Ch436. Protective badges

When the attack started, Rei and Konan were in the VIP area with several foreign Daimyos. Neither of which were affected by the sleep-inducing illusions because of the protective seals around that area.

Despite that, the second the illusion was unleashed, all chaos broke loose.

Guards of the respective Daimyos jumped towards them, some in an attempt to protect them... but some had malicious intentions.

The problem was, neither their employers nor their colleagues noticed.

Nevertheless, Rei's intent-based seals picked it up and promptly terminated them. Each of those who wished harm upon a Daimyo was either engulfed in searing hot crimson flames or torn to shreds by incredibly sharp paper strips.

While Rei's seals were subtle enough to not give away who the attacker was, the same could not be said about Konan's attack and the stupefied Daimyos only saw one of the VIPs killing their guards. It wasn't hard for them to come to their own conclusions.

The loyal guards around them, those that were not killed, were also wary, only making a protective circle around their charges, but their eyes betrayed they were aware they were no match for Konan from what they had just seen.

"Wha-!?" One of the dumber dignitaries exclaimed in shock just as the last body of the now-dead guards dropped onto the ground. He crossly looked at Rei and Konan and asked, "Why did you kill my guards!?"

Obviously, the other Daimyos were curious about that too but they were much smarter than to bother somebody who could kill them with just a casual thought. Most of them actually realized their ninja guards were no match for these two representatives of the Uzumaki clan.

'Earth Daimyo's representative, huh? Prideful and dumb as a rock. That fits.' Rei idly thought.

While the Earth Daimyo and the Lightning Daimyo did not show up, they still had their representatives here. That was a must to uphold a certain image of dignity.

Rei lazily pointed at the badge every guest was distributed upon entering Konoha, "I am a seal master and this has intent-based seals on it." He drawled, letting out just enough information to be taken seriously without giving away that it was him who created these seals. "Those dead guards wanted to attack you and most likely take you as hostages, that's why we prevented that. You are welcome and Uzushio would accept the monetary remuneration for saving your lives at a later time. We thank you very much."

While Rei's voice was bored, his eyes were sparkling with mirth. It wasn't every day one could be rude to so many Daimyos and actually have them be thankful for it.

"Intent-based seals?" The Lightning Daimyo's representative asked, probably thinking he was quiet enough but the whole room heard him, causing them to look at him. When he noticed, his cheeks slightly reddened as he turned his head to the side.

Rei smirked. The bastard clearly knew about the invasion. That's why he was surprised. After all, with these intent-based seals, the hostiles should theoretically not even be able to cross the border of the village without Konoha knowing that something was fishy.

His brain was most likely just now realizing the implications.

Looking at the Earth Daimyo's representative, Rei realized that this guy was not informed by Onoki about what would happen. Well, it was probably for the best.

But Rei was not the only one who was good at observing others.

"You bastard, you knew!" A voice resounded through the room, causing others to turn towards it only to see the Fire Daimyo glaring at the Lightning Daimyo's representative with clear hostility and anger.

If there was not a circle made of guards around the Lightning Daimyo's representative, the Fire Daimyo would most likely already initiated a fistfight or something. Or so his twisted expression was telling.

"We did know." The Lightning Daimyo's representative surprisingly confessed as he sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Unlike you, Kumo is more militaristic and independent from our Daimyo's rule. I was informed about the invasion to dodge any sort of unpleasantness but I was also told our Daimyo was not given any chance to forbid it." He tiredly shrugged in a 'what can you do' way.

That earned him and the Lightning Daimyo the sympathy of most of the Daimyos because they were experiencing something similar. Keeping the hidden villages in control was really hard for most of them. Only people like the Fire Daimyo, the Earth Daimyo, and the Wind Daimyo were in a fairly comfortable spot when it concerned their hidden villages.

Fire Daimyo officially didn't have one since Tsunade became the Daimyo herself so his worries in this matter were nonexistent.

Wind Daimyo couldn't really complain because Pakura did her duties superbly and he enjoyed an amicable relationship with her so she didn't try to screw him over every little detail like the previous Kazekage.

As for the Earth Daimyo... he wouldn't have been bothered if he was present because he would not have been told anything anyway. Onoki held a tight grip on the control over his village.

The Fire Daimyo was not satisfied with the answer of the Lightning Daimyo's representative but he knew there was nothing he could do. With a huff, he turned towards Rei and in a polite voice, he asked, "What about Konoha civilians? Do you know if they are safe? What about the foreign traders? It would be really bad for Konoha if something happened to them."

Rei blinked when he heard that. He didn't expect the Fire Daimyo to be concerned about Konoha's safety.

'The friendship between him and Tsunade must have been good if the man was so concerned for her people.' Rei inwardly hummed.

Yes, he saw the man was on good terms with Tsunade and thought her to be a friend but that could have been easily faked by someone who was a politician for his whole life.

Rei shrugged, "The badges also contain protective seals and paralyzation formula. Everybody is safe except those with hostile intent to Konoha and its residents. Those can be paralyzed anytime."

Of course, Rei would not reveal that stronger ninjas could counter the paralyzation formula with the intensity of their chakra. In the end that didn't matter.

"Then... why are the attackers not paralyzed yet?" The Fire Daimyo confusedly asked, looking outside the VIP area and seeing fighting going on everywhere.

Kumo, Iwa, and Sound ninjas were fighting against Konoha ninjas that were occasionally supported by Suna, Uzumaki, or Kiri ninjas. It was a mess, to be honest.

"Look closer. No civilian is getting injured during those fights. Moreover, nobody on 'our' side is getting lethally or permanently injured." Rei spoke, waiting until the Daimyos and their guards took a really careful and long look at what was really happening under the initial seemingly messy fighting that was going on in the arena, and when he saw their eyes gain a semblance of recognition, he continued. "In short, this is a good training exercise."

The Daimyos were flabbergasted when they heard that. The Fire one gaped like a fish, the Wind one didn't care and sat down on his chair before he started to enjoy the food again, and the Lightning Daimyo's representative grimaced.

His mumbling was quiet but Rei's hearing sense was sharp enough to hear a muffled and discontent, "I asked A not to do it."

Obviously, the word of a diplomat would not sway a Kage. That was wishful thinking. But at least the guy tried.

"The Konoha Daimyo and Hokage really allowed their own village to become a battle zone just for a training exercise?" The Earth Daimyo's representative spoke in bewilderment, "That's... insane!"

Rei blinked in shock at that. That was a pretty point-on description of how this would seem for somebody who didn't know all the details.

'Huh? Guess the Earth guy is not as dumb as he looks!'