"Nonsense!"
Mitsuki Kōmei and the Mizukage reacted with surprising uniformity; Shimotsuki Kongming's shameless reasons enraged the two.
They had never seen such a brazen person!
"Father, what should we do? Shimotsuki Kongming isn't going to let us off."
In Mitsuki Kōmei's study, Mitsuki Boji, who had returned home, felt uneasy and looked flustered.
"Why are you panicking? I spent a fortune hiring five Jonin from the exchange. Shimotsuki Kongming's strength isn't as great as ours, so we're safe."
"Father, our strength is greater. Why don't we attack proactively, kill the Daimyo, and all problems will be solved?"
Mitsuki Boji, abandoning his previous panic, suggested a proactive strike. Mitsuki Kōmei glared at him fiercely.
"Fool, wouldn't doing that force the Hidden Mist Village to join the war?"
Yukino Shinsuke, who had returned to the Hidden Mist Village, handed the booklet to the Mizukage and relayed Shimotsuki Kongming's message to the Mizukage word for word.
Gently flipping through the booklet in his hand, the Mizukage's expression changed.
"You may leave first; let me think about this carefully."
Shimotsuki Kongming knew the Mizukage was strong-willed and unwilling to accept defeat in war. His proposal immediately struck a chord with the Mizukage.
He directly presented the opportunity for revenge to the Mizukage, unafraid that the Mizukage would not be tempted. The cost of a few Ninja would be exchanged for the large sum of money the Mizukage needed.
Shimotsuki Kongming had already brought the food to the Mizukage's mouth; he just needed to open his mouth to eat it. No one could resist such a temptation.
As expected, the Third Mizukage took the bait.
"Shinsuke, gather the Clan Chiefs of the Hōzuki Clan, Taketori Clan, and Yuki Clan, as well as Elder Yuan Jun, for a meeting to discuss important matters."
In the conference room, Taketori Rei, Hōzuki Yuzuki, Yuki no Tatsu Take, and Elder Yuan Jun were seated.
The Mizukage spoke to everyone in an unquestionable tone,
"I have decided to send Ninja to assist the Daimyo in conquering the remaining Feudal Lords of the Land of Water. Who do you think would be best to send?"
"Mizukage-sama, my Taketori Clan lives for battle. Entrust this matter to me, and I guarantee the mission will be completed."
"Entrust it to me,"
"Me,"
The Clan Chiefs of several Families were very warlike and eagerly volunteered for battle.
The Third Mizukage's eyes swept across the Clan Chiefs, finally settling on the Taketori Clan Chief.
"Taketori Rei, the mission is entrusted to your Taketori Clan. You have one day to prepare, depart tomorrow, fight quickly, and do not delay."
Taketori Rei's face lit up with joy, and his large hands thumped against his chest.
Shimotsuki Kongming received the reply, breathed a sigh of relief, and lay down in a rocking chair. He looked back at Uchiha Guo, who was diligently training.
"Guo Er, fetch Uncle He."
"Young Master, what can I do for you?" Uchiha Kawa rushed over.
"The Mizukage has sent the Taketori Clan Chief to help. You are responsible for receiving them."
Shimotsuki Kongming handed the Mizukage's reply to Uchiha Kawa.
"Notify all armies to be prepared. Once the Hidden Mist Village Ninja arrive, initiate battle as quickly as possible."
"The battle will be handled by the Taketori Clan; you will follow behind and reassure the Common People." He thought for a moment and continued, "The spoils of war must first be brought back to the Daimyo Manor."
"Understood, Young Master. Is there anything else? If not, I will go to the outskirts of the city to continue distributing porridge."
"Go, the disaster relief cannot stop."
Shimotsuki Kongming explained everything clearly, stood up from his chair, returned to his bedchamber, and entered Penglai Island. He intended to dedicate himself to Physique training starting today.
Before heading to the waterfall to endure the water's impact, Shimotsuki Kongming ran ten kilometers and did 500 push-ups. After a brief rest, he cautiously approached the rapidly descending water.
