The next morning, everyone got up early for breakfast. Hyuga Hizashi, still looking gloomy from the previous night's events, was greeted by the more outgoing Fujimura Yuuki, who asked, "Mr. Hizashi, what's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I just felt inspired in the middle of the night and practiced some Gentle Fist," Hyuga Hizashi quickly recovered, improving his expression to appear merely tired.
"Is that so, Mr. Hizashi? It's best to rest in the middle of the night," Fujimura Yuuki said, not particularly suspicious.
"Thank you for your concern," Hyuga Hizashi nodded slightly, his gaze briefly flickering to Asuna before quickly looking away, afraid of being noticed.
Although Hyuga Hajime said that no one was behind the suggestion, due to Hyuga Hajime's relationship with Fumori Masaki, Hyuga Hizashi suspected that something might be hidden. He knew that for a ninja village leader, powerful and relatively independent noble clans like the Hyuga were very troublesome.
Even without explicit statements, weakening the clan's status and strengthening the village's control over ninjas has been the consistent policy of successive Hokage. Any intelligent person could see this. They understood the Hokage's position, but ninja clans relied more on their own strength and were somewhat resistant. However, being within Konoha Village, unlike in the past when they were isolated, they would symbolically concede some interests when under significant pressure to satisfy the other party.
This was essentially a game. If handled well, ninja clans would lose some interests but largely maintain their status. If handled poorly, like some weaker ninja clans within Konoha Village, they would completely align themselves with the Hokage.
Comparatively, Fumori Masaki was a more benevolent leader. After ninja clans lost some status and control over their clan members, he would compensate them in other ways, such as commercial dividends. At the same time, his respect for ninja clans never wavered. Even the completely aligned ninja clans lived well. Hyuga Hizashi had to admit that Fumori Masaki was a benevolent leader.
Even if Fumori Masaki had indeed asked Hyuga Hajime to say those things to him, Hyuga Hizashi, though somewhat uncomfortable, felt it was a suggestion from Fumori Masaki. Hyuga Hajime was right: the environment in Konoha Village was becoming increasingly lenient, and the idea of equality was becoming more prevalent. The Hyuga clan, adhering to old traditions, was actually in a relatively dangerous position.
As Hyuga Hajime said, a decisive internal reform might cause some pain in the short term, but there would be no major problems in the future. Even if their strength decreased, it could be restored later. He also believed that Fumori Masaki would not take advantage of the situation—the Hokage's character had been proven in the past, which was undeniable. Fumori Masaki would definitely give the Hyuga clan good treatment, and the Hyuga clan's status and size would ensure they lived well. He believed this, and surely some in the clan thought so too, subconsciously seeing it as a fallback.
The current strategy of the Hyuga Main House, however, was merely to temporarily alleviate conflicts without truly solving the core issues. These problems would surely intensify in the future, left for future generations to resolve.
Hyuga Hizashi didn't believe that postponing the issues would lead to the Hyuga clan's demise—he thought that even if the future environment wasn't suitable for the Hyuga clan to uphold traditions, it wouldn't lead to their extinction—but leaving problems unresolved was also something he was reluctant to see. He lived in the present; was it truly good to ignore problems and leave them for future generations?
Hyuga Hizashi's control over his expression ensured that no one noticed his inner thoughts. Everyone quietly finished breakfast. Kana, who was dining with them, put down her chopsticks and said to everyone, "I received news before coming here that the other Guardian Ninja have arrived. You should also go to the Daimyo's mansion."
"That was fast," Although they said this, everyone was already prepared and not particularly surprised. Asuna and Mizuki had received the news along with Kana.
"Is this a meal before battle?" Fujimura Yuuki asked, looking at the breakfast in front of him.
"You make it sound like we're going to war," Uchiha Ken glanced at him.
"Aren't we? Although it's an official ceremony to bestow the title of Guardian Ninja, that Guardian Ninja leader named Tobi will surely give us a hard time, right?"
Everyone found Fujimura Yuuki's guess somewhat reasonable. While the bestowal ceremony seemed simple, there might be additional activities, such as... a display of strength?
