This time, Kano didn't just focus on riding her deer; she prepared carriages. They were going to celebrate the Princess's birthday, and even if Konoha didn't have much to offer, they still had to prepare some gifts.
No matter the amount, the Daimyō would ultimately pay for it out of his own pocket.
So, they didn't have to travel on foot for this trip. A total of three carriages were equipped: one for the five girls, one for Kano herself along with the gifts and her luggage, and one for the three boys plus Asuma.
Actually, the division wasn't that strict, and everyone visited each other's carriages.
"Why is Asuma-sensei coming along?"
Although they weren't in the same carriage, the carriages weren't moving fast, and everyone was in a leisure outing mood. Ino asked this question out of curiosity.
"Your teacher used to be one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire, didn't you know that? He's very familiar with the Land of Fire and the Daimyō, so it'll be much more convenient with him leading the way."
"Kano, you even know about my past? When you came to find me earlier, I thought you'd beaten up Shikamaru again and were here to take his shift. Kakashi told me that you know everyone's secrets—turns out it's true."
Hearing them discuss him, Asuma came over.
"I do know quite a few secrets, for example, that you like Kurenai-sensei."
Asuma's old face turned red, and he quickly denied it. Ino, however, looked on with disdain, not surprised at all.
"That's not really a secret; anyone can see it."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Duh, Asuma-sensei, you're always coming to my house to buy flowers. It's obvious once you see whose hands those flowers end up in."
"Ahem, you young girls shouldn't always talk about these romance topics."
At the mention of romance, the girls all gathered around, discussing who loved whom.
On the other side, Naruto was playing cards with Neji and Sasuke.
With one using the Byakugan and the other using the Sharingan, Naruto didn't understand why he kept losing until his face was covered in paper strips.
Before this, on the Daimyō's side, groups of people were busy working, putting effort into preparing for the birthday banquet.
The Daimyō sat high on his stage, directing the chaotic but orderly scene.
"Go quickly and notify the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, invite him to attend as well. Also the Land of Lightning, Land of Earth, and Land of Water. Let those country bumpkins come and witness the prosperity of the Land of Fire."
In fact, the Land of Fire's Daimyō had another goal: to use this banquet to intimidate the surrounding nations. Don't think that just because Konoha Village suffered one attack, the Land of Fire has become weak; the Land of Fire is still not something other nations can covet.
The Land of Wind received the invitation from the Land of Fire. Originally, he didn't want to go. It was bad enough that his country's Ninja caused trouble, and they didn't even win; it was truly embarrassing.
He really couldn't bring himself to show his face in the Land of Fire; he'd likely be mocked by the other nations.
"Daimyō, are we still going to the Land of Fire?"
"Going to such an embarrassing event would definitely lead to being mocked!"
"Then..."
"Prepare the carriage."
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