Morning at the Daimyo's residence began with Chashu smacking Shin-chan awake with one paw.
"Meow."
"Five more minutes."
"Meow, meow."
"Three minutes."
Chashu stepped directly onto Shin-chan's face.
Shin-chan sat up and glared at the increasingly arrogant cat.
"You're fired. Starting today, you're being demoted from Deputy Minister of Security to temporary security worker."
Chashu remained completely unmoved. It flicked its tail, jumped off the bed, and headed toward the door.
Shin-chan decided not to give it any dried fish today.
That decision lasted only five minutes.
Chashu returned carrying a mouse that had tried to steal from the snack inventory and placed it precisely at Shin-chan's feet.
"You're reinstated." Shin-chan crouched down and stroked the cat's head. "You're also getting a raise. Double dried fish today."
The steward arrived just then.
"Lord Nohara, His Lordship sent word this morning. He would like you to visit the tea room after breakfast."
"Tea again?" Shin-chan's face immediately scrunched up. "That last cup was so bitter that my tongue stayed numb for three days."
"His Lordship said there will be sweets this time."
"Then I'll go."
The Daimyo was already seated before the low table inside the tea room.
Two cups of tea stood on the table, along with a plate of sweets that looked extremely expensive.
Shin-chan sat cross-legged across from him and immediately picked up a sweet and took a bite.
"This is delicious!"
"It is chestnut yokan that recently arrived in the capital." The Daimyo gently waved his folding fan. "It pairs perfectly with this tea."
Shin-chan lifted the cup and took a sip.
His entire body froze.
"It's still just as bitter!"
"That means it is correct." The Daimyo smiled. "I called you here today because I wanted to discuss something serious."
Shin-chan put down the sweet and wiped his mouth.
"Intelligence from the front lines." The Daimyo took a letter from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "Kumogakure's forces have broken through Sunagakure's first defensive line. Suna has retreated nearly twice as far as expected."
Shin-chan stared at the letter without speaking.
"More troublingly, Iwagakure has made its move."
"Iwagakure?"
"Three days ago, an Iwagakure surprise-attack unit bypassed the main battlefield and struck directly at Kumogakure's rear supply lines."
"Suna is being pushed back by Kumo, while Iwa attacked Kumo from behind." Shin-chan lowered his gaze to the clear green tea in his cup. "What happens next?"
"What happens next is the truly troublesome part." The Daimyo lifted his teacup. "After being attacked by Iwa, Kumo will inevitably withdraw troops from the Suna front to defend its rear. A full-scale war between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning can no longer be avoided."
"So Konoha is going to join the war too?"
"Not 'going to.'" The Daimyo put down his cup. "Konoha has already joined."
The tea room fell silent for a moment.
"Three days ago, Konoha's forces departed for the border of the Land of Grass."
"What about my mission?"
"Your mission remains unchanged. Protect Ai until the threat has been eliminated."
"But..."
"I understand that you are worried about your comrades in Konoha." The Daimyo interrupted him. "But you must understand one thing. If even the Daimyo's residence is no longer safe, then the entire Land of Fire will be in danger."
Shin-chan picked up the chestnut yokan.
"What did Grandpa Third say?"
The Daimyo lifted his teacup, an unreadable smile appearing on his face.
"He said that if you leave the Daimyo's residence without permission and return to Konoha to join the war during your mission, your reward will be cut in half and your supply of chocolate sticks will be suspended."
Shin-chan froze halfway through his movement.
"Grandpa Third is ruthless."
"He also said that he learned this negotiating method from you."
"When did I ever teach him something like that?"
The Daimyo couldn't help laughing at his expression.
"So you don't need to worry about me running away." Shin-chan looked extremely conflicted. "Even if it's only for the chocolate sticks, I have to stay here."
"It isn't for the chocolate sticks."
"Then what is it for?"
"It is for..."
Before the Daimyo could finish, hurried footsteps came from outside the paper door.
"Your Lordship, an urgent military report!"
The steward's voice came from outside.
"Enter."
The door slid open, and the steward presented a confidential message with both hands.
The Daimyo broke the seal and quickly scanned the contents.
"After Iwagakure's surprise attack succeeded, they decided this was the best opportunity to expand their advantage. The Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning are now officially in a state of total war, and the border of the Land of Grass has become a point where multiple forces are converging."
Shin-chan lifted his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
It was still extremely bitter.
"I understand." He placed the cup back on the table. "I won't leave."
"Hmm?"
"I said I would protect Ai, so I'll keep my promise." Shin-chan stood.
"Thank you," the Daimyo said. "For choosing to remain."
Shin-chan scratched his head and smiled somewhat awkwardly.
"There's no need to thank me. I like the sweets here anyway."
Outside the tea room, the sunlight was warm and bright.
Morning at the Daimyo's residence was as peaceful as ever, yet somehow, something had changed.
"War causes many things to spiral out of control, but there are qualities in that child more reliable than any technique he has mastered."
The steward bowed slightly. "Your Lordship is wise."
"It has nothing to do with wisdom." The Daimyo waved his folding fan. "Add another serving of chestnut yokan to today's lunch dessert."
...
Inside the study, Ai sat before her writing desk with a copy of The Complete History of the Land of Fire open in front of her. Beside it was a plate of beautifully arranged sweets.
Hearing movement outside the window, she raised her head.
"Young Master Shin-chan, you used the window again."
"The main entrance is too far away." Shin-chan jumped down from the windowsill. "What are you reading?"
"Father told me to read more books about the history of the Land of Fire." Ai sighed softly. "There are too many names to remember."
"Which ones can't you remember?"
"These, for example." Ai pointed to several lines on the page. "What was the name of the heir to the third Daimyo of the Land of Fire?"
"The fourth Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
Ai froze, then covered her mouth and laughed.
"Then, Young Master Shin-chan, do you know the First Hokage's name?"
"Uncle Hashirama," Shin-chan answered without hesitation.
"What about the Second Hokage?"
"Uncle Tobirama."
"The Third Hokage?"
"Grandpa Third."
Ai laughed so hard that her shoulders trembled.
"Young Master Shin-chan's method of studying history is completely different from what my teachers teach."
"That's because teachers only teach names and years." Shin-chan scratched his head. "Grandpa Third said history is made up of things that happen between people. If you remember the people, then you remember the history."
"Then... will the things happening now also become history?"
"Of course."
"What kind of history will it become?"
"That depends on what we do now."
Ai looked at his face.
When he said those words, he seemed different from his usual self.
"Young Master Shin-chan."
"Mm?"
"You look like something is troubling you today."
Shin-chan tilted his head. "Do I?"
"Yes." Ai nodded with certainty. "You haven't secretly eaten any of the sweets on my desk today."
Shin-chan lowered his head and looked at the completely untouched plate of sweets on Ai's writing desk.
Even he froze.
"This is bad." He covered his face. "I actually forgot to eat the sweets. Am I sick?"