Raizen pulled out a kunai, eyeing Tsukihime. "The Uchiha are not as simple as you imagine, Princess. You'd best be careful."
"Hmph! I'll believe it when I see it. Just don't let me finish you in a second. My Quick-Draw style isn't just for show." Tsukihime's gaze locked onto Raizen with predatory focus.
Raizen's eyes sharpened. "Come then! I'm ready. Let me witness the legendary swordsmanship of the Land of Fire's Princess!"
As the words left his mouth, Raizen slammed two smoke bombs into the ground.
The moment the smoke billowed up, he tossed three explosive tags. The tags whistled through the air, surrounding Tsukihime from three sides. Hearing the ominous sizzle of the fuses, Tsukihime instinctively retreated toward the only open path—away from the "explosives."
Raizen, however, was already moving the moment he threw the tags. He positioned himself perfectly facing the center of the lake, his hands blurring through seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive sphere of flame surged from Raizen's mouth, hurtling toward the Princess.
"What a seamless tactical sequence," Kakashi observed from the sidelines. "He's forcing the Princess into the water."
Kakashi saw it clearly: the three explosive tags blocked her retreat toward the shore, while the smoke obscured her vision, leaving only the sound of the fuses to guide her toward the lake.
Why force her into the water?
The moment Tsukihime's heel touched the surface of the lake, the answer became clear. A samurai cannot mold chakra; therefore, she cannot walk on water.
The explosive tags didn't actually detonate; they simply burned out once the fuses reached the end.
"He held back," Kakashi noted, his Sharingan spinning. Seeing the dud tags, everyone realized Raizen's intent.
Kurenai smiled faintly. "My husband has a sense of proportion. He never intended to harm Her Highness."
The heat from the fireball blew away the remaining smoke, bearing down on Tsukihime. Seeing the flames about to hit her, she instinctively leapt backward once more. When her feet failed to find solid ground, she realized too late—she had jumped into the lake.
Splash!
Tsukihime fell heavily into the water. Raizen leaped instantly, landing lightly on the water's surface beside her. He held his kunai to her throat. "You lose, Princess."
Tsukihime glared up at him, her eyes wide with indignation. "You... you used tricks! I don't accept this!"
She hadn't even drawn her sword before falling into a chain of traps. It was an incredibly frustrating defeat.
"Princess, wisdom is also a form of strength. There are no 'tricks' in battle," Raizen replied. He pulled her from the water, cradling her in his arms as he walked back to the shore.
Kakashi deactivated his Sharingan. He felt like he hadn't seen anything significant at all—Raizen's maneuvers were basic tactics any Genin could execute. He sighed. "As expected of a business prodigy; his mind is certainly sharp."
"Princess, don't catch a chill," Kurenai said, approaching with a cloak and wrapping it around the soaked girl. "We should get you back inside for a hot bath to warm up."
Tsukihime shot one last defiant glare at Raizen before following Kurenai inside.
After she left, Might Guy patted Raizen's shoulder. "Impressive, Raizen! You handled the Princess with ease."
"You know it, Guy. Take notes," Raizen joked narcissistically. He looked at the darkening sky. "How about the three of us have a few drinks?"
"I'm on duty, so I'll have to pass," Kakashi said.
"Correct. We have to protect the Princess. No alcohol during a mission," Guy added seriously.
Raizen looked slightly disappointed. "Then should I arrange a room for you two tonight?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No need. We'll stand guard just outside the Uchiha compound."
"You're staying up all night? Don't you need to sleep?"
"Guy and I will take turns," Kakashi explained. "That's how we handle missions outside the village."
"Is that really necessary? This is Konoha!" Raizen smiled.
Guy replied, "The Princess's status is unique. We can't afford any mistakes."
Raizen laughed. "If Tsukihime marries into my family and stays in Konoha, are you two going to stand guard here every day?"
"If she marries into the Uchiha and takes your name, then her protection becomes your responsibility," Kakashi said. "Of course, the village would still provide support and rotate guards. But right now, we have an envoy watching us. If something happens, it would be an international disaster."
Raizen nodded. "Then I'll leave it in your hands."
"No problem. We'll go set up our positions." The two Jōnin flickered away instantly.
Watching them vanish, Raizen let out a small smirk. Heh. Having Tsukihime come here to settle a score wasn't a bad thing after all—I just got two top-tier bodyguards for free.
Raizen ate dinner with his wives. Aside from Tsukihime staring at him with a murderous, pouting expression, everyone was in high spirits. After dinner, Raizen bathed and went to sleep alone. Kurenai and the others were pregnant, so they slept in separate quarters for safety—a discipline Raizen maintained for the sake of the children.
Late into the night, a dark shadow slipped quietly into Raizen's room.
At the same time, Kakashi, who was on watch, nudged a sleeping Might Guy awake.
"What is it, Kakashi?" Guy asked groggily.
Kakashi's voice was deathly serious. "Something's wrong."
"We're being surrounded. No... the entire Uchiha district is being surrounded."
"What?" Guy was suddenly wide awake. "How? This is Konoha! How could enemies reach this far without the village guards noticing?"
"This feels exactly like the night the Uchiha were wiped out," Kakashi whispered, his voice heavy. "We're in big trouble, Guy. If I'm not mistaken, we've inadvertently stumbled into a major conspiracy."
"Targeting the Uchiha?" Guy's eyes went wide. "But the Uchiha were... and Itachi isn't even in the village!"
Guy realized a terrifying possibility.
"Guy, if we don't handle this perfectly, we might both die tonight. Here they come—a small squad has entered the perimeter."
A tripwire near Kakashi vibrated. Kakashi's pupils shrunk.
"One, two, three, four, five, six..." Kakashi counted every vibration. "Six people have entered the compound."