Capítulo 148: 147-Proposal
Yano turned to the merchant in front of him and asked, "Who are we making way for?"
The merchant, a man in his mid-forties with a weathered face and greying hair, looked surprised.
"Kurata, did you fall and hit your head? How can you not remember that Lord Asa was coming to the capital? You were even so happy when you found out we would be arriving at the same time as him! What happened?"
"Oh, sorry, I guess I forgot," Yano, or rather Kurata, said sheepishly.
Inwardly, Yano thought, 'Out of all people, it just had to be him! This is going to be way harder than I thought.'
Renjiro, who was eavesdropping on the conversation, mulled over the name dropped.
'Asa? Why does that name sound familiar? Wait, I remember reading about him in the bingo book! He is just a high-ranking Jounin from Iwa, I don't know why Yano seems so concerned.'
The delegation comprised about thirteen shinobi, all donning the traditional shinobi attire of Iwagakure ninjas.
They surrounded two individuals at the centre, who wore similar attires but with green armbands on both their arms. The distinction was subtle, but it marked their higher status.
The man in the centre stood at an impressive height of 5'8", with a lean and athletic build. His skin was a healthy tan, contrasting with his piercing indigo eyes and raven-black hair, which he typically kept in a loose ponytail.
He moved with an air of confidence and authority, clearly the leader of the group.
'He's probably 'Lord' Asa,' Renjiro thought with a pinch of sarcasm.
'I don't even know why they call him lord. Maybe it's part of their culture.'
Clearly, Renjiro was not impressed. Or maybe he expected more from a shinobi who was nearly worshipped and was not even a Kage. But his dismissive attitude changed when Asa turned his head back.
Asa's eyes swept over the crowd, his gaze seeming to pierce through every person he looked at. He momentarily stopped when he laid his eyes on Renjiro.
It was only a moment, but Renjiro felt a chill run down his spine. He even experienced cold sweat on his forehead. When he used his hand to feel his head, he realized he was just imagining the sweat he thought was there.
'What the hell was that?!' Renjiro thought as he tried his best to gather himself.
"Is there something wrong, Lord Asa-sama?" Asa's aide, Kuroko, asked, noticing the sudden pause in his senior's steps.
"No, Kuroko. It must have been in my head," Asa replied, his voice calm but tinged with underlying tension.
Asa continued to walk, he thought 'Was I imagining things? No, I feel an odd chakra signature around me. Was it the guards? They are also shinobi, so that could explain it. Anyway, I need to block out all other thoughts and focus on the task ahead,'
The purpose of Asa's visit to the capital was to request an audience with the Daimyoo. The outcome of that meeting would determine the success or failure of his plans.
'Why am I having this weird feeling? Maybe it is because I am nervous,' Asa thought steeling himself as he continued on his way.
After several minutes of winding and turning through the bustling streets of the capital city of the Land of Earth, Asa and his delegation finally reached their destination. The grandeur of the Daimyoo's Hall loomed before them, an imposing structure that radiated authority and power.
"Welcome, Lord Asa! We have been waiting for you," a servant said, bowing deeply upon their arrival.
"I am honoured to be here," Asa replied with a smile, his voice carrying the practised warmth of a diplomat.
"The Daimyoo is currently busy, but rest assured that he will meet you as soon as he is free," the servant said, still bowing.
'I can't see him now?' Asa thought.
It would be a lie if he were to say that he was not bothered by this. But Asa felt the weight of the power dynamics at play.
'I am sure he is not even busy. I don't understand why people in power like to throw their weight around like this. He is clearly making me wait to make a statement! Anyway, I need him for my plans, so I better swallow my pride,' Asa mused, frustration gnawing at him.
"It is fine, I understand," Asa said with a slight bow. He wasn't bowing to the servant but to the idea of the Daimyoo that the servant represented.
"In the meantime, I can show you to your quarters," the servant offered, gesturing for Asa to follow.
Asa and his team trailed behind the servant through the grand corridors of the Daimyoo's palace. The quarters they were led to were spacious but rather ordinary.
The walls were adorned with simple tapestries, and the furniture, though functional, lacked the opulence one might expect in a ruler's palace. The rooms were clean and comfortable, yet devoid of any distinctive character or luxury that would make them memorable.
Despite the accommodations being adequate, Asa couldn't help but feel a sense of impatience growing.
'How long will he make me wait?' he wondered as he settled into a chair.
The hours stretched on, and as the minutes ticked by, Asa decided to meditate to pass the time and calm his restless mind.
'I hope I at least get to talk to the Daimyoo today,' Asa thought, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. Time seemed to slip away as he meditated, his mind drifting into a state of calm detachment.
Fortunately, the meditation proved to be an effective way to pass the time, and at dusk, Asa was interrupted by the same servant who had shown him to his quarters.
"Lord Asa, the Daimyoo would like to see you," the servant said with a half bow.
'Finally!'
Asa thought as he stood up and followed the servant. They moved quickly through the palace, and before long, Asa found himself standing before the Earth Daimyoo.
"Asa, it has been a long time since I have seen you. It is good to see that you have become a capable shinobi," the Daimyoo greeted, his voice carrying a tone of practised politeness.
"Yes, Lord Daimyoo, it is an honour to stand before you yet again," Asa replied with a respectful bow.
Inwardly, he thought, 'The last time I saw you was during my father's burial. Ever since then, you never bothered with me or my family. But that is going to change.'
After the initial greetings, the Daimyoo got straight to the point. "What brings you here, Asa? Why did you request this meeting?"
Asa straightened, a confident smirk forming on his lips. "I have come with a proposal, Lord Daimyoo."
"A proposal? What is it about?" the Daimyoo inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Asa's smirk widened as he replied, "It is a proposal about me becoming the Tsuchikage."
The Daimyoo's eyes widened slightly, and he leaned forward. Seeing this, Asa was pleased.
'I have his attention!'
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