"In any case, be careful with everything. I can only see you off," Kana said to everyone. She couldn't participate in the Guardian Ninja bestowal ceremony and could only wait outside for news.
"Don't worry, Kana-nee. If that Tobi has any ill intentions, we'll fight back properly," Mizuki smiled at Kana.
Afterward, everyone packed their belongings, tidied their clothes, and headed to the Daimyo's mansion. Because of Tobi's past attacks, they were very cautious on the way. No one knew if this seemingly mentally unstable guy would suddenly jump out and ambush them, then say, "Attacks can happen at any time. If you don't even have this much vigilance, how can you protect the Daimyo?"
However, it seemed that Tobi, despite his madness, had some common sense. The group did not encounter any attacks and arrived directly in front of the Daimyo's mansion. After showing their credentials, the guards at the gate let them in, having one person guide them and another go to report to the Daimyo.
As the Daimyo's residence, the mansion exuded an aristocratic and luxurious atmosphere everywhere. The hall where they were led was very spacious, and a solemn atmosphere could be felt. After waiting for a while, four other people entered—three men and one woman—who were presumably the other Guardian Ninja.
As the Konoha group observed them, the four individuals also observed them. As homeless ninja, if they lacked strong power, they would more or less feel some inferiority when facing ninja from the Five Great Nations. However, since these individuals were chosen as Guardian Ninja, their strength should be considerable. At least, their gazes did not flinch.
These four individuals did not proactively speak, possibly due to some estrangement from the ninja of the Five Great Nations. This was a very normal thing. The ninja of the Five Great Nations appeared legitimate and powerful, and perhaps they felt that the ninja of the Five Great Nations were arrogant and difficult to approach.
The Konoha group, however, was mostly taciturn. The relatively more approachable Hyuga Hizashi and Mizuki both had the pride of noble clans. While they didn't look down on these people, they wouldn't lower themselves to curry favor. The only relatively enthusiastic Fujimura Yuuki, seeing the actions of the others, followed suit and didn't approach. Out of politeness, the Konoha group greeted the four, which somewhat lessened the estrangement in their hearts.
But because they were not yet familiar with each other and were inside the Daimyo's mansion, they couldn't casually chat, so no one spoke.
After a while, the Daimyo, dressed in black opulent robes, entered with four Guardian Priests. He looked at everyone, nodding slightly, appearing rather aloof. But this was the demeanor of a noble; there was a tangible difference in social status between nobles and ninja.
The Konoha group was somewhat surprised to see no one else besides the five. Where was that guy named Tobi?
"Everyone," The Daimyo, seated in the main seat, spoke with a majestic demeanor, looking at the ninja before him. The moment they heard the Daimyo speak, the ninja all bowed respectfully. Although some in the Konoha group were unwilling in their hearts, they suppressed their dissatisfaction to ensure the village's plan proceeded smoothly.
"You are all carefully selected ninja, and in the future, you will serve as my Guardian Ninja. Your duty is to protect my safety at all times. I trust you greatly. That being said, if there is any dereliction of duty, no matter who it is, I will show no mercy. I hope you will keep this in mind," the Daimyo said expressionlessly.
"Yes."
Everyone responded. While saying this, Mizuki muttered inwardly, "He talks about trust, but still puts on a threatening posture."
"As ninja, there may be spies among you from other countries, plotting to assassinate me. To ensure your loyalty, I will have someone place a cursed seal on you. This is a tradition dating back to the Warring States period. You need not worry; the cursed seal only works on a voluntary basis. I will not make things too difficult for you," the Daimyo continued.
The Konoha group already knew about this, but the other four ninja were clearly unaware of this tradition. They were momentarily surprised, exchanging glances, but hearing it was on a voluntary basis, they only wavered slightly.
"In that case, let us begin. From today forward, you shall be the Twelve Guardian Ninja who protect me," The Daimyo nodded to one of the Guardian Priests beside him. The priest then stepped forward, holding a proclamation scroll, and began calling out names. Those called stepped forward to receive their enfeoffment and the cursed seal.