Several days later, Kazuyama Gekkō gazed at the castle before him, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes.
"How many years has it been? Is this still the same Daimyō's Manor???"
The original Daimyō's Manor had been exquisite, clearly the most authoritative place in the Land of Fire. But now?
It wasn't that the manor had become shabby—it had become utterly extravagant.
First, the area was larger than before—had the castle been expanded?
And the number of patrol personnel here was simply overwhelming.
"Tsk tsk, truly befitting the Daimyō's Manor. They've got deep pockets."
"Hiring this many mercenary ninjas—how much must the annual expenses be?"
Just as Kazuyama Gekkō finished his musings, he dismissed the thought. After all, the Daimyō's ninja corps still took on missions.
Those escort missions, protection contracts—they earned enough to pay for these ninjas.
As for where he found so many? Simple enough. After the Third Shinobi World War, while other things remained unchanged, the number of wandering ninjas had surged.
Most were people fleeing the war.
As long as the money was right, getting these guys to risk their lives? Couldn't be easier.
"Hey, Tagitsuhime, how's your rest been lately?"
"Want me to come help?"
Standing atop the mountain, Kazuyama Gekkō felt the connection of the Coiling Serpent Technique as he communicated with Tagitsuhime.
"No, I'm not coming. That jerk last time caused my chakra to be devoured massively."
"All I want now is to sleep."
"If it's really that bad, go find those other two."
"Leave me alone. Let me sleep for a few years."
The battle against Nagato last time had inflicted severe damage on Tagitsuhime, as the chakra dragon that devoured chakra and vitality had taken a heavy toll.
Though she was a Snake Princess, possessing Senjutsu chakra throughout her body, she had still suffered greatly.
After returning to the Ryūchi Cave, Tagitsuhime immediately entered a hibernation lasting several years to heal her physical wounds.
"Oh dear, those two are having the time of their lives now."
"One's following Michihito, the other a Senko. They're living it up more than I am."
"Ugh, this sucks. I was the one who made the contract, after all."
Without Tagitsuhime's aid, Kazuyama Gekkō could only proceed alone.
Activating his Transparent Escape Technique, he headed straight for the Daimyō's Manor.
"Hey, have you heard the news? The Twelve Guardian Ninjas have been finalized."
"Seriously? Those are the top twelve from our entire squad!"
"You don't think that's fake?"
Twelve Guardian Ninjas?
Walking along the castle's outer perimeter, Kazuyama Gekkō overheard the patrol ninjas' casual chatter.
The top twelve, huh.
Kazuma, Asuma, Chiriku, plus the leech guy from before?
How elite could they be? Probably only good for one round of combat.
Entering the Daimyō's Manor, the outer areas were entirely ninja encampments.
The interior retained the Daimyō's Manor's original layout. Seems the expansion was solely to house more ninjas?
Same old thought: They're loaded.
Kazuyama Gekkō headed straight for the central castle where the Daimyō resided.
If gathering intel, starting at the source was the smartest approach.
The Daimyō sat enthroned in his seat, flanked by three figures to his right.
"Kazuma, has the roster for the Twelve Warriors been finalized?"
"Yes, Lord Daimyō, it has been finalized."
Kazuma appeared considerably more composed than before; after all, the passage of time and accumulated experience had their benefits. Beside him stood two figures: Asuma and the monk, Jiryu of the Fire Temple.
"Heh heh heh. So Asuma and Chiriku are among them, I see."
"Indeed, both Asuma and Chiriku possess the strength required to hold positions among the Twelve Warriors."
Kazuma's tone remained calm, as if these matters stirred no emotion within him. The Daimyō nodded with satisfaction.
Kazuyama Gekkō observed everything, then fixed a particularly intense gaze on Asuma. After the daimyo departed, he muttered to himself:
"Such an idiot, and he gets entrusted with such responsibility?"
"What is Kazuma thinking?"
Kazuyama Gekkō held no regard for the Daimyō's Manor ninja corps. Against true elite combatants, these cannon fodder were utterly insignificant. Even the Twelve Guardian Ninja failed to impress him. He considered the members of that organization inferior to his own disciples. Yet, inexplicably, he sensed an odd aura emanating from the Daimyō's Manor.
"Chōmei, could you control some insects to infiltrate?"
"Hm? Possible, but the insect population in this vicinity is sparse."
Kazuyama Gekkō frowned deeply. Sparse insects? Was this deliberate, or simply the natural state? With no other option, Kazuyama Gekkō had to find an alternative method for infiltration. One man's strength was severely limited; he needed helpers.
He found a relatively concealed spot within the Daimyō's Manor.
"Summoning Technique..."
A vast number of snakes appeared before him.
"Wow, times like this really call for my serpent army."
"Go now, everyone. Infiltrate the Daimyō's Manor and report back everything you see and hear."
Possessing the Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu, Kazuyama Gekkō could understand serpent speech. Using snakes for intelligence gathering proved far faster than acting alone. After completing these preparations, Kazuyama Gekkō headed directly for higher ground. His Hive Mind required commanding elevation. Only then could he see far.
The investigation lasted three days. During this time, countless snakes slithered through the streets and houses of the Daimyō's Manor. Kazuyama Gekkō himself stood high, observing far. When hungry, he'd simply cast a Transformation Technique to dine within the Daimyō's Manor or use Flying Thunder God Technique to dine elsewhere.
Until one afternoon, his snakes reported something intriguing.
"Hm? A familiar face?"
"No, a familiar mask?"
Kazuyama Gekkō was momentarily baffled by this report. A mask? Such items were only seen on ANBU operatives. The ninja forces of the Daimyō's Manor had no tradition of wearing masks. So where had this masked individual come from? Suddenly, a vague thread of connection flickered in his mind.
"No way... Could that bastard have brought Root Division to the Daimyō's Manor?"
"If that's the case..."
"...it all makes perfect sense..."
Mask. ANBU. Kazuyama Gekkō couldn't help but link it to the long-missing old geezer, Danzō Shimura. After all, it wasn't just Danzō who left Konoha back then—his direct forces, Root Division, came with him.
"Tsk tsk tsk, old geezer Danzō. No wonder I couldn't find you."
"Who'd have thought you'd hide out in the Daimyō's Manor?"
"Looks like you're involved in matters targeting the village..."
"Wonder if old geezer Sarutobi would've dropped dead from anger if he knew what you've been up to."