Daimyo /Chapter 65: Planning for Two Countries

At the Konoha front-line base, Tsunade and two others led the team back overnight.

Upon reaching the base, Tsunade immediately organized medical Ninja to treat the wounded.

Throughout the night, the Konoha Ninja's injuries finally stabilized. For the next two to three months, they would slowly recover and could not engage in combat.

At dawn the next day, Tsunade, who had been busy all night, walked out of the base. Her face was like a freshly painted wall, and she swayed as if drunk before sitting on a large rock.

“Katsuyu, I am still too weak. Kōmei is still waiting for me to protect him. Please teach me Sage Art.”

“Tsunade, your lover may not need your protection. You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Katsuyu! How can you say that? I must protect Kōmei!”

Tsunade raised her voice.

“Tsunade, I mean your lover might be very strong, incredibly strong.”

“How could that be?”

Tsunade's right hand supported her head as she gently shook it.

“The one who fought with you all yesterday should be your lover, Tsunade. I remember his scent.”

“Really? This... this is truly wonderful. Kōmei is very strong, and very safe.”

Katsuyu's news, like the humid morning breeze of the Land of Rain, dispelled Tsunade's exhaustion. The smile on Tsunade's face brightened the morning sun.

Jiraiya dispatched speed Ninja to send the message back to Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was greatly alarmed by the news and immediately summoned Danzo and two others to discuss.

“Jiraiya and his team encountered a masked man. A battle ensued, and one-tenth of the Village's dispatched Ninja were lost, with six-tenths injured. What do you think we should do?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the message sent back by Jiraiya and handed it to Danzo.

“Hold our ground. The front-line Ninja should first recover from their injuries. For now, avoid engaging with Hanzou. Sunagakure troops have already entered the Land of Rain; let them fight first.” Danzo was the first to speak.

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu seconded Danzo's method.

Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final decision.

“Alright, let's do as Danzo said. What about the masked man?”

“Hmph, send Anbu elites to kill him.”

Danzo clenched his fist and slammed it on the table beside him, splashing tea all over Homura Mitokado.

“No. The message from Jiraiya indicates that this person has no intention of being an enemy of Konoha.”

“During a critical period of war, we should avoid creating powerful enemies. For now, ignore him and secretly investigate his identity.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to interrupt Danzo.

“Hiruzen, he killed a large number of the Village's Ninja, yet you want to let him go? You are too weak.”

“Only temporarily. Everything waits until the war ends.”

“Hiruzen, you will regret this.”

Danzo slammed the door as he left the Hokage Office, returning to Root in a fit of rage.

Sitting in his chair, he took up a brush and wrote a single character, “Death,” with such force that it went through several sheets of paper, and the brush in his hand was already deformed.

“Someone!”

“Lord Danzo, what are your orders?”

“Take men to the Land of Rain, find a masked man, and bring his body back.”

“Understood.”

Danzo's Root was destined to return empty-handed.

Mitsuki Kōmei, holding Junzō, returned to the shelter. His mission in the Land of Rain was complete.

He had already returned to the Land of Water with three adults and four children.

He would go to the Land of Rain a second time in six months; the Planting Demon Heart was about to cool down.

Mitsuki Kōmei arranged Fuso and Ise in Uzumaki Village, entrusted Nagato, Yahiko, and Junzō to Uchiha Kawa, Konan to Guo Er, and Mihui entered the Secret Realm to manage the meals of a group of young Ninja.

Having witnessed the tragic state of the Common People in the Land of Rain, Mitsuki Kōmei wanted to develop a Sharp Weapon.

The Uzumaki Clan, as laborers, were finally going to be put to use.

“Chief Ashina, please sit. Today I called you here because I have something that your Uzumaki Clan needs to do.”

“Lord Shimotsuki, please instruct us.”

Mitsuki Kōmei picked up a piece of paper from the table. On it was drawn a small figure, particularly resembling the brat Shingetsu.

“This is the activation principle of the brat Shingetsu's Steam Imp. If water, oil, and Fire Release Ninjutsu are Sealed together in advance, will it produce the same explosive effect?”

“Additionally, can the Uzumaki Clan's Seal Jutsu Seal Ninjutsu into a scroll and set up a switch, so that when the switch is triggered, the Ninjutsu is released after ten-odd seconds?”

Uzumaki Ashina picked up the paper and stared at it carefully.

“Lord Shimotsuki, we can try, but we can't guarantee success.”

“Hmm, go ahead and try your best. If you need anything, find Kakuzu.”

After Uzumaki Ashina left, Mitsuki Kōmei walked into the inner courtyard, hugged Guo Er for a while, and then had an indescribable moment with Lian'er.

The war in the Land of Rain was still ongoing, with Sunagakure joining the battlefield.

Mitsuki Kōmei turned his attention to That Country and This Country, located below the Land of Water. He formulated a three-step plan.

The first step: incite conflict between the two countries. That Country and This Country had a good relationship, which had to be turned into opposition.

The second step: provoke a war between the two countries. Only Common People who had experienced a painful war would welcome the rule of the Land of Water.

The third step: send troops to invade both countries and incorporate them into the Land of Water's rule.

Mitsuki Kōmei publicly announced that he would marry within two years. He planned to build a golden palace as his bedchamber. The Land of Water heavily purchased gold, and the more gold, the higher the price.

A few days later, he secretly came to the border between the two countries and buried a gold mine underground. The gold mine was encased in huge, hard rocks.

After completing everything, Mitsuki Kōmei guided the two countries to discover the gold mine.

That Country and This Country were very happy, exclaiming in delight several times.

After expert surveying, the only feasible point for excavating a tunnel and drilling a well was located on the side of This Country, near the border line between the two countries.

The two countries decided to jointly mine it. Once the tunnel was dug, a problem arose.

There was a large amount of gold ore on That Country's side, but only rocks on This Country's side.

“Elder Brother Chiyo, it seems I am destined to get rich. Thank you for sending people to help dig the tunnel.”

“Younger Brother Shu, what do you mean? Do you want to monopolize the gold mine?” asked Lord Chiyo of This Country.

“Elder Brother Chiyo, that's not a nice thing to say. The gold mine is on That Country's side; it naturally belongs to me.”

“Alright, alright, alright. Lord Shu, you are very good. Go dig your tunnel on That Country's side. I won't let you use this one.”

Lord Chiyo flung his sleeve and left the border, sending troops to guard the tunnel and forbid That Country from using it.

Lord Shu of That Country also sent troops to the border, and the two countries faced off.

Mitsuki Kōmei secretly visited the Finance Minister of This Country at night, instructing him to advise Lord Chiyo of This Country to secretly mine gold.

Upon seeing Mitsuki Kōmei's one hundred million Ryo in cash, the Minister's eyes went wide. He rushed forward to hug the box of money, nodding in eager agreement.

The next day.

“Lord Chiyo, we have been in a standoff with That Country, spending a large amount of money and provisions every day. Why don't we secretly mine gold at night?”

“Is that permissible? Once discovered, war will inevitably break out between the two countries.”

“Lord Chiyo, war between the two countries is unavoidable, unless you give up the gold mine. Are you willing to cede the gold mine to That Country?”

“Impossible!” Lord Chiyo said unequivocally.

“You are right. Organize your men; we will begin mining gold tonight.”

This Country secretly mined for a few days before being discovered by That Country.

Lord Shu furiously cursed Lord Chiyo as a shameless thief, and the two countries officially went to war.

The Land of Water's army was already ready for deployment.