Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 213 The Princess Moves In, Soft Infiltration

Inside the lobby.

"Your Highness?"

Sosuke was somewhat surprised. He had expected the daimyo to send troops or envoys, but he hadn't anticipated that they would send their daughter.

"Takaya-sama."

Princess Yuanna did not perform the elaborate court etiquette, but instead bowed slightly like an ordinary noble lady.

"My father is unwell and unable to travel far."

"But he is also very concerned about the situation in Konoha. Therefore, he specially sent me here."

She took a scroll from her sleeve. A golden scroll.

"This is the Hokage Appointment Letter personally signed by the Daimyo."

Princess Enna handed it to Sousuke with both hands.

"My father said that since Konoha has made its choice, as the daimyo, we should support it."

"Lord Orochimaru, from this day forward, is the officially recognized Fourth Hokage of the Land of Fire."

Sosuke took the scroll.

compromise.

With no way to deal with Sosuke and Konoha, the Daimyo had no choice but to bow his head and acknowledge the established facts.

"Your Highness is wise."

Sousuke handed the scroll to Rena behind him.

"Now that the mission is complete, when does Your Highness plan to return to the capital? I will send someone to escort you."

An order to leave.

However, Princess Enna was neither angry nor did she intend to leave.

She smiled.

"Lord Takaya, I've heard that the air in Konoha is very good, perfect for recuperating. I've been feeling a bit weak lately and would like to stay in Konoha for a while."

"Inns are too deserted. I've heard your manor is the most comfortable place in Konoha—"

Her eyes were sincere.

"I wonder if Lord Takaya would be willing to take in a weak woman like me?"

Sosuke narrowed his eyes.

clever.

He finally understood what Daimyo wanted to do.

The lord sent his daughter here partly to show he had no hostile intentions, and partly as a form of subtle infiltration.

The fact that the princess lived in the Takaya Manor signified the daimyo's presence. She could legitimately approach Sousuke's inner circle, using gentle persuasion to win them over, sow discord, and build relationships.

So-called political marriages don't necessarily involve marriage. Living together is itself a very strong political signal.

"Since Your Highness does not find my humble abode unpleasant."

Sousuke smiled.

"Then stay here."

"7

The next morning.

Breakfast was laid out on the table: grilled fish and pickled plums.

Sosuke picked up a dried plum and put it in his mouth.

"hiss""

acid.

It was so sour. The sourness made his cheeks tighten and his whole face scrunch up. These plums were ridiculously sour.

"Where did you buy the plums today?" Sosuke spat out the pit and took a big gulp of tea.

"It was pickled by the old lady on the street corner."

Kaori served him a bowl of rice.

She said it was aged and had an authentic flavor. I tried it, and it was indeed very appetizing.

"It's too sour. So sour it hurts my teeth."

Sosuke grumbled and picked up a piece of fish.

Just then, footsteps came from the stairs.

Princess Yuanna stepped down.

She changed into a light purple casual dress with short sleeves. It was made of silk and was very lightweight.

Her long hair was simply tied back with a gold hairpin.

"Good morning, Lord Takaya. Lady Kaori."

Princess Yuanna bowed slightly, her smile serene.

"Am I too late?"

No, it's just right.

Sosuke pointed to the empty seat opposite him.

"Please have a seat if you don't mind the simple meal."

Princess Yuanna sat down. Her movements were fluid and graceful, her back ramrod straight, a testament to her ingrained manners and upbringing.

Kaori served her a bowl of rice and then brought her a bowl of miso soup.

"Thanks."

Yuan Nai took the bowl, her gaze falling on the plate of dried plums.

"Is this... pickled plum?"

She reached out with her chopsticks, picked up a piece, and put it in her mouth.

Sosuke waited to see her frown.

However, after Princess Yuuna chewed a few times, a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"A taste I really miss."

She said with a smile.

"When I was little, my wet nurse often made me these plum rice balls. They were very sour, but very appetizing."

"Don't you feel a toothache?" Sosuke couldn't help but ask.

"A little."

Princess Yuanna gently touched the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.

"But sometimes, this kind of stimulation can be refreshing. The food in Daming Prefecture is so exquisite that eating too much of it can numb your tongue."

Sosuke looked at her. This woman was more down-to-earth than he had imagined.

"Dad, I want to eat plums too!"

Xiyan curiously reached out with her chopsticks.

"Don't eat it, you'll cry," Sosuke stopped her.

"I want to eat it!"

While Sosuke wasn't looking, Yugao snatched one and popped it into her mouth.

One second later.

"Wow—it's so sour!!"

Xiyan's little face scrunched up, tears welling up in her eyes, and she quickly ate two mouthfuls of rice.

A soft laugh rang out from the dining table.

Princess Yuanna smiled too. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled, and the distance between her and the royal family disappeared.

