Chapter 114: The Night of the Clan Extermination Plan
The Land of Fire, as the largest and most prosperous country in the ninja world, naturally had a capital where the daimyo resided, and that city was among the largest anywhere. In sheer scale, it was nearly three times the size of Konoha.
"It really doesn't matter where you go," Kenichi muttered as he looked at the city ahead. "The gap between rich and poor is always painfully obvious."
Konoha was not large, but it also did not have such a jarring divide. Here, though, the contrast was impossible to ignore. Outside the inner city were shantytowns and thatched roofs packed together like kindling. Yet once you stepped inside, the difference between the homes of the wealthy and the poor was so sharp it felt like a blade.
Across a single street, it was like two separate worlds. One side had white walls and swept, spotless ground. The other side was a filthy lane that stank of old water and trash.
"This world has always been like this," Orochimaru said calmly.
He had been observing their surroundings since they entered, and that alone made Kenichi curious. Kenichi glanced around as well, but nothing seemed particularly special at first glance.
The capital of the Land of Fire was crowded, and the civilians barely spared these outsiders a second look. Still, Kenichi noticed there were many shinobi in the city, most of them wearing Konoha's presence in the subtle way professionals did.
No wonder his teacher had insisted they use the technique that erased facial features.
"Teacher, are we going straight to the daimyo's residence?" Kenichi asked.
At first, he had been a little curious about the capital, but after a short walk, the novelty faded. The so called grand city was nothing like the cities from his previous life. It was not even as good as some county towns. To him, it felt strangely empty.
That said, some street food still tugged at his nostalgia. The snacks in the Land of Fire were cheap, filling, and genuinely tasty. The three color dumplings especially stood out.
"We have other matters to handle first," Orochimaru replied, then led Kenichi into a store.
The moment they entered, Orochimaru tapped the counter twice. The clerk's expression changed instantly. Without asking questions, he guided them into a back room.
A shinobi sat inside, face hidden behind a mask that revealed nothing. Even so, Kenichi knew exactly who it was.
A Root operative.
Root showing up in the Land of Fire's capital was not surprising. Root was Konoha's shadow, and its reach crept into every place that mattered. If they were not present in a city this important, that would have been the strange part.
Orochimaru said nothing. He simply handed over a document.
The Root shinobi accepted it and checked the seal for flaws, but did not open it.
"Lord Orochimaru," the Root shinobi said, placing a sealing scroll on the table. "This is from Lord Danzo."
Orochimaru took the scroll and left, Kenichi following at his side.
Kenichi remained silent the entire time. The Root shinobi did not even glance at him. Their eyes stayed locked on Orochimaru as if Kenichi was nothing more than air.
Even without his teacher explaining, Kenichi could guess what kind of exchange was happening between Orochimaru and Danzo. It had to be connected to that monk's arm, or at least to what Danzo intended to do with it.
But it was not the arm itself. If it were, it would have been delivered in a sealing scroll.
Still, Kenichi had a bad feeling as they stepped back out into the street.
The night of the clan extermination felt closer than ever.
To gather Sharingan, Danzo would eventually move against the Uchiha. It was not a question of if, only when.
Which meant Shisui would die too.
The thought did not scare Kenichi as much as it interested him.
As they walked, Orochimaru spoke without looking back. "Root's influence reaches most major towns in the Land of Fire. When you move around later, be careful."
Kenichi nodded and followed his teacher toward the daimyo's residence.
The Land of Fire's daimyo looked to be in his fifties at least, which already counted as old in the ninja world. Very few people here lived that long.
Especially shinobi. Most did not survive to that age unless they were exceptionally strong. And even then, strength did not guarantee a peaceful retirement.
The daimyo was extremely hospitable. Despite his age, he made a show of welcoming both Orochimaru and Kenichi with the utmost respect. Even Kenichi could not find fault in his manners.
There were even beautiful maids who approached to pour wine, dressed in loose clothing that made Kenichi keep his eyes very carefully above the neckline.
"These are my guardian shinobi," the daimyo said, clapping his hands.
Six shinobi stepped forward.
The one in front was familiar the instant Kenichi saw him.
Kazuma.
The man Kenichi had encountered in Konoha, the one who had tried to collect the Nine Tails' chakra that night.
Kazuma did not recognize Kenichi now because Kenichi wore a different face. Still, the way Kazuma looked at Kenichi and Orochimaru was far from friendly.
"They look like elite shinobi," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.
That alone surprised Kenichi. He rarely saw his teacher smile like that. In Kenichi's memory, Orochimaru was not the type to offer warmth, even as a performance.
The daimyo sighed and set down his wine cup. "But they still aren't strong enough."
The shinobi behind him showed no humiliation. They simply stood quietly, faces unreadable.
Kenichi lifted an eyebrow. Interesting.
"Your Highness is too modest," Orochimaru said smoothly. "Your basic protection measures are more than adequate."
"But I believe it would be better if my guard force had a legendary shinobi," the daimyo continued, smiling at Orochimaru. "Someone famous throughout the ninja world. The reward would be very generous. The status would be high, and the autonomy would be absolute."
That was not a hint anymore.
Kenichi did not know whether to laugh or sigh. The daimyo was ambitious, but not foolish. He dared to form the Twelve Guardian Ninja and even tried to recruit Orochimaru, yet he likely would not dare to openly oppose Konoha.
"Your Highness," Orochimaru said, patience thinning, "if Konoha is determined to kill, nothing can stop them, at least within the Land of Fire."
They had agreed to come here to do business. Yet the daimyo was already asking for more before anything had even begun.
Kenichi noticed the resentment flickering in Kazuma's eyes. The other shinobi remained indifferent, as if they had already accepted the daimyo's impossible appetite.
The daimyo did not get angry. Instead, he chuckled, then waved his hand and dismissed his guards and servants. Only then did he finally steer the conversation back to the real purpose.
Orochimaru's voice cooled into professional clarity. "Your Highness, before administering the injection, I need to explain certain potential side effects first."
From his teacher's tone alone, Kenichi could tell he was not in a good mood.
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