DAIMYO: Chapter 14/17

Chapter 14: New World

The night was as dark as ink.

At the Daimyo Manor, in a secluded and quiet courtyard, this place was usually untouched by anyone, with only rockeries, flowing water, and a dead plum tree.

Tonight, however, a lone lamp flickered in the courtyard.

Biwa Jūzō stood under the lamp, his shadow stretched long.

He wore the standard Hidden Mist uniform, and the massive Kubikiribōchō strapped to his back broke the silence of the courtyard.

A faint killing intent lingered in the air.

He was here because of an unsigned note that had appeared abruptly on his pillow, no one else had noticed it.

To be able to come and go unnoticed under his nose, within a heavily guarded embassy,
that alone was enough to be a show of power.

Jūzō's eyes gleamed darkly, veins bulging on the hand gripping his blade.

He was not afraid of death.

Which of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist hadn't crawled out from a pile of corpses?

But he hated being toyed with, whether by that tyrant back in the village or by this mysterious schemer.

Creak.

The moon gate opened.

A man walked in, carrying a pot of tea and two cups.

The newcomer wore black, his face handsome, and there was no trace of Chakra within him.

Jūzō's muscles tensed instantly.

The one who arrived was none other than the new Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Chiba Arashi.

Jūzō had considered countless possibilities,
but never that the one meeting him secretly at night would be this new ruler himself.

A Daimyo coming alone to meet an enemy Jōnin?

Was this basically walking into a trap?

Ignoring the killing intent radiating from Jūzō, Arashi walked straight to the stone table and sat down, pouring himself two cups of tea.

He spoke calmly, "Sit."

His tone was steady and unhurried.

Jūzō didn't move, his cold gaze fixed on him. His voice was rough.

"Daimyo of the Land of Fire, you've got guts!"

Arashi lifted the cup, blowing on the rising steam, then glanced at him.

"What right does a man who doesn't even dare draw his sword have to speak of courage?"

The words made Jūzō's face darken.

His hand had been gripping his sword all along, but his instincts screamed at him that this man before him was extremely dangerous—more dangerous than any opponent he had ever faced.

Jūzō dropped the pretense and asked directly, "Why did you call me here? What do you want?"

Arashi was just as direct. "I think you're impressive, so I'm giving you a chance—to serve me."

Jūzō let out a sharp laugh, baring his white teeth.

"Serve you? Me, Biwa Jūzō of Hidden Mist, swear allegiance to you, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?"

"You haven't woken up yet, have you?"

Arashi wasn't angered. His tone remained calm.

"If not to me, then who do you serve? The Hidden Mist? The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi? Are you truly loyal to them?"

Jūzō's smile froze.

Watching his reaction, Arashi silently recalled this man's future.

Biwa Jūzō, a tragic yet respectable figure.

Disgusted by the Blood Mist tyranny, he would one day defect and join Akatsuki.
His future partner would be that monster—Uchiha Itachi.

And his end would come on a mission,
when he used the Kubikiribōchō to block a Tailed Beast Ball to protect Itachi.
The blade pierced his abdomen, and he died from his wounds.

A man who died by his own weapon.
A man who, despite being from the Mist, sacrificed his life to protect a comrade from an enemy village.

Arashi's eyes softened slightly.

A scoundrel with principles.

A rogue ninja who valued loyalty, fundamentally stubborn.

Once such a man gave his loyalty, he would be far more reliable than any opportunist.

These thoughts flashed by.

His gaze on Jūzō carried a faint appreciation.

"You and I are both tired of this twisted world."

"Ninja are used as tools in the games of the powerful, dying meaningless deaths on the battlefield."

"Civilians are displaced by war, unable to even survive."

"Villages are ruled by ambitious fools and madmen, who build their power with the blood of their comrades."

"Don't you think this world should have been destroyed and remade long ago?"

Jūzō frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing, his tone sharp.

"What exactly are you getting at?"

Arashi leaned back in his chair.
"I want to end it all."

"I want to build a new order—a truly peaceful world without war or prejudice,
where both ninja and civilians can live in peace."

Jūzō was silent for a long moment. Then he burst out laughing, a harsh, mocking sound.

"Peace? What a lofty dream."