The meal was very enjoyable.

After finishing his meal, Sosuke, as usual, went to his study to handle official business.

"Takaya-sama."

Princess Enna called out to him.

"Um?

"Are there any taboos while I'm at your residence?"

She stood in the corridor, sunlight shining on her profile.

"For example, where can't we go, and what can't we say?"

Sosuke stopped and thought for a moment.

"Don't go to the basement. The air there is bad."

That was the only restricted area.

"The rest—anything is fine."

Sosuke looked at her.

"You are a princess, a guest. You can do whatever you want."

"Understood."

Princess Yuuna nodded.

"Um—can I use the kitchen?"

"Kitchen?" Zongsuke was stunned.

"Yes."

Yuanna smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"I brought some recipes for court desserts. I thought—since I'm staying here, I can't just eat and drink for free. I'd like to make some desserts for Miss Xiyan."

"The kitchen returns to its fragrant embrace."

Sosuke pointed to Kaori, who was clearing away the dishes.

"As long as she agrees, I have no objection."

After saying that, Sosuke turned and headed towards the stairs. Halfway up, he stopped and turned back to add, "Those pickled plums—if you like them, you can ask Kaori to take you to buy a couple more cans."

Princess Yuanna paused for a moment, then smiled again.

"Okay, thank you."

The air was somewhat stuffy in the afternoon.

The incessant chirping of cicadas made one feel somewhat drowsy.

In the study.

Sosuke threw the pen he was holding onto the table, leaned back, slumped into his chair, and let out a long sigh.

"I don't want to watch anymore."

At the table opposite him, Rena Yamashiro sat upright, holding a report on the purchase of ore from the Land of Iron.

She didn't even look up when she heard Sosuke's words.

"Lord Takaya, this report concerns the production capacity plan for the Uchiha factory in the second half of the year. If it's not signed off today, Kazuto won't be able to allocate funds."

"I know."

Sosuke closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

"But right now my mind is full of numbers. If I keep looking at them, I'll throw up."

He wasn't a machine. After processing official documents for half a day straight, even with the physique of the Uzumaki clan, the mental fatigue was unavoidable.

"besides----"

Sousuke opened one eye and looked at Reina.

"Aren't you tired? Maintaining this posture for so long, doesn't your lower back hurt?"

Rena was taken aback.

She subconsciously shifted her waist, finding it indeed somewhat stiff. As an intelligence ninja, maintaining stillness for extended periods was a basic skill, but that didn't mean her body wouldn't protest.

"This is work," she replied casually, subtly shifting to a slightly more relaxed sitting position.

Just then, a sweet and cloying aroma drifted in through the crack in the door.

Butter and red bean paste — these are the flavors of freshly baked pastries.

Sosuke's nose twitched.

"It smells so good."

Rena also stopped writing. Her nostrils twitched slightly.

"Knock knock".

A knock sounded on the door, somewhat light and cheerful.

"Please come in." Sousuke sat up straight.

The door was pushed open.

Princess Yuanna walked in carrying a large tray.

She wore a simple cotton apron, the sleeves rolled up to reveal a section of her fair forearm. There was a little bit of flour on her face, on her left cheek, which looked somewhat comical, yet also cute.

"I apologize for disturbing your work."

Yuan Nai said with a smile.

"These are freshly baked tsuba. I figured you two probably haven't had afternoon tea yet."

She placed the tray on the coffee table.

A plate held a dozen or so square red bean pastries, their outer layers baked to a golden brown, glistening with oil. A pot of tea accompanied them.

"This is how it's made in Daming Prefecture; the skin is very thin and the filling is plentiful."

Yuuna picked up a piece and handed it to Sosuke.

"Lord Takaya, would you like to try some?"

Sosuke took the snack; it was a little hot.

Thank you.

Sosuke took a bite.

The skin was indeed very thin, the red bean paste was very hot, and—it was extremely sweet. Too sweet.

"How was it?" Yuanna looked at him expectantly.

Sosuke chewed a few times, swallowed, and then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Your Highness."

"Um?"

"You put in too much sugar."

Sosuke commented without any politeness.

"This level of sweetness would probably instantly replenish a ninja's chakra if given to them. But if given to an ordinary person, it might cause diabetes."

Yuanna's smile froze for a moment. She hadn't expected Sousuke to be so blunt. In the Daimyo's residence, no one dared to say that the princess's cooking was bad.

"Is it too...too sweet?"

She looked down at the plate, somewhat disheartened.

"I think it's alright—Xiyan just ate two pieces."

"Children have a sweet tooth."

Sosuke wiped his mouth.

"However, it's perfect as an afternoon tea pick-me-up."

He didn't dislike the sweetness. The excessive sugar actually helped to dilute the dry numbers in his mind.

