Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 327 Leaving the City

"In the end, they didn't even let us see what the princess looked like, nor did they summon us to the palace. They just told us to wait in the military camp." Someone who knew the reason perfectly well let out a laugh that he couldn't help.

His only audience member was confused; he couldn't understand what was funny about it. So, taking a practical approach, he asked, "If you don't know the princess, how are you going to protect her?"

"It's all about the token; the one who holds the token is the princess."

"...Are you sure no one will impersonate him?"

"Hmm... that has nothing to do with us."

At this moment, Orochimaru's "secret" base welcomed another uninvited guest. A guy who happened to be delivering a package couldn't contain his urge to complain and started telling his good friend about the Daimyo's incredible actions in the middle of the night.

The daimyo did indeed have the audacity to allow Naruto to approach the capital, but only half the courage. He let Naruto come, but dared not let him actually enter the inner city, only permitting the ninjas and army to be stationed in the outer city. He did promise to marry a princess to the ruler of the southeastern peninsula, but the connection between that "princess's" chakra and the daimyo's... could only mean that they were completely unrelated. Of course, he wouldn't expose such a lie, but simply sighed silently for the woman who was forced into marriage.

There are too many injustices in this world, and he can't save everyone now.

The Land of Fire has always been the most powerful of the five great nations, occupying the best geographical location and possessing the most natural resources. Even if officials are greedy, hardworking people can still manage to earn a living. When real-world conflicts are not so intense, and people can just get by, their desire to rebel is not so strong. Therefore, the places Hui expands into are either small, struggling nations or relatively remote areas within the various great powers. However, this dormant state will not last long. As long as Hui can achieve a major technological breakthrough, raising productivity to a new level, people's desire for a better life will naturally follow, truly causing a fatal impact on the Old World.

"How long will this mission last? A princess's carriage can't possibly travel fast." Sasuke finally asked the most important question to him when the others were about to leave.

"If we don't encounter extreme weather... a month? I'm not really sure. I think taking a boat would be the best option, since there's a river along the way, but the Daimyo insists on driving, which is such a waste of time." Escort missions get more tiring the longer they last, and Naruto doesn't really like this mission, but he has to go.

“A month…” Sasuke immediately stood up, took out a long, cloth-wrapped object from the cabinet, and slapped it in front of him. “A birthday present, in case you can’t come on the day.”

Just by looking at its shape, you can tell it's a sword. It's slightly shorter than the one Sasuke usually uses, about ten centimeters shorter.

Naruto was a little surprised that Sasuke would give him a sword, because he usually fought bare-handed and didn't use any weapons. But upon reflection, he realized that he was actually quite suited to weapons, because most ninjas need to use hand seals to perform ninjutsu, requiring both hands to be usable, while he didn't need to use hand seals in most situations, thus freeing up his hands.

This was Sasuke's gift, and Naruto naturally accepted it. He didn't open the gift on the spot, nor did he use his super senses to investigate. Instead, he held the sword in his arms with great enthusiasm and expressed his gratitude.

Regardless of how he tries to cover up his lies when he gets back, what's wrong with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha having a nice-looking sword?

As Naruto predicted, the Uchiha's aesthetic sense was never wrong; this sword was indeed quite beautiful. The hilt and scabbard were white, the blade was tough, and the edge was sharp—the kind of sword that would crack a piece of paper if placed on it. Moreover, as expected, this sword inherited Sasuke's habits; although it was double-edged, the tip was forged using the methods of a katana, making it excellent for both slashing and thrusting. Perfect timing, since he had recently been researching how to use "Source" to pierce through space. Using a sword as a vessel for "Source" was ideal. And of course, most importantly, Sasuke, who loved marking everything, hadn't engraved the Uchiha clan crest on the sword, giving him a reason to carry it with him at all times.

...Speaking of which, hasn't he already given me a lot of things that I can carry around with me at any time?

Naruto raised his hand, looked at the pearl bracelet hidden in his sleeve, and then touched the amulet around his neck through his collar... Had Sasuke ever given him so many things before?

The princess's departure ceremony was quite grand, but it had little to do with what happened outside the city. The army responsible for protecting the princess had already assembled and formed ranks outside the city long ago. Once the princess left the city, her entourage would naturally be incorporated into the ranks of this elite force, who would guard every corner of the convoy with impeccable precision.

Then, a new problem arose.

The ultimate decision-maker for this convoy was the daimyo's general, under whose command all troops and ninjas. This general... was rather young, and somewhat lacking in youthful naiveté; regarding Kakashi-sensei's suggestion, he... completely ignored it.

"Is perception really that magical, capable of detecting all dangers in advance? I doubt it."

“Perception can’t be all-encompassing, but it can predict most dangers. Besides, we’re not relying on perception alone; other members of the team will also patrol.” Kakashi sensed the commander’s impatience and immediately explained their patrol plan.

"With just the six of you, do you think you can patrol every single place?"

"The Daimyo took this into consideration, which is why he sent you and your team. We certainly can't protect the princess's safety on our own." A slight concession in the conversation can ease the tense situation between the two sides, but there is a limit to how much concessions can be made. Kakashi has seen too many of these things and is quite mature in doing such things.

The general's expression softened slightly, but he pressed his advantage, saying, "I've long heard of the 'Copy Ninja,' but I wonder if the rumors of one taking on a hundred are true?"

"That depends on the opponent. If they are just bandits, then my teammates are all elites who can take on a hundred men each."

"Oh? Even so, military management must be unified. As a general appointed by the Daming Prefecture, I should be qualified to coordinate your actions, right?"

"What is the rank of general? How do you get it?" Naruto, who had been holding back his questions, suddenly asked, displaying his youthful innocence with his childlike appearance. "You haven't been in a war, have you? That's amazing."

"...The general is a fourth-rank official." The general answered somewhat hesitantly and nervously, because everyone knew that the Fire Country's army hadn't really been on the battlefield for a long time. The main battles had long been taken over by the ninjas, and they could only do menial tasks such as cleaning up battlefields and clearing out bandits. Fighting? That was something that could only be simulated on a sand table.

Distracted by this, the general did not bring up the matter of demanding command again, but simply handed over the patrol matters and let them go.