Promoting the Konoha threat theory, and talking about the Hidden Mist Belt!

After receiving Hozuki Shingetsu's affirmative reply, Kusaka Masato nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the pocket watch in his hand, and said, "Hmm... exactly ten minutes. I'll go to the castle tower to retrieve the secret report first, and we can discuss the details later."

"New Moon, do we really want to get involved in this? If that plan succeeds, we can also gain the daimyo's favor. Is it really necessary to get involved in something like this?"

Watching Kusaka Masato's departing figure, Yagura Karatachi couldn't help but ask. After all, participating in such a major event as the change of a ruler was still a bit too radical for the traditional Yagura Karatachi.

If Hozuki Shingetsu has no other intentions and simply stays peacefully in Kirigakure, tending to his own little corner of the village, then as Yagura Karatachi said, there is indeed no need for him to get involved in this matter.

After all, the only means that a daimyo can use are military spending and righteousness. Once this period is over, and Kirigakure starts its industrial revolution and greatly increases its productivity to harvest funds from the world, Hozuki Shingetsu will not care about that little bit of military spending.

As for the greater good... well, you can only say that if you treat it as something important, it's very important; if you treat it as nothing, it's worthless.

What truly moved Hozuki Shingetsu was that he saw hope in Hozuki Shiromui.

According to Kusaka Masato's plan, in the near future, a power struggle between two dragons will take place in the Land of Water. Since there are already two people, it would be perfectly reasonable to have a third party involved, right?

By then, the daimyo, overwhelmed by the tragic scene of his sons killing each other, fell ill and eventually died. In the chaos, the two, blinded by rage, took advantage of the confusion to kill all the members of the royal family, and finally perished together.

The legitimate heir to the throne vanished overnight. At this time, Hozuki Shingetsu, with his special identity, stepped forward to assist the daimyo's daughter in inheriting the daimyo's position. It would be reasonable and legal for him to take control of the government as well, wouldn't it?

unreasonable?

Look at this kunai of mine, doesn't it look like your head?

As for this identity, it could be the son-in-law of a famous man, or it could be... the adopted son of a famous man.

Isn't Shui Jingtai very concerned about saving face?

Okay! I'll give you that much face.

As the young head of the Hozuki clan, a high-ranking member of Kirigakure, and a rising star in the ninja world, he not only presented such a eulogistic film, but also took the initiative to admire the daimyo's kindness and asked to become his adopted son. What is this called?

This is called "benevolence and virtue reaching far and wide, bathing in the king's influence."

So, are you going to accept this favor or not?

Since Hozuki Shingetsu has given so much, it's not unreasonable for him to seek some reward, right? So after the daimyo clan is wiped out, it shouldn't be a problem for him to become the shogun by virtue of his status as an adopted son and son-in-law, right?

At the same time, as a fan of Cao Cao, Hozuki Shinzo could easily say, "I will take care of your wife and children, so don't worry," which would be perfectly reasonable and justifiable, right?

As for whether outsiders would say he's sycophantic and lacks integrity for doing this... he's already made no attempt to hide that he's a petty person, so why would he care about that?

Chapter 71 The Liu Ze Clan

That night, Hozuki Shingetsu went alone to Kusaka Masato's residence and talked with him all night, discussing various details.

Kusaka Masato didn't say much about Hozuki Shingetsu's sudden suggestion to become the daimyo's niece—Kusaka Masato was still unaware that Hozuki Shingetsu already had a way to change the daimyo's impression of him; he at most thought that Hozuki Shingetsu wanted to take this opportunity to ease the conflict with the daimyo.

Moreover, this move would also help Hozuki Shingetsu find an excuse to contact the eldest prince later. After all, as sworn brothers, it would be perfectly normal for them to meet. So Kusaka Masato didn't say much, but instead promised to create an opportunity for it.

Since Hozuki Shingetsu has been confirmed as a collaborator, Kusaka Masato has also specified certain timelines for Hozuki Shingetsu.

"Although the daimyo is now over fifty years old, his children were all born after he became daimyo. So even the eldest prince, Mizuhiko, is only sixteen years old, and the youngest prince is only twelve. Therefore, now is not the best time to start a rebellion."

