DAIMYO: Chapter 64/65

Chapter 64: The Beauty Trap!

Inside the bedchamber, a warm fragrance wafted through the air.

Unlike the tranquil sandalwood of the study, the incense here carried a sweet, intoxicating floral scent that easily stirred one's deepest desires.

Mei had already bathed and changed.

She wore a nearly transparent, lotus-colored silk gown, her damp hair cascading over her fragrant shoulders like a waterfall.

Droplets of water slid down her fair skin, disappearing into the depths of her cleavage.

She knelt before a low couch, a pot of wine warming on a small table in front of her.

Tonight, she was that pot of wine, waiting to be savored.

Though she had rehearsed it countless times in her mind, when footsteps sounded outside the door, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

There was both humiliation for what she was about to do and anticipation for the success of her plan.

Creak.

The chamber door opened.

Arashi appeared in the doorway, dressed in loose casual clothes, his appearance less authoritative and more relaxed.

In Mei's expectations, the Daimyo should have been eager to approach her.

But he wasn't.

Arashi merely gave her a casual glance, then walked straight to the couch, lay down, and let out a comfortable sigh.

It was as if she, a peerless beauty, was less appealing than the couch beneath him.

Mei's heart tightened.

This wasn't how she had imagined it.

The seductive charm she had deliberately displayed was supposed to ignite the man's possessive desire.

Yet his reaction was indifferent.

"Come here, pour the wine," Arashi said lazily.

Suppressing her doubts, Mei responded softly and stood up gracefully.

She stepped barefoot onto the carpet, walking forward step by step.

With each step, the faint outlines beneath her skirt showed through, her long, slender jade-like legs gleaming under the dim light.

She reached the couch and lifted the wine pot to pour.

As she bent forward, the loose neckline of her gown slipped, revealing her snowy white chest without reservation.

Any normal man would have reacted.

Arashi picked up the wine cup, his gaze lingering for a moment on her delicate collarbone before drinking it all in one gulp.

"Nice dance," Arashi said calmly, his expression unchanged.

Mei's heart sank further.

This Daimyo was too composed.

But the act had already begun, and she had no choice but to continue.

Her beautiful face blossomed into a more enchanting smile as she knelt beside Arashi's leg, her breath sweet as orchids.

"To receive such praise from Your Excellency is Shizumi's greatest honor."

She poured again, her finger brushing lightly against Arashi's hand.

Warm, soft, with a hint of coolness.

Arashi finally reacted, taking the opportunity to grasp her mischievous hand.

Mei's heart leapt.

So he had been pretending all along.

Caught off guard, she let out a soft gasp and leaned into him, half her body pressed against Arashi's.

"Your Excellency..." Her voice trembled, dripping with allure.

Arashi looked down at her.

Her face was indeed breathtaking.

Her eyes were like silk threads, her lips like cherry blossoms, her skin fair enough to break at a touch.

And those eyes... they could ensnare souls.

"Are you nervous?" Arashi's hand traced her smooth back, feeling her body tense slightly.

Mei stiffened and replied softly, "It's my first time serving Your Excellency, so Shizumi's heart is... both respectful and afraid."

She lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling, perfectly concealing the panic in her eyes.

"Is that so?" Arashi smiled, lifting her chin. "A beauty like you must have many secrets in your heart, don't you?"

Boom.

Mei's mind buzzed.

He saw through her?

No. It must be a test.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.

"Your Excellency... why would you say that?"

"Shizumi only wishes to serve you well. If I've done something wrong, please punish me..."

Her pitiful expression could melt any man's heart.

Watching Mei's flawless act, Arashi chuckled inwardly.

As expected of the future Mizukage, her composure was impressive.

"Hahahahaha..." Arashi suddenly laughed and pulled her fully into his arms.

"Why would I punish you? You've done nothing wrong." His lips brushed her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck. "A beauty like you, I wouldn't bear to punish you."

His masculine scent enveloped her, her emotions stirring uncontrollably.

Mei's body softened instantly.

Half acting, half real.

The time was almost right.

Suppressing her shame, she wrapped her arms around his neck and offered her lips.

Arashi didn't refuse, accepting this offering from the flower of the Hidden Mist.

As their lips met, Mei's Chakra surged silently.

Genjutsu: Voice of the Sea of Desire.

This technique did not harm or forcibly control others, but instead amplified their inner desires, leading them to fall into depravity and submit to the caster.

