daimyo's expenses.
But Jinchūriki is different.
Hiruzen Sarutobi As Hokage of Konoha, protecting the interests of the village and Ninja is his core responsibility.
How could he allow the most important Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in his village to leave the village for a long time and go to other countries to become subjects?
This is as absurd and dangerous as leaving the keys and passwords to your home's most important strategic weapons arsenal to your neighbor for safekeeping.
No matter how friendly the political relations are, no qualified leader will let go easily when it comes to issues of trump cards and fundamental security.
Kazahana Koyuki These words are most likely a half-true joke or a test.
The real part may be that Land of Fire Daimyo verbally agreed to "secondment" Konoha's outstanding Ninja to assist Land of Snow for a period of time out of diplomatic courtesy or some exchange of interests.
The fake part, or the part she deliberately ignored, is that this transfer must be officially approved by Konoha Hokage and its senior management, and when it comes to a special existence like Naruto, the possibility of approval is slim.
"This is what I came to Konoha for. Just as you thought, Third Hokage refused directly. And the Ninja he recommended are not as good as Kakashi in my opinion. How can I compare with you?"
"Kakashi-sensei is the most outstanding among Konoha Jonin. In the future, he might even become the fifth generation or Sixth Hokage. There are very few Ninjas in the village who can compare with Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto rectified the name of Kakashi, but it is normal for Kazahana Koyuki who does not know Ninja to say such things.
It's like a group of people who have played Warhammer joke that if they travel to Warhammer, they must serve the Emperor. Those who don't know it may be "loyal" and say, "Look at you cowards. If you want me to time travel, I will definitely replace the skeleton-like Emperor!"
Listening to it makes you want to laugh.
Those at the front who said they wanted to serve the Emperor, how could they be as loyal as the one at the back who said they wanted to replace the Emperor and become the new Emperor?
Kakashi is already the pinnacle of Jonin, and there are few Jonins among Konoha who are better than him.
"Is that so?"
Kazahana Koyuki placed Big Yellow in the doghouse next to the sofa and then stepped forward, but was blocked by Karin with open arms.
Kazahana Koyuki was stunned by Karin's actions, and then a look of helplessness and resentment appeared on his face.
She looked at Naruto with a "nothing to do with me" expression, and then at Karin with stubborn eyes. Finally, she gave up her plan to forcefully approach, shrugged, and sat back on the sofa.
"Okay, okay, if you don't get close, don't get close."
There was a little grievance in her tone about being "disliked", but she quickly returned to a serious tone and began to explain the true purpose of her trip.
"There's no way, those Snow Ninja are dominating Land of Snow on weekdays, let alone you have almost killed them, I won't use them even if they are still there.
Now Land of Snow is not protected by Ninja, and it is difficult to resist the ambitions of surrounding countries with just technology. So I thought of forming an alliance with Land of Fire and issuing a long-term mission to let Ninja of Konoha help protect Land of Snow."
Looking at the wary Karin and the indifferent Naruto, Kazahana Koyuki smiled.
She said something astonishing:
"It would be great if you go to Land of Snow. At that time, I can even give you the location of Daimyo of the Land of Snow directly."
She spoke lightly, as if transferring a country was like giving a gift.
Before Naruto could react, she blinked and added, her eyes scanning Karin with deep meaning:
"Besides, Daimyo... can marry multiple wives."
Her eyes turned in a circle between Naruto and Karin, and the curvature of the corner of her mouth had a hint of cunning and a sense of not being too serious about watching the fun:
"If you want... you can take this cute red-haired little sister with you!"
As soon as these words came out, Karin's face suddenly turned red, and even the roots of his ears were dyed crimson.