After Shimizu Kiyosuke fully understood the meaning behind Yūshin's words, he hesitated slightly.
Fundamentally speaking, merging the two forces was indeed a good idea. A ninja like Yūshin would undoubtedly enhance Reitō Castle's combat strength.
More importantly, this would integrate the Land of the River Source's armed forces, thereby unifying the local political situation in one stroke.
With only one daimyo ruling the land, military affairs unified externally and political matters flowing smoothly from top to bottom, after eliminating internal friction, the Land of the River Source's situation would instantly improve.
Using this as a base, even if they couldn't say the future held great promise, the situation would definitely be much clearer than before.
The benefits were obvious, but Shimizu Kiyosuke still hesitated.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Yūshin—frankly speaking, what daimyo valued and what ninja valued were inherently different. As long as both sides remained rational, cooperation would definitely not be a problem.
The issue was that no matter how clever Shimizu Kiyosuke was, he couldn't escape the perspective limited by his social class... He was a daimyo, and having a ninja plan to betray another daimyo in front of him felt somewhat awkward no matter how he thought about it.
Additionally, the recently deceased former daimyo of Kikyō Castle was theoretically connected to Yūshin as well.
Once the two sides began cooperating, situations where "the guest bullies the host" would inevitably occur, and at that time, the daimyo's side would probably have to show magnanimity and "endure for the sake of the nation."
Shimizu Kiyosuke could currently command the Akimichi Clan as if they were his own arm, but Yūshin's Fireflies organization would most likely not be harmonious to this degree.
However, reason told Shimizu Kiyosuke that these weren't real problems, because...
You must know this Shimizu daimyo was someone who had always been considering how to surrender, to whom to surrender, and what posture to use when surrendering. Cooperating with Yūshin—could the outcome possibly be worse than surrendering?
After thinking it through, Shimizu Kiyosuke decided to be frank. He asked: "If we cooperate, how should the daimyo of Kikyō Castle position himself?"
Yūshin shook his head, deliberately using a somewhat confused expression as he said: "Daimyo-sama, it seems your intelligence gathering capabilities are also quite limited... The current Kikyō Castle has no daimyo at all."
He hadn't made Date Kametani become daimyo at the time, arranging for him the position of "acting castle lord."
Back then, Yūshin's vision wasn't so far-reaching that he could foresee the current situation... His previous refusal to give the other party the daimyo title was purely out of habitual spite.
This current situation could only be considered an unintentional coincidence.
"No daimyo? Isn't the current daimyo of Kikyō Castle Date Kametani-sama?" Shimizu Kiyosuke couldn't help but lose his composure again.
Why were there always new surprises he hadn't anticipated?
Yūshin shook his head very clearly:
"After the previous daimyo of Kikyō Castle died unexpectedly, his direct relatives also unfortunately perished, so the responsibility of managing Kikyō Castle fell to Date Kametani."
"However, the identity he uses to exercise power is not daimyo, but acting castle lord."
The previous daimyo and his family had definitely not died by Yūshin's hand—the killer was one hundred percent someone else, and Date Kametani could testify to this.
"Acting castle lord? So he's not the daimyo..."
In other words, Yūshin and his Fireflies organization had never been subordinate to another daimyo. Since no subordinate relationship existed, their job change couldn't be defined as betrayal.
Although this was just some self-deceptive rationalization, Shimizu Kiyosuke understood what it meant when "names are not correct, words do not follow reason"... In any case, he now felt his thoughts were clear.
"Of course not. If daimyo-sama is willing, he can become your retainer next."
If unwilling, then Yūshin couldn't be bothered—he wasn't Date Kametani's father and didn't need to consider things so comprehensively.
Besides, Date Kametani had heavy puppet characteristics, so his opinion was irrelevant.
Throughout Yūshin's conversation with Shimizu Kiyosuke, his way of addressing this daimyo had always seemed very awkward. Now the latter finally understood—this was some kind of suggestive deliberate behavior... If both sides cooperated, it would necessarily be equal cooperation.
Shimizu Kiyosuke had witnessed Yūshin's strength more than once, so he had no objection to this type of cooperation.
In front of powerful ninja like Yūshin, a daimyo couldn't take himself too seriously—this was standard longevity thinking.
Ninja certainly couldn't help daimyo live longer, but they could let daimyo experience what "light-speed burial" meant.
The tacit understanding between political forces and ninja forces was just tacit understanding—the binding force of this tacit understanding was weakening day by day.
Additionally, with the vivid experiences of his "peers" right before his eyes, Shimizu Kiyosuke naturally understood what cautious behavior meant.
He wasn't someone who dragged his feet. After fully considering gains and losses, he stood up and very firmly extended his right hand toward Yūshin:
"Yūshin-san, pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation, daimyo-sama."
Yūshin also stood up, extending his hand to shake solemnly with the other party.
After both sides sat down again, Shimizu Kiyosuke said:
"However, there's one thing I must say upfront—I cannot force the Akimichi Clan to join your organization. I hope you can understand."
