When the attack started, Rei and Konan were in the VIP area with several foreign Daimyos. Neither of which were affected by the sleep-inducing illusions because of the protective seals around that area.
Despite that, the second the illusion was unleashed, all chaos broke loose.
Guards of the respective Daimyos jumped towards them, some in an attempt to protect them... but some had malicious intentions.
The problem was, neither their employers nor their colleagues noticed.
Nevertheless, Rei's intent-based seals picked it up and promptly terminated them. Each of those who wished harm upon a Daimyo was either engulfed in searing hot crimson flames or torn to shreds by incredibly sharp paper strips.
While Rei's seals were subtle enough to not give away who the attacker was, the same could not be said about Konan's attack and the stupefied Daimyos only saw one of the VIPs killing their guards. It wasn't hard for them to come to their own conclusions.
The loyal guards around them, those that were not killed, were also wary, only making a protective circle around their charges, but their eyes betrayed they were aware they were no match for Konan from what they had just seen.
"Wha-!?" One of the dumber dignitaries exclaimed in shock just as the last body of the now-dead guards dropped onto the ground. He crossly looked at Rei and Konan and asked, "Why did you kill my guards!?"
Obviously, the other Daimyos were curious about that too but they were much smarter than to bother somebody who could kill them with just a casual thought. Most of them actually realized their ninja guards were no match for these two representatives of the Uzumaki clan.
'Earth Daimyo's representative, huh? Prideful and dumb as a rock. That fits.' Rei idly thought.
While the Earth Daimyo and the Lightning Daimyo did not show up, they still had their representatives here. That was a must to uphold a certain image of dignity.
Rei lazily pointed at the badge every guest was distributed upon entering Konoha, "I am a seal master and this has intent-based seals on it." He drawled, letting out just enough information to be taken seriously without giving away that it was him who created these seals. "Those dead guards wanted to attack you and most likely take you as hostages, that's why we prevented that. You are welcome and Uzushio would accept the monetary remuneration for saving your lives at a later time. We thank you very much."
While Rei's voice was bored, his eyes were sparkling with mirth. It wasn't every day one could be rude to so many Daimyos and actually have them be thankful for it.
"Intent-based seals?" The Lightning Daimyo's representative asked, probably thinking he was quiet enough but the whole room heard him, causing them to look at him. When he noticed, his cheeks slightly reddened as he turned his head to the side.
Rei smirked. The bastard clearly knew about the invasion. That's why he was surprised. After all, with these intent-based seals, the hostiles should theoretically not even be able to cross the border of the village without Konoha knowing that something was fishy.
His brain was most likely just now realizing the implications.
Looking at the Earth Daimyo's representative, Rei realized that this guy was not informed by Onoki about what would happen. Well, it was probably for the best.
But Rei was not the only one who was good at observing others.
"You bastard, you knew!" A voice resounded through the room, causing others to turn towards it only to see the Fire Daimyo glaring at the Lightning Daimyo's representative with clear hostility and anger.
If there was not a circle made of guards around the Lightning Daimyo's representative, the Fire Daimyo would most likely already initiated a fistfight or something. Or so his twisted expression was telling.
"We did know." The Lightning Daimyo's representative surprisingly confessed as he sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Unlike you, Kumo is more militaristic and independent from our Daimyo's rule. I was informed about the invasion to dodge any sort of unpleasantness but I was also told our Daimyo was not given any chance to forbid it." He tiredly shrugged in a 'what can you do' way.
That earned him and the Lightning Daimyo the sympathy of most of the Daimyos because they were experiencing something similar. Keeping the hidden villages in control was really hard for most of them. Only people like the Fire Daimyo, the Earth Daimyo, and the Wind Daimyo were in a fairly comfortable spot when it concerned their hidden villages.
Fire Daimyo officially didn't have one since Tsunade became the Daimyo herself so his worries in this matter were nonexistent.
Wind Daimyo couldn't really complain because Pakura did her duties superbly and he enjoyed an amicable relationship with her so she didn't try to screw him over every little detail like the previous Kazekage.
As for the Earth Daimyo... he wouldn't have been bothered if he was present because he would not have been told anything anyway. Onoki held a tight grip on the control over his village.
The Fire Daimyo was not satisfied with the answer of the Lightning Daimyo's representative but he knew there was nothing he could do. With a huff, he turned towards Rei and in a polite voice, he asked, "What about Konoha civilians? Do you know if they are safe? What about the foreign traders? It would be really bad for Konoha if something happened to them."
