The subsequent third battle, since Yūshin had again plundered Akimichi Kizuki's chakra and had frugally conserved Akimichi Ninsei's chakra without using it all up, was equivalent to big brother plus second brother teaming up to beat up the third brother—a complete tragedy.
The battle result was even more predictable.
The Akimichi Clan suffered three consecutive defeats, and the entire ninja clan's confidence took a heavy blow. Especially the three brothers—after completing one round of battles, they all became somewhat withdrawn.
They began to doubt whether they even knew how to fight...
But corresponding to this tragic reality was that the idle spectators who came to watch the third battle far exceeded those at the second, including not only The Fireflies organization's ninja, but even many ninja from Reitō Castle.
After all, how curious Yūshin's people were about how he achieved victory was matched by how curious the Reitō Castle people were about how the Akimichi Clan kept losing.
Anyway, there was no harm in watching—it could be considered broadening one's horizons. Theoretically, selling peanuts, drinks, and mineral water around this venue could also make a small fortune.
After all, fundamentally speaking, the two words "single combat" seemed very unserious, and Yūshin had turned this unserious single combat into something that only determined superiority without deciding life and death, greatly reducing the bloodiness of combat and turning it into a spectacle.
Based on this, both sides began treating the current "war" more and more casually.
Or rather, even if they wanted to be serious, they couldn't manage it.
Defeat? So what if they were defeated—at worst, they'd end up covered in burns and have a few pieces of meat steamed, but it wouldn't even count as a bleeding incident.
In short, the atmosphere of the entire situation was developing in a rather bizarre direction, and it must be said that this atmosphere was exactly what Yūshin needed.
Having achieved three consecutive victories, Yūshin felt the most important part of this war was complete after finishing his work.
The township innovation enterprise "The Fireflies" had severely suppressed the stock price and shareholder confidence of the "Akimichi traditional family workshop." Once everything hit rock bottom, acquisition activities could begin.
Moreover, after this series of battles, Yūshin had some unexpected gains.
On one hand, through combat training, his Yang-type chakra nature transformation cultivation progress was continuously accelerating.
On the other hand, as he repeatedly demonstrated his Boil Release Kekkei Genkai, his side's morale received continuous boosts. After all, martial power represented everything, and the strength of an organization's leader could, to a considerable extent, reflect that organization's development potential.
Simply put, however much the Akimichi Clan lost in this series of battles, The Fireflies organization gained equally.
While they hadn't yet formed an iron-clad unity, the organization's internal cohesion was now completely different from before.
For example, at this moment, the Fūma Clan had devoted their efforts to designing and crafting a new weapon for their respected leader, presented by clan chief Gorō Fūma.
"What's this?"
When Gorō Fūma brought this weapon before Yūshin on a tray, Yūshin was somewhat puzzled.
"Leader, after witnessing your Kekkei Genkai and the combat style it creates, we carefully considered and designed this weapon that can help you exert force better and utilize your abilities more conveniently. We hope it can assist you in future battles."
"Huh? Specially designed for me?"
Yūshin looked at the full-size metal arm guard that Gorō Fūma was holding, thinking that regardless of whether this thing was practical or not, he had to accept the other party's thoughtfulness.
He picked up the arm guard and discovered this item had a very complex design. From inside to outside, it was layer upon layer of silk, cotton and linen, soft leather, hard leather, metal protective plates, and metal armor pieces. The outermost metal armor pieces were interconnected while each was fixed to more integrated, larger protective plates.
The most ingenious and complex design was that the Fūma Clan had embedded incredibly intricate piping inside the overall thin arm guard—these pipes were designed to better guide steam flow.
Hidden beneath the armor pieces at different positions on the forearm, elbow, and upper arm were the outlets for these pipes.
Especially the elbow guard, which extended two long conical metal tubes like antelope horns, with the tips of these metal tubes featuring specially designed outlets.