"Then tell me, Daimyo-sama, what do you have to back it up?"

"Just your words?"

He stepped forward, and a suffocating killing intent swept through the courtyard,
scattering the fallen leaves.

The candlelight flickered violently, nearly going out.

Yet Arashi sat unmoved, unflinching.

"Back it up?" he repeated softly, almost amused.

He didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand and extended one finger toward the empty stone table.

The next instant, Jūzō's mind went blank.

No hand signs.
No Chakra fluctuations.

Tiny motes of light gathered at Arashi's fingertip, condensing into form.

First, antennae.
Then, wings.
Finally—a complete butterfly.

A living butterfly, born from nothing.

It fluttered gently, tracing an arc through the air, before landing on the branch of the dead plum tree.

This wasn't Ninjutsu.

Jūzō's thoughts froze completely.

Ninjutsu was the manipulation of chakra, shape transformation, nature transformation, all applications of existing energy.

But this?

Creation from nothing.

He was watching life itself being created out of thin air.

What kind of power was this?

Jūzō's hand on his sword trembled violently.

A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple,
falling to the stone slab and shattering.

His killing intent crumbled away completely.

"Now, do you understand what I have to back it up?"

Arashi's calm voice echoed again.

Jūzō stared at him, fear and awe intertwining in his eyes.

If… if such power existed, perhaps it really could change that cursed world.

His throat tightened, and he forced out a hoarse voice, "I… I will serve you!"

"As long as you help me kill Yagura Karatachi and end the Mist's tyranny!"

His teeth clenched hard as he spoke that name.

Arashi smiled and shook his head.
"Yes, but not yet."

"What I seek to end isn't a single village—it's the entire world."

Jūzō's fists clenched, nails digging into flesh.

Arashi looked at him and continued, "You can stay by my side and watch."

"The day you believe I've broken my promise, you can leave freely.

Your sword, your will—I won't stop you."

"But if you choose to stay…"

Arashi stood up and walked toward him,
his shadow completely enveloping Jūzō.

"You and your sword will be the ones to usher in my era—a unified world."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? That title means nothing to me."

"What I offer you is the right to personally forge a new world."

As his words fell, Jūzō stopped resisting.

He knelt on one knee, raising the Kubikiribōchō with both hands, placing it horizontally before him, and lowered his proud head.

"Biwa Jūzō… is willing to die for you, my lord!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 15: Biwa Jūzō, a Pessimist

The courtyard was silent.

The butterfly that had appeared out of thin air rested on a dead branch, its wings occasionally fluttering.

Jūzō knelt on one knee, his Executioner's Blade held horizontally in front of him, his posture humble.

Arashi stepped forward and helped him up.
"Stand."

His voice was soft, yet left no room for refusal.

"Yes, Lord."

Jūzō straightened his back, though he kept his head lowered.

The sight of something being created from nothing had completely shattered his pride as a ninja.

Once he stood upright, Arashi handed him a cup of tea.

"Besides you, there's another little mouse hidden among the Land of Water's envoy group. Who is it?"

Jūzō froze for a moment before realizing who Arashi was referring to.

"Lord… are you speaking of Mei Terumī?"

He said the name in a dry voice.

From the moment he knelt, everything about the Hidden Mist Village was no longer a secret.

"Mei Terumī…"

Arashi tapped his fingers lightly on the teacup, a faint smile on his lips.

It was indeed her—the future Fifth Mizukage.

He mused silently.

To the people of this world, Mei Terumī was currently just a somewhat renowned genius.

"I've heard of her," Arashi said, his tone carrying a trace of curiosity. "A genius rarely seen in the Hidden Mist in a hundred years, possessing two Kekkei Genkai? That's quite rare in the ninja world."

He skillfully hid the fact that he already knew.

But those words stirred up a storm in Jūzō's heart.

Two Kekkei Genkai!

That secret was known to only a few within the Hidden Mist, kept tightly under wraps to protect Mei from the Bloody Mist's purges.

How did he know?

Had Konoha's intelligence already infiltrated the Mist's highest ranks?

A chill ran through him.

Jūzō was increasingly thankful for his decision tonight.

"Yes, Lord's insight is sharp."

