Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 264 A Late-Night Invitation, Reunion with the Princess

In the following days, the daimyo still did not summon Sousuke.

However, the social circles of the Daming Prefecture did not neglect this greatest tycoon of the Land of Fire.

Invitations to banquets, tea parties, and flower viewing parties of all kinds poured into the post station like snowflakes.

Zongjie does not reject anyone who comes.

He took Mikoto with him and traveled between the various noble mansions in the capital.

night.

The residence of Kujō Kanesane, the Minister of the Right.

A lavish dinner party is underway.

Sousuke, dressed in a black haori and holding a cup of sake, was chatting and laughing with Kujo Kanesane.

Kujo Kanesane was extremely eloquent. He chatted with Sousuke about the local customs and traditions of various parts of the Land of Fire, as well as the mining rights for some precious minerals.

He seemed to be testing the waters.

To test the extent of Sousuke's greed. To see if this merchant, who could influence the situation in Konoha, could be bought off by the wealth of the Daimyo's mansion.

Sosuke responded flawlessly.

He drank every cup of wine offered by the officials.

His powerful metabolism allows him to drink a lot without getting drunk.

"Lord Takaya has quite the capacity for alcohol."

Kujo Kanesuke put down his wine glass, feeling extremely troubled.

The most difficult person to deal with is someone who always remains sober at the dinner table.

On the other side, the women's quarters.

Mikoto, dressed in a deep purple gown, listened with dignified composure as the noble ladies discussed the latest cosmetics and silks. Although she found it extremely boring, she responded flawlessly.

Finally, the banquet came to an end.

Sosuke, with Mikoto by his side, boarded the carriage back to the post station.

in the carriage.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mikoto-sama."

Zongsuke handed over a bottle of water.

"This kind of socializing is more torturous than going to war."

"really."

Mikoto took the water and drank a sip.

The two had just returned to the courtyard.

The doorman then handed in a letter.

The envelope was pale purple and had a very faint fragrance.

Sosuke took the envelope and opened it.

The letter contained only a short line of text, written in neat, beautiful handwriting.

The night is still lovely. Would Master Takaya be so kind as to spare some time to visit the waterside pavilion in the bamboo grove behind the mountain? Fresh tea and refreshments will be served. — Enna

Sosuke looked at the words and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

coming.

The powerful figure could no longer contain himself and decided to send someone to investigate.

"Victory."

Sosuke placed the letter on the table.

"Take a look at the waterside pavilion in the bamboo grove behind the mountain."

"Yes."

Hyuga Katsu activates his Byakugan.

My gaze pierced through the walls of the inn and settled on the bamboo grove behind the mountain.

In his perspective, the scenery around the waterside pavilion was clearly visible in every detail.

One minute later.

The blue veins at the corners of Hyuga Katsu's eyes have subsided.

There was no ambush.

Hyuga Katsu calmly reported to his superior.

"Princess Yuanna is the only one in the waterside pavilion. There is no chakra reaction within a fifty-meter radius. Even the regular guards of the Daimyo's mansion have been withdrawn to a hundred meters away."

"She is very sincere."

Sosuke nodded.

"Since Her Highness is so sincere, it would be extremely impolite of me not to go."

He changed into a clean black casual outfit and carried no weapons.

"You stay here and protect Lady Mikoto."

"Yes."

The back mountain of Daming Prefecture. Bamboo grove and waterside pavilion.

Here, far from the hustle and bustle of the main hall, the summer night breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, bringing a touch of coolness.

The waterside pavilion is built on the edge of a crescent-shaped pond.

Sosuke followed the stone path and entered the waterside pavilion.

In the corner, two lanterns hung, emitting a faint glow.

Princess Yuanna sat on the wooden floor of the waterside pavilion.

She wore only a plain white bathrobe, her long hair tied back with a wooden hairpin. Her face was unadorned, and she appeared pure and gentle in the moonlight.

This outfit made her look like an ordinary girl next door.

