Inside the Shadow Building of Otogakure.
"You brat, you are finally back. I thought you died outside. All these years, you did not even send me a single letter. Do you still have me, your teacher, in your eyes?"
Seeing his beloved disciple return, Orochimaru immediately put on a resentful attitude.
"Teacher, why are you acting like a resentful wife? I prefer your former cold and aloof demeanor." Ryun joked with a smile.
"Bastard, no sense of respect or seniority." Orochimaru could not help but laugh and scold.
"Orochimaru, teacher!" Kushina bowed and greeted.
"Heh, have you finally figured it out?" Orochimaru looked at Kushina, implying something.
"Yes, yes, I have figured it out. This is Ryun's second home, and it will be my second home too. Wherever he goes, I go." Kushina spoke her mind.
"Heh, this is not a cage like Konoha. No one knows your identity here. You can go wherever you want, just need to pay attention to your own safety."
Orochimaru did not mind Kushina's status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. He knew the misfortune and hardships of being a Jinchuriki, which is why he said such things now.
"I understand, thank you, teacher!" Kushina bowed politely once again.
"Do you need me to find a female guide to help you get used to Otogakure?"
"No need, I will take her for a tour myself." Ryun proactively took over the conversation.
"You? How long has it been since you came back? Haven't you noticed the entire village has changed dramatically? Can you still recognize the roads?" Orochimaru glanced at him sideways and sneered.
"I am still the Shadow of this village, after all. If I don't know the way, I can just grab someone and ask, isn't that clear? Also, the Shadow Mansion that the Daimyo had built for me personally, is it finished? You didn't tear it down, did you?"
"How would I dare tear down the Shadow-sama's mansion. That place has always been maintained by people. You two can move in directly." Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely and joked.
Ryun nodded upon hearing this, then prepared to take the girl and head home first. Before leaving, he did not forget to instruct Orochimaru.
"Send someone to invite the Daimyo over. I will be waiting for him at home."
Orochimaru nodded, not asking why Ryun wanted to see the Daimyo.
Walking on the bustling streets of Otogakure, what met their eyes were mostly young faces. The whole village gave Kushina a feeling of vibrancy and great vitality.
"My teacher here, I suppose, has not been short of abducting and buying young boys and girls from elsewhere. Otherwise, why would there be so many teenagers in the village?" Ryun could not help but complain.
"Is it really okay for you to talk about your teacher like that?" Kushina teased with a smile.
"I'm not mistaken. Teenagers now make up seventy percent of Otogakure's population. The teacher probably gathered the outstanding children from within the Land of Rice here." After a sensory check, Ryun confirmed this information.
How many of these teenagers were geniuses Orochimaru had lured from other countries, he did not know.
While talking, the two arrived in front of a large estate.
"It seems completely finished. That guy, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice, he certainly put his heart into it!"
Looking at the luxurious estate covering nearly ten acres before him, Ryun nodded with satisfaction.
Construction of this estate had started even before he went to Loulan. Although the scale of the Shadow Mansion was not as large as the Daimyo's palace, its luxury and refinement definitely far surpassed the Daimyo's palace.
The craftsmen who built this estate were all famous masters invited from other countries. The materials used were also the best selected from the Land of Rice's own resources.
This mansion was built with funds from the Land of Rice's national treasury, one of the precious gifts the Daimyo used to show his favor to Ryun.
"Halt! Important area of the Shadow Mansion. Idlers are not allowed near!"
A genin standing guard at the entrance of the Shadow Mansion raised his hand to stop the two.
Ryun unhurriedly took out a black token.
When the genin saw the blood-red character "Shadow" on the token, he was instantly frightened and quickly knelt on one knee. "Sh... Shadow-sama!!"
"I... I'm sorry, Shadow-sama, I..."
Before the genin could finish speaking, Ryun reached out and patted his shoulder, smiling. "You are very dutiful. Well done."
"!!!"
Such a simple sentence made the genin's face flush red, wishing he could die for Shadow-sama on the spot.
"Hai!!"
The young genin cried outright. This scene made Ryun secretly click his tongue, sighing inwardly about his teacher Orochimaru's brainwashing techniques.
"Ryun, this... is this our home from now on?" Kushina was stunned by the garden scenery behind the gate.
"Yeah, do you like it?"
Ryun put his arm around her neck and asked with a smile.
"This... this is too luxurious..."
Every green plant, every tree Kushina saw was a rare and valuable item outside. The entire garden was maintained clean and tidy. Ahead were artificial hills and stone sculptures, waterside pavilions and cool kiosks, a mansion with a swimming pool, entertainment facilities, and everything one could expect.
"Not bad. The things are all good, but it ultimately lacks a touch of vitality." After looking around, Ryun gave his evaluation.
What he thought to himself at this moment was: It would be great if I could move the dragon vein under Loulan here...
After the two entered the mansion and inspected it, they found that indeed, as Orochimaru had said, all furniture and appliances were provided. They only needed to move in with their bags.
"I'll take you to buy some personal items. From now on, we'll live well here."
"Yes!"
Kushina nodded heavily. She was very satisfied with this place. As long as Ryun was by her side, anywhere could be her home.
After the two had settled in, by nightfall, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice, escorted by two jonin, quickly entered the estate.
The Daimyo was very happy to see Ryun. His words and actions were exceptionally humble, making Kushina feel that the person before her was not like a lofty national leader, but more like a... butler or servant!
"I asked you here today for two things."
"Shadow-sama, please give your orders. Whatever it is, whether I can do it or not, I will try my best to accomplish it." The Daimyo of the Land of Rice pledged confidently.
Ryun nodded upon hearing this. "First, I need you to dispatch a grain merchant convoy to Loulan. Try to ensure that small country has sufficient food supplies. I will have Otogakure ninja assist in escorting the convoy."
After Ryun finished speaking, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice then asked a question. "This small country Loulan... where exactly is it located?"
"A small country with a population of tens of thousands, located in a desert area on the border of the Land of Wind. It can be found on the ninja world map. There are channels connecting it to the outside world, so transporting supplies there is relatively convenient."
"Transporting grain... the current situation in the ninja world is very complex. A grain convoy traveling such a long distance can easily be targeted by ninja from the Five Great Nations." The Daimyo spoke gravely about the difficulty.
"You don't need to worry about that. I will arrange for jonin to ensure the convoy's safety." Ryun spoke with a calm expression.
"Alright! The grain and transportation are my responsibility. The escort mission is yours." The Daimyo of the Land of Rice directly accepted the task.
"Then what is the second matter?"
"The second matter is, Kushina and I are getting married. All the trivial matters regarding the wedding will be handled by you. The scale doesn't need to be too grand. Also, just treat the entire village to a good banquet."
Ryun was not the least bit polite with the Daimyo of the Land of Rice. He was not someone who liked owing favors. Since he was willing to let the Daimyo help, he would definitely pay a reward later that would drive the other party wild.
"So it's such a happy event! Congratulations to you both!!!"
The Daimyo of the Land of Rice quickly stood up to offer congratulations, then even thumped his chest and guaranteed. "It is my honor to handle the wedding for Shadow-sama, and I thank Shadow-sama for your trust. Leave this matter to me. I will return and make arrangements immediately, guaranteeing to make your wedding beautiful!"
He was not afraid of Ryun making demands. What he feared was that this 'Illusory Sun Dragon God' would want nothing and treat him, the Daimyo, as transparent.
With the Third Great Ninja War approaching, having a peerless powerhouse stationed in Otogakure, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice would have no more worries! After returning, he would immediately start formulating strategic preparations to 'make a fortune from the war'!
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