Rei blinked when he heard that. He didn't expect the Fire Daimyo to be concerned about Konoha's safety.
'The friendship between him and Tsunade must have been good if the man was so concerned for her people.' Rei inwardly hummed.
Yes, he saw the man was on good terms with Tsunade and thought her to be a friend but that could have been easily faked by someone who was a politician for his whole life.
Rei shrugged, "The badges also contain protective seals and paralyzation formula. Everybody is safe except those with hostile intent to Konoha and its residents. Those can be paralyzed anytime."
Of course, Rei would not reveal that stronger ninjas could counter the paralyzation formula with the intensity of their chakra. In the end that didn't matter.
"Then... why are the attackers not paralyzed yet?" The Fire Daimyo confusedly asked, looking outside the VIP area and seeing fighting going on everywhere.
Kumo, Iwa, and Sound ninjas were fighting against Konoha ninjas that were occasionally supported by Suna, Uzumaki, or Kiri ninjas. It was a mess, to be honest.
"Look closer. No civilian is getting injured during those fights. Moreover, nobody on 'our' side is getting lethally or permanently injured." Rei spoke, waiting until the Daimyos and their guards took a really careful and long look at what was really happening under the initial seemingly messy fighting that was going on in the arena, and when he saw their eyes gain a semblance of recognition, he continued. "In short, this is a good training exercise."
The Daimyos were flabbergasted when they heard that. The Fire one gaped like a fish, the Wind one didn't care and sat down on his chair before he started to enjoy the food again, and the Lightning Daimyo's representative grimaced.
His mumbling was quiet but Rei's hearing sense was sharp enough to hear a muffled and discontent, "I asked A not to do it."
Obviously, the word of a diplomat would not sway a Kage. That was wishful thinking. But at least the guy tried.
"The Konoha Daimyo and Hokage really allowed their own village to become a battle zone just for a training exercise?" The Earth Daimyo's representative spoke in bewilderment, "That's... insane!"
Rei blinked in shock at that. That was a pretty point-on description of how this would seem for somebody who didn't know all the details.
'Huh? Guess the Earth guy is not as dumb as he looks!'
Rei wasn't interested in talking more with the Daimyos. He definitely was not gonna argue with them if this plan was stupid or not. They will see for themselves once everything is said and done.
After all, he already got a report through the telepathic connection he had with Kaguya that the invasion of Kumo and Iwa had already started.
Stupid? Pfft.
Nobody in Konoha was in any real danger. Rei was hundred percent sure of that. He had that much faith in his sealing skills. And in exchange for roughing up Konoha a bit, the last two major hidden villages not under his rule would be suppressed enough to never become a problem again. All that while everybody was fixated on what was going on in Konoha.
It was a nice strategic sleight of hand and if he didn't have the two biggest trading companies, Konan's perfect spying, many interesting seals that could conceal loads of important things, and thorough knowledge of how the information network of hidden villages worked, it would have never been possible to accomplish.
The only Daimyo he would not mind speaking with was the Fire one, and even that was because he seemed genuine in his appreciation of the friendship between him and Tsunade. While the Wind one had a similar relationship with Pakura... Rei couldn't find a guy with over fifty consorts and past desire for one of his women likable.
Call it pettiness if you will but...
Rei was barely managing to keep his girls happy. How could the dude do fifty!? Life was friggin unfair sometimes!
And no. He was definitely not pouting, huffing, nor was he cutely scowling no matter what Konan said as they were leaving the room.
He didn't see it so it can't be true. Period.
"So? What are we gonna do? Any plan or aim?" Konan asked, her voice slightly excited while her amber eyes sparkled expectantly as she looked at Rei.
She might not mind doing paperwork every day but she wouldn't say no to more... exciting ninja stuff.
Not even causing a massacre seemed all that bad after a few years of 'desk duty'. No wonder every Kage was a murderous bastard.
Rei questioningly raised his eyebrow at her, "How would you come to that conclusion? We are just tourists here." He innocently tilted his head, making Konan snort a laugh at his answer.
"Well, you usually have one of those during chaotic times like these." Konan offhandedly remarked after she stopped her brief laughing. Her tone suddenly flipped back to an excited one, "Remember how we first met Pakura? The entire Sunagakure could not calmly sleep for at least a month afterward! And how much chaos we caused when we were going around as Yozora, getting the samples of the bijuu chakra?" A content and nostalgic smile appeared on Konan's lips, "We plunged the entire Elemental Nations into chaos and made them chase ghosts so we could calmly focus on building up our hidden village. Ah, fun times."
