After exchanging opinions with Aburame Yurō for a while, they realized it was about time and departed.
Hyuga Kichou, the daughter of the main family who was to be married, rode in the carriage at the center of the procession, advancing at a leisurely pace following the lead of the procession.
The area was surrounded by ninjas and samurai, with a strict and perfect defensive formation in place.
Hiden lightly nodded as he looked at the ninjas and samurai dispatched from the Night Kingdom.
These guards had become a completely integrated unit.
Regardless of their physical strength, the ability to form such a dense formation so quickly and effectively showed that these ninjas and samurai had undergone rigorous training and were not mere weaklings.
However, to Hiden’s eyes, this force seemed like something he could directly defeat head-on.
With such a large power gap, any formation was meaningless.
The only one who truly caught Hiden’s eye was probably the leader, Kakuzu.
Although he was still very young, his power was by no means inferior to that of the Hyuga clan.
It was possible for him to rise to an important position.
“This country doesn’t seem like one that relies on a single person to maintain its deterrence.”
Hiden quietly gave the Night Kingdom a high evaluation in his heart.
After several days of travel, the group finally arrived at the border of the Land of Fire at dusk.
Beyond the vast fields lay the Night Kingdom.
Just then, under the afterglow of the setting sun, a biting cold descended along with the night darkness.
Hiden sighed.
Just as he sighed, a series of whooshing sounds echoed.
More than a dozen black shadows leapt out from the dimly lit corners on all sides, targeting the palanquin at the center of the procession.
Clearly, their target was Hyuga Kichou, the future wife of the Night Kingdom’s Shogun.
“Enemy Attack!”
Hiden was only a little late in deciding to counterattack the attackers.
It was not accurate to say he was a step late.
Hiden had already prepared to move, but he had simply been secretly accumulating power.
After all, launching a surprise attack right in front of the opponent would be an incredibly foolish act.
Hiden leapt forward to intercept the attack, spinning in the air while releasing a massive amount of chakra from his body, transforming it into a blue stream of energy.
In an instant, a chakra sphere with a diameter of over ten meters created by Hiden’s spinning body directly enveloped more than a dozen attackers.
The rotational motion of the chakra sphere generated a fierce storm that violently tore at the attackers’ bodies, and screams echoed all around.
Blood splattered everywhere.
As the rotation stopped, more than a dozen mutilated human corpses lay motionless.
With just one strike, this powerful elder of the Hyuga clan had killed more than a dozen skilled assassins.
Boom!
Suddenly, an explosion sounded from behind them, startling everyone present.
The frame of the vehicle at the center of the procession was suddenly destroyed by some kind of attack.
Kichou, dressed in a white furisode, as if sensing something, leapt sideways into the air without hesitation from within the explosion smoke and rubble.
From within the exploding smoke and rubble, a figure dressed as a ninja swung a ninja blade, aiming for Kichou’s chest.
The sharpened ninja blade had previously cut off part of Kichou’s right sleeve cuff.
Kichou, carrying the spirit sword Beast Cutter, had already drawn her blade before the ninja could pursue her.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed in the air.
From this force, Kichou’s body floated lightly backward like a willow catkin.
The surrounding ninjas and samurai from the Night Kingdom quickly reacted and surrounded the attackers.
“The ability to hide this aura and chakra while avoiding the Byakugan and insect detection… Is it a special secret technique… or an unknown bloodline limit?”
A cold light flashed beneath Aburame Yurō’s blood-red sunglasses.
It was somewhat unexpected that they had been able to break through the Hyuga’s Byakugan and the Aburame’s insects to attack an important target, but upon closer investigation, it was not impossible.
In the chaotic Warring States era, there were many strange and bizarre techniques and bloodline limits.
“His corpse has very high research value.”
“Hmm.”
Hiden nodded, agreeing with Aburame Yurō’s judgment.
“Move aside.”
At Aburame Yurō’s command, the ninjas and samurai surrounding the attackers immediately scattered.
Aburame Yurō extended both arms forward, his black sleeves fluttering.
Gurururu!
It was not a swarm of insects, but a giant centipede covered in countless claws, its entire body blood-red like fresh blood, resembling a massive red dragon.
It first climbed onto the ground, then leapt up, hovering in the air, and finally charged toward the attacker with its mouth wide open.
Its massive body, over two meters wide, was terrifying in size.
“This guy is as cunning as ever.
To deliberately engrave his secret technique into his own sleeve…”
Hiden was wary of Aburame Yurō’s attack method.
In past encounters, he had nearly been deceived.
If his Byakugan had not detected the abnormal chakra fluctuation in advance, he would probably have been seriously injured in one blow.