It was enough to deal with a pampered Daimyo.

She felt her Chakra invade his mind.

No resistance.

Arashi's eyes turned hazy in that instant, filled with infatuation and devotion.

It worked.

Mei's heart pounded wildly.

She deepened the kiss, reinforcing the genjutsu.

After a long moment, their lips parted.

A silvery thread connected them briefly before breaking.

"Your Excellency..." Mei's voice trembled with desire, her breath unsteady.

"Hm?" Arashi's tone was thick with lust.

"Shizumi... has a small request..."

"Speak," Arashi said dotingly, stroking her long hair. "Whatever you want, I'll grant it."

Suppressing her excitement, Mei drew a scroll from her sleeve.

She unrolled it, her voice filled with shy eagerness.

"Shizumi has a distant relative who wishes to start a small business in the Land of Fire but has met with some difficulties and needs a batch of supplies for turnover..."

"Your Excellency is busy with countless affairs, I shouldn't trouble you with such a small matter, but..."

Before she could finish, Arashi took the scroll.

"A small matter."

He unrolled it and picked up the vermilion brush beside him.

Glancing at the listed items, Arashi sneered inwardly.

Weapons, food... quite the appetite.

This batch of supplies was enough to arm more than a thousand people.

Mei held her breath, her heart almost leaping from her chest.

Her eyes fixed on the vermilion brush as it was about to move.

As long as he signed and stamped the great seal... the Hidden Mist Village would be saved.

Arashi's wrist moved slightly, the brush soaked with cinnabar.

It was about to fall.

Then, his movement stopped.

His ear twitched faintly.

Hm?

Mei's heart jumped to her throat.

Why did he stop?

She quickly looked up. His eyes were still hazy, filled with lust and the illusion of genjutsu.

The genjutsu was still active.

Then why?

Arashi tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting toward the tightly closed window.

Mei followed his eyes.

The carved window was shut tight, the paper unbroken, showing no sign of disturbance.

A bad feeling welled in her chest.

Just as she was about to speak to guide him back with her words...

"How annoying," Arashi sneered.

He turned his head to look at the woman in his arms.

His eyes were still hazy.

But his words sent Mei plunging into icy dread.

"My beauty, wait a moment."

"Let me deal with the little mouse eavesdropping outside first."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 65: Orochimaru’s Night Visit

Night had fallen deeply over the Fire Capital.

Only the busy streets still glimmered with lights.

Ordinary people had long since retired, but for some, the night was the time to act.

Orochimaru moved silently across the intricate rooftops.

His golden, slit-pupiled eyes gleamed in the darkness with the cold sharpness of a serpent.

Even the moonlight failed to reveal him.

Infiltrating the Daimyo's manor was, to him, no different from returning home.

The guards along the way, both hidden and visible, were nothing more than decoration before his flawless stealth Ninjutsu.

He even had time to evaluate their skill levels.

"Their breathing is too heavy."

"The flow of their Chakra isn't concealed at all."

"This level of defense is weaker than Konoha's Anbu."

Orochimaru's expression was filled with disdain, though his mind was already set on his plan for the night.

He always acted with caution, making full preparations even against seemingly weak opponents.

If the Daimyo's manor had been well-guarded, he would have withdrawn immediately to reconsider.

But as things stood, that wasn't necessary.

If the manor was truly this undefended, things would be simple.

He would move directly, control the target, and turn the supreme ruler of the Land of Fire into his puppet.

Thinking of that, Orochimaru licked his lips.

His research could continue.

He quickly located the Daimyo's bedchamber.

The guards there were clearly several times more numerous, and their Chakra flow was much more stable, a sign of elite strength.

But before Orochimaru, they were still insignificant.

He moved like an invisible wind, approaching silently, his Chakra completely concealed, blending into the darkness.

Inside the hall, the lights were bright, and incense smoke curled lazily.

A figure reclined on a soft couch, holding a beauty in his arms.

Decadent music, wine, women, and luxury.

Orochimaru's contempt deepened.

Even with power over the entire country, he was still a man indulged in desire.

He was about to approach, searching for the best moment to act.

"How disappointing."

Inside the hall, the lazy Daimyo suddenly chuckled.

His voice was soft, but it made Orochimaru's skin crawl.

He felt the distinct sensation of being targeted.

Something was wrong.

A moment later, the Daimyo's voice echoed from within.

"My beauty, wait a moment."

"Let me deal with the little mouse that's eavesdropping."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the window and into Orochimaru's ears.

