Returning to the Daimyō's residence once again, things were truly different this time.
The samurai in charge of security hadn't changed much, but among them were now many people with red square cloths tied at their waists.
Clearly, these were the ninja troops recruited by the Daimyō.
"Sensei, are those the ninja recruited by the Daimyō's residence?"
"They don't look impressive at all?"
Obito blurted out exactly what he was thinking.
But it wasn't his fault. After all, he'd already lived through the Third Great Ninja War—his standards were no longer the same as before.
With ninja barely at the average level of a chūnin, they really didn't catch his eye.
Uchiha Shisui didn't speak. He simply observed the people before them.
"Let's go. I wonder how the Daimyō plans to receive me this time."
"Hehehehe…"
Even though it was a laugh, for some reason, Gekko Chizan's laughter made the two brats shiver.
That laugh was just too eerie.
...
At the same time, inside the Daimyō's residence.
"Daimyō, someone from Konoha has arrived."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"Gekko Chizan…"
Hearing Yukimura's report, the Daimyō stood up abruptly, a rare hint of delight flickering in his eyes.
"Is it really him?"
"I didn't expect Konoha to send him."
"Yukimura, you interacted with him last time. Do you think you can keep him here this time?"
Yukimura thought for a moment, then nodded heavily.
After all, during their last interaction, Yukimura believed he had already seen through Gekko Chizan.
A greedy and lustful type—although undeniably powerful, as long as the benefits were good enough, they could definitely dig him over to the Daimyō's side.
After all, no wall corner can't be dug—only whether the tool used is sharp enough.
"It shouldn't be a big problem. Even though he has great military achievements, I've heard that because his teacher Orochimaru defected…"
"Konoha's Hokage Advisor, Shimura Danzō, has been relentlessly suppressing him."
"That's our chance."
"I refuse to believe Gekko Chizan is someone who swallows humiliation. Don't forget what he did last time he came to the Daimyō's residence."
The Daimyō nodded at Yukimura's words.
His mind involuntarily drifted back to what Gekko Chizan was like before the war, when he first arrived at the Daimyō's residence.
"You're not wrong. His personality is exactly like that. Being suppressed for no reason would definitely make him resentful."
"Masaki, what do you think?"
Masaki had remained silent all along, lost in thought. Since the first time he met Gekko Chizan, he felt the man was far from simple.
But Yukimura's words weren't wrong either. Konoha had indeed been suppressing Gekko Chizan for a long time, and his teacher Orochimaru really was on the rogue-nin list.
Facts were facts—they couldn't ignore them.
"It's worth a try. He's even brought one of his disciples again this time—Uchiha Obito."
"Uchiha Obito is an orphan of the Uchiha clan. He doesn't feel strong attachment to his clan."
"As for the other kid… hard to say."
Since Gekko Chizan had brought his own team with him last time, they had investigated thoroughly and obtained all information.
To them, the fallen Gekko clan and an Uchiha orphan were both extremely attractive recruitment targets.
"Right, Daimyō-sama—have you forgotten? Aside from those two, someone else also sent us a private message."
"That person, hehe… in terms of importance, he outweighs even Gekko Chizan."
Masaki's voice was still raspy, carrying a trace of slyness.
But the Daimyō didn't fully agree.
"That one… we'll wait and see. His identity is special."
"I still value Gekko Chizan more. Yukimura, go welcome them."
Yukimura acknowledged the order and headed for the gate of the Daimyō's residence.
...
At the main gate, Gekko Chizan and the other two were directly stopped.
Not for any special reason—just because both Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Shisui were wearing Konoha forehead protectors.
"Bastard!"
"Say that again!"
Obito's temper was as straight and reckless as always. Just as the three of them were about to enter the Daimyō's residence, they were stopped.
Not only that—the lead ninja even mocked them.
"What? Am I wrong?"
"See this? This is the emblem of the Daimyō's ninja troops. Your Konoha will become history sooner or later."
Hearing that, Obito was instantly furious.
His dream was to become Hokage—and this damn doorkeeper had the nerve to insult them?
His Sharingan activated uncontrollably.
The blood-red eyes held great prestige throughout the ninja world.
The leading ninja froze for a moment upon seeing them, fear flickering in his heart—but he quickly recovered. Why should he be scared? He had the Daimyō behind him.
Like hell he believed the brat would dare lay a hand on him!
"What? You want to fight?"
"You'd better think carefully about where you're standing!"
As the commotion grew louder, the nearby patrol team surrounded them.
The increased numbers didn't affect Obito's momentum at all.
With his "red-eye disease" backing him up, he wasn't afraid of these people.
"My my, what's going on here?"
"We're all citizens of the Land of Fire—no need to resort to violence."
"Obito, put your eyes away. And you over there—put your blade back."
Gekko Chizan stepped between Uchiha Obito and the opposing ninja with a relaxed smile, separating them.
Seeing his sensei intervene, Obito obediently withdrew his Sharingan—but his eyes still glared daggers at the other man.
"Hmph! Look at your captain—that's how someone sensible behaves."
"This is the Daimyō's residence, not Konoha. Drop that attitude of yours."
Originally, Gekko Chizan thought that by stepping in, the man would calm down.
Surely his reputation should be big enough. If the guy was a ninja, he should know who he was.
But no—this idiot had absolutely no idea who he was. Seeing his easygoing attitude, he even thought Gekko Chizan was backing down.
"Who the hell are you?"
"What? You think you're special?"
"All Konoha ninja are this arrogant?"
Gekko Chizan's smile gradually vanished.
How was he supposed to keep smiling?
The bastard was practically sitting on his face and stomping.
He might not recognize him—but someone else did.
The surrounding ninja who had gathered froze the moment they saw Gekko Chizan.
They wanted to stop this fool, but it was already too late.
Before the loudmouth ninja could react, a figure flashed before him.
A fist the size of a sandbag smashed straight into his face.
"AHHH!!!"
A scream echoed through the Daimyō's gate as a figure was sent flying.
He crashed heavily into the Daimyō's gate.
"What the hell?! Someone just flew over here!"