Clan's territory, the neatly dressed Taketori Clan members walked out of their homes with loud laughter, many of them bearing injuries.
Last night, Taketori Rei returned to the Family and informed his Clan members that they were going to war. The Taketori Clan's blood boiled with excitement and joy. To compete for the limited spots, a friendly sparring match, fist to flesh, broke out.
"Clan Chief, let's go!"
"Alright, let's go!"
A group of battle-crazed individuals, with their mission and excited hearts, hurried to Daimyo City.
That afternoon, Taketori Rei led his team, who had been traveling at high speed, into the Daimyo Manor.
"Thank you, everyone from the Taketori Family, for coming to help. The banquet is ready; please follow me."
Uchiha Kawa led the Taketori Clan into the Daimyo Manor.
"Chief Yu, why the rush to eat? Can't we go straight to the battlefield and kill the enemy?" Taketori Rei asked, staring at Uchiha Kawa.
"I still need a little more time to prepare, Clan Chief Taketori, rest assured, we can certainly set out tomorrow morning."
The Taketori Clan swaggered into the Daimyo Manor. The scouts sent by the Gongyo Family immediately sent the news back.
"Father, why can Shimotsuki Kongming mobilize the Ninja of Hidden Mist Village?"
Gongyo Boji started to panic again.
"The appearance of all unreasonable things is nothing more than the word 'interest.' The Daimyo offered a bargaining chip that moved Hidden Mist Village, so there's nothing strange. Understand? When something happens, you should think more."
Mitsuki Kōmei said confidently, as if he had seen through everything.
"So that's how it is. If we offer money too, will Hidden Mist Village retreat?"
"It's too late. Hidden Mist Village has already accepted the mission. Shimotsuki Kongming is the Water Country Daimyo, he is the legitimate ruler. He is the sovereign; as long as Shimotsuki endures, we are ultimately just his subjects."
Mitsuki Kōmei felt his eldest son was a bit foolish and, for the first time, had the idea of starting a 'small account' (training a younger son), but he still explained to Gongyo Boji.
"Given the current situation, the Feudal Lords' allied army won't last much longer. Fortunately, I've already prepared to flee the Land of Water."
Mitsuki Kōmei stared at the Ninja World map on the table, his brows furrowed. The survival of his Family was at stake, allowing no room for error.
He ultimately chose the Land of the Sea as his destination. After making the decision, he immediately made arrangements.
"You go and make the arrangements. Don't make a sound. Leave all the money, land deeds, and house deeds behind."
After arranging everything, Mitsuki Kōmei calmed his emotions and went to attend the second joint assembly of the Feudal Lords.
The meeting hall was unusually quiet, with heavy breathing clearly audible. The Feudal Lords looked gloomy, their brows tightly furrowed, clearly having received the news as well.
"Mitsuki Kōmei, what should we do now? Hidden Mist Village has sent Ninja to participate in the war. Do we still have a chance to win?"
Mitsuki Kōmei feigned an air of confidence, speaking unhurriedly.
"Don't worry, the number of Ninja sent by Hidden Mist Village is not large, and we also have Ninja. There is still a chance."
"Clan Chief Gongyo is right. What's there to worry about? Let's go have a few drinks together."
A bunch of idiots, too comfortable for too long, their brains degenerated into pig brains, still enjoying themselves even when death was imminent. This is good too, you all stand at the front, making it convenient for me to escape, Mitsuki Kōmei thought silently.
On August 2, Konoha Year 23, Shimotsuki Kongming, the Water Country Daimyo, issued the Ninja World's first proclamation against rebels.
"Fortune and misfortune are hard to predict, heavenly might is unfathomable. The Land of Water has suffered a century of wind disasters, houses collapsed, and the Common People are without proper clothing and food.
Yet, the Feudal Lords and Nobles ignore the disaster victims and turn a deaf ear to their cries. They feast and revel night after night, indulging in debauchery, showing no compassion or desire to save the people.
The investigation conducted by the Daimyo Manor into the Feudal Lords and Nobles revealed their heinous acts.
Colluding with rogue Ninja, seizing the Common People's fertile land and shops, abducting and occupying virtuous women. To cover up their crimes, many were murdered and their families exterminated. Their wickedness is boundless, too numerous to be fully recorded.
