"No matter what, the hostile relationship between Hidden Mist Village and Daimyo Manor cannot change."
"The act must continue; remember not to let other Ninja villages see through it."
Mitsuki Kōmei said to Yagura solemnly; this matter was related to his grand money-making plan, so he had to take it seriously.
Yagura nodded earnestly, "Understood, Shimotsuki-sama. Do you have any other orders?"
Mitsuki Kōmei lowered his head and thought for a while. There were still a few years until the Second Shinobi World War, and during that time, he didn't need Yagura to do anything.
"Nothing for now. Keep a close watch on other Ninja villages; they might make moves soon. I'm not sure if Hidden Mist Village will receive an invitation."
In the 31st year of Konoha, Whirlpool Country was destroyed. Aside from Konoha, several other major Ninja villages participated, with Hidden Mist Village being the main force.
Given the significant changes in Hidden Mist Village, Mitsuki Kōmei wasn't sure if things would unfold differently.
Having completely taken control of the Land of Water, Mitsuki Kōmei was temporarily idle. He began to consider how to elevate the Land of Water's power to the next level.
Lying in a rocking chair, Guo Er's tender small hands gently massaged his shoulders. Mitsuki Kōmei looked up at the fifteen-year-old Guo Er.
Tall, curvaceous, with an increasingly refined face, her protagonist-like features combined with red eyes. When she smiled brightly at him, Mitsuki Kōmei almost couldn't keep his composure. He thought, 'Just six more months.'
"Young Master, are you tired? I'll massage your shoulders so you can rest well."
"Not tired. Come, let's sunbathe together."
Pulling Guo Er onto the rocking chair with him, he held her in his arms and continued to ponder how to Cultivate more Ninja.
First was secrecy. If he cultivated a large number of Ninja, it certainly couldn't be discovered by other countries. Currently, he wasn't prepared to be an enemy of the entire Ninja World.
Spies from various villages were ubiquitous and impossible to guard against.
These spies were also bold; even spies from the Land of Keys dared to gather intelligence in Konoha.
Since it was difficult to defend, he could only hide them.
Mitsuki Kōmei thought it over and over, then turned his head to see Guo Er staring at him unblinkingly.
His eyes lit up, and he thought of Penglai Island. 'That's right, buy another blank Holy Land, hide all the Ninja there, and the problem will be immediately solved.'
Mitsuki Kōmei turned his head and gave Guo Er a big kiss.
"Guo Er, you truly are my lucky star."
"Mm… as long as I can help Young Master," Guo Er, shy from Mitsuki Kōmei's kiss, buried her head in his embrace and replied softly.
With the hiding problem solved, Mitsuki Kōmei continued to ponder who he should Cultivate and which individuals were worth his investment of points.
The Akatsuki Organization members generally didn't have good endings, but it was undeniable that each of them was a talent.
The second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—Zabuza, Ameyuri Ringo, and Hohzuki Mangetsu—all performed quite well.
Mitsuki Kōmei squeezed Guo Er's perky bottom, then thought of his two grand-nephews. Unfortunately, they were not easy to approach.
Reluctantly releasing his grip, Mitsuki Kōmei sat up from the rocking chair and pulled Guo Er to her feet.
"Let's go, Guo Er, we have important business to attend to."
Mitsuki Kōmei traveled by carriage to the Daimyo City Human Cultivation Primary School, which was ostensibly an ordinary primary school but was, in fact, his base for cultivating Ninja.
He jumped off the carriage, entered a certain teaching building, opened a hidden door in the utility room, and led Guo Er down dozens of steps. He waved for the Ninja guarding in the shadows to retreat.
Turning left around a corner, they continued down thirty more steps, turned right through a long corridor, and finally stopped before a large door.
"Shimotsuki-sama."
Two Jonin knelt on one knee to greet Mitsuki Kōmei.
"Open the door."
The two Jonin took out two keys, unlocked the two locks on the left and right, and pulled open the large door.
Mitsuki Kōmei stepped inside, revealing a huge underground space where several large buildings had already been constructed, with many children moving in and out.
"Young Master, why have you come?"
Uchiha Kawa was fully responsible for Ninja cultivation. Hearing the sound of the door opening, he rushed over to check.
"I came to take a look. Have you encountered any difficulties?"
"No, the children are all very obedient, and their training is diligent and hard-working. The teachers don't need to worry."
Mitsuki Kōmei nodded in satisfaction upon hearing about the young Ninja's performance. "Take me to see their training."
"Shimotsuki-sama."
As he approached the training ground, he heard someone call him. He turned his head to see Hozuki Shingetsu running towards him with an excited expression.
"Little Shingetsu, why aren't you training with your classmates? Did you get into a fight with them?"
"No, I know everything they're learning, so the teacher told me to train on my own." Hozuki Shingetsu proudly showed off to Mitsuki Kōmei.
"Young Master, the little fellow Shingetsu learns everything quickly, so we've given him some special tutoring."
"Teaching according to aptitude, you've done very well," Mitsuki Kōmei said to Uchiha Kawa, then looked at Hozuki Shingetsu and reached out to pat his head.
"Of course, little Shingetsu is also excellent. Keep up the good work."
"I certainly will, Shimotsuki-sama."
Mitsuki Kōmei followed Uchiha Kawa to the training ground, standing at the edge, watching hundreds of young Ninja training with sweat pouring down. He felt very gratified.
"Young Master, please say a few words of encouragement to them." Uchiha Kawa gathered everyone together.
"Is that our savior, Shimotsuki-sama? He has such an aura."
"Thanks to Shimotsuki-sama for taking me away, otherwise I would have died in the Nightmare Forest. I must train hard to repay Shimotsuki-sama."
"Me too. I want to become the sharpest Ninja sword in Shimotsuki-sama's hand, to kill all his enemies."
A group of young Ninja whispered, staring at Mitsuki Kōmei with admiration and gratitude.
"I see your efforts, and you are all doing wonderfully."
"I hope you persevere. The Ninja World is very dangerous. The more you strive, the less danger there is, and the greater your chance of survival."
"Thank you, Shimotsuki-sama, we will."
"We will definitely persevere and become powerful Ninja to repay you."
Turning to leave the training ground, a group of adorable children. He hoped their names would appear on the retirement list, not the death list.
"Uncle He, come with me."
Mitsuki Kōmei led Uchiha Kawa into the equipment room, opened an inconspicuous door, and entered the new Holy Land, Hōjō Island.
"Uncle He, from now on, put the Ninja brought back by Hidden Mist Village on the island to Cultivate. Don't let them leave easily."
"Young Master, where is this?"
"A Secret Realm. Its confidentiality is good; it won't be easily discovered."
Mitsuki Kōmei briefly explained to Uchiha Kawa what a Secret Realm was, leaving Uchiha Kawa so shocked he couldn't utter a word.
"I understand, Young Master, rest assured. I guarantee no one will leak the secret."
"I trust your work."
Mitsuki Kōmei arranged all matters and returned to Daimyo Manor with Guo Er to continue rocking.
Six months later, Yagura sent word that the three great Ninja villages were about to send representatives to visit Hidden Mist Village.
What was bound to happen eventually did. Whirlpool Country was still targeted by several villages, unable to escape its fate of destruction.
Mitsuki Kōmei had to attend the meeting to learn the plans of the various nations, which would facilitate his schemes for Uzushiogakure's Seal techniques.
The main goal was to get Uzumaki laborers for free.