"Master, if we stay in the same apartment as last time for this trip to Konoha Village, you will be able to enjoy the convenience that Technology brings."
Ichiryu looked at his disciple's beaming face, feeling immensely relieved. He could sense that Mifune's various proposals and his efforts to promote cooperation between the Land of Iron and Konoha Village were sincerely intended to help the Land of Iron develop again. Ichiryu felt he had made the right choice in taking him as a disciple.
"Good. I'm looking forward to experiencing this so-called Technology myself, seeing what it is that has so captivated even a man of your strong will." Ichiryu said, half-jokingly.
In fact, he genuinely didn't understand. A washing machine, a refrigerator—weren't they just a hired servant and a personal root cellar? The functions were similar. One washes clothes, and the other is used to store food so it doesn't spoil easily. As for that air conditioner that blows cool air, wasn't it the same as a servant waving a fan?
But seeing Mifune's slightly yearning expression, Ichiryu felt that perhaps things weren't as simple as he thought.
"Um... Ichiryu-sama, could you please take us along this time! We also want to see Konoha Village." The other three samurai also nodded in agreement. "Hehe... yes, Ichiryu-sama. We also want to experience Technology."
Ichiryu looked at them with a sense of disappointment. "All of you constantly say that Ninja are the greatest enemy of the samurai, and now you're all so eager to visit a Ninja's village!"
One of the samurai scratched his head. "We're going to investigate, after all. We can't forge swords behind closed doors; we must learn from the experience of others to surpass them. That's what your subordinate means."
Ichiryu gave them a dismissive look. He couldn't be bothered to expose the little games these fellows were playing. Investigation, indeed. They simply liked the new things Mifune had described and wanted to experience them firsthand. But Ichiryu could also understand. Since he had already decided to learn from Ninja society, learning their models and Technology, he couldn't view them with prejudice. He had to be humble, just as he was when he first began studying the Way of the Samurai.
"Fine, you three may go along, but you must also help Mifune figure out what gift to send the Hokage!"
"Your subordinates obey!"
The four samurai and Mifune retreated, leaving only Ichiryu in the room. He sat quietly for a while, then also left the general's mansion and went outside. Watching the simple children running through the city's streets and alleys, Ichiryu seemed to recall his own youth.
The Land of Iron was not so decadent back then. Everyone carried a strong will, determined to surpass the Ninja through their own Bushido and bring the Way of the Samurai back to the world's peak, earning the respect of all. But as time changed, more and more people were assimilated by the Ninja, choosing to join their ranks and abandoning their Bushido.
Ichiryu did not blame these people. Everyone has their own pursuits, and he couldn't obstruct their choices; he could only be more rigorous with himself. Finally, at the age of thirty, he became the new General of the Land of Iron. But the Land of Iron at that time was completely different from his childhood memories.
Almost eighty percent of the nation's men went off in pursuit of the so-called Bushido. Some even became fanatical, abandoning their wives and children to gather and discuss the supposed Way of the Samurai. But this was merely a way for them to escape reality.
Why escape reality? Ultimately, it was because the country had no hope. Due to the lack of contact with the outside world and no economic income, taxes were raised to ensure the country's operation. The samurai hardly engaged in any farming, and all the burden and pressure were placed on the common citizens. This ultimately led to the present situation.
"Alas, I hope that trading with Konoha Village can truly revitalize the Land of Iron." Mifune was a very clever young man and not rigid. Although he possessed his own Bushido, he wasn't obsessive about it. He also possessed the spirit of dedicating everything to the Land of Iron. He was undoubtedly the best candidate to become the future General. Ichiryu was old now, and his judgment could often be flawed, so he was trying to listen to the opinions of the new generation.
"I hope the Land of Iron, after this series of immense changes, can truly flourish."
On this ancient land, generations of samurai were deeply rooted. As the last group of people in the world clinging to the already declining Way of the Samurai, they longed for a day when samurai would once again be remembered and recognized. That way, their lifelong efforts would not have been in vain.
...
As night fell, the people of Konoha Village gathered to chat after dinner, carrying stools and sitting under the streetlights or in bright areas. Groups of women or men chatted enthusiastically. Occasionally, passing Ninja would join in. Whether they knew each other or not, the conversation was always lively.
Torifu and Naori had also finished their meal, and they were now ready to head to the wedding venue. To be honest, Naori had been looking forward to this all afternoon. As one of the main characters of the wedding, she was naturally very excited about the venue. Holding the first, and only, wedding of her life in a grand and magnificent place was unimaginable. She couldn't imagine how happy she would be then.
"Torifu, you still haven't told me where the wedding venue is."
Torifu smiled. "It's right here in Konoha Village. You can take a guess."
"Konoha Village?" Naori was a little confused. Was it really going to be a wedding on the streets of Konoha Village? Upon reflection, Naori was a little disappointed, but it wasn't impossible. After all, with so many people, finding a perfect venue was too difficult.
Seeing Naori's expression, Torifu knew she had guessed wrong. "Haha, I won't tease you anymore. Grab my hand. Let's go."
"Huh?" So it's not on the street? Naori's heart lifted slightly. She then took Torifu's hand.
In the next second, countless wisps of cloud vapor spewed from Torifu's sleeves, propelling the two of them into the sky. Because there was almost no sound, and it was very dark, they weren't noticed by anyone. Naori's eyes were stinging from the airflow, and she didn't know where they were going. She could only squint, trying to see her surroundings, but it was pitch black. She decided not to bother and closed her eyes, waiting until they arrived.
She had thought it would take a while to reach the destination, but to her surprise, they landed on a stable surface in less than five minutes.
Naori slowly opened her eyes. "Are we... here?"