"Reina."

Sosuke turned to look at his assistant.

"Have one too. Take a ten-minute break."

Rena Yamashiro remained seated behind her desk, seemingly oblivious to the commotion. However, Sousuke noticed that her gaze had drifted towards the coffee table three times.

"Yes."

Rena put down her pen and walked over.

She bowed slightly to Enna and then picked up a piece of kintsuba-yaki.

She ate very politely, taking small bites.

However, it happened very quickly. In the blink of an eye, a pastry disappeared.

Then, she reached for the second piece.

"6

"Sosuke watched silently."

"Is it good?" he asked.

Rena pushed up her glasses; the reflective lenses obscured her eyes.

"Excessive sweetness and high calorie content do not meet healthy dietary standards."

As she spoke, she stuffed the second pastry into her mouth, her cheeks bulging out like a hamster.

"However, sugar replenishment is necessary for those who do mental work."

Sosuke saw through it.

This aloof female ninja is secretly a sweet tooth. And the sweeter the better.

"In that case, eat more."

Sosuke pushed the plate towards her.

Princess Yuuna's earlier disappointment vanished when she saw Rena eating so heartily.

"It seems there are still people who appreciate my skills."

She sat down beside her with a smile, showing no airs of a princess whatsoever.

"Miss Yamashiro, if you like, there's more in the kitchen. I added double the sugar."

"Double—"

Rena swallowed the snack in her mouth, her eyes sparkling.

"Then—I'll trouble you, Your Highness."

The three sat around the coffee table.

The cicadas continued to chirp outside the window, and the atmosphere inside was very relaxed.

Three people of different backgrounds are eating a plate of cloyingly sweet desserts.

"Speaking of which—"

Yuugao rested her chin on her hand, looking out at the courtyard. Yugao was rolling around on the grass with the little white snake.

"Master Takaya's daughter is so energetic."

Her eyes held a hint of envy.

"I never dared to play like this when I was in the palace."

"Every day is just etiquette, tea ceremony, and endless banquets. You even have to cover your smile with your sleeve."

"So that's why you came here to be my cook?"

Sousuke teased.

"I guess so. The air here is much freer than in Daming Prefecture."

Yuanna wasn't angry; instead, she was very honest.

"Father sent me here to keep an eye on you. But all I've seen you do all day is look at the account books; there's nothing much to see."

Sosuke looked at her.

This princess is smarter than he imagined.

She knew Sosuke was wary of her. So she simply abandoned all political probing and transformed herself into a harmless guest.

This is an extremely profound form of wisdom.

"Since you feel free, then stay a little longer."

Sosuke picked up a piece of sweets, and although it was sickeningly sweet, he still put it in his mouth.

"Use less sugar next time."

"no problem."

Madoka blinked.

The desserts on the plate were almost gone.

Rena was carefully wiping the oil stains off her fingers with a handkerchief. Her expression remained serious, as if she weren't the one who had just been indulging in sweets.

"Takaya-sama."

Rena put her glasses back on and resumed her cold, icy voice.

"Break time is over. Regarding the ore quote from the Iron Country, they've only held it until tonight. We need to reply before dinner."

", J

'

Sosuke sighed.

"Okay, let's get to work."

Sosuke stood up and clapped his hands.

"Your Highness, thank you for the afternoon tea. Although there was too much sugar, it was indeed very refreshing."

Yuan Nai finished clearing the plates, stood up, and bowed.

"Then I won't disturb you two any longer."

She carried the empty plate out, her steps light and quick.

The study door closed. Silence returned.

Sousuke sat back in his chair.

He stared at the closed door for a while, lost in thought.

"Reina."

"exist."

"What do you think of this princess?"

Reina didn't look up, flipping through the documents as she answered, "Top-notch acting skills. She seems easygoing, but she's actually very opinionated. She was just observing your every micro-expression and the layout of this study."

"besides."

Rena paused.

"She has calluses on her fingers. They're thin, though, but there are calluses on the base of her thumb and the knuckle of her index finger."

"That's from holding it for a long time—it's left behind from some kind of long-handled weapon."

"For example, the naginata."

Sousuke smiled.

"As expected."

"How could the daughter specially sent by the lord be a naive and innocent girl?"

"but----"

Sosuke picked up the pen and twirled it.

"As long as her desserts are decent, I'll treat it as if she's on vacation."

"After all, who doesn't have a few secrets?"

Just like a female assistant who loves sweets but has to pretend to be aloof.

Sosuke glanced at Rena.

Rena seemed to sense his gaze, looked up, and pushed up her glasses expressionlessly.

"Master Takaya, please concentrate on your work. If you continue to lose focus, you may have to work late into the night tonight."

"understood."

Sōsuke reluctantly spread out the documents.

That's life.