Uchiha's personal opinion

As for the claim of trespassing into the Senju clan's territory, that's utter nonsense. Based on Hattori Heiji's understanding of the relationship between the daimyo clan and the Senju clan, it's highly likely that the daimyo sought help but couldn't reach an agreement, leading to Kazuma, the envoy, being killed!

Based on this, it can be inferred that Kazuma's death was either orchestrated by the Senju clan or that the Uchiha clan hunted him down after learning of his arrival; in any case, the Daimyo's plan to find reinforcements within Konoha has completely fallen through.

It's hopeless, let it be destroyed!

Hattori Heiji's body went limp, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Konoha really has strict rules..."

Coming to his senses, Hattori Heiji racked his brains trying to ease the tension: "But I wonder which ninja village law this is based on?"

Hattori Heiji immediately regretted saying that!

I'm really bringing up something I shouldn't have said!

"According to the relevant provisions of the Public Security Management Regulations issued by the Police Department, anyone who illegally infiltrates the Ninja Village shall be treated as an enemy spy."

Yahiko casually remarked, "Furthermore, the final interpretation of this regulation rests with the police department."

"understand!"

Hattori Heiji nodded repeatedly.

"By the way, I apologize for bothering you this time, but there is something I need to trouble you with, Mr. Heiji..."

Xiao Nan interjected.

"Just give me your orders."

Hattori Heiji forced a fawning smile onto his face.

This time, he truly dared not show any disrespect to the two young liaisons!

"Master Minato requested that this man's head be hung above the gate of the Daimyo Prefecture, but our strength is ultimately insufficient, and there are some things we simply cannot handle..."

Yahiko's tone was full of sincerity: "So, I hope Heiji-kun can help hang up this sinner's head."

"I think it shouldn't be difficult for you, as the commander of the garrison, to handle this matter, right?"

Xiao Nan continued the conversation.

The two of them sang in unison, causing Heiji Hattori's forehead to bead with sweat.

"I'll handle this!"

"Not difficult?"

Xiao Nan asked with a smile.

"No problem!"

Hattori Heiji nodded repeatedly.

"That's good……"

A satisfied smile appeared on Yahiko's face: "But now that Kazuma is dead, it should be only a matter of time before Mr. Heiji returns to the central command to take charge of the Servant Ninja Army, right?"

"I'll try, I'll do my best..."

Hattori Heiji nodded and bowed.

……

The next morning, the daimyo, still asleep, was awakened by a panicked eunuch, but before he could even get angry, he was shocked by the sudden bad news.

"What! He and Ma Qing are dead?!"

"What! His head is hanging on the city gate?!"

Even though Daimyo tried to control his emotions, the genuine panic he felt still made him break out in a cold sweat.

"go with!"

"Go quickly!"

"Quickly go and invite the master from the Fire Temple over!"

The panicked daimyo disregarded etiquette, leaping from his bed and issuing orders that kept the eunuchs running around in circles, as if only in this way could he alleviate his extreme anxiety.

"Your Highness, please don't panic!"

Jiroku, the monk official from the Fire Temple stationed in the Daimyo Prefecture, strode into the palace and bowed to the Daimyo.

"It's good that Lord Di Lu has arrived..."

Now Daimyo can finally calm down.

After the chief eunuch paid his respects to Di Lu, he led the eunuchs forward to help the daimyo change his clothes and wash up.

After some dressing up, Daming regained her usual elegant and luxurious appearance.

"Where is Ma Qing's head? Has his body been found?"

After settling down in the main hall, the daimyo's first question was about the whereabouts of the horse's corpse.

"...Only the head was hanging above the city gate, but it had already been taken down by the commander of the government troops, Hattori Heiji."

The chief eunuch hurriedly kowtowed and said, "However, because the soldiers leading the garrison hesitated to take the head after discovering it, this incident has caused an extremely negative impact within Daming Prefecture!"

"Your Highness, I beg you to immediately execute Commander Hattori Heiji, who has been negligent in managing his subordinates and has led to incompetence in the army, so as to uphold military discipline and serve as a warning to others!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Suddenly enraged, the daimyo grabbed a paperweight from the table and hurled it at the chief eunuch!

