Ch 249 fixed
"Lord Tsuchikage, please do not be angry. Lord Kitsuchi is still young, after all. It would be better for me to explain this matter to you personally," the guard said with a smile.
Ōnoki nodded. Having suffered consecutive defeats recently, he figured the Daimyo probably wanted to show off military might. He would just play along, since there was money to be made anyway.
Moreover, Iwagakure urgently needed a victory to boost morale! Besides, what gambler loses every day? What child cries every day? With the matchmaking system, surely it was his turn to win once!
Ōnoki picked up his teacup and took a sip. Hmm, not bad. As expected of tea from a major village like Konoha, it was truly fragrant, far better than the tea soup from the Land of Earth!
The guard saw the tea bag and smiled. "Lord Tsuchikage's foresight is truly admirable!"
Ōnoki frowned. What? What had he calculated? But being a man of deep cunning, he said nothing and continued to savor the tea.
Seeing this, the guard wasn't annoyed. He pointed at the tea bag and spoke slowly. Kitsuchi's expression was grim beside him. "Father, perhaps you should stop drinking for now and listen to what the envoy has to say."
"He can speak while I drink tea, what's the problem!" Tsuchikage Ōnoki glared at Kitsuchi, filling the guard with admiration. When he had first told Kitsuchi about this matter, Kitsuchi had visibly tensed up, wearing an expression like someone had died.
Truly, it was Lord Tsuchikage. Look at this calm demeanor and this commanding tone. Tsk tsk, one would believe he was the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.
"In reply to Lord Tsuchikage, the country the Daimyo wants you to attack is the Land of Fire. Furthermore, he has a message: 'Destroy Konohagakure for me! Even if you can't destroy it, make them bleed plenty!'" the guard said with a smile.
Immediately, Ōnoki spat out the tea. His hand slipped, and the teacup fell, splashing scalding hot water that made him grimace in pain.
But he looked at the guard with a strange expression, his face even twitching slightly. He had thought his luck had turned, that he was going to show off strength against some minor countries. But who knew the Land of Earth's Daimyo would give him such a major order!
He originally thought the difficulty would be, at worst, an A-rank war. Instead, he got an SSS-rank war. What the hell! This is bullshit!
Ōnoki's face turned ugly as he looked at Kitsuchi. "Why didn't you say so earlier!" Ōnoki slammed the table!
Kitsuchi felt wronged. You were the one who didn't let me speak! I'm quite aggrieved, you know!
Ōnoki's mind raced. Finally, he made a decision. Even if it meant offending the Daimyo, this battle could not be fought! Otherwise, it wouldn't be Konoha being destroyed, but Iwagakure!
Wasn't this asking for his life? Besides, the relationship between the shinobi village and the Daimyo was merely contractual. There was no problem if he ignored the Daimyo!
But how should he phrase it appropriately? After all, there was an outsider present. He couldn't show fear in front of an outsider. He gave Kitsuchi a look. Kitsuchi understood. "Envoy, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest first. Food will be served shortly."
"Hehe, then I'll trouble Lord Kitsuchi. Lord Tsuchikage, please give your reply quickly!" The guard was then taken away by the Anbu to rest.
The Anbu looked at the guard with cold eyes. Damn it, you stupid dog! Iwagakure had just started to stabilize, and you bring such a death warrant!
However, due to the instructions from Lord Kitsuchi and the Tsuchikage, the two suppressed their emotions. After taking him to the inn, they left.
The guard smiled and asked if the guest room offered any special services. The staff member nodded.
The guard said, "Send the most beautiful woman to my room. Put it on Lord Tsuchikage's tab." He felt that since he had brought such great benefits to the Tsuchikage, the Tsuchikage would surely treat him well!
The staff member looked strange, but seeing the guard's confidence, he nodded and found some women who usually had connections with their hotel.
Less than three seconds later, the guard came out and told the staff member, "I am very satisfied."
The staff member stifled a laugh. "As long as you are satisfied!"
Earning five hundred thousand ryo in three seconds was quite profitable!
Tsuchikage's Office
Ōnoki paced back and forth, thinking about what to do now! On one side was the Daimyo, on the other was Konoha!
Ultimately, the Tsuchikage did not want to fall out with the Daimyo. After all, the Daimyo provided a large portion of their financial support every year. Falling out wouldn't be good. But not falling out meant facing Konoha, facing Madara Uchiha!
This is... damn it! Who could handle this! What should he do!
Just then, another envoy arrived, standing at the gate of Iwagakure. He had white hair and a cold expression. The Iwa-nin immediately reported.
"Report, Lord Tsuchikage, Lord Kitsuchi. A Konoha shinobi is at the gate. He claims to be the head of the Konoha Anbu!" The shinobi entered the Tsuchikage's office and cupped his hands.
"The head of the Konoha Anbu, Hatake Sakumo!" The two men thought of this name. Ōnoki gave Kitsuchi a look.
Kitsuchi understood. "Is he thin, tall, with silver hair, and quite handsome?"
"Exactly!" The reporting shinobi nodded.
Ōnoki and Kitsuchi understood. Hatake Sakumo was the head of the Konoha Anbu, and the Konoha Anbu was under Ryun's influence. His quick arrival surely carried the Hokage's will.
"Bring him in quickly. Remember, he is a VIP. If I find out you treated him poorly, each of you will report for punishment voluntarily!" Kitsuchi ordered.
"Yes!" The shinobi was about to leave when Tsuchikage Ōnoki stopped him. "Wait!"
Then he turned to Kitsuchi. "Son, this Hatake Sakumo is an important figure in Konoha. You go receive him personally. I don't trust anyone else."
"Yes, Father!" Kitsuchi bowed and followed the shinobi to greet Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo stood there, observing the terrain of Iwagakure. He needed to take all this information back. It wasn't just about doing what the leader said; one had to proactively demonstrate their value to be valued.
To make the leader think you are capable, reliable!
Kitsuchi soon arrived at the gate and saw Hatake Sakumo. Sakumo withdrew his gaze and looked at Kitsuchi. Normally a gentle man, his face was now covered with frost.
"It's you, Kitsuchi," Hatake Sakumo said flatly. The reason he didn't use an honorific was because of the backing of Ryun Uchiha and the powerful Konoha behind him.
Otherwise, he would have to address him as Lord Kitsuchi. But now, it wasn't necessary.
"Hehe, Sakumo, it hasn't even been a week. Why so cold? Come quickly with me to see the Tsuchikage!" Kitsuchi smiled and reached out to take Hatake Sakumo's hand.
Hatake Sakumo nimbly avoided it. "Please, Lord Kitsuchi, take me to the Tsuchikage. I have an important matter to report. It concerns the incident last night where the Hokage's wife was publicly harassed by the Daimyo's son!"
Boom! Kitsuchi's pupils contracted. Damn, this matter was so big! No wonder the Daimyo's son's guard hadn't mentioned it! This is... damn it! No, no! They had to make a decision now, even if it meant offending the Daimyo!
Damn this kind of thing...
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