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Jūzō continued, "She possesses two Kekkei Genkai—Lava Release and Boil Release."

Seeing that he hid nothing, Arashi nodded in satisfaction.

"Such a person, instead of staying quietly in the Hidden Mist, sneaks into the Fire Capital. What does she intend to do?"

Arashi was genuinely curious.

Although he knew the general course of events, he didn't know the details.

"Lord, Mei came to raise supplies for the rebel army."

"Rebel army?"

"Yes."

Jūzō nodded. "A group led jointly by her and the former Mizukage's guard, Elder Genji. They could no longer bear the Bloody Mist's tyranny and intend to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage and rebuild the Hidden Mist."

Arashi tapped the table thoughtfully.
"An Elder and a genius girl… doesn't sound very strong."

Jūzō replied honestly, "Indeed. Most of the rebel army are Bloodline Limit families who were ostracized or hunted down over the years, along with some civilian ninja who couldn't endure the tyranny. They lack equipment, supplies, and money."

"Mei disguised herself as a guard and risked her life to infiltrate the Fire Capital. She hoped to use her own savings to buy military rations and ninja tools from the black market and smuggle them back."

Arashi nodded.

"To have that courage, she's quite a character."

Then he asked, "Do you think she might be willing to serve me?"

Jūzō was stunned.

He subconsciously looked up, met Arashi's gaze, and instantly understood.

This man not only wanted his blade but also Mei herself.

He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head firmly.

"Impossible."

Arashi asked calmly, "Oh? Why are you so sure?"

"She's different from me."

Jūzō's voice was heavy. "I'm already rotten. I've long despaired of this world. I only want to find a place to die, or die for a purpose."

"But Mei… she's an idealist."

"She truly loves the Hidden Mist. She believes she can change that hell and save those trapped in the Bloody Mist."

"She'll fight against Yagura Karatachi, but she'll never betray the Hidden Mist."

"Asking her to pledge allegiance to the Land of Fire is asking her to destroy her beliefs with her own hands."

"She would rather die."

Jūzō's tone was firm. "Before that, she would choose death."

"Interesting." Arashi smiled.

The more difficult the challenge, the more intriguing it was to conquer.

"Tell me about the current situation in the Hidden Mist."

He shifted the topic. "Is Yagura Karatachi really that despised?"

At that name, Jūzō clenched his fist, eyes filled with hatred.

His voice dropped low, like it was forced from his throat.

"Lord, you can't imagine it. The Hidden Mist now isn't a ninja village anymore—it's a living hell."

"The name Bloody Mist was forged with the lives of Mist ninja."

"Lord, do you know what the graduation exam at our Ninja Academy is?"

Arashi, of course, knew, but remained silent.

Hearing it from someone who lived through it carried more weight than any report.

Jūzō continued, "The Academy's graduation exam forces students to kill each other. Only those who kill their comrades are qualified to graduate."

"Countless talented children didn't die on the battlefield—they died at the hands of their own friends."

"He also ordered the purge of all Bloodline Limit families, calling them remnants that threaten the village's stability."

"The Kaguya clan was driven outside the village, the Hōzuki clan either died or fled… anyone with special abilities is hunted as a monster."

"The whole village is filled with suspicion and fear. Neighbors inform on each other, subordinates betray their superiors… no one lives like a human anymore."

"What's laughable is that his reason for all this is to 'purify and stabilize the village.'"

Jūzō's body trembled with rage.

Arashi listened quietly, his expression unchanged.

He already knew Yagura Karatachi was just a puppet.

The true mastermind was Uchiha Obito.

"If that's the case, why didn't you join the rebel army?" Arashi asked. "With your strength, you'd be invaluable to them."

The anger faded from Jūzō's face, replaced by sorrow. He gave a bitter smile.

"It's useless."

"What good would killing one Yagura Karatachi do?"

"The Elders who backed him and the clans that crave power would just choose another Yagura."

"The name would change, but the system would stay the same."

"As long as the Mist's man-eating rules remain, no matter who becomes Mizukage, nothing will change."

"Elder Genji wants to reform it, and Mei Terumī wants to save it, but they're too naive."

"They think they can patch the cracks, make small repairs to something already rotten to the core."

