After that, they talked about many other things, from daily trivial matters to information about the Land of Whirlpools incident. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they lost track of time. When they finally came back to their senses, the sun was already about to set.
"It's getting late. I'll head back now. Be careful on your own. We'll find a time to meet up."
"Okay, you be careful too."
Torifu was about to transform into a streak of light and enter the mark on Naori's arm when he suddenly remembered something. "Did you know that the First Prince is gathering his brothers for a meeting in three days?"
Naori nodded. "I know. The Seventh Prince told me right away. I'll be there to ensure his safety."
"Good. The situation might become volatile in three days, or nothing might happen at all. Either way, we need to be prepared."
After Torifu finished speaking, he twisted his body into a ball of light and entered the mark. His sudden disappearance still felt strange to Naori, but then she suddenly felt very hungry. She left the room to go find something to eat.
At Torifu's residence, a subtle fluctuation appeared in the space, and then a ball of light emerged from it. It spun continuously before transforming into Torifu.
"Whew, space-time travel. It really is quite amazing."
Torifu had always had his puppets handle this task before. This was his first time experiencing it, and the feeling was different. He vaguely heard footsteps outside, but his puppet stopped them. He pushed the door open and saw it was the maid who had led him here.
"Shinobi-sama, the First Prince invites you for a late dinner."
Torifu nodded. "Got it. I'll be right there." He then said to the puppets around him, "You stay and guard the place. Eat some rations if you get hungry." The eight puppets bowed and nodded, and of course, they had no complaints.
But this action made the young maid secretly grumble to herself. 'This shinobi-sama seems so elegant and distinguished, but I never expected him to be so unkind to his subordinates. Their lives must be so hard.' She still smiled, though. "Shinobi-sama, this way, please."
Torifu, of course, had no idea that his image had just been marked with a big "X" in the maid's mind. But even if he had known, he would have just laughed it off.
"Are we not going to the same room as this morning?"
The maid shook her head. "Of course not, shinobi-sama. The First Prince is hosting a banquet for you in the main hall tonight. This morning was just the reception hall."
Torifu just said "Oh" and didn't say anything else. The young maid also stopped talking and continued to lead the way. She wasn't surprised by Torifu's attitude; after all, he was an important person from the Hidden Leaf Village and had surely seen much of the world.
After walking through a small path of bushes, Torifu arrived at a house—or rather, a palace—that was completely different from what he had seen before. "Wow, so this is the real Daimyō's residence." The style was completely different from the house from that morning. It was very distinctive of the Land of Whirlpools, with various masks neatly arranged on the walls. In the center of the roof ridge was a huge bronze hannya statue, and all the lamps were hung in mid-air by iron chains. But these were just for decoration. The real light illuminating the main hall came from lamps.
The maid led Torifu to the entrance of the main hall. "Rain-dono, the honored guest has arrived."
Rain responded and then said to Torifu, "Torifu-dono, please enter the hall for dinner."
Torifu sized up Rain, then looked into the hall and saw the First Prince sitting high up on the main seat like an emperor. But he didn't seem to be in a very good state. He kept covering his head and looking around. He didn't seem like the composed prince from the morning.
At this moment, Rain bowed again and invited him. "Torifu-dono, please come in."
Although something felt off, he was already at the door. Not going in would be too rude.
"Alright. I'm looking forward to the First Prince's banquet."
With Rain's standard smile, Torifu walked into the hall. He then noticed that the First Prince suddenly changed his demeanor. He was no longer acting strange, and his face was now full of a joyful smile.
"Torifu-dono, you're here. Please, have a seat."
Torifu walked to his designated seat. From this position, he looked at the First Prince as a subject would look at an emperor. He didn't know if this was a deliberate design, but Torifu didn't mind. Sitting there wouldn't cause him any harm, and just because the First Prince was seated higher didn't mean Torifu was his subordinate.
The First Prince raised a cup of wine and cupped his hands at Torifu. "Torifu-dono, I apologize. My headache flared up just now, and I was a little rude. Please forgive me."
Torifu also raised his cup and smiled. "It's nothing. But a headache is a difficult illness to cure. Does Your Highness have a solution?"
The First Prince smiled bitterly. "It's an old problem. I've had it since I was ten. It's been like this ever since."
Wow, he had been in pain for over forty years. What kind of illness could be so stubborn that it couldn't be cured after more than forty years? Torifu waved his hand, and a green light flew out from his palm and entered the First Prince's head. The hidden shinobi in the hall saw this and thought Torifu was trying to assassinate him. They all drew their swords, ready to kill Torifu.
"Wait, Torifu-dono is healing me." The First Prince then stood up and bowed to Torifu. "Thank you, Torifu-dono. The pain has been somewhat relieved. Although it can't be completely cured, I still thank you."
Torifu frowned slightly. This was the most powerful healing jutsu he had mastered. It could directly cure almost any disease, but it couldn't even cure a headache?
Just as the First Prince was about to say something else, his eyes suddenly became vacant. As Torifu was about to examine him closely, Rain's voice came from outside the door. "His Highness the Second Prince has arrived."
The doors to the hall were slowly pushed open, and a red-haired man in a white robe walked in, followed by a guard wearing an iron mask.
"It's so lively here, older brother. Your second brother wants to get a share of the feast."
When Torifu looked back at the First Prince, the First Prince was completely normal. It was as if his vacant look from before was just Torifu's imagination.
"What are you talking about, second brother? We're brothers, and Father had us oversee the country together. Of course you can come and go as you please."
The Second Prince smiled and bowed to the First Prince. He then turned his gaze to Torifu. "You must be the honored guest who came all the way from the Hidden Leaf. Thank you for coming all this way to help the Land of Whirlpools get out of this difficult situation."
"I thank you on behalf of the entire Uzumaki clan."