As a newly recruited Chūnin in the Intelligence Division, Gaojin Chiike had been feeling incredibly excited over the past few days. He had just recently been promoted to Chūnin and was promptly assigned to the Intelligence Division. As a "rookie" in the workforce, he was ready to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to his new role. However, before he could even finish a few days of mundane tasks like organizing docunts and serving tea, he received notice from his superiors that he was being reassigned to the Secretariat.
Oh my god, Six Paths Sage save ! The Secretariat?! What kind of place is that?! That's the inner circle of the Kazekage! The "neck" of Sunagakure, directly linking the Kazekage to the entire village! A critical departnt, no doubt! Just as Gaojin was thinking his ancestors must have been smiling down on him and that his future was looking incredibly bright, he soon realized that it wasn't smoke rising from his ancestral grave—it was fire!
The Kazekage was set to attend the Wind Festival hosted by the Daimyō of the Land of Wind. The accompanying entourage consisted of only three people: the first was Tsunade, the Kazekage's girlfriend—completely reasonable. The second was Yakura, the head of the Secretariat—also logical, as it made sense to bring a secretary to such an important diplomatic event. But the third person? It was him! That was utterly incomprehensible.
Staring into the mirror, Gaojin widened his eyes, trying to figure out what was so special about himself. Finding nothing, he could only chalk it up to divine intervention and the blessings of his ancestors, believing his career was destined to soar.
Even as he followed Jinghang-sama on their departure, Gaojin still couldn't believe this was all real. It was then that Jinghang-sama walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and asked:
"Young man, your na is Gaojin, right?"
Gaojin was nearly moved to tears. The leader addressing him by na—this ant he didn't see him as an outsider! He imdiately stood upright and responded loudly:
"Yes, sir! I am Gaojin!"
Jinghang-sama burst into hearty laughter.
"Good! Such spirit!"
That single complint left Gaojin walking as if on clouds for the rest of the journey, his steps uneven from excitent.
Just as they were about to reach the inn where they would be staying, Jinghang pulled Gaojin aside and whispered sothing into his ear... Oh, so Kazekage-sama was this humorous and romantic.
After dinner, the four of them gathered in the room for so casual conversation. Jinghang suddenly suggested playing dice. Tsunade agreed enthusiastically, while Yakura did not object. Naturally, Gaojin also nodded in agreent. Jinghang then pulled out three dice and placed them in a transparent glass cup, shaking them vigorously before slamming the cup down on the floor.
"Guess the total!" he declared.
Tsunade and Yakura stared at Jinghang as if he had lost his mind. You're asking us to guess the total using a transparent cup?!
Yakura even explained to Tsunade, "Kazekage-sama must not be familiar with gambling. Usually, with a transparent cup, you guess the numbers first. Kazekage-sama, maybe try again."
Jinghang chuckled helplessly. "Do you think I'm that clueless? Just guess! What's the total?"
Tsunade, being straightforward, imdiately replied, "Isn't it one, two, and three? Six points?"
"And you?" Jinghang asked Yakura.
"No problem, six points," Yakura said after scrutinizing the dice from all angles.
"And you?" Jinghang turned to Gaojin.
"I guess four, four, and six. Fourteen points!" Gaojin answered confidently.
"Hmm?" This ti, it was Gaojin who looked like the fool.
"Ha! Great minds think alike. I also guess fourteen points," Jinghang said with a grin.
"Hmm?" Yakura and Tsunade exchanged confused glances. Are we both suddenly blind?
"Alright, enough talk. Let's reveal!" Jinghang lifted the glass cup, and sure enough, the dice showed four, four, and six.
"Hahaha!" Jinghang laughed, slapping his thigh.
"You used genjutsu, didn't you?" Tsunade, a seasoned gambler, quickly pointed at Gaojin. Using genjutsu or ninjutsu in gambling was a strict taboo.
"You could call it a kind of genjutsu, but it's a bit special," Gaojin said, spreading his hands.
"Tsunade!" Tsunade extended her hand toward Yakura, who imdiately understood and injected a burst of chakra.
