Princess Senhime, daughter of the former Fire Daimyo and now the eldest princess of the Land of Fire, was deeply worried about the recent situation. The conflict between the Daimyo's office and the Konoha Ninja Village had finally come to light over the issue of sending troops to the Land of Demons, and neither side showed any intention of backing down.
Initially, the entire capital became a battleground of public opinion. Due to Konoha Ninja Village's past image, public opinion leaned towards them. After officials repeatedly submitted memorials and suggestions, the Daimyo, as if impatient, implemented restrictions on public discourse. Anyone who dared to openly support Konoha Ninja Village would be targeted and arrested by the Daimyo's people.
The residents were already inclined towards Konoha Ninja Village and were very dissatisfied with the Daimyo's plan to send troops to the Land of Demons. The Daimyo's surveillance actions only exacerbated the public's underlying discontent, but no one dared to speak out due to the samurai at the Daimyo's disposal.
The chakra samurai trained by Yura were already a formidable force for the Daimyo's office. In this capital, no other force could contend with them, except for high-ranking ninja masters. And for now, the former were still affiliated with the Daimyo's power, which meant there were even fewer obstacles.
Now, the common people could only grumble at home, and after the officials who had submitted memorials were successively imprisoned by the Daimyo, no one dared to speak out again. The only forces capable of confronting the Daimyo's office were the Konoha Ninja Village and the local lords outside the capital.
Under the deliberate guidance of Konoha Ninja Village, local lords who were close to Konoha Ninja Village, upon receiving certain secret information, rallied behind Konoha Ninja Village, supporting their decision and urging the Daimyo's office not to take military action.
Of course, the Daimyo's office clearly wouldn't listen. It was now completely under Yura's control, but few people knew this. Only the Konoha Ninja Village believed the Daimyo was controlled, while others in the capital merely thought the Daimyo was misguided by Yura.
Princess Senhime was also of this opinion. She was not a chakra practitioner nor was she skilled in politics. In the past, she had always been involved in the revival of Ninshu alongside Kana. If she were to be given a designation, it would be that of a knowledgeable scholar.
As one of the two initial pioneers and now a leader of the Ninshu revival movement, Princess Senhime naturally leaned towards Konoha Ninja Village. She had visited her royal brother at the Daimyo's office multiple times, but the Daimyo remained unmoved. No matter what she said, he showed no signs of wavering.
Princess Senhime felt very helpless, and she vaguely sensed that the atmosphere within the Daimyo's office was unusual. For a time, she didn't dare to visit again. After much consideration, she decided to visit the Konoha ninja remaining in the capital to ask for their thoughts.
Originally, Princess Senhime wanted to discuss with Kana, but Kana had returned to the village not long ago, making a face-to-face discussion impossible.
She could only meet other Konoha ninja. Fortunately, Kana had acted as a go-between, so both sides were acquainted and familiar.
Upon hearing of Princess Senhime's visit, Asuna and others immediately welcomed her. Hyūga Hiashi took the lead in receiving her. The Hyūga clan was inherently the ninja clan closest to nobility, possessing the demeanor of a distinguished family. Even the Uzumaki clan couldn't compare—after all, the Uzumaki clan was primarily isolated on an island nation, while the Hyūga clan had always lived on the ninja continent.
"You all must be aware of the recent events, but why haven't you taken any action?" Princess Senhime asked. The Daimyo was currently at odds with the Konoha Ninja Village, and the Konoha ninja remaining in the capital should logically be doing something.
"Princess, even if we wanted to, it wouldn't make any difference. The Daimyo isn't listening to anyone right now," Hyūga Hiashi said with a wry smile.
"Alas, I don't know why my royal brother has become like this. Even with that person misleading him, he shouldn't be so unwise." Princess Senhime shook her head. She was actually very aware of the Konoha ninja's helplessness. The current Daimyo was truly deaf to all advice, and no one could get through to him. She couldn't understand why the Daimyo had changed so much.
Princess Senhime understood her brother to some extent, knowing he was narrow-minded, but not to this degree of foolishness.