"But I…"

He gripped the hilt of his blade, despair filling his eyes.

"What I want is to dig out that rotten root, burn it, and everything above it."

Arashi finally smiled in satisfaction.

Yes.

A man driven to despair should have such resolve.

"Then why do you trust me?"

Arashi looked straight into his eyes. "Why believe I won't become the next Yagura Karatachi? Just because of that technique I showed you? You refused before."

Jūzō fell silent.

He looked up at the butterfly resting on the dead branch.

He remembered what he saw after entering the Fire Capital.

Wide, smooth streets.
Civilians smiling freely.
Workers laboring with bright eyes and hope.

It was something he had never seen in the Land of Water. Something called hope.

"I don't trust anyone," Jūzō said slowly, his voice hoarse.

"And I don't trust you either."

"Your power… it's terrifying, but I've seen too many madmen with great power."

"But…"

He paused.

"On the way here, I saw your capital."

"I saw the faces of those civilians."

"They have food to eat, work to do, and no fear of losing everything overnight."

"You're building a new world. One I don't understand, but one where people can live like human beings."

His gaze met Arashi's, filled with awe.

"Destroying everything is easy."

"What's difficult is building something new on the ruins."

"Lord, you have the power to destroy, yet you choose to create order."

"I'm willing to take that gamble."

Arashi stood up, making a welcoming gesture.

"Then congratulations. You've chosen well. Welcome aboard."

"From today on, you'll remain with the envoy group. Stay hidden and don't expose yourself."

"I'll send someone to contact you. His codename is Shadow."

"Your task is to tell him everything you know about the Hidden Mist, word for word."

"Yes, Lord."

Arashi waved his hand. "Go."

Jūzō bowed, said no more, hoisted his Kubikiribōchō, and leapt away into the night.

Only Arashi remained in the courtyard.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 16: The Senju Clan

The night wind swept through the courtyard, rustling a few withered leaves.

The candlelight flickered, elongating Arashi's shadow.

Biwa Jūzō's presence had vanished.

The butterfly, which had appeared from nothing, dissolved into specks of light and faded away.

Arashi took a sip of the now-cold tea and suddenly spoke, addressing the empty moon gate.

"How long do you think Biwa Jūzō will be useful?"

There was no reply.

Only the whisper of the wind.

After a few breaths, the shadow of the dead plum tree in the corner seemed to stir.

A dark figure separated from the shadow and silently appeared behind Arashi.

He was dressed entirely in black, with no Chakra fluctuations, and even his breathing and heartbeat were imperceptible.

Then a hoarse voice broke the silence.
"His value depends on what you need him for, my Lord."

"As for how long he'll be useful…"

"I will keep an eye on him."

Arashi showed no surprise. He finished the cold tea in his cup.

The man in black was Aono Saku, his Anbu.

Publicly, he was only a steward managing several of the Daimyo Manor's businesses, an ordinary merchant.

But no one knew that this silent man carried a surname capable of shaking the entire ninja world.

Senju.

Arashi's gaze fell on Saku, and his thoughts drifted back several years.

Back then, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, a man who embodied realism,
had planted a hidden piece when he established the alliance with the Daimyo's household.

He personally chose a branch of his clan with pure bloodline, erased their existence as ninja, and secretly sent them to the Fire Capital.

This group of Senju, named Anbu, carried a single mission: to protect the Daimyo line for generations, becoming his unseen eyes and deadly blade in the shadows.

However, due to the unexpected death of the previous Daimyo, the transition of command was interrupted, and this force was forgotten for decades.

It was not until Arashi, at the age of twelve, discovered a secret decree handwritten by Senju Tobirama in a hidden compartment of his late father's study that he awakened this dormant power.

Using that decree, he reactivated the lost Anbu.

After taking control of them, he began recruiting elite ninja from across the world, expanding the Anbu's reach, just as he had done today with Biwa Jūzō.

During the bloody succession struggle years ago, it was Saku and his Anbu who had blocked countless assassination attempts and crushed every conspiracy, allowing Arashi to emerge victorious.

The strength displayed during the delegation's arrival earlier was merely a fraction of his Anbu's true power.

This was his real foundation.