"Huh, this is strange. How did you do that?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
Jinghang put an arm around Gaojin's shoulder and said, "Allow to formally introduce my little brother here—Gaojin Chiike, a rising star from the Red-Eyed Chiike Clan of Moon Lake District!"
"Red-Eyed?" Tsunade asked, intrigued.
"That's right. Even more impressive than your Hyūga Clan's Byakugan," Jinghang said with a smirk.
Gaojin scratched his head sheepishly as Jinghang spoke. "The trick just now was thanks to the Red Eye's unique dōjutsu."
Tsunade's expression suddenly lit up as if an idea had just struck her. "Does that an... Haha, Jinghang, you're a genius!"
"Alright, we'll reach Dragonfly Castle by tomorrow night or the morning after. Here's the plan: Gaojin and I will head to Wind Temple to participate in the festival. Tsunade, you and Yakura will..."
The Wind Temple wasn't far from the Mid-Mountain Green Palace; it stood atop the mountain, offering a sweeping view of Dragonfly Castle from its highest point. The temple served as the ancestral shrine of the Daimyō of the Land of Wind. The structure was massive, occupying nearly half the mountaintop, and exuded grandeur and solemnity. The monks there worshipped not only the Buddha but also the ancestors of the Daimyōs of the Land of Wind.
Dressed in his Kazekage ceremonial robes and wearing a conical hat, Jinghang stood bored, enduring the lengthy rituals of the festival. The event was to last a full three days, with the Daimyō personally reciting prayers and burning them as offerings, followed by presenting lavish tributes to the ancestors and recounting the achievents of past rulers. After that, a theatrical performance would portray the accomplishnts of the first Daimyō to the most recent one. Finally, the Daimyō would hold individual etings with each visiting retainer, marking the event's conclusion.
Jinghang was only mildly interested in the theatrical performance. However, upon seeing it on the second day, he was utterly disappointed. What is this nonsense? Compared to the girl groups at Sands Entertainnt, this was a complete disaster. The singing style was akin to Japanese Noh theater, with eerie wailing that sounded like ghostly cries. The makeup was even worse—faces painted white as if they'd dunked their heads in a bucket of flour, with teeth deliberately blackened. The dancing resembled a chaotic frenzy, exuding an unsettling aura that left Jinghang feeling nauseated.
Finally, on the third day, things improved. The Kazekage was scheduled as the first retainer to et with the Daimyō.
Entering the side hall of the Wind Temple's reception room, a servant respectfully brought tea. Jinghang bowed politely, and the Daimyō gave a slight nod. Then ca a long, awkward silence.
What is this? If you have sothing to say, just say it! I have a casino to get to! Jinghang was already growing impatient.
"So..." the Daimyō finally broke the silence. Jinghang quickly bowed, adopting a posture of attentive listening.
"How's your family doing?"
"Uh... They're well," Jinghang replied, puzzled.
"And the village?"
"Thank you for your concern. All is well."
"The crops in the fields have been harvested, right?"
"Uh... Yes, they've been harvested."
"Good, good."
Another silence followed.
What is this? Did I co all this way just to chit-chat? Jinghang was utterly baffled.
"Alright then. Do your job well. Feel free to stay in Dragonfly Castle for a few more days. That's all. You may go." The Daimyō took a sip of tea and fell silent again, as if entering a ditative state.
That's it? Are you kidding ?! Jinghang thought. But upon reflection, it made sense. As a ninja leader, he neither paid taxes nor contributed crops and instead received military funding each year. There really wasn't much to discuss. Fine, if you don't want to talk, I don't want to listen.
Exiting the Wind Temple with Gaojin, Jinghang imdiately stripped off his ceremonial attire and handed it to Gaojin.
"What's the situation?" Jinghang asked.
"Not great. Tsunade-sama has been losing nonstop since she entered the casino," Gaojin reported.
"Hah, I expected as much," Jinghang said with a laugh. "How much is left?"
"From the 15 million ryō you gave her, it seems she's almost hit rock bottom," Gaojin replied.
"Ugh, that spendthrift... Alright, we need to hurry. Here, put these on." Jinghang handed Gaojin a pair of sunglasses.
With that, Jinghang disappeared in a flash, leaving Gaojin to follow closely behind.
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