Those who seize fertile land and shops are financial bandits. Those who abduct common women, commit arson and murder, and exterminate entire families are public enemies. Those who collude with rogue Ninja from other countries and confront the Daimyo are national traitors.
Heaven's justice is clear, and retribution is swift. These three types of bandits must be jointly punished by all the Common People under heaven."
Regardless of who is right or wrong, stand on the moral high ground and verbally attack him first, drench him in dirty water, and put a dirty basin on his head.
Tell the Common People, 'Look, these people are simply not human. My actions against them are righteous.'
Uchiha Kawa led five thousand troops to depart. The Taketori Clan had already rushed to the battlefield ahead of them.
Shimotsuki Kongming was Cultivating. With money paving the way, it was impossible for the Mizukage to allow the operation to fail.
Now, he had almost conquered three times gravity.
For five consecutive days, Shimotsuki Kongming trained with high intensity, and with the aid of functional drinks, he fully adapted to five times gravity. His Chakra increased to 150 calories.
Outside, the excited Taketori Clan broke through cities and cut down generals. The Feudal Lords' allied army was backstabbed by the Gongyo Family.
As soon as the war began, Mitsuki Kōmei secretly fled with his Ninja. This led to the allied army's defeat, like a collapsing mountain, all retreating to the last Feudal Lord's territory, the Gongyo Territory.
The Feudal Lords and Nobles collectively broke down the doors and stormed into the Gongyo Manor. Inside, it was a chaotic mess, tables and chairs overturned everywhere, clothes and bedding strewn about. Clearly, the owner of the place had left in a great hurry.
The Feudal Lords and Nobles were filled with despair.
A dozen or so Taketori Ninja, with strange appearances and attire, stood beneath the city wall, emitting eerie cackles. The defending soldiers were so terrified that they immediately opened the gates and surrendered.
All Feudal Lords and Nobles within the Gongyo Territory were arrested. The mission to suppress the rebels was perfectly completed.
"Clan Chief Taketori, you've worked hard. Let's go back."
Three days later, in the Deliberation Hall of the Daimyo Manor.
Shimotsuki Kongming sat in the main seat, pointing at the items on the table.
"Clan Chief Taketori, everything is here. According to our agreement, half of the money goes to Hidden Mist Village. We will supervise the counting process together."
"That is excellent. Thank you, Lord Shimotsuki."
Shimotsuki Kongming casually watched the staff busy at work. He had already touched all the Seal scrolls, gaining over seventy billion points. He now had a total of eighty-two billion points.
"Lord Shimotsuki, the results have been tallied. There is a total of seventy-three billion, five hundred eighty-one million, two hundred thousand Ryo."
"Hahaha, excellent, a great harvest. I'm happy today. With the spoils and expenses totaling thirty-nine billion Ryo, I'll give the Mizukage an extra one billion, so take forty billion Ryo back with you."
Shimotsuki Kongming clapped his hands and laughed heartily, pulling Taketori Rei and placing the money in his hands.
"I hope Hidden Mist Village makes good use of this money. The safety of the Land of Water depends on you."
Shimotsuki Kongming sent the Taketori Clan back to Hidden Mist Village.
"Young Master, the Gongyo Family's money, land deeds, etc., have been brought back. Their Clan members secretly fled. Do we need to send people to apprehend them?"
Shimotsuki Kongming tapped his fingers on the table, considering whether to eradicate them completely. Thinking that Mitsuki Kōmei was a sensible person, he shook his head.
"Never mind. Knowing to leave the items behind shows he's somewhat understanding. I'll let him off for now. He might still have some use alive."
"Uncle He, the focus of our work now is disaster relief. We must strive to ensure no one starves to death. Also, pay attention to hygiene to prevent outbreaks of disease."
"Don't worry, Young Master. There are always people keeping an eye on the disaster victims."
In just over two years, Shimotsuki Kongming finally achieved a small goal: apart from Hidden Mist Village, he was in charge of the entire Land of Water.
Next, he would develop the economy and increase the population. The entire Land of Water, with its 800,000 square kilometers, had a population of only a little over ten million.
The Land of Water's territory was too small; the other four countries were much larger than the Land of Water. Shimotsuki Kongming's eyes scanned the Ninja World map.