Inside the banquet hall, everyone's gaze turned to Tsunade.
Tsunade's current status was that of a Royal Consort, so close-range treatment was somewhat inappropriate.
She pondered for a moment, then turned to Shizune beside her, her tone calm. "Grand Maternal Uncle, there's no need to worry. Shizune is my personal student, and her medical skills are exquisite. She can cure this chronic poison you've contracted."
Shizune stood up and bowed slightly to the Land of Fire Daimyo. She was dressed in a light purple medical uniform, her demeanor as calm as water.
"Your Excellency, please rest assured. This chronic poison you have is currently accumulated in your internal organs and has not yet invaded your bone marrow, so I can treat it."
The Land of Fire Daimyo nodded slightly. "Then I'll trouble Shizune-san."
Shizune took out a wooden box from a storage scroll. When the wooden box was opened, it was revealed that dozens of slender silver needles were neatly arranged inside, gleaming coldly under the light.
She gestured for the Land of Fire Daimyo to sit on a soft couch nearby, and two attendants carefully helped him remove his outer robe, revealing his slightly aged chest.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, watching this scene intently.
Shizune focused her mind, picked up a silver needle with her fingers, and carefully aimed at the acupoints on the Land of Fire Daimyo's chest, inserting the needles steadily into the acupoints one by one.
As each silver needle entered his body, Shizune's fingertips gathered a light green medical Chakra, which slowly seeped into the Land of Fire Daimyo's body. Visible wisps of black aura spread upwards along the silver needles, and the originally bright silver needles gradually turned black.
"The poisoned blood is about to flow out. Your Excellency, please bear with it." Shizune reminded him.
Dark black poisoned blood began to seep from the needle holes, dripping onto a pre-prepared white silk cloth, spreading into shocking black stains.
The Land of Fire Daimyo's previously tense body gradually relaxed, and his pale complexion regained some color, with the abdominal pain significantly alleviated.
He looked at Shizune with gratitude. "This... I feel much better. Thank you, Shizune-san."
Shizune replied with a smile, "Your Excellency, you're welcome. I have already removed the poison from your body. You just need a few days of rest, and your body will recover."
Then, she carefully pulled out the silver needles with tweezers and threw the removed needles into a wine glass nearby for cleaning. The poisoned blood on the silver needles dissolved upon contact with the wine, and in an instant, the clear wine turned as black as ink.
Looking at the black wine, the Land of Fire Daimyo's face turned grim. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He muttered to himself, "hese rebellious sons... such vicious methods..."
He then looked up and bowed solemnly to Shizune. "Thank you for saving me today, young lady. I will remember this kindness."
Shizune quickly returned the bow. "Your Excellency, you overstate it. It's just a healer's duty."
Although the atmosphere of the banquet became lively again, everyone could feel the chill emanating from the Land of Fire Daimyo. He talked and laughed as usual, but the sharp glint in his eyes seemed to indicate that he had already drawn up a list of those who needed to be dealt with in his mind.
Shun and Tsunade exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.
The sudden incident at the banquet ultimately prevented this family reunion from ending well.
Although the ministers were no longer panicked, they had lost their earlier enthusiasm, each with a worried expression, even their toasts seemed half-hearted.
The Land of Fire Daimyo forced himself to cope for a while, but eventually succumbed to physical exhaustion and ended the banquet early, citing the need for quiet recuperation.
The guests gradually dispersed, and the sky began to darken.
In the courtyard of the Land of Fire Daimyo Mansion, the lights gradually came on.
Shun held Shiryu's hand, and Tsunade followed beside him, watching the Land of Fire's ministers hurrying away, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. This poisoning incident had clearly sown seeds of suspicion within the Land of Fire's royal family.
...
The next morning, in the side hall of the Land of Fire Daimyo Mansion, sunlight streamed through the windows, falling on the low couch covered with soft cushions.
The Land of Fire Daimyo sat on the couch, his complexion much better than yesterday, but his brows still carried a lingering worry.
He dismissed all his attendants, leaving only Shun. Even Tsunade was asked to go to the backyard to accompany Shiryu, under the pretext of "wanting to talk to my nephew Shun alone."
The side hall was so quiet that the chirping of birds outside the window could be heard. The Land of Fire Daimyo picked up his teacup and gently caressed its rim.