To complement this pair of "antelope horns," they had also carved an expressive-style demon face on the elbow guard.
Yūshin examined it and found its wearing method wasn't complex. He slipped his palm into the glove under the hand armor, fastened the straps in sequence, and finally buckled the outermost metal clasps.
Thus, this full-coverage arm armor from shoulder to fingertips fit comfortably and snugly against Yūshin's arm. He only felt the size and weight were just right, and after testing arm movement, he discovered that even with an additional piece of armor, it didn't affect his arm's flexibility at all.
Next, he tried using his Kekkei Genkai, and large amounts of steam immediately gushed out from different positions on the arm armor. After adapting slightly, he found that because the steam's flow direction was precisely controlled, he could indeed exert force better.
The contained steam that could erupt at high speed even allowed Yūshin to use greater power in his attacks.
It must be said this weapon combined offense and defense, fully demonstrating the Fūma Clan's high-level ninja tool manufacturing capabilities.
Yūshin experienced its effects and said to Gorō Fūma: "You've been thoughtful—thank you very much. This arm guard can considerably improve my combat effectiveness."
At times like this, he naturally didn't spare praise. The Fūma Clan had put considerable thought into this for him, not to mention this was a practical weapon rather than a flashy decoration.
"No, no, no need to thank us. If it can be useful, that's better than anything," Gorō Fūma said with a smile.
In this atmosphere of mutual praise, harmony was gradually achieved.
The location where the two were currently situated was a newly constructed building. Due to the wartime situation, Yūshin was using this place as a wartime command center.
After Yūshin finished his exchange with Gorō Fūma, he suddenly heard discussion sounds from ninja in the corridor outside.
He walked out with curiosity and discovered Shichimi Uchiha was also there.
"What's happening?"
A ninja who spoke with an accent and somewhat unclear articulation immediately said:
"Leader, due to your consecutive victories, we heard that Reitō Castle has bestowed a title upon you—they're calling you 'Flame Shadow.'"
This title's original meaning was that because Yūshin would create large amounts of steam during battle, sunlight passing through the clear atmosphere would cast these steam shadows on the ground, leaping with Yūshin's combat and looking like the shadow of giant flames.
It also meant that in Yūshin's battles with the Akimichi Clan, as the physically smaller party, his performance was more giant-like than the Akimichi ninja, so his shadow was the shadow of an invisible giant.
This title's origin was clear and its imagery meaningful, but the problem was this ninja had a bit of an accent...
"Enkage" (炎影)
Shichimi Uchiha thought this was a good title—Yūshin was the organization's leader, and this title matched the organization's consistent tone from Ashes to The Fireflies...
"Yankage" (焱影)
Yūshin thought this wasn't good. The "God of Shinobi" was only Hokage with one fire character, but his title with three fire characters made it seem like the God of Shinobi had become his subordinate.
After Konoha's establishment, how would Hashirama Senju cope?
Would the First Hokage have to immediately say "This old man should step aside and let him take the lead"?
No good, no good—too immodest.
Uh... the Akimichi Clan was just somewhat admiring of Yūshin, not worshipping him.
It could only be said that both of them were not only hearing things but also quite dramatic, able to layer additional meaning onto a simple title in their respective minds.
...
Two days later.
After completing the first phase of combat—namely, exactly three "single combats"—Reitō Castle and the Akimichi Clan actually had almost no possibility of victory left.
Some pessimistic people had already begun considering what the specific consequences would be after defeat.
Although the enemy seemed to have demonstrated incredible patience and mercy, no one could naively expect this mercy to continue indefinitely.
Unable to win in single combat, unable to succeed in underhanded tactics—was only the path of desperate large-scale warfare left?
However, after several rounds of confrontation with Yūshin, somehow Akimichi Ninsei and others had become somewhat accepting of his theory... Single combat really wasn't bad—it was just the three brothers taking turns getting beaten.
Clan members didn't have to die on the battlefield—there was nothing more fortunate than this.
