[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully conquering Amegakure as the mastermind behind the scenes, and delivering the final blow to eliminate the Demi-God of the Ninja World, Hanzō of the Salamander!]
[Your actions perfectly embody the principles of a scheming Rokudenashi, showcasing your utterly unscrupulous nature.]
[Driven by selfish ambition, you subjugated the Takigakure Village, compelling a group of young warriors to fight for you. They willingly attacked the Amegakure Village, and through Transformation Technique, you secured the Land of Iron's support, persuading their General Mifune to join the punitive expedition.]
[Finally, you even stole the kill credit, claiming the title of slayer of the Demi-God Hanzō! Utterly shameless! But this host approves!]
[Special Reward: Strength +7!]
[Ding! Host's Strength reaches 100! Passive trait activated: Strength Amplification +50%! Note: Host's current raw strength ranks as follows: Guy < Host < Fourth Raikage < Tsunade.]
[Special Reward: Sealing Hand Signs +11!]
[Ding! Host's hand seals reach 100! Special Passive Ability Activated: Clap Twice, Command Anything! Chakra-powered ninjutsu can be used instantly! Exceptions apply for overly complex techniques, e.g., Shiki Fuin.]
[Special Bonus: Ninjutsu Amplification +20%!]
Whoa, major jackpot! This is absolutely a jackpot!
Kazuyama Gekkō listened to the succession of system notifications, his mind reeling for a long moment. This was by far the most rewards he'd ever received in all these years—two stats hitting 100 activated passive abilities. And a Ninjutsu Amplification? Holy moly.
But then he thought, this reward was rightfully his.
How many years had it been since he'd led Yahiko and the others away from Amegakure, bringing them to Takigakure? He'd meticulously plotted to strengthen Takigakure. He'd even specifically lured away Yugito from the Kumo Hidden Village and Terumi from the Kirigakure.
He had steadily armed Takigakure, fearing any losses. He had even tirelessly traveled to the Land of Iron to sell sake for a long time, finally winning over General Mifune of the Land of Iron and securing his participation in this war.
Enough of that. Talking about it just brings tears to my eyes!
"Hanzo is dead!"
"Konan, we've succeeded! Without Hanzo's brutal rule, Amegakure will surely see the light again!"
Witnessing Hanzō of the Salamander's death firsthand, Yahiko's emotions ran high. These years had been unbearably hard for Amegakure—for both its citizens and its ninja. He couldn't wait to liberate this nation.
"Kazuyama, thank you! This day exists because of you!"
"Accept my bow!"
Yahiko, a passionate youth, immediately prepared to kowtow to Kazuyama Gekkō. The latter's mouth twitched violently. With a casual wave, he crystallized the air, instantly restraining Yahiko—fearing he might actually bow.
"Enough with the formalities."
"Though the war has ended, countless challenges lie ahead."
"First is rebuilding Amegakure. Look around—just how much destruction has been wrought?"
Kazuyama Gekkō surveyed the area. The battle had raged fiercely, leaving countless structures in ruins. The subsequent reconstruction would be a major headache. After all, Takigakure had no Wood Release users—it wouldn't be as smooth as Konoha's rebuilding.
Yamato: ...So I'm basically the infrastructure maniac, huh?
"No worries. We'll assign personnel to repair it as soon as possible."
"The main forces of Takigakure have already dispersed around Amegakure. Henceforth, Amegakure will fall under Takigakure's jurisdiction."
"However, it will retain the name Amegakure. I will appoint Konan as the village head of Amegakure. I doubt the Daimyō's Manor will object."
The Daimyō's Manor of Amegakure? Hahaha. Due to Hanzō's presence, the Daimyō's Manor has been virtually non-existent all these years. With a new Village Head, the Daimyō might even be overjoyed.
"Very well. Handle the follow-up matters yourselves."
"Yugito, Terumi, after settling affairs here, do not forget to return to the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Water."
"Lord Mifune, the war is over. Shall I see you off?"
Kazuyama Gekkō approached Mifune with a smile. To his surprise, he didn't refuse but nodded instead. Clearly, Mifune also wished to interact with Kazuyama Gekkō. Step by step, the two walked toward the village's exit.
As they descended the high platform of Hanzō's castle, they saw a large gathering of Takigakure ninja and samurai below. Evidently, they had already suppressed the entire uprising in Amegakure.
"Chōsuke, command the samurai corps. The battle is over. Hanzō of the Salamander is dead. We return to the Land of Iron immediately."
"Yes, Admiral Mifune!"
The samurai corps of the Land of Iron gradually withdrew. Then Mifune spoke:
"Sir, should I address you as Suien... or Kazuyama Gekkō?"
"Oh?"
Kazuyama Gekkō glanced at Mifune with slight surprise, curious how the man had recognized him.
"Hehehe. I am, after all, a General of the Land of Iron. Though you concealed yourself well, certain careless details gave away your identity."
"Take that mischievous grin of yours, for instance. No one else could laugh quite like that."
Kazuyama Gekkō instantly fell silent. What the hell? His smile gave him away? His smile was clearly approachable—how could it betray him!
But since he'd been recognized, he might as well drop the act.
"Hehehe, Mifune, Brother, since you've seen through me, so be it."
"Indeed, Suien is me."
Kazuyama Gekkō openly admitted his identity. Mifune watched him, letting out a faint sigh.
"Kazuyama, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
"From what these eyes have witnessed, the war between Takigakure and Amegakure was instigated by you."
"With peace already established, why provoke this conflict?"
The light rain continued to fall. Kazuyama Gekkō slowly raised his head to gaze at the sky, then murmured:
"If I said I did it for true peace, would you believe me?"
"Hanzō of the Salamander is a stumbling block on this path. He must be kicked aside."
"Only by uniting Takigakure and Amegakure can true peace be achieved between these two nations."
There was one more thing he left unsaid. That was: Only then would he truly possess his own secure rear base. Yes, Kazuyama Gekkō regarded Takigakure as his stronghold, not Konoha. To face what was coming, he needed his own power. When the enemy finally appeared, that would be his moment to truly reveal himself.
"Heh heh heh, peace, huh?"
"What kind of peace does the Ghost of Konoha envision?"
"I'm curious."
"Kazuyama Gekkō, since you've mobilized this time, I won't dwell on past matters. I'm also curious about the peace you speak of. I'll be watching."
"If the two nations truly achieve the peace you describe, the Land of Iron has no objection to maintaining friendly relations with you."