His gaze fell on Shun, his voice tinged with emotion. "Thanks to Shizune-san's medical skills, I feel much more refreshed today than yesterday."
Shun sat on the soft cushion opposite him, his expression calm. "Grand Maternal Uncle is blessed with good fortune. Once the toxins are cleared, you just need to rest and recuperate, and you will soon regain your health."
Hearing this, the Land of Fire Daimyo gently shook his head, put down the teacup, and his tone became heavy. "Nephew Shun, we are both intelligent people, so I won't beat around the bush. Ever since you became the Daimyo of the Land of Water, I have witnessed the changes in the Land of Water. You have rectified the administration, improved agriculture, and strengthened the military. In just 5 years, you have transformed a once turbulent country into an orderly one, even capable of competing with the Land of Fire in trade."
Shun did not respond, only listened quietly. He knew that the upcoming conversation was the main point.
The Land of Fire Daimyo's expression was somewhat complex, but his tone carried wisdom and confidence. "You are a very dangerous person. You have strength, ambition, and the patience to endure solitude. The current Land of Water may seem calm, but it is merely your period of dormancy. Once the time is right, there will undoubtedly be earth-shattering actions."
Shun's face was calm, showing no emotion. "Grand Maternal Uncle, you jest."
Looking at Shun's still calm face, the Land of Fire Daimyo sighed. "The Land of Fire and the Land of Water are neighbors. If you make any moves in the future, the Land of Fire will surely be affected. In my years on the throne, although I have tried my best to maintain the stability of the Land of Fire, I cannot stop the internal conflicts. My sons, blinded by their struggle for the throne, are even capable of poisoning their own father."
When he mentioned his sons, the Land of Fire Daimyo's voice was filled with sorrow.
He took a deep breath and looked earnestly at Shun. "I know I may not live much longer. Even if the poison is removed, my body, hollowed out by internal strife over the years, won't last much longer. Once I die, those neighboring countries, eyeing us greedily, will surely seize the opportunity to invade. Without a backbone, the Land of Fire may find it difficult to resist. At that time, could I ask you to help the Land of Fire?"
Shun picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and his tone remained calm. "Grand Maternal Uncle, you jest. Shizune has already said that your poison has been removed. As long as you recuperate well, your body will quickly recover its health. How can you say you won't live much longer? Moreover, the Land of Fire has a deep foundation. Even if there are truly unforeseen circumstances, it will have its own ways of dealing with them, without the need for an outsider like me to interfere."
Seeing Shun unmoved, a hint of disappointment flashed in the Land of Fire Daimyo's eyes, but he did not insist further.
He just sighed heavily, his tone tinged with a plea. "I know you have your own considerations. Since you are unwilling to interfere in the affairs of the Land of Fire, then if that day truly comes, if I am no longer here, and the Land of Fire falls into crisis, could I ask you to take care of my children? Although they have made mistakes, they should not suffer the fate of their family being ruined and themselves being killed."
This time, Shun did not refuse. He was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "We are relatives, but I help in emergencies, not perpetually. If that day truly comes, and the Land of Fire reaches an irreversible point, I will protect their lives, preventing them from dying in war or conspiracy. But as for their future lives, they will ultimately have to rely on themselves."
Hearing this, a glimmer of light appeared in the Land of Fire Daimyo's eyes. He pondered for a moment, as if he had made a certain decision. He took out an exquisite wooden box and placed it on the table.
"Inside are 60 billion ryo in bank notes, deposited in various major Ninja World banks, redeemable with the notes. If that day ever comes, I hope you can divide this money equally among my children, and my grandchildren. Even if the Land of Fire no longer exists in the future, this money will allow them to live a stable life."
He looked at Shun, his voice carrying his final entrustment. "I know this amount of money is nothing to you, but this is the last guarantee I can leave for my children."
Shun looked at the wooden box, his expression changing somewhat. "Alright, I promise you, if that day truly comes, I will distribute this money to your descendants according to your wishes."
Upon hearing this, the Land of Fire Daimyo finally breathed a sigh of relief, a long-lost smile appearing on his face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
He picked up his teacup, drank it all, and his tone became much more relaxed. "With your word, I am at ease."
***
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