Uchiha Ryun had his Mangekyō Sharingan active, fearing that Tsunade might get injured. He was also prepared to intervene at any moment. In response, Tsunade just rolled her eyes and stopped talking. She slowly walked to the dining table and sat down on the chair.
Seeing this, Ryun finally breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled, thinking 'it's good that she's okay'. Then he sat opposite Tsunade and ate breakfast with her. After the meal, Ryun saw Tsunade back to her bedroom, then headed towards the Hokage Office Building.
He still remembered everything the Daimyō of the Land of Fire said last night. The Daimyō of the Land of Wind, for his own benefit, sold essential resources like water and food at high prices. This kept Sunagakure in a state of semi-development and caused its capabilities to lag behind.
He didn't know what the Wind Daimyō was thinking. What benefit did this bring him? Perhaps in his eyes, Sunagakure was just a tool. 'If you won't do it, and you get destroyed, there are plenty of others who will. At worst, I'll just replace you all, replace the village protecting the Land of Wind.'
As a fellow shinobi, Ryun felt quite sympathetic towards the shinobi of Sunagakure. They bore the responsibility of protecting the Land of Wind, yet were constantly exploited by their ruler. Comparing this, it seemed Sunagakure's weakness couldn't be entirely blamed on their Kazekage and elders. At least half the reason was due to the Wind Daimyō.
The Wind Daimyō was like a capitalist who both looked down on others and squeezed them dry, only offering occasional material support when they were on the verge of collapse. Ryun shook his head. With a Daimyō like that, how could Sunagakure ever hope to prosper?
Ryun came to the Hokage's office to discuss with Nara Luming what Konoha should do about this situation. Should they let the Wind Daimyō continue to act as a tyrant's accomplice, or should they thoroughly offend the Wind Daimyō, consequences be damned.
Nara Luming had only just arrived at the Hokage's office when Ryun entered. This struck Luming as rather absurd. 'Did the sun rise from the west?' Ryun had arrived at almost the same time as him.
Since Ryun was here, Luming would remain standing. Ryun, however, just smiled and unhesitatingly took the main seat. Luming didn't speak. He knew something must be happening today. Otherwise, given Ryun's character of 'never visiting the temple without a cause', he didn't believe Ryun had suddenly developed a conscience.
"Luming, sit." Ryun pointed to the chair in front of the desk. Luming didn't stand on ceremony either. He sat down on the chair, staring intently at Ryun, awaiting his next words.
Seeing this, Ryun didn't beat around the bush. He explained the matter of the Wind Daimyō. After listening attentively, Luming began to ponder deeply.
"Lord Hokage, who do you think is more useful, the Land of Wind, or Sunagakure?" Luming suddenly asked with a smile. He thought Ryun would certainly give the correct answer.
Ryun frowned, then thought for a moment and said, "Sunagakure is more important. After all, Sunagakure, like Konoha, is a village that commands a shinobi army. They can be allies, they can be comrades in arms."
"As for the Wind Daimyō, his level of wealth accumulation is incomparable to our Daimyō. There's no need to curry favor with him." After Ryun finished speaking, Luming nodded.
"Correct. That's exactly the reasoning. Now that we have the backing of the Land of Fire, we lack neither resources nor funds. Our Daimyō is generous and supports our work. Therefore, what we should seek are military alliances. As long as the shinobi world remains divided, war will not end," Luming said calmly.
"Thus, when war comes, all the money in the world is useless. Only those with shinobi forces, with combat capable troops, are whom we should pull in and form alliances with. Therefore, I suggest we continue the mutual trade. As for the Wind Daimyō, tell him to go somewhere and cool off." Luming showed no respect for the Wind Daimyō.
'I, the great Chief Assistant to the Hokage of Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, do 80% of the work in this village. I have the strongest army, the strongest shinobi. Why should I give you, the Wind Daimyō, any face? If you know what's good for you, you should take the initiative to send money to our Konoha!'
Ryun nodded. His gaze no longer held hesitation. "Luming, I leave the matter of mutual trade to you. Ensure all related matters are handled properly. Also, when trading, inform the Sunagakure representatives about the Wind Daimyō's actions. Furthermore, if the Wind Daimyō makes any moves, notify me immediately. I wouldn't mind having a chat with him."
"After all, he wouldn't be the first Daimyō I've had a 'talk' with!" After saying this, Ryun stood up, exuding a cold aura, and walked out of the office.
Nara Luming let out a breath. 'That was really scary, Lord Hokage.' He couldn't help but smile wryly. After all these years, the Hokage was still as powerful and awe inspiring as ever.
As for why he said the Wind Daimyō wouldn't be the first Daimyō he'd 'talked' to? One would have to ask Iwagakure and the Land of Earth to the west.
Daimyō's Residence, Land of Earth
The Tsuchikage Daimyō sneezed. "Darn it! If I find out who's talking about me behind my back, I'll have Ōnoki lead the troops to wipe him out!"
