"Yes."

No hesitation, as long as orders were received, they would be carried out meticulously.

This was also the reason he was sent here.

"So fast!"

Tamahime marveled at the speed with which Akakage delivered the water; it was mere seconds before a glass of water was placed before her, far faster than the maid who used to attend to her.

"Please bring me some ice as well."

The mansion had an ice cellar, so Tamahime requested so.

In such hot weather, drinking ice water was the only way to alleviate the dryness of summer.

Akakage quickly brought ice over.

"Is there anything else, Princess?"

"Uh, no."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Akakage vanished from the room, watching over everything concerning Tamahime from the shadows, ensuring her safety.

He then considered what he just did, tasks meant for a maid, wasn't it?

To make someone who was a guard do such simple tasks that even a maid could do, this princess indeed had problems with her mind.

◎

"Akakage, thank you for working hard to protect Tamahime these days."

Summoning Akakage into a room, the Daimyo of the Land of Bear spoke appreciatively.

But Akakage knew that this gratitude was merely a facade put on by the Daimyo.

Having followed the Daimyo of the Land of Bear for three years, he was well aware of what a ruthless and heartless man he was.

Once he divided people into useful and useless, those labeled useless would face a miserable fate.

"However, we still cannot ensure those thieves have given up the idea of abducting Tamahime, so her safety still requires you to be responsible. Only with you personally involved, I can feel completely assured."

"Yes."

No hesitation or indecision, in the Land of Bear, his persona was that of a silent, dutiful, perfect tool.

Questioning the lord's decision was not the behavior expected of a tool.

Crossing that line would lead to suspicion. That must not happen.

Only by fulfilling the duties of a tool, indifferent to other matters could he become the right hand of the Daimyo of the Land of Bear in a short span of three years.

Otherwise, for such a suspicious, greedy, and ambitious Daimyo, trusting a person without reservation was impossible.

What he trusted was Akakage, as a perfect tool, not Akakage as a person.

People have thoughts.

Only tools have no thoughts.

Akakage knew the temperament of the Daimyo of the Land of Bear well.

"If only the other guards were as excellent as you."

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear picked up a folding fan and complained casually. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Just wishing so, the Daimyo knew it was somewhat unrealistic.

Having acquired a perfect tool like Akakage was already extremely rare.

Akakage did not respond.

"Alright, you may go now, be diligent about Tamahime."

Akakage nodded and was about to leave when the Daimyo of the Land of Bear suddenly asked a completely unrelated question:

"If you were to assassinate the Third Hoshikage, how confident are you?"

Akakage's heart trembled; the moment had finally come?

He knew the Daimyo of the Land of Bear wouldn't ask such a question without reason.

The Daimyo must have been secretly advised by someone to do so.

Once the Daimyo of the Land of Bear formally took action against the Hidden Star Village, the layout of Land of Demons in the Land of Bear would be halfway complete.

Taking down the Hidden Star Village, next would be the entire Land of Bear.

Hence, Akakage answered without hesitation, "Ninety percent."

Having accompanied the Daimyo of the Land of Bear, Akakage had seen the Third Hoshikage of the Hidden Star Village, thus this answer was not difficult to give.

Akakage's unhesitating response brought more satisfaction to the Daimyo of the Land of Bear.

Especially since Akakage showed no wavering in his gaze about the assassination of the Third Hoshikage and did not ask why it had to be done. This undoubtedly proved his exceptional ability as a ninja.

A ninja without independent thought truly was a perfect tool.

Just like his daughter, Tamahime, both were unique treasures in his hands.

"If there was an insider to cooperate?"

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear squinted, lowered his voice, and asked, his lips curled into a vicious smile.

As a nation's Daimyo, it's natural not to give absolute trust to the ninja villages within the country.

Placing spies within the ninja villages makes sense to ensure that the Daimyo's position remains safe from harm, and also prevents other nobles from undermining his authority as Daimyo.

"One hundred percent."

Akakage again offered an exact answer.

"I see. Indeed, Akakage, you are an excellent ninja. But, I was only joking, you needn't take it seriously. Alright, I'm a bit tired now, you may go."

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear yawned lightly, his facial muscles relaxing, appearing sleepy.

"Yes."

Akakage respectfully withdrew, his eyes lowered, a sharp glint like a sword flashed within them.

Is it finally beginning?

◎

To Tamahime, the world she lived in was only as large as the courtyard.

Opportunities to play outside were a luxury; she barely left the courtyard a few times a year.

Strictly guarded by the guards at both the front and back gates of the courtyard. Since the kidnapping event from a few days ago, the number of guards watching over her kept increasing.

Getting out now was even more impossible.

Her father would undoubtedly keep her confined within the courtyard under the guise of loving her until the day of her marriage.