They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 70 The Opportunity of Hozuki Shiromizu?

Simply put, he's a very low-budget version of Zhao Gao, who, having suffered countless humiliations, seeks revenge on those who humiliated him.

Having said all that, Hozuki Shingetsu already understood why Kusaka Masato had approached them.

It's very simple, it's because of their identity as ninjas.

If Kusaka Masato wanted Mizu Keita to suffer torture before dying, then he had to consider one factor: the Yanagisawa clan, the guardian clan of the daimyo.

As guardians of the daimyo, the Yanagisawa clan, though not widely known, boasts several Jonin (high-ranking ninja). Furthermore, the nature of their duties gives them extensive experience in sensory perception and protection. Therefore, if one truly wants to deal with the daimyo, the involvement of ninjas is necessary. And since the Land of Water is not located within the capital and has a grudge against the daimyo, the only ninjas besides the Hozuki clan are truly capable.

Although Ren's relationship with the Daimyo is strained, there is no particular conflict. The only issue is the Daimyo's deep-seated hatred towards the Hozuki clan due to Hozuki Gengetsu's overstepping of authority. Given Hozuki Shingetsu's growing reputation, it's not surprising that he came knocking on their door.

Otherwise, if Kusaka Masato had wanted to harm Mizu Keita on his own, he probably wouldn't have been able to get within three meters before the guards discovered and stopped him.

Of course, exceptions exist for certain situations involving close-range contact.

Curious Hozuki Shingetsu, disregarding Yukinagi's presence, asked the question and then understood the reason.

As a daimyo, there have been too many assassinations in history that occurred in the bedroom. So whenever a daimyo wanted to engage in hand-to-hand combat, there would be a Jonin from the Yanagisawa clan keeping a close eye on the daimyo's opponent, fearing that he/she/it might do something outrageous.

Shocked, Hozuki Shingetsu wanted to continue the conversation, but was quickly interrupted by Yukinagi, whose face was flushed. Reluctantly, he could only change the subject.

"Are you so sure we'll cooperate with you? Although we have conflicts with the daimyo, it shouldn't be to the point of life and death, right?" Yagura Karatachi interjected to Masato Kusaka.

"It's simple. Because if they don't cooperate with me, I will use all my skills to increase the Daimyo's hatred for Kirigakure. This military budget cut is just the beginning." Kusaka Masato's calm words surprised the people present.

Hozuki Shingetsu was relieved. He had been wondering why this daimyo was so bothered by something that happened more than ten years ago. It turned out that someone was behind it all!

Kusaka Masato has been continuously worsening the relationship between the daimyo and Kirigakure for over a decade, probably in an attempt to find Kirigakure ninjas to be his collaborators—perhaps even Zabuza's assassination of the daimyo a decade or so later was orchestrated by Kusaka Masato.

Of course, under Kusaka Masato's arrangement, in order to prevent Hozuki Shingetsu and others from resorting to desperate measures, in addition to coercion, there was also bribery.

Kusaka Masato's revenge plan was simple: make Mizu Keita watch his sons kill each other, let him experience the pain of fratricide, and then send him on his final journey.

Speaking of this, we must mention the issue of who will succeed the current ruler of the Land of Water.

Mizuki had two sons and two daughters, leaving the daughters aside for now. According to the order of seniority, the eldest prince should have inherited the title of daimyo, but because the youngest prince looked very much like Mizuki in his youth, and because the eldest prince's mother had died early, the title of daimyo heir fell to the youngest prince.

"Who in this world doesn't know that Prince Shui Dufu is vengeful? Once the young prince truly ascends to the throne, will he tolerate his elder brother, who was once the crown prince, living on in the world? Therefore, as long as you assist the eldest prince Shui Yayan in killing Shui Dufu, he will naturally reward you handsomely once he ascends to the throne."

Kusaka Masato spoke calmly, clearly having considered the plan for a long time, taking into account almost every aspect, and did not believe that Hozuki Shingetsu would reject it.

Objectively speaking, the plan was indeed perfect and in line with the interests of all parties. Hozuki Shingetsu seemed to have no reason to refuse, so after thinking it over, he dispelled Kusaka Masato's illusion.

"It seems you already know everything from the interrogation just now?"

Having regained his senses, Kusaka Masato was not angry about what had just happened, clearly having made the necessary preparations.

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'll discuss the details later."

"New Moon, do we really want to get involved in this? If that plan succeeds, we can 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 state disappeared overnight. At this time, Hozuki Shingetsu, with his special identity, stepped forward to assist the daimyo's daughter in inheriting the daimyo's position. Isn't it reasonable and legal for him to take control of the government in the process?

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 ask for 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, if Hozuki Shinzo, a fan of Cao Cao, were to say, "I will take care of your wife and children, so don't worry," it 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?

(End of this chapter)