Although Kirigakure wasn't as wealthy as Konoha or Kumogakure, its living conditions were still far better than those of the impoverished Iwagakure and Sunagakure. For the Koeda Clan that had sought refuge there, the village provided generous accommodations—especially with the wealthy and influential Kirigumo Clan serving as their ally and sponsor.
Thus,
the Koeda Clan's life in Kirigakure was quite comfortable.
And after news spread that Kyoichi had defeated Orochimaru and rescued over a hundred Kiri shinobi, their clan's treatment improved even further. But the real turning point came when the list of the rescued was revealed—and among those names were figures like Hōzuki Mangetsu and Kirigumo Ryūsei.
"That very night," Dazen said, seated leisurely on the sofa, "the Hōzuki Clan's Head, Hōzuki Mangetsu, personally came to visit me. He sold our clan three shops located right in the most prosperous part of the village—at the market rate, mind you. Calling those shops gold mines wouldn't even be an exaggeration.
Then Masakazu went even further—he practically gave us two farms near the village outskirts for a pittance! Each farm's storehouse was full—enough to feed, clothe, and sustain all two hundred of our people for a year, and we'd still have surplus left to sell."
"And that's not all. The heads of several smaller clans have also come visiting—each bearing gifts of all sorts."
"Oh, and about the money to buy those shops from the Hōzuki Clan—it was Masakazu who lent it to us. Interest-free."
He rambled on and on,
while Kyoichi could only stare at him, utterly dumbfounded.
This was…
not what he'd expected.
He had thought that, being newcomers to Kirigakure, the Koeda Clan would surely have to scrape by, eating rough food and enduring hardship for a while. That was why he had asked the Mizukage earlier if his reward could be converted into ryo…
Thankfully, the Mizukage had been magnanimous enough to grant his request—and had still allowed him access to the Forbidden Scroll, giving him the chance to learn one of the village's secret techniques.
Otherwise,
he might've really felt a pang of regret right about now.
"So, what you're saying is… the clan's doing quite well for itself?"
"At the very least," Dazen said with a grin, "we're living better than we ever did in Iwagakure."
Kyoichi fell silent.
…Good grief.
Could Kirigakure really be turning out to be the Koeda Clan's paradise?
"By the way, Kyoichi, I heard the Mizukage summoned you. How did that go?" Dazen asked, seeing that Kyoichi had no more questions of his own.
"What else? He commended me for saving those shinobi, gave me a reward, and asked about my future plans in the village. Elder Genji asked me pretty much the same things. Speaking of which, Clan Head, how much have you learned about Kirigakure's political structure these past days?"
"You mean the relationship between the Mizukage and Elder Genji… don't you?"
"Exactly."
"In the absence of any explicit orders from Elder Genji, the Mizukage's commands take top priority. But if Elder Genji does issue an order… everything else must yield to his word.
That said, from what I've gathered, Elder Genji rarely gives direct orders—he almost never interferes in the Mizukage's administration. At least during the reign of the Third Mizukage, he hardly ever did."
Kyoichi nodded slightly.
"Then what about me—?"
"That depends entirely on where you wish to stand," Dazen interrupted with a heavy sigh. His gaze softened. "Kyoichi, I know you have no taste for politics. Were it not for the burden of our clan, your talents alone might have already carried you to greatness."
If not for the Eye of God,
he would've long been reduced to nothing more than ashes under the Third Raikage's fist.
Kyoichi thought this to himself, his hand unconsciously brushing against the yellow gem at his waist.
Dazen, unaware of what went through his nephew's mind, continued:
"Kirigakure's political scene is… complicated. Far more intricate than Iwagakure's, where the Third Tsuchikage's word alone is law. But in this world—in the shinobi world—strength is the only truth that matters.
Masakazu, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and all those smaller clans who came bearing gifts—do you really think they were just grateful that you saved their heirs? That may be part of it, sure, but it doesn't explain the scale of their generosity. The real reason is that, Kyoichi—you're strong."
"You killed Hanzō of the Salamander, fought Orochimaru for two days and lived to tell the tale. You've shown them overwhelming power—and you're only fifteen. That means boundless potential. A future in which you might become one of Kirigakure's most formidable shinobi.
That's why they're all so eager to curry favor with the Koeda Clan."
Dazen's expression hardened,
his eyes cold and razor-sharp.
He wasn't blinded by the sudden influx of gifts or praise; his gaze pierced straight through to the truth behind it all.
This world—
the shinobi world—
is a world where might defines right.
Even if one can't sweep across nations like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha once did,
anyone strong enough to crush a single country could still decide the fates of everyone living within it.
Destruction…
will always be easier than creation.
Especially in a world where overwhelming power is concentrated in individuals.
And that is why
the strongest are treated with reverence bordering on worship.
Dazen fixed his eyes on Kyoichi and spoke solemnly:
"Kyoichi, what I really want to tell you is this—You've already done more than enough for the clan. From here on, just live according to your own will. Whether that means immersing yourself in training or taking time to enjoy life—it's all fine. To put it bluntly…
as long as you live in good health, our clan will continue to thrive through you."
Kyoichi sat quietly on the sofa,
looking at his clan leader's utterly candid expression.
After a long silence, he finally replied:
"Clan Head, for now, I don't intend to join any division. The Police Force and Border Defense Corps are too restricted by territory—I don't want to tie myself down to any one place. As for the ANBU… their rules are even stricter.
I plan to work as a free agent for now, taking on missions as I please."
"Of course, that's just for the time being. In the future… things might change, depending on how things go."
The future, after all, was full of endless uncertainty.
Even with his foreknowledge of this world, every time he acted upon it, reality shifted tenfold or a hundredfold beyond what he could predict. His "future knowledge" had long since stopped being a safety net—
it was only ever a reference point now.
Still,
he didn't dislike that kind of future.
Uncertainty meant challenge.
And challenge bred motivation.
If one truly wished to reach the heavens,
they would need countless stepping stones to lift themselves there.
"I told you," Dazen said with a firm nod, "follow your own will."
"Then this is my will."
"Then so be it!"
Dazen broke into a hearty smile.