Daimyō Castle.
Home to hundreds of thousands of people, this city ranked among the largest in the entire Shinobi World. The Land of Fire Daimyō who resided there was also one of the most powerful men in that world.
Although he possessed no great strength himself, the Daimyō's rule was deeply entrenched in the people's hearts.
At that moment, atop the Tenshu, the Daimyō was playing shogi with Taro Utada, seemingly indifferent to the situation outside.
Meanwhile, the retainers and ninja guarding him were already frantic, pacing back and forth.
Though Daimyō Castle had no shortage of ninja, they were sorely outnumbered by the army of several thousand White Zetsu outside its walls.
The Twelve Guardian Ninja were indeed elites among jonin, but they were not so elite that numbers no longer mattered.
"Lord Daimyō, President Taro, the ninja seem unable to hold off the white monsters any longer. For your safety, shouldn't we evacuate immediately?"
The Land of Fire Daimyō glanced at his loyal retainer, then said, "There is no hurry. We can leave after Taro and I finish this game of shogi. Or are you asking me to abandon my people right this instant?"
Taro Utada immediately agreed. "His lordship cares deeply for his people and cannot bear to abandon them."
"But... but..."
The retainer tried to persuade him further, only to catch the Land of Fire Daimyō's piercing gaze. He obediently shut his mouth, silently withdrew from the hall, and headed toward the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
He could not defy the Daimyō's orders, but his loyalty as a samurai drove him to seek help from the ninja.
"Jonin Asuma..." The retainer found the Third Hokage's son, who glanced at him and asked, "Has his lordship still not agreed to evacuate?"
The retainer hesitated for a moment before