So maintaining the status quo was a good choice. Even if Yūshin was trying to steal the Akimichi Clan's secret techniques, let him learn slowly—what could happen even if he learned them?
However, among those with heavy concerns about the future, daimyo Shimizu Kiyosuke was not included. He naturally had doubts too, but his doubts were in a different direction from ordinary people.
This evening, when Shimizu daimyo returned alone to his bedroom and arranged the ninja responsible for security to slightly more distant positions, he opened the window and stared blankly at the night sky and bright moon for a while.
Winter was about to pass, but the night remained completely silent—the sounds of birds, beasts, and insects would have to wait a while longer before beginning their chorus.
A while longer...
Thinking of this, Shimizu daimyo suddenly opened his mouth and said softly:
"Yūshin-san, are you here?"
"Daimyo-sama, did you need me for something?"
The voice that suddenly appeared behind him made Shimizu daimyo shudder violently. Huh? I was just asking casually, but you're really here?
Coming and going so freely—are you treating this place like your own home? Do you understand respecting others' privacy?
In fact, Yūshin understood very well, but he indeed didn't respect it.
"Yūshin-san, your infiltration abilities are indeed excellent, but... you should know that people scaring people can literally scare people to death."
Shimizu daimyo seemed to be just complaining. His expression showed he wasn't particularly dissatisfied with Yūshin's appearance—or rather, he had always wanted to find an opportunity to talk with Yūshin.
"Sorry, it's a habit. The people I usually deal with are generally ninja, and in most situations, I don't need to consider the feelings of opposing ninja," Yūshin said. In various senses, this had to count as speaking truthfully.
No problem—aside from being somewhat inhuman, no problem at all.
Shimizu daimyo could understand Yūshin's words. He yielded the window-side position, indicating Yūshin should sit behind a low table. After Yūshin was seated, he sat in the main position opposite.
Borrowing the moonlight, Shimizu Kiyosuke poured Yūshin a cup of tea.
This person seemed to have no airs, apparently entertaining an ordinary guest as an ordinary person... Of course, this approachable way of treating people definitely depended on the target—the daimyo couldn't possibly be so polite to everyone.
In front of capable ninja like Yūshin, Shimizu Kiyosuke had always maintained very clear self-awareness. Just based on this point, he was much stronger than that dead Kikyō daimyo.
It must be said that although that daimyo lived longer, he clearly lived like a dog.
"Yūshin-san, we're not far apart in age. Can you guess what I've been afraid of and constantly thinking about since I became sensible?"
In terms of age, Shimizu Kiyosuke appeared slightly older than Yūshin. Both sides could be considered peers, which was also one of the reasons Shimizu Kiyosuke felt Yūshin was someone he could communicate with.
Yūshin thought briefly and naturally said an answer:
"Preserving life in troubled times?"
"Ha, yes, yes, exactly that—this phrase summarizes it very precisely."
Yūshin thought this phrase was sufficient for you, but for me, I'd have to add "not seeking recognition among pig-headed daimyo."
"I know that compared to the vast majority of ordinary people and most ninja, people of my background already have quite good survival conditions. However, no matter how good, we can't escape the four words 'uncertain future.'"
Shimizu Kiyosuke shook his head as he spoke, and during his words, his eyes seemed to hold reminiscent expressions.
The higher one's social class, the more one cherishes life. Although Yūshin couldn't empathize with Shimizu Kiyosuke, he could understand some of the other party's thoughts through speculation.
The pain a daimyo encountered might be insignificant compared to ordinary civilians, but pain was ultimately pain. This bit of pain, for a "noble person" like a daimyo, might be a tremendously important matter.
Shimizu Kiyosuke's childhood experiences might be insignificant, but his worries were definitely not unfounded anxiety.
Regarding these words, Yūshin listened casually and took them as entertainment, because he couldn't distinguish how much of what this daimyo said was genuine feeling and how much was affected posturing.
