Naruto Birdcage

About ten kilometers away from Konoha, in Adofuku Street.

Inside a hall, several geishas were performing a song and dance for the guests present.

The musicians sat nearby, playing a soft, melodious tune.

The person sitting in the front seat seemed to be enjoying the performance leisurely.

"What's wrong, Third Hokage? You look a bit down. Is the show not to your liking?"

"My apologies, Lord Minamoto. You misunderstood. I was just thinking about some unfinished village matters, and I got distracted for a moment," Hiruzen responded.

He was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

The Daimyo had invited him to these kinds of gatherings several times before.

At first, it felt new, but after attending many times, he found it to be quite indulgent.

He couldn't refuse the Daimyo's invitations, and each time he had to force himself to attend, suffering yet enjoying it at the same time.

"Third Hokage is really dedicated. With you governing Konoha, I'm sure the village will soon return to its former glory," Lord Minamoto said with a smile.

"You're too kind, Lord Minamoto."

Aside from the two of them, the room also hosted Mitokado Homura, Shimura Danzo, Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and others.

The Twelve Guardians were not in the room but were hiding elsewhere, providing covert protection.

Lord Minamoto continued, "But now is the time to relax, so don't bother yourself with work. Look at Mitokado, he really knows how to enjoy life."

Mitokado Homura, who had been focused on appreciating the performance, chuckled awkwardly upon hearing the Daimyo mention him.

He wasn't sure if he was being praised or subtly ridiculed.

At that moment, Lord Minamoto suddenly waved his hand, signaling the geishas to stop.

He said, "Are there any better performances? Something that could lift the spirits of the Third Hokage?"

The geishas stepped back, and not long after, a few women entered the room, dressed provocatively and exuding charm and beauty.

Hiruzen couldn't help but groan inwardly.

If this scene were to reach the ears of Biwako, he would undoubtedly be scolded again.

Hiashi and Fugaku, standing by, wore expressions of awkwardness and discomfort.

They were ninjas from prestigious clans in the village, but they were not exactly high-ranking nobles, and they certainly weren't used to such environments.

Lord Minamoto, however, found the expressions of the others amusing.

At this moment, Hiruzen spoke up,

"Lord Minamoto, we ninjas have certain codes to follow. Please, do not put us in such an uncomfortable position."

Lord Minamoto was momentarily stunned, then he remembered the "three prohibitions" that ninjas adhered to—money, lust, and alcohol, all of which were seen as things that corrupted the heart.

Lord Minamoto, feeling disappointed, waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, you may all leave now."

Everyone sighed in relief.

But just then, one of the women suddenly charged forward, wielding a sharp blade aimed directly at the Daimyo!

"Lord Minamoto!"

The Daimyo, startled and terrified, was saved at the last moment.

Two figures moved faster than anyone could react, blocking the attack.

The woman was quickly subdued by Fugaku and Hiashi.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

The Twelve Guardians heard the commotion and rushed to the scene.

Every woman in the room was forced to the ground.

Some screamed, but were knocked unconscious, while half of the group quickly left to secure the area and lock down the entire hall.

"Lord Minamoto, are you alright?"

Fugaku turned to the Daimyo, but before he could speak, the woman they had subdued suddenly coughed up blood, her body convulsed violently, and then she stopped breathing.

He bent down to examine her and found that she had died from poison.

This immediately darkened Fugaku's expression.

Lord Minamoto, still shaken, scanned the room, his eyes landing on the deceased woman.

He stood up in a fit of rage. "Who is this person?!"

One of the Twelve Guardians examined the woman's body and discovered a headband from the Kirigakure.

This revelation made everyone from Konoha present stiffen in shock.

How foolish could this woman be, wearing her village's headband while attempting an assassination?

Konoha and Kirigakure were at war, so was she trying to frame them?

Moreover, despite her agility, this woman was not a true ninja.

That's why everyone had initially failed to notice something off about her.

She had attempted to assassinate the Daimyo and then poisoned herself, clearly targeting Konoha!

Hiruzen felt a chill in his heart, the cruelty of the act was overwhelming.

He turned to look at the Daimyo, and their eyes met.

The Daimyo's gaze was cold as ice.

"Lord Minamoto..." Hiruzen began.

Lord Minamoto sneered. "Third Hokage, what is this about?"

Hiruzen quickly replied, "This is my fault, I have caused Lord Minamoto to be frightened!"

Lord Minamoto scoffed, "Oh? Does the Third Hokage not know about this matter?"

Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine. "I do not understand what you mean, Lord Minamoto..."

One of the Twelve Guardians beside them asked, "How did the Kiri-nin know about Lord Minamoto being here?"

Hiruzen had no answer.

This woman was not from Kirigakure but had been disguised by someone else.

But how could he explain that to the Daimyo?

Even if he made this clear, it would sound absurd to outsiders and would only make him seem like he was trying to cover up for Konoha.

Mitokado Homura then said, "Lord Minamoto, you misunderstand. Konoha has always been loyal to the Land of Fire, absolutely—"

Lord Minamoto interrupted him, "Then does that mean there are those who are not loyal?"

Hiruzen sighed inwardly when he heard Homura's words.

The Daimyo had been waiting for him to say that.

Lord Minamoto then turned to Hiruzen and questioned,

"Have you found the traitor?"

"...No."

Lord Minamoto continued to sneer.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you're doing a great job as Hokage. Do you think I'm a hindrance to you?"

"Not at all."

Lord Minamoto walked up to Hiruzen, his gaze sweeping across the room, including the subdued women.

He then ordered, "Arrest everyone here, interrogate them thoroughly, and arrest all suspicious individuals in this town immediately!"

One of the Twelve Guardians received the command and left the building to issue orders to the local officials.

The women were taken away, and Hiruzen said,

"Konoha will assist in the investigation, we will definitely find the mastermind.

Please, Lord Minamoto, come to Konoha Village so we can increase your protection."

Lord Gen sneered, "Protection? This Adofuku Street is not far from Konoha, and Kiri-nin have already crossed the Land of Fire to get here. Can I still trust Konoha's abilities?"

Hiruzen immediately assured him, "Our Konoha ninjas will swear to protect you with our lives. We will not let you suffer any harm!"

Lord Minamoto merely snorted coldly and left the room with his hands behind his back.

The ninjas of the Twelve Guardians followed behind Lord Minamoto.

Some of them were from Konoha, and seeing the situation, they were conflicted, but they could only follow the Daimyo out of the room.

Homura then approached Hiruzen and said, "Hiruzen, we..."

He hesitated to speak further.

Danzo, at this moment, also said, "Until the traitor is removed, Konoha will never know peace. Let Root handle this."

Hiruzen remained silent for a long while before speaking, "The turmoil does not stop."

If this person isn't dealt with soon, they will eventually bring down the entire Konoha!

P.S. Author Note

Regarding the Daimyo, it's worth explaining a little more.

The role of the Daimyo in the world of Naruto is somewhat unreasonable.

In a world where strength and power dominate, there shouldn't be a position like this.

But Kishimoto included it in the story.

In Naruto, the Daimyo's attitude towards Tsunade and Konoha is rather rude, and the latter doesn't dare to retaliate.

In this world, the Daimyo is needed to govern, and the ninja villages depend on the Daimyo for survival.

Most ninjas naturally see the Daimyo as the king, someone of higher status than themselves, while only a few would treat the Daimyo with disregard.

There are a lot of plot holes in Naruto, so it's not worth overthinking this particular issue.

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End of chapter

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