Sure enough, when the Daimyō heard Gekko Chizan's words, he first nodded, then said something completely different from what he'd said earlier.
"I'll think about it."
"Once I've finished considering it, I'll send people to Konohagakure to discuss this with Namikaze Minato, the new Hokage."
Yo, this old guy looked ambitious, but after one setback he really just deflated?
Gekko Chizan was a bit surprised, but this was still within his plans. After all, his original goal was to shake the Daimyō's confidence a little, to make him understand just how huge the gap between ninja truly was.
He just didn't expect that one blow would already have such an effect.
"Hehehe, alright, then I'll take the team back to the village."
"After all, missions have deadlines. If we return late, it won't be easy to explain to the village."
Hearing Gekko Chizan's words, Shisui didn't react much, but Obito was different.
He knew his teacher's personality very well—how could he be this eager to return?
Not normal. Very not normal.
As someone frequently tormented by Gekko Chizan—and as his student—Uchiha Obito knew exactly what kind of person his teacher was. Once this man left the village, he immediately started living wild. How could someone like that ever be in a rush to go back?
After saying farewell to the Daimyō, Yukimura escorted the three of them out of the village.
Watching from the high platform, Kazuma revealed a sinister grin.
Behind him stood only Suirai; among the four of Hiyakke, Kazuma trusted Suirai the most.
Not only was he strong, but also meticulous—his best assistant.
"Kazuma, you really decided to do this?"
"Mm… I've already sent out the request. We should get news within a day."
"That means there's no turning back. Are you serious?"
Kazuma nodded.
Seeing his resolve, Suirai said no more, silently standing behind him as support.
Leaving the Daimyō's mansion, Gekko Chizan did not bring the two brats back to the village.
Just as Obito suspected, Gekko Chizan took them across the Land of Fire straight into a country they didn't recognize.
"Sensei? Where is this? Why does it feel familiar somehow?"
"Hahaha, it's rare to get out of the village. Of course we need to have some fun before going back."
"Aren't you afraid Pakura-sensei will deal with you?"
Gekko Chizan's face darkened immediately. Uchiha Obito realized he'd said something he shouldn't have and instantly bolted.
Unfortunately, he forgot he still had Gekko Chizan's special kunai on him.
With one flicker and a heavy punch, Uchiha Obito was already slammed headfirst into the ground.
"Captain Chizan, I also think we shouldn't be doing this."
"The village needs its active strength right now, we should—"
"Hmm???"
Seeing Gekko Chizan's fist gradually being encased in crystal, Uchiha Shisui wisely shut his mouth.
Can't provoke this. Can't provoke this. One punch and he'd be hurting for days.
For some reason, ever since suffering One Thousand Years of Death, Shisui had become extremely afraid of pain—it felt like even a little pain could take half his life.
After entering a bustling town and asking around, the two Uchiha brats finally learned they'd arrived in the Land of Rice Fields.
A country without ninja.
After arranging an inn, Gekko Chizan stretched lazily.
"Ahahaha, places like this really are the best."
"Free time. Obito, meet back here tonight. If anything happens, return here. Got it?"
Obito nodded like crazy—he had big ambitions, after all.
Shisui, however, was confused. If it was free time, why couldn't he go off alone?
"What? You're just a kid and you want to wander alone?"
"Come on, I'll show you the adult world."
Gekko Chizan grabbed Shisui and dragged him out.
Uchiha Obito smiled and gave Shisui a "good luck, my friend" look before starting his own activities.
Five days later, in Konohagakure.
"We're finally back! Captain Chizan, I'm leaving!"
"Obito, I'll pick up the mission payment from your house later! That's it! Bye!"
Watching Shisui practically flee using Phantom Body Flicker, Uchiha Obito stared wide-eyed.
With a trace of fear, he looked at his teacher—who was still smiling pleasantly—and Obito's scalp tingled.
"What are you staring at? Go hand in the mission!"
"Honestly, both of you are impossible. You're already famous, you know that?"
"Using leaves as money—what were you thinking? And of all gambling dens, you just had to run into one guarded by ninja?"
"I really don't know what to say! Shameful!"
The more Gekko Chizan spoke, the more energetic he became, practically burying Obito alive with words.
No helping it—it was embarrassing. Even Obito felt ashamed.
But what could he do? He'd lost all his money at the time.
As for Shisui—tsk, tsk—a shy young man.
It was just watching performances for a few days. Why did he end up like that?
Honestly, this kid surprised even Chizan—from staring intently, to nosebleeds, to finally activating his Sharingan to resist illusions.
Tsk, tsk… truly, every Uchiha was a drama king at heart.
But when the two arrived at the Hokage Building to hand in the mission, they suddenly realized it was surrounded.
"Stop. Inspection."
"What's going on?"
Gekko Chizan was blocked. After the guards inspected him and Obito, the ninja led them into the Hokage's office.
Pushing the door open—whoa, everyone was here.
Not just Hokage Namikaze Minato and the advisors, even Nara Shikoku was present.
"Yo, what happened?"
"First martial law, now everyone gathered like this?"
Feeling everyone's gazes, Gekko Chizan frowned slightly.
What's this supposed to be? Why so serious?
Uchiha Obito didn't even dare speak—this room was full of big shots. A little ninja like him should stay quiet.
"Chizan…"
"Something happened…"
Namikaze Minato's voice was heavy—so heavy that Gekko Chizan instantly felt something was very wrong.
The next sentence stunned him completely.
"News came from the Daimyō's residence. The Daimyō… is dead…"
Gekko Chizan's eyes went wide.
What???
The Daimyō died???
Impossible!
When he left, the Daimyō was alive and well—how could he suddenly be dead?
Uchiha Obito was also shocked. The Daimyō dying was one of the biggest events in the Land of Fire.
After all, the highest leader of the country had died, this…
What in the world happened???
----------------
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (536 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)