Do You Think The Daimyo Will Believe You?

Up to chapter 60 are available on my Patreon[.]com/0DayDream0

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After a satisfying meal and drinks, the group stepped out of the restaurant, still lively and in high spirits.

"The night is still young. How about we head over to the entertainment district for a few more rounds?" Kuragami Uchiha suggested as he led the group.

"Well, since the clan head Kuragami has spoken, I suppose I have no choice but to risk my life and accompany him!" Kaze Inuzuka, already slightly tipsy, laughed.

The alcohol had loosened everyone up, and laughter broke out among them. Even Kihito Hyūga and Ken Hyūga, who had been reserved and serious throughout the evening, wore slightly mischievous grins.

"Kuragami-sama! There are girls in the team, too, you know!" Yugao Uzuki playfully scolded.

"Oh, that was indeed my oversight!" 

Kuragami chuckled. He then pulled out a wad of cash from a sealing scroll and roughly shoved it into Hayate Gekko's arms. "Hayate, why don't you take your little girlfriend and have a nice evening in town?"

"That's right, just make sure to be back before it gets too late." Ryuta Kuromu teased.

The couple blushed furiously at the laughter of the group, but Hayate still took the money. After bidding farewell, he and Yugao went off to enjoy their night separately.

As for the rest of the group, they headed toward the entertainment district.

Once they had walked some distance, a shadow detached itself from the darkness of an alley. It was the real Kuragami Uchiha, who had discreetly split from the group, now heading in a completely different direction.

At the lord's mansion in Tanzaku Town, the political and gambling capital of the Land of Fire, its ruler was no ordinary man.

In addition to his official noble title granted by the Fire Daimyo, Taro Yamamoto commanded a personal force of hundreds of samurai and over a dozen ninjas. His connections with various clans in Konoha made his position as lord as solid as a mountain.

After hosting a lavish banquet that night, Taro Yamamoto, holding a beautiful woman in each arm, drunkenly stumbled into his bedroom, his face filled with lust.

"Tonight will be quite enjoyable." He chuckled; however, just as he stepped forward and was about to turn on the light, he noticed a figure sitting casually in an armchair by the window.

The moonlight streaming through the window illuminated the figure, reflecting chillingly off the kunai he was casually wiping.

The two women in his arms instinctively tried to scream, but the figure's eyes flashed red, and they instantly collapsed on the ground powerlessly.

Taro Yamamoto sobered up immediately. Anyone appearing in his bedroom at this hour, holding a weapon, clearly wasn't here with good intentions.

"Who are you? Why have you come here?" He asked while sweating profusely, but despite his fear, he kept backing away cautiously.

"I'd suggest you stop moving." The intruder spoke in a playful tone. "If that thing behind you explodes, it won't be pretty. I can't guarantee whether you will die, but I'm sure you'll fly."

Taro Yamamoto froze and turned his head slightly. To his horror, there was an Explosive tag stuck to the wall just inches from his right foot.

Taro Yamamoto swallowed and realized he had never been this close to death before.

"If this is about money, I can—" 

Taro Yamamoto tried to negotiate while discreetly attempting to alert his guards by knocking something over.

The intruder merely smiled, watching him without interference, until Taro Yamamoto finally knocked over a large vase, the sound of breaking porcelain echoing through the room.

But the guards never came.

"Waiting for your samurai and ninja?" 

The man by the window finally spoke, slowly standing up and approaching him. His footsteps were light, but to Taro Yamamoto, they sounded like the footsteps of death itself.

"Two jōnin from the Shimura Clan, twelve rebel ninjas, and 271 samurai, it did take a little effort to deal with them." 

The intruder mused while standing right next to him now; then, the intruder reached out to help him turn on the light in the room.

Under the warm glow, the intruder's face became visible, sharp, and handsome, with a blood-red pupil spinning with three tomoe.

Taro Yamamoto's pupils shrank in recognition.

"Uchiha...?"

"Good observation." 

Kuragami Uchiha smirked while tapping Taro Yamamoto's chubby face with the side of his kunai. "As a ninja of Hidden Leaf Village, aren't you breaking the rules by doing this?" 

Taro Yamamoto regained some composure upon realizing he was dealing with a Konoha ninja. 

After all, attacking a noble of the Land of Fire was a crime punishable by death.

"Rules?" 

Kuragami chuckled. "Let's talk about rules, then."

"For the past four years, you have provided financial aid totaling 1.8 billion Ryō to Danzo Shimura and his criminal organization, attempting to support his bid for control over the military forces of the Land of Fire. Now, tell me, what do you think will happen if Daimyo learns of this?"

Taro Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock.

"Nonsense! I merely hired some bodyguards!" He protested. And it was true; he had paid the Shimura Clan handsomely for security and the occasional dirty work. But he had never once harbored ambitions of controlling Konoha.

"Just bodyguards? Well, let's see if Daimyo believes that." 

Kuragami's smirk widened.

"What do you want?" Taro Yamamoto took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"I personally believe in your loyalty to the Daimyo." 

Kuragami said, casually twirling his kunai like a butterfly. "But you know how our Daimyo can be; he is rather... suspicious by nature."

"So, do you still want to talk about rules?"

"Please, keep this a secret for me. I will be forever grateful." Taro Yamamoto begged, his resolve crumbling under the pressure.

Kuragami frowned while feigning disappointment.

"Do you take me for a mere extortionist?"

"Yes, yes! I was wrong! Please, have mercy and spare my life!" Taro Yamamoto finally broke down and knelt on the floor while bowing repeatedly.

Kuragami watched him for a moment before finally speaking.

"I must say, you've built quite a profitable operation in Tanzaku Town. Tell me, just how much revenue does this place generate per month?"

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Up to chapter 60 are available on my Patreon[.]com/0DayDream0