The next morning, Hane Genma returned to the organization's camp with a human head in tow.
When he placed this "souvenir" on the table, everyone exchanged stunned glances.
Though no one recognized the daimyo, the lifelike head seemed to speak for itself.
"You... you killed him?" Uchiha Nanami asked, her face etched with shock.
It wasn't that Genma couldn't take action, but this move deviated from the plan. Hadn't he said he was only going to scout?
Genma shook his head. "No, I didn't want certain people reaping the benefits without lifting a finger... Thanks to the selfless contribution of a Tsugawa ninja, some nameless good soul donated a vital organ after death, giving me the chance to craft this masterpiece."
His words left everyone dumbfounded.
Fortunately, the "material" had been provided by Fuma Goro, whose mouth twitched involuntarily. After struggling to maintain his composure, he said, "This is the head of that Tsugawa ninja... remodeled, I presume?"
His mind stalled for a moment before settling on the word "remodeled."
"Exactly," Genma replied. "I can guarantee he now looks identical to the daimyo of Reito Castle."
"How did you do it?"
"Pinching... face-pinching, I guess? Let's just say I sculpted it."
At that moment, Chihori, ever perceptive, brought out a suitably sized brocade box. It might have been a food container once, but it was just the right size for a head.
This, too, was generously provided by the Tsugawa Clan.
The organization, strapped for resources, had scavenged plenty of pots, pans, and other items while raiding the Tsugawa village.
The "daimyo of Reito Castle" was, after all, a figure of high status, so his head deserved the finest packaging.
Genma picked up the head, placed it in the box, and handed it to Fuma Goro.
"Make another trip to Kikyo Castle, will you? Deliver this head to them. Let's say we've completed the mission and see how the esteemed daimyo reacts," Genma said.
"No problem, but... won't they go to Reito Castle to verify?" Fuma Goro asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.
Genma shook his head. "They can't verify. Even if they find a daimyo still active in Reito Castle, how will they tell the real one from a shadow double?"
"And don't overestimate their intelligence. Judging by the suicide-bomb mission they shoved on us right after we returned, this daimyo is likely impulsive and hotheaded."
"I have a feeling that as soon as you hand over the head, he'll reveal his true colors. Even if he verifies, it'll be after he's shown his hand. After all, we're such honest ninja."
In Kikyo Castle's eyes, Genma and his group were so loyal that they'd wipe out a mid-sized ninja clan just to prove their strength and sincerity. To undertake such a dangerous mission only to showcase their capabilities—surely, Kikyo Castle would praise them as loyal dogs. Would they even suspect that this "dog" might bare its teeth at its master?
Genma's predictions about the daimyo's behavior weren't baseless. After all, when it came to the "clan extermination mission," Kikyo Castle had first taken their word for it before bothering to verify.
The daimyo of Kikyo Castle held a clear psychological advantage. He looked down on rogue ninja groups, never considering that these "wild dogs" would dare defy his orders.
To be fair, the ruling class of this era was slightly smarter than those of later generations—but only slightly.
Of course, this daimyo wasn't simply foolish. His arrogance stemmed from confidence in his untouchable position.
Fuma Goro nodded, letting out a quiet sigh. "I hope this turns out well," he said.
Genma and Uchiha Nanami exchanged glances, looking at Fuma Goro as if he were a naive fool.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Goro asked.
"No, nothing," Genma replied.
The moment Genma chose not to immediately carry out the "daimyo assassination mission," he had already broken with Kikyo Castle.
If Kikyo Castle betrayed them, Genma and his group would launch a "just counterattack," leading to a falling out.
If Kikyo Castle honored their agreement, Genma's group would still be the ones to betray them, leading to a falling out regardless.
Genma was certain the second scenario was unlikely.
In any case, Fuma Goro's so-called "good outcome" was simply nonexistent.
Carrying a faint glimmer of hope, Fuma Goro prepared to meet the daimyo of Kikyo Castle once more.
Just as he was about to leave, Genma called out, "Goro, one last thing. Act submissive, like you're groveling. Show the bitter, helpless grief of a beaten dog. If you can manage to look furious while silently shedding tears, even better."
The acting requirements were steep, but Fuma Goro grasped the meaning immediately. "Got it. Look as pathetic as possible, like I'm strong but too spineless to resist?"
"You catch on quick," Genma said. "Otherwise, I'm worried they might just keep you there."
"...Fair point."
Fuma Goro took the "food box" and headed to Kikyo Castle's keep. After passing through layers of protocol and gaining permission, he once again stood before the daimyo.
He carried no mental burden. Placing the "food box" on the wooden floor before him, he knelt cleanly on one knee.
See? Making him the nominal leader had its perks. What Genma couldn't bring himself to do, a local like Goro could pull off effortlessly.
Fuma Goro saw no issue with it. A ninja kneeling to a daimyo—what was wrong with that? If needed, he'd kowtow a few times without hesitation.
"My lord, though the process was arduous, we have completed the task you entrusted to the Fuma Clan."
Daimyo Date Toyosaka's gaze shifted from Fuma Goro to the "food box" before him.
"Is that so? I knew I wasn't mistaken about you. Your efficiency is impressive..."
The daimyo waved a hand, and a servant quickly stepped forward.
The servant lifted the box and scurried back to the daimyo's side.
Date Toyosaka shook his wide sleeves, revealing his plump, pig-hoof-like hands. With an exaggerated flourish, he delicately lifted the box's lid.
A young, familiar, yet deathly pale face stared back at him.
"Hahaha!"
The daimyo burst into wild laughter, gasping for breath.
The laughter continued for a full two or three minutes.
Then, in an abrupt shift, his laughter stopped cold. The twisted expression on his face vanished, and he roughly tossed the lid back onto the box.
"Fuma Clan, what crime should you answer for?"
Still kneeling, Fuma Goro took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. As expected, things were unfolding exactly as Genma had predicted.
"My lord... what do you mean?" he asked, feigning disbelief at the daimyo's accusation.
"You stray dogs, these wandering ninja—I took pity on you and offered shelter! Even if you were eager to prove your loyalty, how dare you act on your own and strike the daimyo of Reito Castle? This is a stain on the honor and integrity of the Date Clan!"
Fuma Goro's face twisted into a mix of shock and anger—three parts genuine, seven parts performance.
Was this man's word worth less than a fart?
As expected, a politician's credibility was a fickle thing. Promises made to be kept? What, did he think he could claim all the benefits?
"Stray dogs are just that—uncivilized! My kindness clouded my judgment. Even someone as wise as I, bound by lofty morals, can make mistakes..."
"But mistakes can be corrected. You will answer for the death of Reito Castle's daimyo. From this day forward, I terminate your employment!"
Fuma Goro shot to his feet.
"I... you... I—"
"Farewell!"
His face flushed with rage, he spun on his heel and stormed out.
Fuma Goro's steps quickened as he left the keep and Kikyo Castle behind. Only then did his tense shoulders relax, and he let out a long breath.
He'd genuinely feared the daimyo would turn on him completely, ordering the keep's guardian ninja to cut him down on the spot.
After leaving Kikyo Castle, Fuma Goro glanced back at the city and its towering keep, shaking his head.
This daimyo was indeed rotten—but not ruthless enough.
If he was going to betray them, he should've had the "leader" hacked to pieces on the spot. How else could he play politics? How else could he ensure his domain's stability?
Now, it was a matter of whose resolve would prove stronger.
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