On the main road leading to the Land of Hot Water, the Daimyo's carriage moved steadily forward.
The wheels rolled, kicking up plumes of dust.
Inside the carriage, thin trails of incense smoke curled upward, carrying a calm and soothing scent.
Arashi leaned back against the soft couch, his gaze drifting through the window toward the retreating scenery outside.
The scale of this journey was similar to his previous trip to Konoha, though this time, a few more officials accompanied him.
Just then, the voice of his confidant, Asaba Toru, came from outside the carriage. "Daimyo-sama!"
"Come in."
The curtain was lifted, and the young Asaba entered, kneeling respectfully on the floor. "Greetings, Daimyo-sama!"
"Rise."
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama."
"How have things progressed?"
"Reporting, Daimyo-sama," Asaba said. His youthful voice had grown steadier over time. "As per your instructions, we have established contact with several nobles from the Lands of Earth and Wind."
"In particular, some officials from the Ministries of Finance in both nations have shown great interest in our cooperation proposal."
"Very good." Arashi nodded, satisfied.
What they called 'interest' was simply another form of greed.
As long as there was desire, there would be leverage.
"On the side of the Land of Water, progress is slower due to the sea's separation, but several trade routes are already under negotiation."
Asaba continued, "As for the Land of Lightning… due to the war, there has been no progress yet."
"No rush." Arashi tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "The Land of Lightning will soon open its doors to welcome us in."
Once this Daimyo conference concluded, once those three thousand heads fell, and once the Land of Lightning's vitality was severely damaged, that would be the perfect time to harvest.
His strategy had never been merely about trade.
Through business came profit, and profit was the bait that the greedy could never resist.
Once their clans and factions became deeply entangled with the Land of Fire's interests, they would become tools in his hands.
And their purpose would be simple—ensuring that their nations would not interfere when the Land of Earth was to be dealt with later.
In fact, they would even have to help restrain the Land of Earth.
He intended to forge a new world order with wealth.
Thinking of this, Arashi said, "Bribery and infiltration are merely low-level tactics."
"Relying solely on financial ties is unstable."
"This subordinate understands," Asaba nodded quickly.
"No, you don't understand yet." Arashi shook his head.
"When their appetites are satisfied, when they become completely dependent on us…"
"Remember, the deeper the financial ties, the more you must secure evidence that could take their heads."
"Embezzlement, collusion with foreign nations, assassinations of political rivals…" Arashi's tone turned amused. "If such things don't exist, then help them create some."
"They must understand that once they board our ship, there is no getting off."
"The only way they can live is to pray that my ship never sinks."
The air inside the carriage instantly turned heavy.
Cold sweat beaded on Asaba's forehead, his breathing caught for a moment.
"You can handle the finer details yourself," Arashi said as he leaned back again. "I only want results."
"Yes, Daimyo-sama. I will not fail your trust!"
Asaba knelt again, bowing low, hiding both his shock and awe.
"You may go."
"Yes!"
Asaba bowed and exited.
The curtain fell back into place, only to be lifted again moments later.
Tanaka and several senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered, bowing in unison. "Daimyo-sama."
Once everyone had taken their seats, Arashi asked directly, "Are the negotiation details for the Daimyo conference prepared?"
"Reporting, Daimyo-sama," Tanaka said respectfully, taking out a scroll from his robe. "This is the draft prepared according to your decree. Please review it."
"Read it aloud," Arashi instructed without taking it.
"Yes!" Tanaka quickly unrolled the scroll. "Our proposed draft includes several main points…"
"First, demand that the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning issue a formal public apology for the invasion."
"Second, war reparations."
"We initially estimate that the Land of Lightning must compensate the Land of Fire with a sum equal to five years of their national revenue."
"Third, cede three border mines and all strategic strongholds at the border between our two nations."
"Fourth…"
Tanaka read each point aloud, every term harsh and precise.
The officials beside him listened, their faces glowing with excitement.
If these demands were met, the Land of Fire's national strength would reach unprecedented heights.
Soon, Tanaka finished reading and awaited the Daimyo's response.
Arashi asked, "Is that all?"
Tanaka hesitated. "Yes, Daimyo-sama. That's all."
"Not enough."
"What?"
Tanaka and the other officials exchanged confused glances.
Not enough?
These demands were already severe. Any more, and it wouldn't be negotiation—it would be forcing the Land of Lightning into a corner.
Tanaka cautiously asked, "Then… what does Daimyo-sama intend?"
Arashi didn't answer directly. Instead, he posed three calm questions.
"Can an apology bring back the shinobi who sacrificed their lives at the border?"
"Can reparations make up for the terror caused by the battle beneath Konoha's walls?"
"Can ceding territory guarantee they won't repeat their mistakes?"
The three questions silenced everyone in the carriage.
Seeing their confusion, Arashi said plainly, "Add one more condition. I want to station troops in the Land of Lightning."
His words struck like thunder.
Station troops?
Station troops in the Land of Lightning?
"Daimyo-sama! This… this absolutely cannot be!" Tanaka blurted out in shock.
Arashi raised a hand to stop him. "Wait until I finish."
"When we arrive at the Land of Hot Water, you will meet with the Daimyo of the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water."
"Tell them I invite them…"
"To jointly station troops in the Land of Lightning."
"Ah?" The officials were stunned.
Tanaka stammered, "This… is that even possible?"
"Why not?" Arashi said. "Kumogakure developed a space-time Ninjutsu capable of bypassing borders and deploying thousands of troops directly into another nation's territory."
"This act breaks the long-standing rules of war in the shinobi world and poses a great threat to world peace."
"Shouldn't that be regulated?"
The officials suddenly understood.
That's right!
Kumogakure's space-time infiltration method!
Seeing their expressions change, Arashi continued, "Therefore, our troop deployment isn't for invasion or occupation."
"It's a peacekeeping mission."
"It's to ensure that the Land of Lightning never again uses such dangerous techniques to threaten the security of other nations."
"We're eliminating a major security risk for the entire shinobi world."
"We represent justice."
It could… be said like that?
After hearing him, Tanaka and the others were stunned.
Turning blatant aggression into a mission of justice for world peace?
They immediately understood the Daimyo's intent.
Four nations jointly stationing troops!
Originally, they had worried this plan would provoke the other nations.
But with an invitation to share in the act, the others would not object. They would even support it.
Four against one.
Even if the Land of Lightning resisted, they would have no choice but to comply.
Realizing the implications of such a move, the officials grew visibly excited.
Tanaka said eagerly, "Understood, Daimyo-sama! When we reach the Land of Hot Water, we will establish contact immediately."
The officials began to discuss fervently.
Arashi listened quietly, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
What he had just said was only the surface of the plan.
The real game would unfold outside the conference.
Only when those three thousand Kumogakure shinobi disappeared completely would the Land of Lightning be left powerless.
Only then would the other nations sense an opportunity.
And only then would the great Land of Fire have its moment to uphold justice.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)