"I understand. You can leave this matter to me."
Whether he was daimyo or not didn't matter—he was just an add-on to the Akimichi Clan. Although he had chatted with the other party for a long time, Yūshin hadn't forgotten his original purpose.
Both sides discussed some details and settled them one by one, after which Yūshin chose to take his leave.
...
The Akimichi Clan still didn't know they had been sold out by their lord. Despite low morale, they still chose to fight for Reitō Castle.
Yūshin didn't even need to send letters anymore—single combat battles occurred almost every two days, and naturally Akimichi Clan ninja would come.
They didn't have many people, so it wouldn't take too long for Yūshin to fight through one round.
Gradually, the Fireflies organization ninja and Akimichi Clan ninja who came to watch the battles would even mix together, commenting on the battle situation with back-and-forth remarks.
In this way, the Akimichi Clan ninja learned about what kind of ninja organization The Fireflies really was in a very natural manner.
Of course, each Akimichi ninja's battle frequency was definitely different. When Akimichi Ninsei was beaten for the third time, deep winter had ended and the earth was warm with spring flowers blooming.
Guess what? In the process of constantly eating, sleeping, and fighting Akimichi, Yūshin unknowingly mastered Yang-type chakra transformation.
Winter was originally the season for gaining weight, but after this winter, every Akimichi Clan ninja was lean and wiry.
Yūshin was happy to continue fighting, because with the help of these free training partners, he not only learned new attribute transformation but also made great progress in taijutsu and Boil Release.
However, Akimichi Ninsei, who had been tortured quite severely, finally couldn't stand it anymore.
This evening, he came alone to Kikyō Castle, preparing to have a face-to-face conversation with Yūshin.
On Kikyō Castle's side, The Fireflies organization's camp had long since completed its construction. Yūshin met the seemingly furious Akimichi Ninsei in the reception room of his residence.
He was indeed somewhat angry, but besides anger, he had no way to counterattack.
"Yūshin-sama, our battles have continued for an entire winter season. Even I can see that you actually have ulterior motives... If you have any demands, why not speak them directly?"
Akimichi Ninsei spoke straightforwardly, his tone stiff, and his expression showed not only anger but even a bit of grievance.
No helping it—honest people who get bullied are like this.
What ulterior motives could Yūshin have? Nothing more than playing hard to get.
However, Akimichi Ninsei coming alone to Kikyō Castle showed he wasn't worried about his safety. Because if Yūshin had any murderous intentions toward him, he would have died on the battlefield long ago... So his harsh attitude was, in a sense, a kind of fearlessness based on confidence.
"Eh, clan leader, I remember you didn't have the habit of wearing this kind of turban-style forehead protector before?"
Yūshin instead talked about other things, bringing up sensitive topics.
After Akimichi Ninsei's perm failure, he had no choice but to wrap his head with a headscarf. The perpetrator was actually making jokes about it here... He felt his stomach swell with anger again.
"I actually don't have any special demands... In fact, our entire organization greatly admires Shimizu Kiyosuke-sama and wants to find an opportunity to serve him."
"However, this daimyo has always been considerate of your Akimichi Clan's feelings, worried that ninja of different origins working together would cause conflicts, so he refuses to accept us."
"That's why I had no choice but to persist in fighting with you, to prove our strength... Recently, Shimizu daimyo thought of a win-win solution, but he's afraid you won't accept it."
Akimichi Ninsei didn't think there was anything unacceptable. After being beaten for so long, they had gained some understanding of Yūshin and The Fireflies organization.
Would The Fireflies organization joining Reitō Castle be a bad thing?
"Win-win? What solution?"
"That is, we join your Akimichi Clan, then together become the daimyo's ninja."
"Huh?"
Akimichi Ninsei was so angry he laughed. What joining the Akimichi Clan—they didn't have the strength to subdue Yūshin. Even if an organization could join a ninja clan, what would definitely happen next would be a complete reversal, with the ninja clan's control definitely falling into Yūshin's hands.
"Yūshin-sama, if you want to invite us to join The Fireflies organization, you can speak directly."
"Clan leader speaks frankly. In fact, I've always greatly admired your strength. If our two sides' forces could be integrated together, it would be a good thing for Shimizu daimyo, Reitō Castle, Kikyō Castle, and the entire Land of the River Source."
Yūshin wasn't just interested in the Akimichi Clan—he also wanted to use them as bait, hoping that someday he might hook the Pig and Deer clans.
In fact, if what Yūshin said about wanting to join under Reitō Castle was true, Akimichi Ninsei could agree to join The Fireflies organization on the spot.
Yūshin had fought with almost every Akimichi ninja. Both sides could be considered "friends through fighting," and Yūshin was barely "winning people over with virtue"... Except that the flavor of his virtue wasn't quite right, there were no other problems.
However, as clan leader, Akimichi Ninsei had to be extremely cautious when making this kind of decision.
"Just like the Fūma Clan within your organization?"