(Ōnoki: So, please don't drag me into your bragging, thank you!)
Kirigakure
Yagura's face was gloomy. He was somewhat frustrated. This entire war campaign felt like a complete farce. Just because of the performances of Uchiha Izuna and Uchiha Ryun, they had to withdraw their troops! It was a utter disgrace!
However, after thinking about the strength of Ryun and Izuna, Yagura sighed. 'I'm afraid even if the strongest Mizukage, the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hōzuki, and the strongest Tsuchikage, the Second Tsuchikage Mu, appeared, they would end up the same way.'
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist didn't dare make a sound. They all hid behind Suikazan Fuguki. Why? Because killing people was their forte. Politics? Sorry, but the six of them combined weren't a match for Fuguki alone!!!
"Fuguki, what is your view on this matter?" The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, rubbed the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes, and pondered hard.
Suikazan Fuguki stepped forward. He bowed to Yagura sitting in the Mizukage's seat, and then spoke slowly. "Lord Mizukage, Uchiha Ryun's strength cannot be measured by common sense."
"Even the legendary shinobi Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju combined are no match for him alone. Facing such a powerful individual, Lord Mizukage, you need not take it to heart. All we can do is conceal our strengths and bide our time, waiting for the right opportunity." Fuguki's eyes narrowed, his expression revealing cunning.
The Fourth Mizukage Yagura opened his eyes and looked at him lazily. He didn't dislike subordinates who were cunning. He disliked subordinates who were cunning towards their own people. If this cunning was directed at outsiders, Yagura would only appreciate it!
"By the way, I heard that on this battlefield, a shinobi obtained a Byakugan from the Hyūga main family? Is this true?" Yagura suddenly remembered. A shinobi had taken advantage of the chaos to gouge out the eye of a Hyūga main family member guarding a village near Konoha. Just as he was about to dig out the second eye, that Hyūga shinobi destroyed his other eye and then committed suicide.
Yagura asked Fuguki about it. Fuguki's small eyes widened. "There is indeed such a matter. That shinobi's name seems to be Ao. A rather ordinary Chūnin."
"Oh? An ordinary Chūnin managed to gouge out a Hyūga main family's Byakugan? An ordinary Chūnin knows to conceal his strength and bide his time, immediately leaving the battlefield after taking the Byakugan and heading towards Kirigakure to seek protection?" Yagura laughed.
"He is not ordinary at all. In fact, he is outstanding. Moreover, he understands how to assess the situation and hide his capabilities. Such a person will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future." Yagura said slowly.
"Have him come here now. I have some matters I wish to ask him. Fuguki, I entrust this task to you. Do not disappoint me." After speaking, Yagura closed his eyes again and pretended to sleep.
Upon hearing Yagura's words, Fuguki bowed slightly, then slowly retreated and immediately went to find the man named Ao.
Fuguki's political skills were very strong. He often made mistakes on minor matters, earning criticism from the Mizukage. Yet, the Mizukage trusted him more and more, valued him more, and relied on him more heavily. However, when it came to major matters, Fuguki's completion rate was 100%!
Anyone with clear eyes could see that Fuguki was deliberately tarnishing his own reputation, giving the Fourth Mizukage leverage over him. And since the Mizukage held his leverage, he would certainly him!
To describe Suikazan Fuguki in one sentence: 'He is lax on minor principles but firm and accurate on major issues.' The matter just now was a major issue. Since it was major, he had to handle it personally and perfectly to satisfy the Mizukage.
His underlings, relying on him, were also heavily relied upon, but they were not even close to Fuguki's level.
Fuguki inquired for information. The shinobi named Ao lived in a remote, quiet, small, dilapidated house. After getting the information, Fuguki headed towards his home.
Ao was currently at home, sitting in meditation and extracting chakra. Because the Byakugan had been transplanted onto him, his chakra was constantly being depleted. He was currently trying to digest the benefits this Byakugan brought him.
Once he mastered the method to turn the Byakugan on and off, these days of constant drain could end. Then he would be the only Byakugan wielding shinobi in Kirigakure!
Thinking of this, Ao's lips curled into a smile. He could already imagine how bright his future would be!
At that moment, Suikazan Fuguki knocked on the door. Ao immediately opened his eyes, focusing chakra into the Byakugan. Through the door, he clearly saw the person standing outside.
"Suikazan Fuguki? One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. What is he doing here? Could it be..." Ao touched his Byakugan, then took a deep breath.
He picked up his newly issued eyepatch and covered the Byakugan. This didn't hinder his use of the Byakugan to see, as a basic function of the Byakugan was clairvoyant. He slowly stood up, equipped his tools, and walked steadily towards the door.
"Who is it?" He feigned confusion and asked.
Suikazan Fuguki did not respond. Ao immediately entered a combat ready stance!
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━