What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

Daming put down his teacup, his tone heavy, unable to conceal his inner fear any longer.

"That brat from the Land of Fire... his methods are too ruthless, he completely disregards the rules."

"If he can slaughter the daimyo of the Wind Kingdom today, tomorrow... I'm afraid my old bones won't be able to sleep peacefully either."

He sighed, adopting a very humble posture:

"Iwagakure is the cornerstone of the Land of Earth, so... I'll need your help with this matter."

"We must come up with a plan so that I and the whole country can feel at ease."

Onoki slowly sipped his tea, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with a hidden glint.

He put down his teacup, his voice steady and reassuring:

"Your Excellency, please rest assured. I am fully aware of the changes in the Land of Wind."

"Di Yan is a whimsical and lawless man."

"It has already broken the balance and tacit understanding that the ninja world has maintained for decades, and the consequences are endless."

He paused, his tone becoming more certain:

“Iwagakure will not stand idly by.”

"I will definitely give you and the entire Land of Earth an explanation for this matter."

Having received Onoki's promise, the daimyo seemed relieved.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he got up and left, looking preoccupied.

Once the daimyo's figure had completely disappeared outside the courtyard gate, the calm and composed expression on Onoki's face vanished instantly.

Instead, a deep gloom prevailed.

Seeing this, Heitu quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice:

"Old man, is the situation really that serious? That Di Yan..."

Onoki raised his hand, interrupting Kurotsuchi.

His gaze was fixed on the distance, as if piercing through time and space.

We've returned to a time of war and chaos.

“Lawless, unrestrained, and disregarding rules... This kind of person reminds me of another fellow.”

Onoki's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of... apprehension.

"Who?"

Heitu asked curiously.

"Uchiha...Madara."

Ōnoki slowly uttered the name, his aged face twitching slightly.

That was a psychological trauma left behind by the face of extremely powerful forces.

"That man was just as domineering, regarding all living beings as ants, and only wanted to reshape the world according to his own will."

"Uchiha Madara?"

Kurotsuchi gasped.

That name exists only in legends and textbooks. 627

The old man actually used it as a comparison to the current Di Yan?

“But the difference is,” Onoki changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious, “that back then there was also the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, who could suppress Madara Uchiha and even ultimately defeat him.”

"But now, who can restrain Di Yan? Who can make decisions for him?"

"His ambitions are probably even more dangerous than Madara Uchiha's!"

"Then what do we do?" Kurotsuchi's expression also became completely serious. "Should we organize another coalition to attack, like the Cloud Village might do?"

Onoki slowly shook his head, a cunning glint in his eyes:

"No. Di Yan's ability to conquer the Wind Kingdom so quickly shows that his strength is unfathomable."

"Rushing to organize a coalition and engage in a direct conflict would result in too great losses, and the outcome would be uncertain."

"Our Hidden Stone Village cannot take this risk."

He pondered for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Contact the 'Xiao' organization."

"What? Contact those rogue ninjas?"

Black Soil was taken aback.

"Hmph, rogue ninja? Sometimes, a knife hidden in the shadows is more effective than an army in the open."

Onoki said coldly, "Issue the highest-level bounty on them in the name of Iwagakure and in my own name."

"Target... Di Yan's head."

"The price... let them open it. As long as Iwagakure can afford it."

There was no warmth in Onoki's eyes. "Let those lawless rogue ninja deal with another lawless emperor."

"Whether we succeed or fail, it won't do us any harm."

Looking at the old man's shrewd and calculating appearance, Heitu felt a chill run down his spine.

This is the true method of a veteran Kage-level powerhouse.

When they strike, they strike directly at the vital points.

They even resorted to the power of darkness.

An undercurrent targeting Di Yan.

It began to stir quietly in the shadows of the ninja world.

...

114 The Choice of Kirigakure; Anker Bandikong

The Hidden Mist Village is shrouded in a hazy mist all year round.

It carries a sense of alienation and mystery that is completely different from the other four major countries.

Due to the extremely bloody and closed "blood fog policy" in history.

The relationship between the Daimyo of the Land of Water and Kirigakure has become unusually delicate and cautious.

It's difficult for a daimyo to fully trust this group of ninjas who once fought each other to the point of madness.

Even now, the actual ruler of Kirigakure is the relatively mild-mannered Elder Genji.

Communication between the two parties is often conducted through encrypted channels.

Direct meetings are extremely rare.

Inside the Water Shadow's office.

Although the position of Water Shadow was vacant, the office continued to operate, and the atmosphere was somber.

Elder Yuan Shi put down the scroll in his hand that detailed the information about the dramatic changes in the Land of Wind.

The wrinkles on his aged face seemed to have deepened even more.

He slowly raised his head and looked at another important figure in the office.

She was a woman with a graceful and slender figure.

A blue strapless dress perfectly accentuated her voluptuous and alluring curves.

In particular, her full bust and slender waist created a striking contrast.

She exudes the unique charm of a mature woman.

Her temperament is both languid and sharp, a typical mature and sophisticated woman.

It was Mei Terumi, who possessed two bloodline limits and enjoyed immense prestige in the village.

"Ming, what do you think about this?"

Master Yuan's voice, hoarse with the peculiarities of an elderly person, slowly asked.

Mei Terumi slightly furrowed her beautiful eyebrows, her red lips parted slightly, and her voice carried a hint of doubt and seriousness:

"Di Yan... this name has almost never received much attention in previous ninja world intelligence reports."

"It's as if it appeared out of nowhere, and it overturned the order of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind with such ruthless means as soon as it appeared. This is too unusual."

Master Yuan sighed, his cloudy eyes gleaming with worry:

"Yes, unknown opponents are often the most troublesome."

“We know nothing about him; the source of his power, his purpose, his bottom line... are all shrouded in mystery.”

"This uncertainty is more unsettling than a powerful enemy whose weaknesses are known to all."

Mei Terumi nodded in agreement, then asked:

"Elder, what action should our Hidden Mist Village take?"

"For example, by issuing a protest or increasing security, like other major powers?"

Master Yuan slowly shook his head, appearing quite calm and cautious.

No, not for now.

"Our Hidden Mist Village is separated from other major powers by the sea, and its geographical location is unique."

"No matter how ambitious Emperor Yan is, it will be no easy task for him to cross the sea and launch a campaign against the Water Kingdom."

"Making a hasty statement or taking action may backfire."

He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and made his decision:

"The most important thing right now is intelligence."

"We need to know everything about this emperor."

"His background, his abilities, his personality, his weaknesses... everything!"

He raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Mei Terumi:

"Ming, I'm leaving this matter to you."

"Use all our intelligence networks abroad, at any cost."

"We must find out all the information about Di Yan as quickly as possible!"

"I am very interested in him."

Mei Terumi's expression turned solemn, and she nodded earnestly in response:

"Yes, Elder. I will immediately arrange the most elite infiltration and reconnaissance team."

"The investigation will focus on the capital of the Fire Empire and the former Wind Country region."

She bowed slightly and turned to leave.

The sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed in the empty office.

That swaying, graceful figure exuded the charm and power of a mature woman.

Kirigakure, a ninja village shrouded in thick fog.

They chose a path completely different from other major powers... to lie low for now and observe from the shadows.

Like a hunter lurking in the mist.

Quietly gathering information about its prey, it waits for the best opportunity to strike.

Or... the opportunity to avoid becoming prey.

As for Di Yan...