During this period, Akimichi Ninsei had already learned about the Fūma Clan's situation within The Fireflies organization. In a word: obey collective orders while maintaining relative independence.
"Yes, within the organization, the Akimichi Clan will still be the Akimichi Clan. This point won't change."
In fact, after surviving the most difficult period, there would be no problem with the Hagūgen ninja in the organization resuming their original surnames. However, to consider the Fūma Clan's feelings and maintain the atmosphere of "all within the four seas are brothers," Yūshin hadn't done this yet.
Akimichi Ninsei thought for a moment and said:
"I need to discuss this with everyone in the clan. More importantly, this matter must be based primarily on daimyo-sama's opinion..."
"This is proper. We greatly respect Shimizu daimyo."
Yūshin knew the Akimichi Clan wasn't Akimichi Ninsei's one-man show, but under the premise of the highest leader's permission and the ninja clan being able to maintain its integrity, this clan's collective will should comply with Yūshin's demands.
Akimichi Ninsei subsequently took his leave. After just one night, by the next morning, he brought his two younger brothers and came to Kikyō Castle again.
"Yūshin-sama, following the daimyo's instructions, our Akimichi Clan is willing to join The Fireflies organization. From now on, we will obey the organization's will and commands. We hope you can treat us with fairness and openness, cherishing our lives as you would blood brothers."
Akimichi Ninsei's clothing and behavior at this time appeared extremely formal.
"I will never treat the life of any person in the organization lightly. This is definitely not an oath, but fact."
The ninja standing behind Yūshin could each testify to this point.
Next, Yūshin and Akimichi Ninsei's hands clasped together.
Gorō Fūma on the side was getting restless. He said in a low voice:
"Is it coming, everyone?"
"What's coming?"
People around were still playing the straight man.
"The blood fusion ceremony—what else could it be?"
Gorō Fūma had taken a cut back then, so he couldn't forget it and wanted to see other unlucky fellows go through the same ordeal.
He now knew Yūshin's recovery ability was abnormal, but the good thing was he only needed to take one cut, while Yūshin had to take a cut every time... In a sense, this had to count as self-inflicted suffering.
"Is it necessary?"
Yūshin thought times were different now, and besides, the Akimichi Clan was skilled in Yang-type chakra transformation. Taking a cut would hurt, but their recovery speed would definitely not be slow.
But before he could refuse, Chihori Hagūgen had already walked over carrying a tray. The tray was covered with white silk, and on the white silk lay a short sword.
There were even five rings on the short sword...
Damn it, this was still the one Yūshin had picked up from the Sarutobi Clan.
With the atmosphere reaching this point, Yūshin could only say: "Then let's do it."
"Fuse... fuse what?" Akimichi Ninsei was confused.
But at this time, he felt his palm was already firmly gripped. Next, Yūshin suddenly raised his hand and brought down the blade, directly nailing both their palms together.
Akimichi Ninsei was in so much pain his mouth twitched.
He instantly understood the meaning of this ceremony, however...
What kind of primitive tribal custom of drinking blood and eating raw meat was this?
Blood dripped down, and the people around began clapping frantically. Akimichi Ninsei was even more confused—why were you all so excited?
He naturally couldn't understand what this ceremony represented to the desperate Fūma Clan.
Subsequently, Chihori took the short sword back, washed and disinfected it, then stored it away with extreme care.
This made Yūshin's mouth start twitching too. Wasn't this going too far? He suspected that someday in the future he would die from some cross-infection.
After completing this unlucky ceremony, the Akimichi Clan had become one of their own.
While bandaging wounds, Yūshin had already begun assigning tasks to his own people.
"Akimichi clan leader, next the Land of the River Source's ninja forces will be reorganized. This matter is important but not urgent. I now want to give you an extremely urgent task."
Akimichi Ninsei nodded with a stern face, thinking that after joining the organization, he would indeed face a severe test.
"Yūshin-sama, please speak."
"It's like this—next I want to focus my energy on military affairs, which means the daimyo needs to focus budget and funding on military affairs... Your task is very important: try to secure sufficient funding from Shimizu daimyo."
"Anyway, current administrative costs are pitifully low, and the daimyo doesn't need to maintain an overly luxurious lifestyle, so where should the Land of the River Source's money be used? Of course on us."
Akimichi Ninsei: "..."
Huh? This kind of urgent task? It must be said, it really was urgent and important, but why assign it to me? I'm the "newcomer" in the organization.
Yūshin thought of course the task had to be given to you—otherwise how could you understand where your position really lay?
Ninja were ninja, daimyo were daimyo. Both sides could certainly cooperate closely, but positions couldn't be confused.
"Any problems?"
Seeing the other party remain silent for a long time, Yūshin asked again.
"None at all, just... how much budget do we need?"
"However much isn't too much. If you can force the daimyo to reduce meals and eat simply, that would be best."
Just don't starve the daimyo to death? How could that be possible?
Akimichi Ninsei showed a doubtful expression. Didn't you say you always greatly respected Shimizu daimyo? This kind of respect method would be better not to have.
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