Kusaka Masato explained to Hozuki Shingetsu, hinting that he should not be impatient. In the meantime, he would do everything he could to change the daimyo's impression of Kirigakure and create an opportunity for Hozuki Shingetsu to contact the eldest prince.

Upon hearing this, Hozuki Shingetsu felt reassured. This was a turbulent time, and his plans in the capital were not yet complete. If he were to launch an attack now, his plan would be unlikely to succeed in such a rush.

Relaxed, Shingetsu Hozuki took the opportunity to ask Kusaka Masato how he knew she had come here the night before—it turned out that Kusaka Masato had long developed a habit of waking up every two hours at night to make scratches on the back of the wooden print hanging above his bed. This morning, when he woke up, he found two scratches were missing, thus realizing that something had happened last night.

Combining this with Hozuki Shingetsu's visit during the day yesterday, I realized that it was Hozuki Shingetsu who had come last night.

After listening, Hozuki Shingetsu looked at the simple bedroom and, for the first time, felt admiration for Kusaka Masahito.

The fact that it became a habit proves that for at least several years, or even decades, this is how Kusakabe Masato has spent every night. Regardless of his character, his willpower alone is truly remarkable for an ordinary person without chakra.

After resolving all doubts and briefly discussing the details, Hozuki Shingetsu got up and returned to the embassy. After checking all the details again, he quietly awaited the daimyo's summons.

As expected, Masato was not boasting. No one knows what method he used to persuade the daimyo, but the daimyo changed the time of his summons to 9:00 AM that day.

Now, Hozuki Shingetsu's preparations can finally come in handy.

-

Time passed quietly, and two days went by in the blink of an eye. Today was the day the Daimyo summoned the envoy from Kirigakure.

The change in the daimyo's summons time caused no ripples in the capital. For these nobles living in luxury, even the arrival of the Mizukage wouldn't stop their hedonistic lifestyle, let alone Hozuki Shingetsu.

Ninja?

Aren't they just henchmen of nobles?

Kirigakure Village?

Isn't it just a dog kept by a powerful figure to guard the country's borders?

Therefore, apart from a few people, the vast majority of people did not even know that the envoy from Kirigakure had entered the capital, let alone the important matter that Hozuki Shingetsu and Kusaka Masato were secretly plotting.

"This castle tower is completely different from the one in Uzushio Village!"

Led by the guards, Yukinagi arrived at the castle tower. Looking at the castle tower, which resembled a tower reaching to the heavens, she couldn't help but compare it to the one in Uzushio Village.

"After all, the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools is not only the Daimyo himself, but also the head of the Uzumaki clan, and is also a ninja. Therefore, the castle tower of Uzumaki Village was designed with many war functions in mind. It can even be used as a fortress during wartime," explained Yagura Karatachi, who had gathered a lot of information from the Uzumaki clan.

Because he wanted to become the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and serve the village, Yagura Karatachi had been frequently visiting the Uzumaki clan's territory, hoping to gain some knowledge of sealing techniques ahead of time.

Hozuki Shingetsu ignored the conversation between his two companions behind him, his attention focused entirely on the guard leading the way.

The guard was dressed in a gray-white vest with a ninja tool pouch slung across his back. He was tall and lithe, and his steps were light. He never left any blind spots in his defenses. After a quick glance, he should be a Jonin-level ninja.

"This must be the Yanagisawa clan, who protect the daimyo." Hozuki Shingetsu looked at the ninja, recalling information about the Yanagisawa clan in his mind.

Unlike the Land of Fire, which has a good relationship with Konoha, the ninja sent by Konoha were to guard the daimyo.

From the very beginning of the Land of Water, the daimyo has had his own ninja guards, namely the Yanagisawa clan.

The Yanagisawa clan possesses a unique bloodline limit called "Life Link," which allows them to distribute the injuries of the wounded to themselves through chakra, thus buying time for the injured. Furthermore, the effects of this bloodline limit can be stacked, meaning that if there are enough people involved, it is possible to bring a person on the verge of death back to a minor injury level.

It is precisely because of this bloodline limit that the Yanagisawa clan was able to gain the favor of the daimyo and thus serve as the daimyo's guardian clan for a long time.

