Among them, the aura of two people is very powerful, undoubtedly Jonin.

"Yeah, long time no see. This time you came over, did you avoid the notice of the Third Hoshikage?"

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear held a folding fan, staring intently at Akahoshi.

"I have two partners in the Hidden Star Village covering for me, and they are also supporters of the plan."

Akahoshi said.

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear smiled slightly: "You're still as meticulous and reliable as ever, which reminds me of the scene when you worked for me in the past."

Akahoshi also fondly remembered that time.

When he was young, at the village's request, he served as a guard for the Daimyo of the Land of Bear for a period of time.

It was also at that time that he sided with the Daimyo of the Land of Bear.

Because similar people attract each other.

Both of them were ambitious individuals.

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear wanted to expand his territories and become a mighty sovereign.

And he wanted to gain control over the Hidden Star Village, using the 'star' to enhance the combat power of the Hidden Star Village, breaking the monopolistic hold of the Five Great Ninja Villages on the mission market, and leading the Hidden Star Village to a higher position.

That is why he despised the overly conservative Third Hoshikage.

An old man from the old era, his thoughts and will were long disconnected from this era.

"When does the Daimyo plan to take action?"

Akahoshi asked somewhat impatiently.

"Things aren't that urgent, are they?"

"No, I'm worried that the Third Hoshikage will pass the position of the next Hoshikage to Natsuhi."

"Natsuhi? I've heard of her, she's said to be an outstanding Jonin in the Hidden Star Village."

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear was well aware of all the high-end combat abilities of the Hidden Star Village.

The female Jonin named 'Natsuhi' was one of the top experts in the Hidden Star Village. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Her deceased husband, Hotarubi, was also a Jonin of the Hidden Star Village, and the two of them were prominent figures in the village, with extraordinary influence.

"Yes, she is one of the few Jonin in the village who has mastered the 'Mysterious Peacock Method' to its highest level, even stronger than me. Based on my estimation, the Third Hoshikage might not even be her opponent."

Akahoshi said.

"Just make her disappear then."

A cold glint appeared in the Daimyo of the Land of Bear's eyes.

An outstanding ninja not on their side was better off eliminated sooner.

"That's easy to handle. Natsuhi has a son, using her son as leverage will suffice. But before that, we need to eliminate the Third Hoshikage, and then deal with Natsuhi slowly."

Akahoshi shared his opinion.

Although Natsuhi was strong, her emotions were easily tied to her family, making her easier to deal with than the Third Hoshikage.

This was the fundamental reason why he wasn't in a hurry to deal with Natsuhi.

In the cruel Ninja Realm, having emotions meant being closer to death.

Only by being emotionless, unaffected by anything, can one be called a ninja.

"When the time comes, leave her to you. As for the candidate to deal with the Third Hoshikage, I've already found someone."

The Daimyo of the Land of Bear looked meaningfully at Akahoshi.

A ninja with ambition who couldn't become a perfect tool didn't seem very handy.

Akahoshi felt a slight tremor in his heart upon hearing this.

In the room, the two looked at each other with ulterior motives.

◎

"Ninja sir, what is the outside world like?"

Today, Princess Tamahime in the courtyard started talking to herself again.

Perhaps because she had rarely interacted with such beings as ninja in the past.

Compared to ninja, the guards around her in the past were mostly samurai.

It is said that nowadays samurai are a declined class, replaced by ninja.

A hundred years ago, the status of samurai was above that of ninja, loyal to their lords, expanding territories, and defending lands.

At that time, samurai could also be said to be a symbol of honor.

No sound came from around her, but even so, Tamahime knew that the ninja was beside her, always protecting her safety.

This reassuring feeling was something she never had before.

She couldn't help but think of that day, nearly falling into the pond, how embarrassing.

Tamahime slightly lowered her head, seemingly seriously looking for ants on the ground to count how many there were.

For Princess Tamahime's soliloquy, Akakage had long since grown accustomed to it these days.

To him, who he was protecting didn't matter, what mattered was completing the task assigned by Haku.

Whether it was protecting the Daimyo of the Land of Bear or protecting this somewhat mentally challenged princess, they were just tasks given by Haku.

As long as it was a task, he had the duty to complete it, even if it meant risking his life, even at the cost of his own life.

"I've heard the servants say that outside there is always war... When war breaks out, many people die, don't they?"

Princess Tamahime showed an expression of sadness on her face.

Akakage found it strange, she had never seen the real face of war, why did she instinctively show such a lamenting expression?

Women are truly strange.

And besides, death in war is common knowledge.

Only three kinds of people survive war.

One kind is the lucky ones.

Another is those who struggle hard.

The last kind is the powerful ones.

"I really want to go and see outside... the world is too small."

The world is not small; it's just the world she lived in was too small.

From childhood to grown, the times she went out were few and far between, most of the time facing tall city walls, only seeing the blue sky and white clouds.

Her world was composed of such a backdrop.

Raised as a caged canary, just for ornamental purposes.