The moment the daimyo saw the ronin-like figure, his heart skipped a beat.
Anyone appearing here so suddenly at this time would clearly not be a simple person.
Since no report had been received, it meant the person had come secretly, making their identity highly suspicious.
Although the person looked like a samurai ronin, the daimyo was somewhat suspicious that they might be a ninja, as such elusive methods were very characteristic of them.
In the past, there had been precedents of ninjas assassinating nobles, usually hired by an enemy faction.
To counter ninjas hired for assassination, nobles, besides hiring other ninjas, also had their own security forces.
Because ninjas couldn't openly charge at a noble to assassinate them, once surrounded by samurai, they would not only fail to assassinate the target but might also be trapped there themselves.
Therefore, in more private settings, those protecting the nobles' safety, besides ninjas, were skilled samurai and temple monks who also had secret arts passed down through generations.
They had very close ties with the nobles and a deep connection with the country, and among them were trained monks who served as the nobles' guardian priests.
Now, the daimyo's samurai guards and monks stood in front of the person, on high alert.
They were all professionally trained, and their ability to protect the ruler of a nation meant their strength was naturally extraordinary.
If they were in a ninja village, they would likely be judged to have jonin-level strength.
They naturally wouldn't fear an opponent of the same level, and even if a Kage-level ninja appeared, several jonin-level samurai and guardian priests working together could intercept them for a period.
During that time, the daimyo could escape to a safe place under the protection of others and summon the samurai army for help.
Although the daimyo was defenseless against ninjas, who possessed extremely strong individual combat abilities, he still had methods of prevention.
While ninjas might succeed in assassination if they disregarded all consequences, no ninja village would be so foolish as to turn against the ruler of an entire nation, as that would provoke resistance from the entire country.
In the end, even if the ninja village might win, it would be weakened by internal conflict and thus be vulnerable to opportunistic attacks from other countries, leading to its demise.
If they were truly that foolish, ninja clans would have perished during the Warring States period.
Those who have survived to the present would not be so foolish as to arbitrarily oppose a nation.
Their ultimate goal is to continue to exist, and as long as the nobles do not overly oppress them, and both sides maintain a friendly relationship, why would they oppose the nobles?
However, this was the mindset of ninja villages with large populations.
Rogue ninjas, who had abandoned everything and were homeless, were not included.
If the rewards were sufficient and their strength was great enough, they would not refuse to assassinate a daimyo of a country.
Without family or other burdens, these lone individuals could find opportunities to escape unless they were completely surrounded, as there was nothing to bind them.
Because they had nothing.
The identity of the newcomer was unknown, and neither the samurai guards nor the guardian priests dared to be careless.
The leader of the samurai shouted, "Who goes there? Why do you block the daimyo's carriage?!"
As he spoke, he stepped forward.
The samurai, skilled in frontal combat, blocked the way, while the guardian priests, who could use secret arts, protected the daimyo on both sides, preventing a surprise attack with ninjutsu.
With them present, even if a Kage-level ninja arrived, it would be impossible to take the daimyo's head in a short time.
During their interception, the daimyo could retreat to a safe place, and the capital's guards would also rush to the scene.
Sweat beaded on the daimyo's forehead.
As the ruler of a nation, this was the first time he had faced such a situation.
Although the Konoha ninja village was somewhat audacious in certain aspects, they still showed great respect for the daimyo.
The daimyo was born at the tail end of the Warring States period, backed by the powerful Land of Fire, and no one had ever dared to assassinate him before.
At this moment, the person raised their head, and their hood was blown aside by the wind, allowing everyone to see that they wore a strange orange mask, appearing utterly mysterious.
This peculiar demeanor was quite ninja-like, and the samurai and guardian priests became even more cautious.
The samurai leader drew his sword.
As a master among samurai, his close-quarters combat ability was comparable to a taijutsu jonin, and with his ability to use some simple chakra, his strength was quite formidable.
He boldly stepped forward again and shouted, "If you don't speak, we will take action!"
The samurai leader actually hoped the other party wouldn't act rashly.
The guardian priests had already secretly sent out a message, and the guards would arrive soon, further ensuring the daimyo's safety.
"Respected Lord Daimyo, I mean no ill will," the person spoke, their voice low.
"I have come here hoping to pledge myself to Lord Daimyo and serve you."
"Oh?" The unexpected answer startled the daimyo slightly.
He peered out a bit and asked, "You wish for me to hire you?"
"Yes," the person replied.
"My name is Tobi, and I am a wandering ninja."
The daimyo nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Indeed, besides the ninjas of the Five Great Ninja Villages, there were also some wandering ninjas.