“Gyaaah!”
Without even having time to dodge, the attacker’s arm was torn off in a bloody mess by the red dragon-like centipede.
“Damn it!”
He could not believe this was one of the insect manipulation techniques used by the Aburame clan.
This was a being on a completely different level from the Aburame ninjas he had faced in the past.
It was too dangerous!
This man was playing with centipedes!
He glared at the distant Aburame Yurō and fled without looking back, as if trying to escape the humiliation of today.
He had only taken a few steps before his body stiffened and he collapsed straight to the ground.
The moment he fell, he realized it.
The wound where his right arm had been torn off was now covered in countless black insects.
They silently seeped into his wide-open wound, continuously injecting nerve-paralyzing toxins.
“When?!
Could it be that centipede…?”
The attacking ninja suddenly realized something, but it was already too late.
Overwhelming drowsiness assaulted him, and he unconsciously closed his eyes, falling into a deep coma.
“Leaving a large number of insects on the centipede’s body and using the centipede’s attack to leave insects in the wound… Your methods are as despicable as ever.”
Hiden also had some issues.
Whenever he saw the Aburame clan’s techniques, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
It was simply impossible to prevent.
The only things that could preemptively block the Aburame clan’s secret techniques were the Hyuga clan’s Byakugan and a few special sensory secret techniques.
“This way is more efficient.”
Aburame Yurō readily accepted Hiden’s praise.
“Release!”
Then he formed a hand seal.
The centipede remained still on the ground, leaving deep indentations as it crawled, before disappearing into white smoke.
“Kichou, are you alright?”
Hiden walked toward his daughter.
“I’m fine, Father.
The clothes can be fixed later.”
Kichou pointed to the tear in her sleeve.
The tear was small and would hardly be noticed unless one looked closely.
Hiden nodded.
“As expected of my daughter.
You were able to dodge calmly even in that situation.”
Hiden’s words confirmed Kichou’s strength and vigilance.
The ability to avoid danger with intuition alone even in situations where the Byakugan was ineffective clearly demonstrated a deep understanding of his own essence.
“After all, Father, you were the one who taught me not to rely too much on the Byakugan in battle.”
Kichou lowered her head and smiled shyly.
Hiden smiled in relief.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu ordered his subordinates to bind the unconscious attacking ninja and had the team’s medical ninja stop the bleeding from his wounds so he would not die before interrogation.
When he finished speaking, Kakuzu came over.
“It seems we must hurry.
My lady, I apologize for startling you.”
“No, no one expected the enemy to be able to avoid the Byakugan and the Aburame clan’s secret techniques in the first place.”
Kichou smiled understandingly and spoke in a tone befitting the future Shogun’s wife, without blaming him.
Since the frame was damaged, it was too late to make a replacement nearby.
Furthermore, no one knew if there would be a second wave of attacks.
Therefore, the next step was simple — they needed to head to the capital, Night Kingdom, as quickly as possible.
Ninjas valued efficiency above all else.
In contrast, after getting out of the slow-moving palanquin, Kichou’s mood improved significantly.
She had not liked that kind of slow, leisurely way of traveling.
The rest of the journey went very smoothly.
They arrived at Night Kingdom without suffering a second wave of attacks.
Either the attackers had disappeared, or the person behind them felt that the situation was hopeless and no longer wanted to waste any more effort.
Either way, everyone who safely arrived at Night Kingdom breathed a sigh of relief.
Being constantly on the move could wear down a person’s patience over a long period.
“Is this… Night Kingdom…?”
Looking at the imposing metropolis towering before them, everything seemed orderly and stable.
Even Kichou, who knew the ways of the world, fell into thought for a moment.
She was not unfamiliar with cities — she had visited the capital of the Land of Fire multiple times.
However, the smooth roads, clean streets, healthy-looking pedestrians and children, and the many novel items sold in the shops were things she had never seen in the capital of the Land of Fire.
The capital of the Land of Fire was more magnificent and its commerce more developed, but due to the outbreak of war, the people living there were barely making a living.
Even so, compared to other major nations, the capital of the Land of Fire was still far ahead.
However, compared to Night Kingdom, something seemed to be missing. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Yes.
A few years ago, Lord Yayoi suppressed the unrest in various parts of the country one by one.
Besides, this is not the center of the continent, and war… has not happened in this country for many years.”
Every place was a place filled with emotions and inspiration.
He was one of the earliest elders who had followed Yayoi’s example and had watched this emerging nation gradually walk the right path step by step.
It had been difficult at first, but Yayoi had repeatedly taken the lead in solving various problems while being on the front lines facing difficulties and predicaments, setting an example.
