"Let's go, time to see the Daimyo."
Uchiha Kazama spoke slowly.
He lifted his foot and walked straight into the Daimyo Palace.
Although these Guardian Ninja still maintained their combat stances, not a single one dared to step forward and stop Uchiha Kazama.
The shinobi following behind Uchiha Kazama were far beyond what they could contend with.
The oppression and fear brought by the scarlet eyes of the Uchiha were awakened from deep within their bloodlines once more.
Inside the Daimyo Palace.
The Daimyo was currently sitting in a luxurious seat.
Before him lay a spread of exquisite delicacies and fine nectar.
The Daimyo's face still bore a slight flush from drink.
"Daimyo, the Fifth Hokage has already arrived. Won't there be an issue if we just refuse to see them like this?!"
Shinshu, a minister of the Land of Fire, spoke with a worried expression.
Previously, he was the one who liaised with Konoha.
Shinshu knew very well just how powerful the Konoha High Command was.
Moreover, Uchiha Kazama, the man who had completely annihilated the Konoha High Command overnight and perfectly controlled the Tailed Beast...
Was undoubtedly a terrifying fellow.
Most importantly...
This fellow was also a madman who played by no rules.
Under current circumstances, provoking an uncontrollable madman was definitely not a wise decision.
"Rest assured, Shinshu."
"The village requires funds to operate."
"We are the ones providing the funds. If they cannot see their own position clearly, then there is no need to give them any resources."
The Daimyo picked up his wine cup and drank the liquid within once more.
Hearing the Daimyo's explanation, the unease in Shinshu's heart did not lessen.
In fact, it only surged further.
Attempting to reason and talk logic with a madman was clearly a laughable act and thought.
Yet right now, he had no other recourse.
Although he was the liaison to Konoha.
All financial resources required the Daimyo's approval.
At the mere thought of this, a sense of powerlessness welled up throughout Shinshu's entire body.
"Hahaha, Shinshu, you still think far too highly of those fellows."
"Without the support of the Land of Fire, a mere little village cannot stir up any waves at all."
"Just wait. When those fellows are out of options, they will crawl back and kneel before us like dogs."
Another minister spoke slowly.
He was still holding a wine cup in his hand.
He thoroughly enjoyed gatherings dedicated to suppressing powerful shinobi.
So what if those fellows were powerful?!
Before absolute resources and vast influence, they had no choice but to bow their heads.
In his eyes, what was needed were only obedient dogs, not formidable wolves!
"Splash!"
The next moment, he had just raised his wine cup to his lips.
A kunai instantly pierced into the back of his neck.
The tip of the kunai jutted out from inside his mouth.
Fresh blood dripped directly into the wine cup.
The previously somewhat decadent atmosphere instantly fell dead silent.
The doors of the Daimyo's reception hall were pushed open.
Uchiha Kazama slowly stepped inside.
"The Fifth Hokage?"
Looking at Uchiha Kazama as he appeared in his field of vision, the Daimyo picked up the fan on the table, concealing half of his face.
A gloomy voice rang out.
Within those narrow eyes, anger and malice were revealed.
"Daimyo!"
"Where are my men?"
Uchiha Kazama spoke calmly.
Uchiha Nagasawa, who had previously been sent to apply for funding, had not returned.
According to intelligence, he had been detained by the Daimyo.
Uchiha Kazama's first priority upon coming this time was not to bring up the funding, but to ask about Uchiha Nagasawa.
"The Konoha Ninja who came last time?"
"He showed disrespect to the Daimyo and has already been locked up."
One of the three guards standing beside the Daimyo, a stout man, stepped forward, took a position beside the Daimyo, and spoke slowly.
"Bang!"
At that very moment, Uchiha Roy made his move.
The short sword in his hand instantly descended toward the stout man's neck.
Immediately, the sound of striking metal rang out.
The short sword in his hand shattered directly at that moment.
"This is..."
"Bang!"
Before Uchiha Roy could react, a massive fist landed on his head.
The next moment, Uchiha Roy transformed into a puff of smoke and vanished.
Taking his place was a section of wood.
"Substitution Technique?"
"That reaction speed is not bad."
"You wouldn't happen to think that my close protection of the Daimyo is comparable to the trash outside, would you?!"
"I am a powerful Shinobi who has mastered Steel Release!"
"Back then..."
"Splat!"
Before the stout man could finish speaking, a line of blood appeared on his neck.
Blood gushed forth, forcibly cutting off his words.
The stout man grabbed his own neck, looking at Uchiha Kazama in terror.
Just now, it was Uchiha Kazama who had struck.
However, why?!
He had clearly activated Steel Release, so how could he still be slain by the opponent?!
Furthermore, he could only sense that Uchiha Kazama had made the move.
Yet he hadn't seen how Uchiha Kazama had moved at all.
"Steel Release?!"
"Such a trash Kekkei Genkai, and you dare bring it out to boast?"
Uchiha Kazama looked somewhat disdainful.
Under his Time-Piercing Slash, any defense was nothingness.
Unless that person could see the slash within the spatial-temporal context.
Time-Piercing Slash could locate him before he had activated Steel Release, and then sever him with a single sword stroke.
Such defensive methods were completely useless in front of Uchiha Kazama.
Seeing their companion slain.
The remaining two quickly positioned themselves in front of the Daimyo.
"Minister Shinshu."
"I recall that it was you who previously communicated with the Konoha High Command, wasn't it?"
Uchiha Kazama did not continue to fix his gaze upon the Daimyo, instead looking toward the side at Shinshu, who wore a terrified expression.
He knew this person.
During a previous escort mission, Uchiha Kazama had even protected him.
"Fifth Hokage, this matter is entirely a misunderstanding."
"We have no intention of making things difficult for Konoha."
"Mainly..."
"Fifth Hokage, are you trying to betray the Land of Fire!?"
Right at that moment, a familiar voice reached Kazama's ears.
Coupled with that familiar chakra...
These guys really didn't waste any time getting here!
Hearing that voice, Shinshu also stopped talking.
These guys were also vital components of Konoha.
Since the others from Konoha had arrived now, he would just wait and see how this Uchiha Kazama intended to handle things.
After all, the reason they had given earlier was that Konoha's internal issues had not been resolved.
The corner of the Daimyo's mouth curved into a smile once more.
The two great clans of Konoha, after all!
Since they had both come here now, he would just see... whether they were truly worthy of being entrusted with this.
This belonged to Konoha's internal affairs.
As an outsider and a bystander, a good show like this... was definitely worth watching!