Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

In the thick mist filled with an eerie and sinister aura, a towering fortress appeared faintly in the distance.

"Haha, bringing such esteemed guests to a place like this—it's truly a shame," Yangdo stood on the deck, looking toward Seiki and others with sincere regret.

"Oh my, we only came once and already feel terrible—how can Lord Heiguang possibly make this journey regularly?" Inoichi Yamanaka played along.

"We all have our share of hardships!" Yangdo sighed emotionally before extending an invitation. "Well then, shall we go inside now?"

Upon reaching the entrance of Hozuki Castle, Kuroishi was already waiting there.

"Let me introduce everyone—this is our castle lord, Lord Kuroishi." Yangdo announced while discreetly giving Kuroishi a knowing glance.

Kuroishi acted as if he hadn't seen it, warmly pulling Inoichi Yamanaka and the others forward. "I'm so delighted you've come! Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable—I'll prepare a banquet for you!"

Inoichi Yamanaka declined politely, "There's no need, Lord Kuroishi—you're being far too courteous…"

Kuroishi frowned slightly. "This kind of refusal really shows no respect to me at all. Though our Hozuki Castle might be remote, we know how to show proper respect!"

With a bitter smile, Inoichi Yamanaka replied, "In that case, thank you sincerely for your kind hospitality, Lord Castle Master."

Seeing this, Kuroishi couldn't help but grin. "Now that's more like it! Mui, you lead our guests to their seats first. I'll prepare the banquet ingredients alongside Heiguang."

"At once!"

Once they had left, Yangdo asked tentatively, "Lord Kuroishi, why didn't we just attack right then?"

Shaking his head, Kuroishi smiled knowingly. "You're losing your cool at just the wrong time. After all, Inoichi Yamanaka is still a Jonin. Pressing things too quickly could bring us significant losses. Indeed, capturing them alive won't be easy."

Yangdo immediately understood. "Right! Our mission this time is about capturing people, and capturing someone alive is much harder than simply killing them!"

Kuroishi continued with a pleasant expression. "Therefore, we must patiently wait for the perfect moment!"

"A perfect moment?" Yangdo's eyes lit up. "Senior Kuroishi, are you planning to drug them during the banquet?"

Yet as he spoke, he furrowed his brows. "Still, Inoichi Yamanaka is a Jonin—he must be familiar with all sorts of traditional poisons. Simply using drugs probably won't work."

Remaining perfectly composed, Kuroishi countered with a question. "Have you forgotten how Hozuki Castle got its name?"

Realization dawned on Yangdo. "Hozuki! That's the name of those plants growing abundantly across the island—the 'Hozuki'!"

Nodding slightly, Kuroishi explained, "This plant is unique to the island; he definitely won't recognize it. Besides, ordinary Hozuki does no harm when eaten—but the white variety leaves the body completely paralyzed."

Clapping joyfully, Yangdo grinned. "We can eat regular Hozuki at first to ease their suspicions, then crush the white variant and hide it within ordinary Hozuki slices. Once the effects kick in, they'll be completely at our mercy!"

Kuroishi joined in laughing. "Besides, Hozuki isn't technically poison—they'll have an even harder time detecting it!"

At this, both exchanged glances filled with amusement...

An hour later, within a vast hall.

An amazing spread of sweet and savory dishes covered the table—just one look and your appetite was hooked.

"Esteemed guests, this banquet is held in gratitude toward all of you. Please, don't hold back!" Kuroishi said warmly while sitting at the head of the table.

"Is that so? Then I'll start eating!" Asuma shouted before diving into the feast.

"What a lively guest! Everyone else, go ahead and dig in!" Yangdo said with a smile before grabbing his own food.

Witnessing this, everyone at the table hesitated no longer and joined the "battle" for food enthusiastically.

"So it finally begins?" Kuroishi nearly trembled with excitement but managed to restrain himself. "No, it's not time to celebrate yet. I mustn't let them notice anything… Ah! I'll distract them with conversation."

With this thought, Kuroishi's face lit up as he spoke, "Have any of you heard? The Kazekage from Sunagakure may have already died!"

Spit-take sounds erupted across the table.

Yangdo looked even more confused, thinking, Since when did Kuroishi-san suddenly lose self-control?

Inoichi Yamanaka couldn't help but ask, "Lord Kuroishi, how reliable is this information?"

Kuroishi smiled. "Whether he's actually dead isn't clear yet, but he definitely seems to be missing… Hey, everyone keep eating!"

Everyone continued eating gourmet delicacies, yet they all felt an ominous sense of impending storm.

Kuroishi then continued with a grin, "There aren't many people in the ninja world capable of killing or capturing a Kage. Sunagakure will surely suspect the other village leaders, especially since the closest major villages to them are Konoha and Iwagakure…"

"Cough cough!" Yangdo forcefully coughed twice, giving a subtle warning. "Lord Kuroishi, our Kusagakure lacks the strength for this kind of talk. Maybe we should avoid it?"

Kuroishi laughed heartily. "My apologies. Everyone, continue eating…"

At that moment, suddenly Asuma's eyes bulged out as he collapsed backward, convulsing.

"Waugh—what's happening to me?"

"Asuma, you…" Before he could finish speaking, Seiki and Kurenai also fell down one after another.

"No good, there's poison!" As a Jonin, Inoichi managed to stay on his feet a little longer than the others. Glaring angrily at Kuroishi and others, he demanded, "Who exactly are you people? Why would you do something like this?"

Seeing his furious expression, other ninja around the table burst into laughter.

"Fools! We're obviously part of Iwagakure!"

"Hehe, never expected we'd actually capture the Hokage's son!"

"Konoha ninjas are indeed useless. With just a simple trick from us…"

Their words hadn't finished when they also began convulsing and collapsing onto the floor.

"What? What's going on here?"

"I figured it out—the person who poisoned us must've gotten confused and used mutated berries on all of us!"

"Damn it, is there anyone left unharmed?"

"Of course! Obviously, I'm just fine!" Kuroishi chuckled lightly while standing up.

An Iwa Chunin excitedly shouted, "Great! Lord Kuroishi, please quickly give us the antido—"

Bang! The ninja who was speaking flew backward as Kuroishi sent him sprawling with a brutal kick.

Seeing this scene, the Iwagakure ninjas were all in disbelief. "Lord Kuroishi, what in the world are you doing?"

Kuroishi sighed deeply. "Have you really not figured it out yet? At this point, you still think I'm on your side?"

Their last hope crushed, the group of Iwagakure ninjas erupted in furious curses.

"Traitor! You dare betray Iwagakure!"

"Damn it, what has the village ever done to you?"

Yangdo trembled as he pointed at the man. "Which side are you truly from—Sunagakure, Kumogakure, or Kirigakure?"

"I belong to none of them—I serve no one but myself!" Kuroishi laughed wildly. "Mui, rise now! Seal their chakra and offer them as the final tribute to the Wish-Granting Casket!"

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