Inspired by this atmosphere, the entire populace naturally fostered a strong sense of unity and advanced boldly without yielding to difficulties.
Sometimes, to inspire and motivate people, many rewards were not necessary.
Rather, by creating a fair platform where they could receive the rewards they deserved, a large number of talented people would gather.
“Now then, everyone, please rest well at the guesthouse.
There are still some preparations left for the wedding.”
Kakuzu guided everyone to the guesthouse and told the Hyuga clan members to spend their time there at ease.
Hiden nodded and left the arrangements to Kakuzu.
After Kakuzu left, Aburame Yurō, the Clan Leader of the Aburame clan, also left with him.
It was to formally meet the person who would become his future superior.
Although the Aburame clan had successfully migrated from the Land of Fire, these matters were not something the clan head had to handle directly.
Coincidentally, since the Hyuga clan was sending a bride, he had stayed in the Land of Fire and returned together with Kakuzu.
“Lord Yayoi is a very calm person.
As long as you don’t deliberately anger him, he won’t pay much attention to things.”
On the way to the Shogun’s residence in Night Kingdom, Kakuzu began explaining to Yurō the points to be careful of when meeting Yayoi.
Although Yayoi had few taboos, Kakuzu did not know much about Yurō’s bloodline and was worried that he might accidentally cross a line he should not cross with Yayoi.
In the end, Yayoi’s gentleness was one side, but the ruthlessness behind it had also left a deep impression on Kakuzu.
He was the Shogun of the Night Kingdom and a person who mercilessly slaughtered enemies.
Aburame Yurō was a future colleague, and he did not want to make the situation too tense.
Yurō listened silently and roughly understood how to interact with Shogun Yayoi.
Upon stepping into the Shogun’s residence, it was an area completely under military control.
High walls on all sides separated the inside from the outside, with patrolling ninjas and samurai appearing endlessly, and towering towers and pavilions standing one after another.
However, Yurō could tell that most of those buildings were not built for entertainment purposes but were military facilities.
Only a few were built as residences or entertainment facilities designed to relieve the stress that ninjas and samurai usually carried.
Clearly, Shogun Oda Yayoi… had turned his own residence into an impregnable military fortress.
Passing through the outer courtyard and heading into the inner courtyard, Aburame Yurō was surprised to find that the defenses here were much weaker than at the places he had visited before.
Did he not value his own safety?
No, it was probably because of the confidence that with his own great power, such things were completely unnecessary.
The most powerful person in the Night Kingdom was the Shogun himself.
If the Shogun could not solve a problem, increasing personnel would only result in meaningless sacrifices.
Therefore, it was sufficient to leave only the necessary messengers and general staff here.
Upon arriving at the castle tower, one could see that it was the only building in the inner courtyard facing the outer courtyard.
It was a pavilion eighty meters tall.
From here, one could clearly see the layout of the Shogun’s residence.
After taking Aburame Yurō to the top floor, Kakuzu turned and left.
“Please come in.”
Hearing a voice from inside, Aburame Yurō took a deep breath and entered.
It was an open space approximately seven meters high and several hundred square meters in area.
He casually looked around at the furniture and layout.
It was simple in construction, with almost no elaborate decorations.
Convenience was the top priority, and most of the items placed here were for practical use.
Then he quickly shifted his gaze to the front and saw a black-haired young man sitting straight at a large desk.
He had well-defined features and did not look like a Shogun who oversaw the nation’s military and politics.
Dressed in loose gray-blue casual clothing, his working posture resembled that of a painter holding a brush.
However, the fact that her body could wear loose casual clothing so well showed that her seemingly slender body actually concealed a terrifying explosive power.
In terms of physical ability, he was probably quite a formidable person.
The insects were filled with unease.
Aburame Yurō’s hand hidden in his sleeve lightly clenched and then slowly relaxed.
Then Aburame Yurō gave an almost imperceptible glance to the girl in the blue kimono standing beside him.
She was very young, around sixteen or seventeen years old.
She had perfect, beautiful features, and her beauty was as if she had stepped out of a dream, as if carved by human hands.
Although she looked calm, a faint cold aura drifted from the girl’s purple eyes, and Aburame Yurō’s nerves involuntarily tensed.
The insects felt nothing from the girl, but they told him she was extremely dangerous.
With even the slightest movement, the insects might be killed instantly.
These thoughts flashed through Yurō’s mind in an instant, but his expression barely changed.
Maintaining a blank face, he bowed his head to Yayoi.
“Shogun, it is a pleasure to meet you.
I am Aburame Yurō, Clan Leader of the Aburame clan.”