"Lord Takaya, you've arrived."

Hearing footsteps, Yuuna turned around and smiled.

"Please forgive me for disturbing you so late at night."

"It is my honor to be invited by Your Highness."

Sosuke walked to the opposite side of her and sat down cross-legged.

Between the two of them was a small, delicate red clay stove.

On the iron wire mesh of the stove, several pastries were baking. As they roasted over the charcoal fire, the outer skin sizzled slightly and emitted a rich aroma of red beans.

Kin-eda yaki.

"I made it myself, it's still warm."

Enna picked up a small bamboo pair of tongs, picked up a piece of kintsuba-yaki, placed it on a small porcelain dish, and pushed it in front of Sosuke.

"Try it. I remember to put less sugar in."

She winked, her tone playful, like a banter between old friends.

Sosuke picked up the pastry and took a bite.

The outer layer is crispy, while the red bean paste inside is warm and soft. It's not too sweet, which just brings out the aroma of the red beans without being cloying.

"good."

Sosuke swallowed his snack and gave his evaluation.

"It tastes much better than what I made in Konoha last time. It seems Your Highness's cooking skills have improved."

"Of course. I practiced it several times."

Yuanna also picked up a piece and ate it in small bites.

She looked at the pond outside the waterside pavilion, where the moonlight shattered into silvery scales on the water's surface.

"Actually—I really miss Konoha."

"It's very relaxed," Yuanna said softly.

"The days I spent living in your manor were the happiest time of my life."

"No need to get up early every day, no need to fake smiles at officials. Go to the kitchen whenever you want, and cook whatever you want to eat."

There was a hint of genuine nostalgia in her eyes.

"Lady Kaori's cooking is truly superb. I had the royal chef try to recreate her thick omelet several times after I returned to Daimyo, but it just didn't taste the same."

"That's broth with bonito flakes specially made by the Takaya Trading Company."

Sosuke picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

"The ingredients used by the royal chefs are too high-end, so they can't make that home-style taste."

"I see."

Yuanna nodded in sudden realization.

"And there's Yugao."

She smiled and squinted her eyes.

"She's grown a little taller. Bai Su has been disciplined and won't catch mice for her anymore."

"Yeah----"

Yuanna couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"That's wonderful. It's a vibrant home."

Her clear laughter echoed through the bamboo grove.

Sosuke looked at her quietly.

He had to admit that she was an extremely attractive woman.

She easily bridged the gap between the two of them in this most natural and down-to-earth way.

If they hadn't had different stances, they might have really become good friends.

After chatting for a while, Yuanna picked up her teacup again.

"Lord Takaya, do you know? Daimyo Prefecture is a very tiring place."

"Although I am a princess, I am not free to do many things and have to bear the responsibilities of the royal family."

"My time in Konoha showed me another way of living."

"I also want to have the power to control my own destiny, just like you."

That's when they started to open up to each other.

But Sosuke was not fooled by her words.

He maintained a calm expression.

"Your Highness."

Sosuke finished eating a piece of konjac tsuba and took out a handkerchief to wipe his fingers.

"You were born into royalty. You enjoyed unimaginable wealth and luxury, and naturally you must bear the corresponding burden. In this world, there is no such thing as a deal where you only take benefits without giving anything in return."

"As for controlling one's destiny—"

Sosuke looked at her.

"Aren't you doing a great job right now?"

"Use Uchiha Hachimoku's ambition to bring him back to the Daimyo's mansion. Utilize the internal strife in Konoha to gain leverage for the Daimyo's mansion."

"Your methods are far superior to your father's."

Yuannai was taken aback.

She hadn't expected Sosuke to be so blunt in breaking the ice.

But she didn't panic or try to hide it.

Instead, she smiled calmly.

"You're so straightforward."

Yuan Nai put down her teacup.

"I was indeed using the Eighth Hokage. Because the Daimyo's forces needed a ninja force of their own."