What could one say?
Previously, Satoru had thought that the Daimyo's decision to cut funding for Konoha's ninja was the height of shortsightedness. However, now, having seen with his own eyes the far from enviable situation of the local populace, the young man unexpectedly began to partly understand the ruler's motives.
"It seems the shinobi village is indeed an excessive burden on the Daimyo's treasury. No wonder he periodically tries to pressure the Hokage," the young man pondered. He also noted that no matter what storms shook the ninja world, it hardly affected the Daimyo's own position. This eloquently indicated that relations between the ruler and the hidden village remained quite cool and formal. The only shinobi the Daimyo could communicate with more or less closely were probably members of the elite squad of Twelve Guardian Ninja.
It was precisely to join their ranks that Satoru had come to the capital this time. He was to guard the ruler of the Land of Fire for at least two years—more than enough time to thoroughly study this man.
The Daimyo's city was clearly divided into outer and inner parts. The outer city teemed with common folk busy with their daily affairs, while the inner one, surrounded by high walls and carefully guarded, housed the nobility and high aristocracy. The perimeter of the inner city was patrolled by numerous guards in the traditional sense.
However, these warriors made no impression on the young genius. He could deal with all of them using just one simple jutsu.
Yet among this seemingly ordinary guard were hidden several truly outstanding masters of their craft. Satoru sensed it instinctively—these fighters were most likely secretly assigned here by the Third Hokage.
"Ninja from Konoha? Please wait a moment..." The guard took the recommendation letter from the arrival and disappeared with it behind the massive gates. A short time passed, and the same man returned, inviting the young shinobi to proceed inside.
Soon Satoru found himself in a spacious hall resembling the throne room of an ancient castle. On a high, richly decorated chair sat the Daimyo.
The ruler before him looked somewhat effeminate and surprisingly young.
This young man from Konoha knew that this very Daimyo would play a key role throughout nearly the entire chronicle of the shinobi world; only during Boruto's time would the Land of Fire get a new ruler. In other words, the man sitting before him was not only the longest-reigning but also, perhaps, the most significant Daimyo in history.
"Oh, so you're Satoru?" The Daimyo, lazily fanning himself with a painted fan, examined the guest with undisguised surprise. "The genius ninja from Konoha who became a chunin at seven? The supernova star of the shinobi world, whose strength, by rumors, surpasses even jonin?"
"Greetings, Lord Daimyo," the envoy from the Hidden Leaf replied with impeccable politeness, remembering the importance of humility. "Yes, I am Satoru. Everything else is mere idle speculation and exaggeration."
However, as soon as these words left his lips, an openly contemptuous chuckle came from the crowd of courtiers.
"Exactly! Just a snot-nosed kid! And Konoha had the audacity to send you to the Twelve Guardian Ninja? What a joke!"
Satoru's gaze instantly found the speaker. It was an incredibly tall and broad-shouldered man, built more like a raging beast than a human. His face was distorted with a grimace of arrogance and disdain; he clearly looked down on the young ninja.
"Oh? It seems someone doubts your abilities. Allow me to introduce," the Daimyo interjected, and playful notes sounded in his voice. "This valiant warrior is nicknamed the Beast. He is my best bodyguard. Once, during a hunt in the wild forests, a huge tiger unexpectedly pounced on me. Incredibly, the Beast fearlessly engaged the predator in hand-to-hand combat and ultimately saved my life!"
The young genius from Konoha gave a barely noticeable nod, paying due courtesy despite the giant's overt hostility. The young man always preferred to resolve conflicts peacefully if possible.
However, the Beast just coldly smirked again:
"Kid, I don't believe in any vaunted ninja! But if you can defeat me, I'll acknowledge your strength!"
When you're repeatedly humiliated and made to look like a nobody, you inevitably have to prove otherwise. Otherwise, how can you achieve anything in this world later?
"Well then, suggest how I should defeat you?" the young shinobi said with feigned indifference, as if the outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion. "We can compete in anything, and I'll still come out on top." This carefree confidence undoubtedly instantly enraged his opponent.
