The Metropolis in the Land of Fire, one of the most prosperous towns in the ninja world, also has the largest area.
Haruki saw the outline of the Metropolis from afar. On the plain, it was like a sleeping lion.
"Teacher, there are people."
Mikoto Uchiha activated her Three - Tomoe Sharingan and said calmly, "Three Jonin and a group of samurai. They should be sent by the Fire Daimyo to greet us."
"I informed them."
Haruki nodded. All four of them were visiting the Metropolis for the first time.
They weren't familiar with the roads, so they couldn't find the Daimyo's palace.
But he didn't expect so many people to come.
Was it a sign of respect for their group or a show of force to intimidate them at the first encounter?
Soon, this group of people stood in front of the four.
The leading ninja was bald, wearing a cassock, and had a cloth belt with the character "fire" on his waist.
Chiriku?
Haruki's first reaction was Chiriku, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja in the original work and the abbot of the Fire Temple.
But he should be of the same age as Asuma Sarutobi and couldn't be this old. So this one might be his teacher or father.
"Chikū greets everyone."
Chikū scanned the four of them and finally fixed his eyes on Haruki. He said politely, "Welcome, Lord Haruki."
Although he was one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, Haruki's status was higher than his.
Just being the husband of Princess Tsunade made him have to show respect.
Haruki was quite taken aback.
This attitude didn't seem like they were looking for trouble.
He remembered the plot about the Twelve Guardian Ninja in the original work. They were divided into two factions due to internal conflicts.
The Conservative Faction led by Asuma Sarutobi, also known as the Kage - protecting Faction.
The radical faction led by Kazuma, who believed that the Hokage should not exist and power should be handed over to the Daimyo.
But the result was predictable. He and his son were completely wiped out.
Apart from padding a few episodes of the anime, it had no real effect.
However, the Fire Temple should belong to the Conservative Faction.
Led by Chikū, the four met the Daimyo.
While Haruki was chatting with the Daimyo, he noticed that Chikū approached Minato.
The Daimyo saw Haruki's reaction, looked outside the palace, and explained, "I trust the ninja you recommended, but Chikū said he wanted to test his skills."
"It doesn't matter."
Haruki waved his hand. He remembered that Chiriku was the strongest abbot of the Fire Temple, but his strength was comparable to that of Asuma Sarutobi.
As for Chikū, it goes without saying.
If Minato couldn't even defeat him, he wouldn't have become the Fourth Hokage.
"Seems like you have great confidence in him."
The Daimyo unfurled his paper fan and watched the duel outside the door with great interest.
Minato and Chikū formed the opposing seals with each other.
A few seconds later, Chikū launched the first attack.
His body instantly appeared in front of Minato, with his fists wrapped in chakra as he slammed down violently.
Minato immediately jumped backward.
He judged that Chikū was a ninja who specialized in Taijutsu.
He quickly took out shurikens, creating a dazzling offensive like a black rain curtain covering Chikū.
Chikū's response was simple and brutal.
He punched repeatedly, with a series of fist shadows and howling winds, knocking the shurikens away.
Minato smiled slightly.
Minato suddenly appeared above Chikū, with a Rasengan spinning rapidly in his right hand.
Chikū was startled, completely unprepared for such an attack.
To be honest, it would be quite difficult to deal with this attack without knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
However, to Minato's surprise, his Rasengan didn't work.
It was blocked by a golden Senju Kannon.
And the source of this Senju Kannon was Chikū.
In the next moment, an angry look appeared on the compassionate face of the Senju Kannon, and its body turned blood - red.
Minato sensed the danger.
He used the Flying Thunder God Technique and disappeared from Chikū's sight.
Suddenly, countless red fists appeared right there and smashed into the air, causing a series of vibrations.
Minato's figure flashed again.
Red fists filled the sky, relentlessly chasing his figure.
Minato slightly knitted his brows. Relying on the Flying Thunder God Technique, few in the ninja world could match his speed.
But he knew that just dodging wouldn't convince Chikū.
Thinking of this, he formed hand seals with both hands, and in a flash, more than a dozen clones appeared.
Minato noticed that the Senju Kannon didn't really have a thousand hands, and there were gaps in its attacks.
The clones all threw out shurikens. Meanwhile, they dodged the fists at an extremely fast speed and rushed towards Chikū.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The closer they got to Chikū, the more intensive the attacks became.
Minato's clones all disappeared.
Suddenly, Chikū's eyes tightened. Not only the clones but also Minato himself had disappeared without a trace.
In the next moment, his body went stiff.
He felt the cold blade on his neck.
"No wonder you're the Golden Flash!"
Chikū was in a daze for a few seconds. He dispelled the Senju Kannon, put his hands together, and said, "I lost. With you joining the Twelve Guardian Ninja, their reputation will be even greater!"
"I appreciate the match."
Minato put away his shuriken, took a few steps back, and formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
After the sparring ended, Haruki withdrew his gaze.
Chikū's Senju Kannon reminded him of the Thousand Hands Manipulation Force: Thrust in the Wood Release.
Of course, the gap was quite large.
Hashirama Senju's Senju Kannon was as large as the Ten - Tails, and one hand could pinch the Nine - Tailed Fox.
And Chikū's ninjutsu came from the Fire Temple and was called the Welcoming Approach: Seven Heavens Breathing Method, which was the so - called talent of the celestial clan.
Since it was the celestial clan, it might be related to the unknown amorous affairs of the Sage of Six Paths.
Haruki's thoughts flashed by. He looked at the Daimyo opposite.
"Daimyo, what do you think?"
"It's so fast that it's hard to keep your eyes on!"
This chapter isn't over yet!
The Daimyo exclaimed with a look of admiration. After learning that Haruki had sent his apprentice, he had investigated Minato and knew about his battle achievements.
But seeing is believing, and hearing is just hearsay.
In his opinion, Chikū's strength was among the best among the Jonin.
However, in the face of Minato's speed, he seemed rather helpless.
"Chikū is the strongest ninja among the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Since he has recognized Minato Namikaze's strength, there is naturally no big problem."
The Daimyo shook his paper fan and said with a smile, "From today on, Minato Namikaze will be a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and an instructor of the new army of the Land of Fire."
The stronger Minato Namikaze was, the happier the Daimyo felt.
As a Daimyo, there were too many people who wanted him dead.
There are various assassins every year.
"Besides, there's one more thing."
Haruki also laughed. As he looked at the Daimyo, he increasingly thought the man resembled a money - attracting cat. It was as if there were six words written on his face: "Rich but stupid, come quick!"
"Regarding the weapons of the new army, the Heavenly Fire, due to the high production cost and great difficulty, I suggest selecting the more outstanding soldiers from the new army to use them first."
"Of course, that's fine."
The Daimyo didn't suspect anything and nodded in agreement.
After that, Haruki experienced the luxurious dinner of the wealthy Daimyo.
It was even more opulent than the previous dinner in Konoha's Akihabara.
Only the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast he had seen in previous-life movies and TV shows could surpass it.
Meanwhile, Haruki also met the civil and military officials of the Land of Fire. Although he didn't remember many of their names, he clearly sensed their attitudes.
There were those who feared Konoha, those who despised it, and those who didn't care about it.
Three distinct camps.
Therefore, Haruki assigned an additional duty to Minato.
To observe the civil and military officials who might join their Xia Organization, especially those who had real skills but no opportunity to show them.