He had been discovered.

The thought flashed instantly through his mind.

How was that possible?!

Even his teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, couldn't easily detect his stealth Ninjutsu.

Escape!

There was no time to hesitate.

Orochimaru immediately decided to retreat.

His body shot backward, swift and precise.

However—

He had just leaped when a figure appeared before him, blocking his path.

It was none other than Arashi, the Daimyo who had been lounging with a woman only moments ago.

How did he get here?

Orochimaru's pupils constricted sharply.

He hadn't sensed any spatial Ninjutsu fluctuations.

The other party had simply appeared out of thin air.

"Since you've come all this way, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Seeing the familiar face, Arashi smiled calmly.

Orochimaru.

He silently repeated the name in his mind, amusement flickering in his eyes.

It was like someone offering a pillow to a tired man.

According to the original course of events, Orochimaru hadn't defected yet at this time, and Danzō was still secretly supporting him.

Unfortunately, Danzō was dead, Root had been eliminated, and the Shimura Clan had already pledged allegiance to Arashi.

So Orochimaru's reason for visiting the Daimyo's manor tonight was obvious.

Either he wanted a new patron.

Or, he intended to make Arashi his puppet.

Knowing Orochimaru's nature, the latter seemed more likely.

Originally, Arashi had planned to recruit this scientist after dealing with matters in the Land of Lightning.

He hadn't expected Orochimaru to walk straight into his palace.

Seeing Arashi blocking his escape, Orochimaru twisted his body midair, landing steadily three steps away.

His expression had grown grim.

Not just because of Arashi's sudden appearance, but because the moment he landed, more than a dozen powerful auras surrounded him from all directions.

Each one carried strength no less than a Konoha Anbu captain.

He was surrounded.

"Who are you?" Orochimaru asked, his gaze fixed on Arashi, searching for any weakness.

But there was none.

The man before him had no Chakra fluctuations whatsoever.

Just like an ordinary human.

But could an ordinary man appear in an instant and block him like this?

"You came to find me, and you're still asking who I am?" Arashi smiled faintly. "Then let me introduce myself. I'm the master of this manor."

"Why aren't you sleeping in the middle of the night, and instead sneaking into my residence?"

"I got lost…" Orochimaru replied casually, his eyes darting around for an escape route.

"Lost?" Arashi burst into laughter. "Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, gets lost too?"

Orochimaru's expression changed instantly.

He was exposed.

The man before him not only knew who he was but revealed his identity in one sentence.

"It seems Daimyo-sama knows me quite well."

There was no longer any point in pretending.

Orochimaru stopped hiding, his long tongue licking his lips, his golden pupils glinting dangerously.

"Since you know who I am, you should also know that these guards of yours can't stop me."

"Oh? You can try," Arashi said lightly, raising an eyebrow, his gaze filled with amusement. "And while you're at it, test the strength of my guards."

His calm tone carried an unmistakable challenge.

Orochimaru's pupils contracted, a dangerous gleam flashing across them before he moved.

...At the same time.

Inside the bedchamber, Mei froze completely.

When she heard Arashi say, "deal with the little mouse that's eavesdropping," she hadn't even reacted before he vanished.

He disappeared into thin air.

Moments later, three masked figures emerged from the shadows inside the hall, surrounding her tightly.

A cold killing intent filled the air.

If she made even the slightest move, she would be torn apart instantly.

She couldn't move at all.

It was over.

Mei stared at the empty couch and the scroll tossed carelessly aside.

The vermilion brush still lay quietly on the table.

The cinnabar ink on the tip glowed a deep red.

So, from beginning to end, she had been performing alone.

He had never fallen under her genjutsu.

He had only been playing along with her.

Watching her flirt, act, and give her all.

A crushing sense of humiliation flooded her chest.

Followed by deep frustration.

Her beauty, her schemes, her genjutsu—everything had been turned into a joke.

Outside the hall, Orochimaru didn't attack Arashi.

His instincts screamed that the man before him was extremely dangerous.

To strike first would be to fall into a trap.

In the blink of an eye, Orochimaru made his decision.

Break through.

He scanned the encirclement, analyzing for weaknesses.

Finally, his eyes locked on a Shadow Guard positioned on the eastern rooftop.

That was the weakest point in the formation.

And his only chance at escape.

His figure blurred, moving forward instead of back, sliding across the ground toward the Shadow Guard on the rooftop.

(To be continued.)