Even without the System, the absolute loyalty and terrifying strength of the Senju Anbu alone was enough to make any who underestimated him pay the ultimate price.

"Any new developments from Konoha?" Arashi asked calmly, pulling his thoughts back to the present.

"No movements," Saku replied, "but thirty people with suspicious behavior entered the capital this afternoon."

"From their actions, it can be confirmed they are Root ninja."

"After entering the city, they split up. Two of them went directly to the west side and have not returned."

"Did you send someone to follow them?"

"Yes. Jin is trailing them. Every one of their actions is under surveillance."

Arashi's expression did not change. "It seems Danzōstill could not hold back."

He had expected this. Once the budget cuts were announced, Danzō would inevitably act, but even he had not thought it would be this soon.

There was no need to guess what a man with only ten points of loyalty would do.

He would naturally seek out the remnants who failed in the last power struggle.

"What about those rats?" Arashi asked. "Have they contacted the Konoha guests?"

"My Lord, they have," Saku said hoarsely. "It has been confirmed that their leaders are your third brother, Chiba Shu, and his uncle, Saionji Takashi."

"They have gathered around two hundred assassins and rogue samurai. They are hiding in the sewers beneath the city's west side, using it as a temporary base."

"As for those two Root ninja, during their meeting with Saionji Takashi, they handed him a scroll."

"A scroll... do you know what is inside?"

"Unclear. Jin did not dare get too close."

"Hm..." Arashi tapped his fingers lightly against the table.

He did not need to guess. The scroll no doubt contained Danzō's promise to support his useless brother once the deed was done.

To think Danzō wanted to trade a mere piece of paper for the life of the Daimyo.

He was still the same schemer.

But that was fine.

Everything was unfolding exactly as Arashi had expected.

"Should we eliminate them now?" Saku asked quietly.

With the power of the Anbu, erasing such a ragtag group would be effortless.

"No."

Arashi raised his hand to stop him.

"Fishing takes patience."

"Let them keep preparing. Whatever they lack, give it to them. I want them to grow arrogant, to believe destiny favors them and victory is in their grasp."

"I want every rat to crawl out of its hole that day."

Arashi turned, the moonlight casting half his face in silver light, his gaze cold and murderous.

"Issue the order. Keep them under close watch, but do not alert them."

"It is time for the delegations from the four nations and those people from Konoha to witness the true majesty of the Fire Daimyo."

"As you command."

Saku bowed lower, feeling the overwhelming and ruthless will emanating from his young lord.

"You may go."

"Yes."

As soon as the words left Arashi's mouth, Saku's figure melted back into the shadows and vanished.

The courtyard returned to silence.

The sky was beginning to pale.

A new day was about to dawn.

And what awaited him was the day after tomorrow, the grand coronation ceremony prepared just for him.

At the same time.

Fire Capital, west side, underground sewers.

The cold, damp air carried a nauseating stench of mold and decay.

A faint fire flickered over a dry stone platform, illuminating several twisted faces.

Saionji Takashi held a scroll, studying it carefully.

Beside him, a sallow-faced young man with sunken cheeks, Chiba Shu, watched impatiently.

"Uncle, stop reading. Ask them already how much support Konoha is offering."

Shu's voice was hoarse and trembling with excitement as he stared at the two masked Root ninja before him.

"Shu-sama, please calm yourself," Saionji Takashi said soothingly, then turned to the two Root operatives, bowing humbly.

"Gentlemen, we understand Danzō-sama's promise. But on the day of the ceremony, the defenses will be tight. With our limited manpower..."

One of the Root ninja finally spoke, his voice cold. "Our mission is to ensure Arashi dies at the coronation ceremony."

He did not answer the question, merely stated the command.

"The scroll makes it clear. Once Arashi dies, Danzō-sama will intervene personally, stabilize the Fire Capital, and recognize you, Shu-sama, as the sole legitimate Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

Shu roared, "I am asking if you will take action. Do not forget, that bastard Arashi also has ninja guarding him."

"Rest assured, Shu-sama," the Root ninja replied calmly. "Our presence here is the greatest assistance."

"When you strike, those ninja guards will be handled by someone else."

"Danzō-sama only cares about results. The process is yours to create."

