The First Prince looked troubled. "It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's that I don't know where my father is either."
"Kushina is already in the Hidden Leaf Village. I'm sure she told you about what happened that day."
Torifu nodded. "That's right. She said Ashina-sama met with you and the Second Prince before he disappeared."
The First Prince sighed. "Alas, that's what happened. Since my father is getting on in years, he was discussing the matter of a successor with us." He continued, "My father wanted me to be the successor, and my second brother to assist me. Of course, we both agreed. But at the last moment, my father suddenly went crazy!"
"He went crazy?" How could a Kage-level powerhouse like Uzumaki Ashina suddenly go crazy for no reason?
"Yes. My father was smiling one moment, but then he suddenly went crazy and used Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind us both and ran out."
"With the help of his subordinates, my second brother was the first to break free. I told him to go find my father immediately, but by the time my second brother got to the beach, my father had already disappeared."
"He only saw Kushina leaving on a boat. I'm sure he sent her to the Hidden Leaf Village."
This was a little unexpected for Torifu. Was this how the events really unfolded? Torifu had thought that the First and Second Princes had teamed up to force their father out of power. The First Prince looked very frustrated and helpless at the moment. From his expression and eyes, he didn't seem to be lying, unless he was very good at faking his emotions.
"Don't be discouraged, Your Highness. I am here to help you find your father."
When the First Prince heard this, he immediately stood up and walked to Torifu, excitedly grabbing his hand. "Honored guest, I am truly powerless. My brothers no longer trust each other, and we can't sit down and talk properly. I can only rely on you."
Torifu held the First Prince's hand and patted it lightly. "Don't worry. The Hidden Leaf and the Land of Whirlpools are allies. My subordinates and I will do our best."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
The First Prince seemed very happy and no longer looked dejected. He was full of energy again. "Someone, serve the meal."
With his command, some maids brought steaming hot food to Torifu and carefully placed it on the table.
"Honored guest, these are all specialties of the Land of Whirlpools, specially made to entertain honored guests. Please try them and see if they suit your taste."
Another group of palace maids came and placed food on the First Prince's table.
"Please."
"Please."
Looking at the various dishes on the table, Torifu didn't know which one to pick first. The scallops looked good, so he picked one up and put it in his mouth. It tasted great and was to Torifu's liking. It tasted similar to the food in the restaurant in Gyokai Village, but with an added sweetness from a fruit, which made it even better.
Perhaps the promise Torifu made had reassured the First Prince, who started to reminisce with Torifu. He talked a lot about his father's alliance with the Senju clan and how he was always thinking about his aunt. He praised the Hidden Leaf Village in every other sentence. Torifu let the words go in one ear and out the other, focusing on eating the delicious food. How old was he anyway? Only in his forties, almost fifty. How many years had it been since his aunt married his teacher? He was just a little kid back then. What kind of feelings could he have for an aunt he hadn't seen in thirty or forty years? He was just trying to get closer to Torifu. Torifu, of course, went along with it, and the two of them praised each other to no end. In the end, the First Prince became a little embarrassed and could only cover his lack of words by drinking.
"We have been talking for a long time, but I still don't know your name, honored guest."
"Kumotsuru Torifu, an elite Jōnin from the Hidden Leaf Village."
When the First Prince heard this, he gave Torifu a thumbs-up and then raised his glass of wine. "Torifu-dono, you are so young yet you are already an elite Jōnin. I really have to thank Uncle Tobirama for sending me such a talented person."
"Your Highness, you flatter me."
With that, they both drank their wine. The wine tasted sweet and was probably made from some kind of fruit. He had never had it in the Hidden Leaf Village. They had been talking for a long time, but neither of them seemed drunk. It seemed like the alcohol content was quite low.
"These past few days, all the problems in this country have really put a lot of pressure on me. I can finally understand my father's hard work. But luckily, with my second brother's help, we were able to get through it."
"Your Highness seems a little drunk."
He waved his hand. "How can I be drunk with this kind of wine? I'm just sighing. Among my brothers, in the end, only my second brother trusts me."
Torifu had somewhat figured out the First Prince's personality. He was always feeling sentimental and was prone to sighing. This was different from Torifu's personality. After about half an hour, the banquet came to an end. There was nothing left on Torifu's table. The First Prince didn't want to continue the conversation. "You must be tired from your long journey, honored guest. I'll have someone take you to rest. Your quarters have already been prepared."
He clapped his hands, and a small maid walked to Torifu's side and bowed slightly. "Shinobi-sama, please follow me."
Torifu nodded to the First Prince and then gestured for his puppets to follow him. After Torifu left the reception hall with the maid, Rain gently pushed open the door and walked in. After Torifu left, the maids immediately came in and cleaned all the bowls and plates from the banquet. The entire reception hall returned to how it was before Torifu arrived.
At this moment, the First Prince was massaging his head. The expression on his face looked very uncomfortable. When he heard the door open, he looked up and saw Rain walking toward him with a bowl of herbal medicine.
"Ah, Rain. Where did you go?"
Rain smiled. "I just went to brew some medicine for you, Your Highness. Your headaches are an old problem."
The First Prince also smiled. "You're right. I should drink my medicine. These headaches are really annoying."
Rain brought the medicine to the First Prince and handed him the bowl. He smiled as he watched the First Prince drink the medicine in one gulp, and then he handed him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. After drinking the medicine, the First Prince's headache was relieved, and his brows relaxed. He stood up, stretched, and walked around the hall a few times.
"Oh, right, Rain."
"What is your command, Your Highness?"
"I seem to remember someone came here just now. Was it you?"
Rain bowed and smiled at the First Prince. "Yes, Your Highness. No one else came this morning except me."
The First Prince scratched his head, feeling that something was a little strange, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was, so he just didn't think about it anymore.
"I'm a little tired. I'm going back to my chambers to rest."
"Take care, Your Highness."