"So?" the Daimyo asked lazily, his fan flicking idly in his hand. "Serve as my personal guardian, and your Amamiya clan will be under my protection." His tone was almost bored, as if Raizen's response didn't matter.
"Sorry, Your Majesty, but the weak under your command are not fit to be guardian ninjas," Raizen replied immediately, voice calm but firm. No hesitation.
The refusal shocked none of his senses, yet every instinct told him he'd just poked a hornet's nest. He wasn't a fool—he had the Super Achievement System. His strength came from constant challenges and achievements, not from lounging in the Daimyo's palace. Staying would give opportunities, yes—but the achievements outside, the real-world missions, were far more abundant. Raizen had no intention of trading long-term growth for short-term security.
"You refuse?" the Daimyo asked, a note of regret lacing his otherwise lazy tone.
"Yes," Raizen said again, unwavering.
The Daimyo's sharp gaze lingered on the five-year-old before him. After a long pause, he waved his hand. "Then I won't force you. Very well… I'm a little tired. Go back."
Relieved, Raizen and Khaki stepped back. Outside, a guard arranged accommodations for them. Their mission was technically complete, and Raizen had every intention of leaving—until Khaki tugged at him.
"Stay a little longer, please!" Khaki begged. "The Daimyo's intentions… they're unclear. And I haven't even gotten my reward yet. It's scary to be alone here!"
Raizen considered it, shrugging. One or two more days wouldn't kill him. Waiting for the reward seemed simple enough, and it gave him more time to gauge the Daimyo's court and opportunities.
But news travels fast. Word of Raizen's refusal to become the Daimyo's guardian had already spread through the palace. Early the next morning, voices outside his quarters carried ridicule like a pack of wild dogs.
"I heard there's a kid who refused Da Ming's invitation! I can't believe it!"
"He's too weak anyway. So many masters in the court. What kind of kid dares refuse?"
"To refuse Da Ming himself… seriously, who does that?!"
Three ninjas—part of the palace watchdogs, not the elite guardian ninjas—made a deliberate ruckus outside, trying to bait Raizen. Unlike the Daimyo's personal guardians, these palace watchdogs were mostly average-level ninjas, their pride inflated by the chance to mock someone far younger.
"Three wild dogs barking at dawn… charming," Raizen muttered, rolling out of bed and opening the door without a hint of hesitation.
"You brat!" one shouted.
"Why? Jealous I could be a guardian ninja?" Raizen sneered, crossing his arms. "None of you will ever understand what that even means."
Their faces drained of color. Jealousy, fear, and fury warred in their expressions.
"You're looking for death, kid!" one hissed, pulling a kunai from his belt and charging forward.
"Stop, Kameda!" another shouted, flapping his hands. The rules were clear: crossing the line inside the court meant immediate punishment. Kameda froze mid-strike, glaring at Raizen instead.
"Little devil," Kameda said, voice dripping with challenge. "If you have the guts, then one-on-one, right here. If I lose, we leave you be. If you lose… get out of the city immediately. Deal?"
Raizen stared at them, one eyebrow raised, utterly unbothered. The scenario was absurd, almost laughable. Spitting contempt at them in two short words, he delivered his verdict:
"Idiot."