The chief eunuch, who dared not dodge, was immediately smashed on the head, bleeding profusely and becoming dizzy.

"It's one thing for you to fight for power and form alliances in normal times, but now that our survival hangs in the balance, you're still resorting to these conspiracies and tricks. Are you really tired of living?!"

The daimyo retorted without any mercy, "If that's the case, then I'll grant you death, so you won't be captured and tortured to death by the shogunate later!"

The high-ranking eunuch who had spoken falsely kowtowed repeatedly, not daring to utter a single word in his defense.

"Quickly collect the remains of He Maqing! Give him a proper burial!"

The emperor roared again, dismissing the eunuch he had previously regarded as a trusted confidant.

"Yes, sir..."

The chief eunuch scrambled away, leaving only Daimyo and Jiroku in the main hall.

"Ugh……"

After a long while, the daimyo sighed, "The royal family is unfortunate, and the power of treacherous ministers and rebels is overwhelming... But thankfully, the masters of the Fire Temple are here, which is why we can maintain our peaceful rest here."

"As long as the daimyo rallies and works hard, the shogunate's power, however strong, will be nothing but a passing cloud. Once Uchiha Tokumitsu is outlived, the shogunate's power will naturally crumble!"

Di Lu solemnly advised.

"I see……"

Da Ming reluctantly replied, "It's just that the thieves are vicious and there's nothing we can do, so I'm just taking this opportunity to vent my frustrations. It's just that I've made Lord Lu worry."

"The government and the Fire Temple have been locked in a stalemate for many years, so it is only natural for them to be loyal to the emperor and protect the country."

Di Lu remained extremely respectful.

"Now that Lord Ma has passed away, the Imperial Guard must be led..."

"I ask this question with a hint of probing," Da Ming asked.

“Monks from outside the world are merely people who live outside the world; it is really inappropriate for them to hold official positions in the court!”

Di Lu immediately refused.

"In that case..."

The daimyo hesitated for a moment, then said, "What does Lord Riku think of Hattori Heiji? Could he be reinstated as the commander of the samurai ninja army?"

"Lord Heiji's family and relatives are all in Daimyo Prefecture, and are people deeply intertwined with His Highness..."

Although Di Lu did not say it explicitly, the implication was all too clear.

"That's true..."

The daimyo sighed, "I wonder if Heiji harbors any resentment..."

"As long as the temple of fire exists, then the Dharma can resolve all calamities and resentments!"

Di Lu said in a deep voice.

This means that if anyone harbors malicious intentions, the monks of the Fire Temple are capable of controlling the situation.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Lu..."

The daimyo nodded reluctantly, then pulled the rope connecting the bell, summoned a junior eunuch to prepare paper, pen, and seal, and reassigned Hattori Heiji back to his post in the Attendant Ninja Army.

Just as the young eunuch had finished preparing the supplies, another high-ranking official rushed in, shouting in a panic, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

"What's the matter that you're in such a panic!"

Although the daimyo was somewhat afraid, he still angrily rebuked, "Your clothes are disheveled and you have no manners or etiquette of a nobleman. What kind of behavior is this!"

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

The courtier swallowed hard and said, "The Uchiha clan from Konoha and the Shogunate have come to demand an explanation! Commander Hattori Heiji of the Shogunate is leading his troops in a standoff with them!"

"what!"

Daming was immediately shocked. He loosened his grip, and the brush in his hand fell onto the spread-out paper.

"Your Highness, please don't be hasty!"

Jiro immediately roared like a lion, jolting the panicked daimyo awake: "We, the ninja and warrior monks of the Fire Temple, are here to protect you. As long as it's not Uchiha Tokumitsu who comes in person, there will be no problem!"

"Yes, yes, yes... Master Dilu is right!"

Da Ming nodded repeatedly.

"But what if the shogunate sends people..."

The lord sought advice again.

"Your Highness may gather the Jonin of the Attendant Ninja Army and have them line up to await the arrival of the Konoha envoy to pay homage!"

Jiriku said solemnly, "As long as the imperial court's authority remains, the traitors of the shogunate can't cause any trouble!"

"Di Luqing's words are reasonable! You shall do as he says immediately!"