"Ha! You said it yourself!" the Beast growled, his eyes bloodshot. "If you lose, get out of here immediately back to your Konoha and keep playing your childish ninja games! And we'll compete in something simple... A test of strength!"
"We'll do a tug of war!" the brute bellowed. "Let's see who's stronger!"
Satoru barely suppressed a satisfied smirk. Though he was only seven years old, he possessed truly monstrous physical strength. Even the Third Hokage himself couldn't stand against him in a direct contest of strength, let alone this overconfident Daimyo bodyguard.
"Beast, competing in strength with a seven-year-old child? Doesn't that seem... a bit dishonorable to you?" the Daimyo noted with mild reproach. He seemed never to hesitate to say what he thought. However, the Beast was a man utterly devoid of such prejudices. He resolutely shook his head:
"Among ninja, there are only strong and weak; age means nothing! Once a shinobi steps onto the battlefield, the enemy won't show mercy due to his young years!"
"The Beast is absolutely right, Lord Daimyo," the young genius from Konoha confidently interjected, striking a provocative pose. "You needn't worry. When it comes to pure physical strength, there aren't many in the entire shinobi world who can surpass me."
In the middle of the hall, a line was clearly drawn on the floor. Whoever was pulled across that line was naturally declared the loser.
"Let's get started already! No more stalling!" Satoru was more than determined and had already firmly gripped the thick rope with his hands, wrapping the end around his waist.
The Beast snorted contemptuously and, following his young rival's example, also tied the rope around himself. A moment later, he yanked it toward himself with incredible force.
The young man, however, stood motionless, like an ancient bell rooted in the ground.
"A-a-argh!" The Beast tensed all his muscles, the bulging veins on his neck and arms pulsing, but he couldn't budge the youth even a millimeter.
"What the hell is happening?!" the strongman's face turned crimson from exertion. Raising his eyes, he saw Satoru looking at him with an openly mocking expression.
Rage boiled inside the Beast. He?! Renowned for his superhuman strength, he couldn't defeat some seven-year-old boy?! It was unthinkable!
The enraged bodyguard made desperate attempt after desperate attempt to shift his opponent, making powerful jerks backward. However, Satoru seemed not even to exert special effort to maintain balance, fully controlling his body.
"Tell me, Beastie, aren't you tired yet?" the young shinobi drawled with mocking tones, watching his opponent's futile efforts. He saw how persistently the man tried to win, and it was precisely this self-confidence that made Satoru mock his shortsightedness.
"You know, there's a saying... How dare the firefly compete in brilliance with the full moon? Well, you're that firefly, and I'm the moon. Alright, enough games. Time to end this," the genius from Konoha said, and his voice suddenly became serious. He took just one step forward, and the Beast's massive body, losing support, irresistibly followed.
Another step, and the strongman's feet completely left the ground.
Satoru took just three steps and easily ended the contest, securing an unconditional victory.
The Daimyo, sitting aside, watched the scene with undisguised interest, not taking his eyes off it. For him, it was excellent entertainment after a hearty lunch.
However, for the Beast himself, it was nothing less than a crushing and humiliating defeat.
"Truly incredible!" the ruler of the Land of Fire exclaimed, enthusiastically clapping his hands. "Satoru, it seems the rumors didn't exaggerate at all! You really are a mighty ninja! Welcome to the ranks of the Twelve Guardian Ninja! Lord Tenzo will show you to your quarters. And now, please join us at the table! Allow me to host a feast in your honor and wash away the road dust!" The Daimyo looked extremely pleased and seemed completely unconcerned about his bodyguard's humiliating failure.
As for the Beast... after this defeat, his excessive pride was sorely wounded. Unable to bear the shame, he silently left the hall without a word, refusing to participate in the feast.
Satoru did not refuse the Daimyo's gracious invitation. After all, he was to spend the next two years here.
The tables groaned under exquisite dishes and drinks. The young man did not hold back: he ate and drank everything he liked. However, he noticed that many chairs around the table remained empty. Even when deep night fell, no one took those seats. This seemed very strange to Satoru.