"Actually, we suspect that Yura used some means to control Lord Daimyo," Hyūga Hiashi said, glancing at the others, then addressing Princess Senhime.
"Control?" Princess Senhime exclaimed in surprise. "I suspected that before too, but my royal brother has Guardian Monks by his side. There shouldn't be no news at all."
"That proves Yura's ability is so strong that even the Guardian Monks can't leak information," Hyūga Hiashi said. "However, given the Daimyo's status, such an anomaly is enough to arouse suspicion. It's just that we have no evidence."
Indeed, even if they knew the Daimyo might be under genjutsu control, it was useless without evidence. The Konoha ninja were outnumbered and outmatched in the capital; they couldn't possibly storm the Daimyo's office to find proof.
One must know that the Daimyo's office housed Yura, other Guardian Ninja who had been lured over, and the formidable chakra samurai corps.
Even if the Konoha ninja had superior individual combat power, facing so many people would put them at risk of being surrounded. Once it reached that point, it would be difficult to resolve peacefully.
It was precisely because of this that the Konoha group had taken no action. In fact, at first, some had considered investigating the Daimyo's office, but after receiving orders from the village, they dared not act rashly.
Kazama Masaki had no intention of persuading the Daimyo, so it was impossible for him to let the Konoha group risk themselves in the Daimyo's office. Staying in a relatively outer area and escaping in time when the situation became volatile was the right path.
"My royal brother has always been dissatisfied with Konoha, which is why he allowed Yura into the Daimyo's office, never imagining he was inviting a disaster," Princess Senhime said, a hint of exasperation in her voice as she looked at the Konoha ninja. "All of you, be careful. If my royal brother truly is controlled, you will sooner or later be targeted."
"We have already anticipated this, Princess," Asuna said. "We will protect ourselves, but things might escalate significantly from here."
"What will happen?" Princess Senhime asked. "Will you send people into the capital to capture Yura and break my royal brother's control? If so, I will support you."
In Princess Senhime's view, Konoha Ninja Village was trustworthy, and the Daimyo's office was currently in chaos. If Konoha Ninja Village could intervene with force and restore peace to the capital, she would have no reason to refuse. Although the Daimyo might suffer a bit, he would deserve it for letting Yura into the Daimyo's office.
"It might escalate even further. Yura is well-prepared. If we can't resolve the issue within the capital, it could lead to external conflict," Asuna said seriously.
Princess Senhime's heart skipped a beat. She guessed what Asuna was implying: a potential conflict on the battlefield, which was beyond her imagination.
"Please, it must not come to that," Princess Senhime said, her voice trembling. She did not want to see a civil war erupt in the Land of Fire.
"We can only try our best, Princess. We cannot fully control the current situation. You know, we have many limitations," Asuna said.
"I understand, I understand." Princess Senhime took a deep breath to calm herself. "This matter started because of my royal brother. Yura relies on my royal brother's power, so he definitely won't be easy to eliminate. I just hope we can resolve the problem with the lowest possible cost."
"Our Hokage-sama thinks the same," Hyūga Hiashi said. "Princess, we hope you will not step forward in the coming days. Try to avoid appearing in public. No matter what happens in the capital, do not personally intervene."
"Why? If there's big trouble in the capital, I should be able to help somewhat."
"Because you might be in danger then. Yura wouldn't care about your life, but we are different," Asuna said sincerely. "Father has given orders: if conflict is unavoidable, after it ends, Princess, you will be a crucial figure in stabilizing the domestic situation. After all, you are the daughter of the former Daimyo and a leader of the Ninshu revival movement. In your family, besides the Daimyo, your influence is the greatest."
"So that's how it is." Princess Senhime nodded in sudden understanding. After hearing this, Princess Senhime realized that she might play a greater role later on. To be honest, in the current situation, she probably couldn't do much. Her earlier words were out of unwillingness to do nothing, but since there would be a need for her later, there was no need to step forward now. "I understand. I will protect myself."
"It's truly wonderful that you understand," Asuna smiled.