After hearing Antares' assurance, Sachinobu nodded, and the group boarded the carriage. Around it, the other ninjas moved silently, shadows among shadows, keeping a vigilant watch as the carriage rolled over the stone paths that wove through the streets. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels echoed faintly, the only sound in the quiet night.
Finally, the carriage came to a halt outside the gates of the Daimyo mansion. A guard stationed at the front stepped forward, his eyes lighting up as he recognized the carriage belonging to Sachinobu. Without hesitation, he opened the carriage door and said respectfully, "My lord, Lord Daimyo is expecting your esteemed presence tonight. Please, follow me."
The words struck Sachinobu like a sudden chill. His face registered shock. What did the guard mean by saying that the Daimyo expected him tonight? The visit to the Daimyo mansion had been a secret, known only to him, his closest subordinates, and the two Uzumaki siblings. He immediately dismissed the idea that the Uzumaki siblings could be behind this—they had no reason to betray him; after all, they intended to place him on the throne.
So if it wasn't them, then who among his trusted subordinates had betrayed him? Who could have leaked this? The thought clawed at his mind, a cold weight settling in his chest as the guard gestured for him to step forward.
Sachinobu turned his gaze toward Antares, who sat calmly opposite him in the carriage, Makima beside him. His voice carried a hint of unease as he said, "It seems that we are in trouble."
Antares, whose eyes had been closed, opened them slowly, his expression composed, almost serene. He looked at Sachinobu and replied, "Do not worry. As long as we are here, nothing will happen to you. Just follow along. You don't have to fear anything. Let's go—after all, the Daimyo is expecting our arrival." A faint, confident smile curved Antares' lips.
Seeing Antares' calm demeanour, Sachinobu was struck silent. Even in this tense situation, Antares acted as if he remained fully in control. Was he really still in control? Sachinobu wondered, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. Yet, he realized that the arrow was already on the string—it was only a matter of release. There was no turning back now.
Sachinobu stepped out of the carriage, following closely behind Antares and Makima. The two siblings moved ahead with calm, deliberate strides, their presence commanding the space around them. Behind them, Sachinobu followed, flanked by Isao and Morishima Yuma.
The guard led them across the courtyard, the cool night air brushing against their faces, until they reached the gate where a servant, dressed in an impressively luxurious outfit, stood waiting. His posture and attire marked him unmistakably as the personal assistant of the Daimyo of the Land of Sea. The guard quietly departed, leaving the group in the assistant's hands.
The assistant bowed deeply toward Antares and Makima, his voice respectful yet formal. "Our Lord Daimyo is quite pleased to know that two of the Uzumaki siblings have graced us with their presence, and he is also awaiting the arrival of his younger brother."
A faint tension lingered in the air, the quiet of the courtyard broken only by the soft shuffle of feet and the distant murmurs of the mansion beyond.
Antares nodded once, his expression unreadable, and said, "Go ahead and lead us to your Lord Daimyo. We also wish to meet him. After all, there is something important we need to discuss."
The assistant bowed slightly and guided the group through the winding corridors of the mansion, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors, until they arrived at a large hall. At the center, on the main seat, sat the current Daimyo of the Land of Sea. Flanking him on two parallel seats were about twelve masked ninjas, their presence tense but clearly subordinate.
Antares barely spared them a glance, dismissing them as nothing more than insignificant obstacles. His focus remained fixed on the Daimyo. Stepping forward with a calm, measured pace, he spoke. "If you already know why we are here, then you must understand the rest as well. I do not favor moving in shadows or working behind the scenes. I have already wasted enough time hidden away. I want our objective fulfilled swiftly. So, Daimyo, why not simply relinquish your position to your youngest brother? Wouldn't that be… wonderful?"
After hearing Antares's words, the Daimyo froze for a moment, utterly stunned. This was not how he had expected the conversation to unfold. He had prepared for a game of words—a slow, calculated exchange with Antares, his younger brother, and the others present. His plan had been to feign civility at first, speak in circles, and then, when the time was right, reveal his awareness of their rebellion and spring his trap.
But Antares's blunt declaration shattered all of that. With one fearless statement, the Uzumaki had cast aside every layer of pretence, leaving the Daimyo's carefully crafted plan in ruins.
The Daimyo exhaled slowly, forcing a small chuckle as he composed himself. "I must say," he began, his tone edged with both amusement and irritation, "you truly are an arrogant man—to so casually tell me to abandon my position as Daimyo and hand it to my younger brother, as if I would simply obey." His eyes hardened, a flicker of pride and defiance glinting within them. "I admit, it was my mistake to interfere in the conflicts between the Land of Uzumaki and the Land of Water… but that does not grant you the right to manipulate the Land of Sea as you please."
The air in the hall grew heavy with tension as the Daimyo's words echoed through the chamber.
Antares looked toward the Daimyo and said, "By admitting your mistake, it doesn't change a thing. What you did is totally unforgivable. First, you will pay the price—and then it will be the turn of Kirigakure to pay theirs."
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