"Looks like he wants to win me over." Hyuga Akira rubbed his chin.
The relationship between Shinobi Villages and the great nations' Daimyo was actually rather awkward. The former commanded the strongest military force in the entire nation, while the latter ruled the country with the Ninja Villages' assistance.
Those who possessed military power should have possessed everything, yet things had taken the twisted shape of the armed faction voluntarily siding with the weaker faction and protecting it.
They let the latter lord it over them.
It would have been fine if the Daimyo could truly improve the country, but in reality, the aristocratic class headed by the Daimyo was the real cancer obstructing its development.
The Daimyo probably knew the truth as well and had been trying to acquire armed forces of their own.
They had not dared under the First, had been outmaneuvered under the Second, and could finally pull a few clever tricks under the Third.
Just like how they had repeatedly held up Konoha's funding during this war, training Konoha as though it were a dog.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was no fool, either. He had not been completely brought to heel by the Daimyo and even showed faint signs of resistance.
"What are you talking about?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Hyuga Akira. "The very purpose of Shinobi is to protect the Land of Fire and the Daimyo."
"Just pretend I believe that." Hyuga Akira curled his lip.
Every member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja the Daimyo established later possessed considerable strength, yet internal strife had broken out right after Asuma went to serve among them.
He did not believe Hiruzen Sarutobi had had no hand in that.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction. "I hope you carry out this mission properly."
Judging by Hyuga Akira's attitude, he clearly