That afternoon, the news of Arashi's decision to go to Konoha caused an uproar within the Daimyo Manor.
Several senior officials rushed to advise him, speaking earnestly.
Their message was unanimous: with Kumogakure assassins lurking in the shadows, the Daimyo should not take unnecessary risks.
Arashi silenced them all with just one sentence.
"Konoha has a hundred elite shinobi, the Twelve Guardian Ninja, and my Shadow Guard... if a mere few people can still succeed in assassinating me, then the shinobi of the Land of Fire may as well commit collective suicide."
No one dared to respond after that.
The ministers could only bow and withdraw in silence, defeated by their monarch's unshakable will.
Afterward, Arashi sent orders for the Twelve Guardian Ninja to make immediate preparations to accompany him the next morning.
Once all major arrangements were in place, he returned to his study to handle the day's remaining government affairs.
After finishing the morning's work, Arashi found a rare moment of leisure.
The late autumn afternoon sun was warm and comforting.
He reclined on a lounge chair in the corridor. A pot of freshly brewed tea sat on the stone table in front of him, fragrant steam curling into the air.
At that moment, a guard approached and reported, "My Lord, Yūhi Kurenai requests an audience."
Arashi looked toward the courtyard entrance.
Kurenai stood just outside the gate, her posture slightly stiff.
She wore a light red kimono, elegant and modest, with her long hair draped gently over her shoulders. She looked far more like a gentle young maiden than a competent shinobi.
Her small hands were nervously clasped together. She seemed uncertain, even timid.
Arashi's eyes gleamed with faint amusement.
He knew full well that the girl before him had blood on her hands, that she could face life and death without flinching on the battlefield.
Yet here, inside this courtyard, stripped of her shinobi identity and facing him—her nominal husband—her youthful awkwardness and shyness as a sixteen-year-old girl could not be concealed.
The contrast was delightful.
"Let her in."
"Yes."
With permission granted, Kurenai stepped forward, her movements delicate and cautious, until she stood before Arashi.
"Something you need?"
Arashi asked lazily.
"I..." Kurenai stammered, her crimson eyes full of tension. "My Lord... I heard that you are going to Konoha tomorrow?"
"The news spreads quickly."
Receiving confirmation, Kurenai took a small step forward, summoning her courage.
Her voice was very soft but firm. "My Lord, I... I would like to go with you."
"Oh? And why is that?" Arashi looked at her with interest.
Her eyes held faint hope, but her hands were tightly clasped, betraying her unease.
When she didn't respond, Arashi chuckled. His voice held a trace of teasing.
"What's wrong, feeling homesick?"
Those simple words pierced straight through her heart.
Her face instantly turned scarlet.
Her bright red pupils darted away, avoiding Arashi's gaze. Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't speak.
That shy and flustered expression was genuinely endearing.
"Mm..."
After a while, she let out a hum barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
Her head lowered even further, almost burying itself in her chest.
Seeing her like this, Arashi was suddenly reminded—
Kurenai, though already a capable shinobi and a genjutsu prodigy, at her age, many ordinary girls were still being doted on by their parents, enjoying carefree days.
But she had left her hometown, coming all the way to this deep palace to become one of his consorts.
Though he had never mistreated her, no amount of material comfort could replace her longing for home.
With that in mind, Arashi's expression softened, and his tone became more gentle.
"It's only natural to be homesick."
He sat up from the lounge chair.
Kurenai's body stiffened further at his movement.
But Arashi didn't tease her anymore.
"Go prepare. Tomorrow morning, you'll ride with Ragyō in my carriage."
The refusal she had braced for never came.
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock, her crimson pupils sparkling.
"M-my Lord, you agree?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Seeing her elated expression, Arashi's mood inexplicably improved.
"Thank you, My Lord! Thank you!"
Overjoyed, Kurenai forgot all restraint. She bowed again and again, her smile blooming bright and innocent.
"Alright." Arashi raised his hand to gently stop her. "It's a small matter."
As his fingertips brushed against her skin, Kurenai's entire body tensed.
Her smile froze, and a wave of heat surged from the point of contact through her entire body.
Her face flushed instantly.
"I... I'll take my leave now!" she said in a panic, turning to flee, completely forgetting court etiquette.
Watching her slightly flustered figure retreat, the smile on Arashi's lips deepened.
Such a simple, sincere girl.
He leaned back into his lounge chair again, lifted the now-lukewarm tea, and drained it in one go.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard, casting his shadow long across the ground.
...Late night.
Daimyo Manor study.
After completing the last of his duties, Arashi was just about to rise.
Suddenly, a shadow emerged from the darkness of the room without a sound.
The figure had barely taken form.
Clang! Clang!
Several barely audible metallic clicks rang out.
In the next moment, an icy killing intent surged through the room from every direction, locking firmly onto the intruder.
The light seemed to dim.
Faint reflections of blades shimmered in the candlelight, each one aimed at Orochimaru's vital points.
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils contracted sharply.
He could clearly feel it. If he made another move, a thunderous strike would come without mercy.
"Withdraw."
Arashi didn't even turn his head. He simply raised a hand and said two words.
The killing intent immediately dissipated.
The room fell silent again, as though nothing had happened.
Only then did Arashi turn to look at Orochimaru, who had fully stepped out of the shadows.
He said nothing.
"Daimyo-sama."
Orochimaru forced a smile, his eyes still filled with dread.
He had truly sensed death just now.
"The vaccine is ready." Orochimaru handed over a thick research report. His smile was stiff. "As expected, science can always give a perfect answer, heh heh..."
"Your efficiency isn't bad." Arashi took the report, skimmed a few pages, and tossed it onto the table.
"Begin a small-scale rollout in the southern towns with the mildest outbreak. I want to see flawless results before it goes nationwide."
"Of course." Orochimaru licked his lips, trying to mask his earlier panic. "Such a large-scale clinical trial... just thinking about it excites me. I'll personally oversee it."
After business was done, Orochimaru didn't seem eager to leave.
He continued, "Daimyo-sama, I heard... you'll be heading to Konoha tomorrow for the Chūnin Exams?"
Arashi raised an eyebrow. "What, you want to come too?"
"Hehehehehe..." Orochimaru chuckled lowly and lowered his head. "I have a request."
"I have some old experimental equipment and data stored in Konoha... I wonder if you might allow me to retrieve those items?"
So that's what he wanted.
Arashi stared at Orochimaru's calculating expression and suddenly smiled.
"You may."
"I'll assign Saku to accompany you."
Aono Saku?
Orochimaru's smile twitched.
A flash of dread passed through his eyes.
He had clashed with Saku several times in private.
Even without going all out, the man had proven to be quite a troublesome opponent.
"Whatever you want to take, just have him help you." Arashi's tone remained calm. "With him there, no one in Konoha should dare to interfere."
"Hehehehe... Daimyo-sama is truly generous. Then I shall not refuse."
Orochimaru expressed thanks, though he cursed inwardly.
This wasn't assistance. This was surveillance.
"Go." Arashi waved his hand, dismissing him.
This time, Orochimaru didn't dare use the Body Flicker Technique.
He bowed respectfully and turned toward the door.
But just as he reached it, Arashi's voice sounded again.
"Orochimaru."
His body froze instantly.
"Just now, my guards already gave you a warning." Arashi's voice was low and icy. "This study has a door."
"As my chief researcher, I suggest you learn some manners."
"Next time... I'll personally rip out your tongue."
(To be continued.)