Hearing that, Saionji Takashi let out a quiet breath of relief.

Shu, however, burst into wild laughter, his eyes gleaming with madness.

"Good. Good. Good."

He shouted the word three times, clenching his fists.

"As long as I can kill that bastard, I will do anything. I will take back everything I lost, the throne, the wealth, and that woman, Kiyotsuki Yui."

His voice was filled with jealousy and hatred.

The two Root ninja exchanged glances, saying nothing more.

A moment later, their figures blurred and melted into the darkness.

In the sewers, only Chiba Shu's crazed laughter echoed endlessly.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 17: The Eve of the Bloody Ceremony

The day before the coronation ceremony.

Daimyo Manor, Main Hall.

The hall was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Hundreds of attendants and ceremonial officials moved about, yet the entire place was silent.

Everyone's face carried a solemn expression.

Arashi stood on the high platform in the center of the main hall.

He wore a layered Juni-hitoe robe embroidered with golden flame patterns that shimmered in the candlelight.

Two elderly ceremonial officials knelt before him, carefully adjusting the hem of his robe.

"Your Highness, for tomorrow's ceremony, you must enter through the Suzakumon Gate and walk ninety-nine steps."

"When ascending the platform, your left foot must go first, symbolizing the treading down of the old and the creation of a new chapter."

Chief ceremonial official Yamano's voice was aged and respectful, explaining every detail, afraid of even the smallest mistake.

He had already repeated these instructions to Arashi no less than ten times.

Arashi stood motionless, his expression blank, letting them adjust his attire.

These tedious rituals were utterly boring to him.

Compared to the coronation itself, tomorrow's grand performance of "executing the tyrant" would be far more interesting.

But to make that performance convincing, he had to play his part well.

The young ruler about to take control of the world.

His gaze drifted unconsciously toward the west side of the city.

West of the city, underground waterways.

This place was like another world entirely.

A foul stench filled the damp air.

Water dripped steadily from cracks in the stone ceiling, splashing into the murky channels below.

In a corner, a fire flickered weakly.

Over two hundred samurai and ronin sat or stood nearby, silently wiping their weapons.

The unsteady firelight reflected off their blades, illuminating their crazed faces.

They were remnants of defeated factions from the succession struggle.

Desperate men who had already gambled everything and lost.

Saionji Takashi stood on a raised platform, frowning as he looked down at the foul water below.

His thoughts were as chaotic as the sewage.

Unease gnawed at him.

A deep, restless unease.

Behind him came the sound of labored breathing.

Chiba Shu's eyes were bloodshot, his face flushed with feverish excitement.

He stared fixedly at the only passage leading upward, like a wild beast caged too long, both restless and eager.

"Uncle, do you think... we can really trust Danzō?"

His voice was hoarse, trembling with conflicting emotions.

Trust?

Saionji Takashi sneered inwardly.

He knew better than anyone that a schemer like Danzō was simply using them.

They were just a blade.

And once used, a blade could easily be discarded.

But they had no other path left.

Saionji said nothing, merely lifting his gaze toward the distant Daimyo Manor.

Daimyo Manor, Main Hall.

"When receiving the Imperial Seal, you must raise it high above your head with both hands, then turn to face the civil and military officials, and face all the people under heaven."

Yamano continued his endless explanations.

As he turned to adjust the long sash behind Arashi's robe, and no one was watching, Kiyotsuki Yui, who stood quietly nearby, slipped out through a hidden side door.

Her movements were quick, and she held a small folded paper in her hand.

In an unnoticed corner of the corridor, she passed the note to an old servant trimming a bonsai, then calmly returned to her place.

The entire exchange took less than a dozen breaths.

When she resumed her position, her breathing was steady, her face unchanged, as if she had never moved at all.

None of the guards or ceremonial officials noticed.

Only Arashi, standing silently on the platform, revealed the faintest smile, one filled with amusement.

He made no sound and did not even glance in her direction, as though nothing had happened.

The subtle expression vanished in an instant.

His consciousness spread outward from the Daimyo Manor, flowing across the city like a tide.

He began observing other, more interesting lights.

At the Konoha annex, Minato's light shone brightly and steady. He was buried in Hokage paperwork, a diligent young man.

