Naruto: I'm Really Not an Evil Uchiha!

Even the guards in the Land of Demons were mostly ordinary people, with only a sparse number of shinobi providing protection. The country lacked any high-tier combat forces worth mentioning.

The only notable aspect was the presence of Mouryou, whose so-called "Dark Medical Ninjutsu" had been developed through research into its power.

Additionally, the Land of Demons had collaborated with Mouryou to create a troublesome ghost army.

The Daimyo of the Land of Demons glanced at the few individuals who had already finished their meal and exchanged a few words with the guards behind him.

Before long, the guards ushered in a group of dancers.

In the grand hall, the dancers performed an alluring dance, occasionally attempting to tease Minato Namikaze, Shimizu, and Kakashi.

Rin Nohara quickly turned to look at Kakashi, wanting to see his reaction.

Kakashi's perpetually lazy eyes occasionally glanced at the dancers, but most of the time, he kept his head down, focusing on his meal.

Beside him, Minato Namikaze also kept his head lowered, making it impossible to discern his expression.

"Hmm… Kakashi really is a model shinobi, strictly adhering to the Three Shinobi Rules. As for Minato-sensei, I bet he's just afraid Kushina will find out—he doesn't even dare to look."

Rin chuckled to herself. Who would have thought that the ever-gentle Minato-sensei also had someone he feared?

When her gaze shifted to Shimizu, she was surprised to find that he was watching with great interest.

Occasionally, he would even make small gestures in response to the dancers' teasing, looking less like a shinobi and more like a playful rogue.

"This scoundrel..."

Rin pursed her lips slightly.

Shimizu had always looked at her with a lustful gaze, but now he was suddenly paying attention to other women. For some reason, it made her feel slightly uncomfortable.

It wasn't that she cared much about Shimizu; it was simply a woman's instinct.

It was like a goddess being followed by an overly eager admirer. Even if the goddess didn't reciprocate or intend to accept, she might still turn around and scold him for stopping his pursuit.

It was an intriguing psychological phenomenon, and Rin was no exception.

"Ahem… Daimyo-dono, may I ask how the current situation in your country is?"

Seeing Shimizu staring intently at the dancers, Minato shifted in his seat, worried that this behavior might set a bad example for him.

"Things have been a bit unstable lately," the Daimyo said with a faint tone, a subtle trace of black mist flickering in his eyes as he downed a cup of sake.

"Dear Konoha shinobi, you've journeyed far to get here. You should rest for now. Why not stay in my palace tonight?"

Minato felt puzzled.

He had handled many missions before, including those involving other small-country Daimyos.

Most of them were anxious and uneasy, nothing like this one, who was leisurely dining and conversing with a calm demeanor.

The Land of Demons had issued a mission request to the Hidden Leaf Village, offering a generous reward. This task could potentially affect the shrine maiden's ability to seal Mouryou.

So why did the Daimyo seem so unhurried?

"Alright, we'll proceed as you suggest," Minato nodded.

Given the Daimyo's words, Minato had no choice but to comply for now.

Although he was more powerful than the Daimyo, showing any disrespect could tarnish the Hidden Leaf's reputation.

According to the Book of Soldiers, the relationship between nations and villages was defined by a mutual agreement: Nations, led by Daimyos, provided protection from foreign invasions and financial or material support.

In return, villages, though managed independently by their leaders, were required to offer military power to their respective nations.

This mutual dependence ensured a balance—nations needed villages for defense, while villages relied on nations for a stable environment.

However, whether this balance was truly equal was up for debate. After all, even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire feared Danzo.

"Priestess-sama."

As everyone dined, a guard's respectful voice came from the entrance.

Minato turned curiously toward the doorway, eager to finally see the fabled shrine maiden.

Miroku stepped in, clad in a white robe adorned with golden embroidery. A radiant coronet crowned her head, and red-laced shoes clacked softly as she walked.

"Miroku, why have you come here?"

The Daimyo's black robe bore a small black bell, which seemed to momentarily flash with dark light, shrinking as Miroku approached.

"If you were coming, you should have informed me first," the Daimyo said, unaware of the anomaly, his previously calm expression showing a trace of delight.

Miroku was supposed to be praying at the shrine, yet she had unexpectedly returned today.

The Daimyo harbored inexplicable feelings for Miroku. If not for her status as the shrine maiden, he would have confessed his affection long ago.

"I have matters to attend to," Miroku replied, her tone carrying a noble air befitting her position.

Her serene and graceful face, framed by her tawny hair, looked as tranquil as still water. The golden coronet only enhanced her saintly aura.

"Priestess-sama," the guards around the Daimyo greeted her with deep respect.

In the Land of Demons, the shrine maiden held a sacred status—greater than even the Daimyo himself. The guards would willingly sacrifice their lives for her.

"Miroku, would you care for more food?"

The Daimyo waved for the servants to bring additional delicacies.

"So this is the shrine maiden... She's stunning," Rin murmured softly to herself.

Miroku instinctively glanced toward the table, noticing the unexpected presence of several shinobi.

She had no interest in these strangers and was about to request their dismissal when Shimizu finally tore his gaze away from the dancers and shifted his focus to her.

Miroku's deep violet eyes contracted slightly.

It was him.

The man with the jet-black hair, handsome features, and the Uchiha clan's emblem on his back…

The man prophesied to kill the Daimyo.

She was about to warn the Daimyo of her vision but stopped short, realizing she had no idea of Shimizu's true strength.

If she exposed him now, Shimizu might retaliate, accelerating the foreseen tragedy.

"My, are these shinobi from the Hidden Leaf Village?" Miroku asked, feigning interest.

"Indeed," the Daimyo confirmed with a nod.

"Greetings, Priestess-sama," Minato, as the team leader, performed his diplomatic duties with a courteous greeting.

Miroku acknowledged him with a nod and took a seat at the table and chair the guards prepared for her.

Just as she was about to speak, a guard approached the Daimyo and whispered something.

The Daimyo frowned slightly and said, "Invite them in at once."

The guard obeyed.

Moments later, several shinobi entered.

"Honorable Daimyo, we bring greetings from the Hidden Mist Village," said a sultry woman with a curvaceous figure, wearing a blue strapless dress adorned with chainmail and a white belt at her waist.

She stepped aside, revealing a man wielding a massive sword on his back.

"Oh? Konoha shinobi?" the man, seemingly the leader, remarked as he gazed at Minato's team dining in the hall.

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