Some were rogue ninjas from the Five Great Ninja Villages, while others became ninjas through other means.
Excluding rogue ninjas from the Five Great Ninja Villages, most wandering ninjas were not very strong, with chunin level being considered exceptional.
Nobles of the daimyo's rank would not even spare a glance for such wandering ninjas.
"Lord Daimyo, you must be careful.
Since this person is a ninja, lies are commonplace for them.
This person might be genuinely seeking to join you, or they could be a spy from another ninja village, or have other motives," the guardian priest reminded him from the side.
"I know.
Do you think I'm so foolish as to easily trust an outsider?" the daimyo scoffed in a low voice.
Then he looked at the wandering ninja who called himself Tobi.
The person stood there motionless, appearing only to wish to pledge allegiance, with no other intentions.
But just as the guardian priest said, lies were a ninja's customary weapon.
To trust a ninja so easily would inevitably come at a price.
Throughout history, many nobles had lost their lives due to momentary carelessness.
"Since you intend to pledge allegiance, you must prove your loyalty and ability.
Then you may come before me," the daimyo said, waving his hand.
"I hope Lord Daimyo can believe in my sincerity.
I will offer advice and strategies to Your Highness, resolving the Lord Daimyo's worries.
I possess this ability, and my coming here alone proves my strength," Tobi said.
The daimyo's heart twitched slightly, and he frowned, looking at the other party, wondering what they meant.
Worries? What was he talking about?
Could it be the Konoha ninja village?
Just as he was thinking, the guardian priest quickly interjected, "Lord Daimyo, do not be swayed by their words.
We are well aware of ninja tactics.
Please allow us to test them on Your Highness's behalf."
Upon hearing this, the daimyo temporarily put aside his thoughts, nodded slightly, and said, "Alright."
Then he looked at Tobi again and said, "Words alone are not enough.
Although you seem quite capable, what I need is not merely strength.
Let my subordinates test your abilities.
Once they confirm your loyalty and capability, it will not be too late for me to listen to what you have to say."
"Since Lord Daimyo wishes it so, then I shall obey your command," Tobi bowed slightly, as if he were already the daimyo's subordinate.
"I will certainly pass the test of your subordinates and in the future become a force to protect Your Highness, to share your worries, and to become Your Highness's sharp blade, resolving all enemies that trouble Your Highness.
I believe Your Highness will feel fortunate in the days to come."
"Save your declarations of loyalty for later.
Since you're so confident, I'll take a good look," the daimyo chuckled, then said to the guardian priest beside him, "Go back.
I await your news."
This outing was originally a whim, and the daimyo had no particular destination in mind.
At this moment, the other party had appeared before the daimyo in such a manner, their behavior somewhat presumptuous, yet for some reason, the daimyo had developed a slight interest in Tobi.
So, he decided to return and await news.
If the other party's abilities were proven, he would naturally be very pleased.
However, if the other party was not as the daimyo imagined, then as punishment for delaying the daimyo's time, the fate of this wandering ninja was predictable.
The others all agreed, turning the daimyo's palanquin back, while the samurai and guardian priests kept a close watch on Tobi's every move.
After a while, the rest of the guards arrived, and so, everyone returned to the daimyo's mansion, with Tobi walking calmly under the surveillance of the others.
Tobi, who was also Uchiha Obito, had no doubt that he could gain the daimyo's appreciation.
He had observed the daimyo's character for some time.
As a ninja, he felt he could cater to his preferences.
The daimyo's stance was, to some extent, aligned with his own, and he would certainly become a target for Uchiha Obito to exploit in the future.
Of course, if the daimyo didn't believe him, Uchiha Obito still had other methods.
Hidden by his mask, his eyes were concealed in shadow.
Without the insight of the Sharingan or the Byakugan's penetrating vision, no one could see his Sharingan.
With the control ability of the Mangekyo Sharingan, he could eventually try to control the daimyo with genjutsu.
Although those samurai and guardian priests would be somewhat troublesome, Uchiha Obito felt he could also try to control them.
However, this would consume a significant amount of chakra, and to maintain control, he would constantly have to expend chakra.
Of course, Uchiha Obito's physical condition was somewhat special.
He had been resurrected by a life form from the underworld, and his chakra had unique properties, one of which was to absorb the grudges of others to strengthen his own power.
However, if possible, Uchiha Obito still hoped the daimyo would be deceived by him, so he could face his enemies in better condition.
He already had a plan in mind for how to suppress the Konoha ninja village in the future.
"Daimyo, oh daimyo, I hope you will serve me well," Uchiha Obito sneered inwardly.