"Don't look around here, or you might offend someone important! Don't bring your country bumpkin habits here; this is the castle tower, the power center of the entire Land of Water!"

Seemingly noticing his gaze, the Jonin of the Yanagisawa clan leading the way glanced back at Hozuki Shingetsu, then at the gift boxes they were holding, before turning away with disdain.

How to describe that look? It's as if I'm living off the government's stipend for generations, never having to worry about survival, while you all have to beg the government for funding. That's roughly the feeling of superiority that those on land feel over those in water.

Hozuki Shingetsu was not angry about this, after all, there was no need for these ninjas who had long been tamed to communicate with each other.

As for making threats, there's absolutely no need. However, if we have the chance to meet on the battlefield, Hozuki Shingetsu would be very interested in having a deep philosophical discussion with him.

Let's explore whether these domesticated ninjas can still be considered ninjas.

Soon, under his guidance, Hozuki Shingetsu and his two companions finally arrived inside the castle tower and met the current ruler of the Land of Water, the creator of Kusaka Masato's tragic fate, the troublemaker, Daimyo Mizu Keita!

Chapter 72: The Movie Subsidy Program Launched!

The daimyo of the Land of Water, Mizu Keita, just turned fifty-nine this year.

His long-term lifestyle of daily debauchery had long since eroded his body. His gray hair, deep drooping eye bags, and hunched figure made him look nothing like a fifty-year-old man; people would probably believe he was seventy.

Only his large hand resting on the chest of the maid in his arms still showed that our great celebrity was not young at heart.

It's easy to imagine how vibrant this famous man's nightlife must be.

In this situation, Hozuki Shingetsu even worried that Mizuki Keita's body wouldn't be able to hold out until the plan was launched, and that he would die first.

It's unclear what Kusaka Masato said, but at this moment, besides the daimyo, a group of ministers, including Kusaka Masato, were also present in the castle tower.

And so, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Hozuki Shingetsu stepped into the power center of this water kingdom.

"An envoy from Kirigakure? The Hozuki clan?"

Reminded by the eunuch, Mizuki Keita noticed the arrival of Hozuki Shingetsu and the others. Without stopping his work, he raised his eyes, glanced at them, and said in a hoarse voice.

"I don't know what you gave the politician that made him recommend you to me so enthusiastically, saying that you brought a priceless treasure that I have never seen before, which will surely broaden my horizons."

As he spoke, Mizuki turned to look at Kusaka Masato, who then skillfully moved in front of Mizuki, squeezed past the maid, and slipped inside.

Meanwhile, the ministers below the stage kept their eyes down, seemingly oblivious to what was happening before them. Clearly, this scene had played out countless times before their eyes.

Seeing this scene, Hozuki Shingetsu was once again impressed with Kusaka Masato, feeling that compared to the Jonin Yanagisawa from before, this person truly grasped the essence of "ninja".

"Hmm~"

Shui Keita skillfully fiddled with the gift in his hand, then continued speaking to Hozuki Shingetsu and the others: "Out of respect for Masato, I'll tentatively agree to meet you all, but if I'm not satisfied with your gifts, don't blame me for getting angry, okay?"

"Of course I won't disappoint you, Daimyo." Hozuki Shingetsu bowed to the Daimyo, then turned and took the film reel from Yukinagi, whose mind was still reeling from the scene before her.

"To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Daimyo's reign, my Hozuki clan has specially gathered many craftsmen from the ninja world to create a biographical film for the Daimyo."

"First, to express our respect for the daimyo's hard work in governing the country and managing affairs of state for many years, which has brought peace and prosperity to our land of water; second, to showcase the daimyo's divine wisdom and martial prowess to the world, so that all barbarians may submit and be bathed in the king's rule; and third, to hope that future generations can use this film to admire the achievements of the daimyo."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell into silence.

Many ministers present couldn't help but look at Hozuki Shingetsu. Whose subordinate was this? How could he be even more shameless than them?

Even they wouldn't be this shameless when flattering someone, would they? At least they'd do it behind someone's back, right?

And you call that diligently governing the country? Diligent is true, but governing the country?

forget it!

And yet he's incredibly busy?

Unless there's someone named Li Wanji, how can this term be applied to a prestigious name?