Rei's lips twitched at that. While true, it was not his aim at that time. To be completely honest, causing chaos was fun. That's why he did it. Not because of some scheme with so many twists even Orochimaru with his special predisposition would not be able to wrap his head around it.
"Now that you mention it, we really do thrive during the chaos, don't we?" Rei idly spoke with an awkward smile. "But no. There is nothing to do in Konoha. No foe that would require our attention, no vault worth our time to steal from, and no person worthy to be kidnapped." He sighed and looked towards the horizon, seeing Konoha in all of its beauty, even if it was marred by lots of fighting on the streets and several houses burning.
'No need for such things as we already own this village.' Rei added in his head as he frowned, 'But damn if this plan won't cause the need for a lot of costly repairs. I wonder who will pay for that.' His eyes briefly wandered in Konan's direction as he knew Tsunade was too stingy to use her own pocket money.
After all, there was this thing called work-related expenses... 'And Konan will not be happy with her for that. Family drama is incoming. Oh, joy.' Rei mused.
Then again, those were always fun to watch. He would have to remember to make a lot of popcorn. Kaguya was an expensive rabbit to keep and feed. Especially when she was amused. No doubt would she demand some refreshments for the show.
Unfortunately for Rei, she learned the invincible puppy-dog eye technique and it worked damn well with her Byakugan eyes. Evil thing, that.
'And she just had to get interested in seduction techniques on top of picking Mei as her teacher. Talk about a recipe for a disaster.' Rei's awkward smile became a bit forced, 'At least I have the mental connection with her and can be certain she would only try to practice those techniques on me. I guess that's a plus.'
The men of Elemental Nations should thank him for that. Kaguya would sooner crush them to death in irritation than woo them.
'Now that's a funny mental picture. If she was not mine I would definitely want to see that.' Rei amusedly thought.
"I guess, we suffer from the exact same thing in these fancy fantasy scrolls, don't we?" Konan giggled. But when she saw Rei had no idea what she was talking about, she decided to explain a bit. It wasn't weird he didn't read it. He was a guy. Expecting a sense of art from him would be too much.
"The main characters in these stories usually make themselves so powerful and have so many capable subordinates that in the end, they have nothing to do." Konan explained.
Rei continued looking at her weirdly, 'Since when does Elemental Nations have fanfiction?' He inwardly thought in shock.
'More importantly, how come I don't know about it!? So much value for entertainment wasted!' Rei got excited and was about to ask where she read those stories when...
"Unfortunately, the fantasy scrolls are just fanciful kiddy scrabble compared to real life." Konan cluelessly continued with a sigh, "It was less interesting than the accounting books of the Biri-Biri company."
"You meant to use them as an excuse to slack off while still appearing like you're working." Rei deadpanned, knowing that technique from his past life. Having a book in front of you helped make you seem busy as long as people could not discover what exactly that book is.
Konan slightly blushed and turned her head away, "I have no idea what you are talking about. You must be mistaken. My work ethics are nothing but diligence incarnate. How could you accuse me of slacking off, I would never know." She huffed but Rei could clearly see the twitch of her lips.
She was totally lying.
Rei sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration, "Just tell me this..." He hopefully pleaded in a quiet tone, "were those stories really that bad you rather did your work than read them?"
An awkward silence spread between them, and the only noise interrupting it was coming from all the fighting around them.
Rei was anxious for the answer. Getting entertainment from books was really hard for the current him. The ninja life spoiled most of the local fantasy genre because, in a way, he lived in a fantasy book. There was no reason to read about heroes with special abilities when you were a killer with special abilities.
Just... boring.
But fanfictions? That could actually be a bit interesting, no? These tended to go beyond common sense even if it meant sounding dumb as heck!
That's why he hoped for a no from Konan but fate is never really kind.
"Yes." Konan delivered the final judgment and Rei instantly knew he would not enjoy them.
If Konan preferred doing her least favorite part of being CEO rather than reading these things, they must have been exceptionally bad. Webnovel level bad. Marvel fanfictions level bad. Or worse.
While Rei had already forgotten most of the fanfictions he had read in his past life, he still remembered these references.
It... was just not worth it.
---
Author Note:
Yeaaah, I am taking a jab at the webnovel fanfictions as of late.
Do you have the same problem as me? At the time I wrote this chapter, there seemed to be no good new fanfic. Nothing I could be excited to read about.
I have a few personal likes but... I simply feel that in the past, there was a bigger variety of interesting stories coming out.
Sad, really.
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