Standing on the outermost layer, Shimotsuki Kongming felt a thousand-jin burden pressing on him. Fortunately, he was prepared, or he would have already been lying in the water.
The wet stones underfoot were incredibly slippery; a moment of inattention and he would fall.
Enduring the waterfall's impact, concentrating on stabilizing his body, the entire process was incredibly difficult.
At first, Shimotsuki Kongming could only last less than a minute. Failing again and again, slipping and getting up repeatedly, he gradually lasted longer and longer.
One minute, two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes, one hour. After four hours, Shimotsuki Kongming could stand completely without falling.
During the process, he could feel his Physique strengthening slightly. Not only that, his Chakra control ability also improved a little.
With his strength increasing, Shimotsuki Kongming, standing at the edge of the waterfall, decided to move a little closer to the center of the current. Half a step was already his limit.
After enduring the waterfall's impact for two hours, Shimotsuki Kongming walked out of the pool.
After a simple rest, he stepped into the Cultivation room with double gravity. Shimotsuki Kongming's body sank, and he barely managed to stand bent over.
Gradually adapting to his body under double gravity, Shimotsuki Kongming barely lifted his right foot and took a small first step forward.
Step after step, constantly pushing the potential of his Physique, after three hours, he could walk upright in the Cultivation room.
He drank a bottle of multi-functional energy drink purchased from the System to relieve fatigue and eliminate the side effects of strenuous exercise.
Next, he began to train his arm strength, doing push-ups in the gravity Cultivation room.
Lying on the ground, Shimotsuki Kongming struggled to support his body with his arms, trembling and exerting all his strength, his body barely a few centimeters off the ground.
He lay on the ground to recover his Qi, then tried again, still unsuccessfully. After continuous effort and repeated attempts, and dozens of failures, he finally successfully completed one standard push-up.
With the walking and lying exercises completed, Shimotsuki Kongming had a premonition that after completing the final running exercise, his Physique would have a phased improvement.
Adjusting his physical state, Shimotsuki Kongming started walking. His speed continuously increased; he walked as fast as he could. Once he reached a certain speed, he would naturally be able to run.
He walked lap after lap, faster and faster, and finally, he stumbled and started to run.
With a good start, it was only natural that he succeeded. For the next three hours, Shimotsuki Kongming continuously trained. Double gravity no longer had any effect on him.
Having completely conquered double gravity, his Physique potential was stimulated for the first time, increasing his Chakra by a full 10 units, and his defense slightly improved.
Shimotsuki Kongming was eager to see the benefits of his improved Physique. He left the Cultivation room and once again came to the bottom of the waterfall.
He stood effortlessly in the position he had previously barely managed, and after the joy, he once again moved closer to the interior of the waterfall.
A few hours later, Shimotsuki Kongming left Penglai Island and appeared in the bedchamber, where it was dawn outside.
Uchiha Guo leaned against the palace door, her eyes closed, already asleep. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her small nose occasionally twitched.
She might have been having a beautiful dream. When the first ray of sunlight fell on her face, a faint smile appeared on her face, peaceful and lovely.
He carefully opened the door and gently picked her up. Uchiha Guo, who remained vigilant even in sleep, opened her eyes.
"Young Master, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have fallen asleep. It won't happen again next time." Guo Er lowered her head in shame.
Shimotsuki Kongming asked in confusion, "Why isn't the housekeeper at her own residence, sleeping outside my room?"
"I need to protect the Young Master's safety! My residence is a bit far from the Young Master's bedchamber. What if the Young Master encounters danger and I can't get there in time?"
Guo Er had an expression that suggested this was how it should be.
"As the Young Master's housekeeper, of course, I must be available at his beck and call."
"Little Guo Er thinks so thoughtfully." He gently rubbed her little head.
"How about putting a bed for Little Guo Er in the outer room of the bedchamber?"
"Young Master, whatever you say."
How wonderful, life was becoming more and more promising.