"As a daimyo, I have clear recognition of Reitō Castle's environment—this is just a remote small city with very limited strength..."
"My ninja, although their strength is decent, are not top-tier."
"So a cruel reality has always been before my eyes: Reitō Castle fundamentally lacks the ability to change its environment. We are so disadvantaged that we can only drift with the current in troubled times, quietly waiting for the day we're submerged by the tide."
Don't look at Shimizu Kiyosuke's young age—his understanding of worldly affairs was quite comprehensive, without any adolescent delusions of being heaven's chosen.
Perhaps precisely because of this understanding, Reitō forces had always maintained a conservative posture. But if that was the case, why had they chosen to take military action against Kikyō Castle? Wasn't this somewhat contradictory?
"Although what you say is pessimistic, it's hard to refute... If nothing unexpected happens, in the near future, the vast majority of daimyo will fall into the fate you describe."
Besides agreeing, Yūshin seemed to have nothing else to say—he couldn't possibly be expected to comfort the other party, could he?
"Yes, and I have a premonition that the troubled times will probably end soon..."
This made Yūshin somewhat surprised, because this judgment was very accurate—not like a conclusion a small lord trapped in border regions and seeing only a narrow view could reach.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because the battles between ninja are becoming increasingly intense. The war situation has become more and more cruel in recent years, and far more people have died than before..."
"Raging fire cooking oil, extreme prosperity leading to decline—I feel that after a few more years of fighting at most, the ninja won't be able to continue."
Good judgment. If Black Zetsu factors were removed, Shimizu Kiyosuke's understanding was very consistent with historical development patterns.
"Daimyo-sama, I agree with your view, but... I still don't understand what you're trying to express."
Yūshin felt this daimyo was speaking in circles—he hadn't fully grasped the other party's intentions.
"What I mean is, based on basic crisis awareness, I've always been looking for a suitable target... um, a suitable target to surrender to."
Hmm? Isn't this thought transition a bit fast?
However, the idea of surrendering when you can't win seemed to have no problems for this daimyo.
He felt the turmoil had entered its most intense period, and soon the Shinobi World would produce a winner. This winner definitely couldn't be himself, so making surrender preparations early, accurately finding the future winner, and then going all-in might even secure an original shareholder or founder position.
This thinking wasn't great wisdom, but it was indeed very clever—at least showing Shimizu Kiyosuke had clear understanding of both the Shinobi World and his own situation.
"Surrender is indeed a technical job—ordinary technical workers can't handle it," Yūshin couldn't help saying.
"Yes, easier said than done. I don't know who I should depend on."
"I think at times like this, choosing late is much better than choosing wrongly."
"Really? You think so too?"
Yūshin nodded and said: "Before the Shinobi World's situation becomes clear, it's best to continue observing for now."
Shimizu Kiyosuke pondered thoughtfully.
Yūshin continued: "I have a suggestion—I wonder if daimyo-sama would be willing to hear it."
"Please speak. Don't be restrained—today we're just having a casual chat."
"My suggestion is... I align myself with daimyo-sama."
"Hmm... huh?"
"Then, the Akimichi Clan surrenders to me."
"Huh?"
Shimizu Kiyosuke daimyo's brain instantly crashed—for a moment, he had difficulty understanding Yūshin's thinking.
Wait, your thought jumps are even faster than mine!
Surrender indeed had very high technical content.
Yūshin needed the ninja under this daimyo's command. In his view, taking this daimyo as an accessory along the way was no problem—this way, The Fireflies organization and the Akimichi Clan's merger wouldn't encounter any political obstacles.
Afterward, Yūshin's organization could become stronger, and Reitō Castle's ninja forces would expand dramatically—wasn't this a win-win situation?
A world where no one was hurt was achieved.
Except for some guy surnamed Date, who might sing lyrics like "Selling out my love, owing a debt to conscience."
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