Hiruzen's light was dimmer. He sat alone in his room, quietly smoking his pipe.

And Danzō's light flickered coldly, like an ominous star.

He was waiting too, deep in the sewers.

"Still no word?"

Chiba Shu suddenly turned and grabbed Saionji Takashi's arm, his nails digging into flesh.

"The man we planted in the City Guard said he'd deliver the final defense map for the ceremony today!"

"Don't rush," Saionji replied, forcing calm. "At a time like this, you must keep your head."

"Calm? How can I be calm?"

Chiba Shu shoved him away, his face twisting in hysteria.

"Tomorrow! Tomorrow is that bastard's coronation! If we fail, we all die!"

"I don't want to die! I am the true Daimyo! That throne is mine, mine!"

His roar echoed through the narrow tunnel.

The outlaws around him turned their heads, their eyes filled with a mix of pity and scorn.

A wave of helplessness washed over Saionji.

Was this truly the man he had chosen to follow?

At that moment, a faint whistle sounded in the distance.

It was their agreed signal.

Everyone tensed, their eyes snapping toward the dark end of the tunnel.

A man in civilian clothes stumbled toward them, his face glowing with excitement.

"Sir! Shu-sama! We got it! The defense map has been obtained!"

He presented a scroll as if offering a sacred treasure.

Chiba Shu snatched it eagerly and unrolled it.

Saionji leaned in close.

The scroll detailed the guard deployment for tomorrow's ceremony, the patrol routes, even the shift changes.

"Excellent!"

Chiba Shu's eyes gleamed with feverish light.

"Look here! The east tower has the weakest defense. Our men can break through from there."

"And here, when Arashi ascends the platform, he'll only have twelve guards. We have just one chance!"

He jabbed his finger at the map, his voice rising with excitement.

The air in the tunnel ignited.

The outlaws' eyes burned with sudden fervor.

But as Saionji examined the overly detailed map, his unease deepened.

Too smooth.

Everything was going too smoothly.

He pressed for the map's source, and when he learned it had been delivered by Yui, he finally exhaled in relief.

Maybe he was just imagining things.

Daimyo Manor, Main Hall.

The rehearsal had ended.

The ceremonial officials and attendants withdrew.

Only Arashi and Yui remained.

Arashi had shed the heavy robes and changed into his usual clothes, finally feeling at ease.

He walked slowly to the hall's great doors and pushed them open.

The night wind swept in, cool and clean.

He looked down at the glowing city below.

Countless lights stretched into the distance, forming a sea of gold.

His gaze drifted past the rooftops and settled on the darkened west side of the city.

"The stage is set."

His calm voice carried on the night breeze.

Yui stood behind him, head bowed, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

She thought he was reflecting on the ceremony.

But something felt wrong.

Arashi suddenly smiled, his tone laced with mockery.

"The bait has been cast, and the fish have taken it."

Yui froze.

What bait? What fish?

"Do you know why I kept you by my side?" Arashi's voice echoed softly.

Her lips parted, but she said nothing.

He chuckled quietly. "You think it's because of your beauty, don't you?"

He shook his head, his tone faintly pitying.

"Would a ruler keep an enemy close just for a pretty face?"

"Kiyotsuki Yui, you overestimate yourself and underestimate me."

A chill shot down her spine.

Enemy?

He even knew she was his enemy!

"You are beautiful, but that's all."

"In the world of power, beauty is the most useless thing."

Arashi turned, the moonlight outlining his sharp features and deep, unreadable eyes.

He walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch was gentle, but his gaze was icy cold.

"Now, we just wait for those rats hiding in the sewers to crawl into the cage I prepared."

"And to that, I should thank you."

"If not for you, this play wouldn't have started so soon."

Each word struck her like a knife.

Only now did she understand.

The note she risked her life to send, the message she believed would change fate—it had all been part of his trap.

He had never tried to stop her. He had simply let the trap spring shut on its own.

An icy dread crept through her as her body trembled violently.

A devil. He was a devil.

Arashi watched her despair as though admiring a work of art.

Moments later, he turned away.

"Guards."

"Take her away."

"Once the rats are caught, I'll deal with her myself."

(To be continued.)