Outstanding Results

Izuna knew better than anyone that Konoha was still in a very rudimentary state.

Beneath those orange-red roofs are ordinary houses.

Each building has only one or two floors, and due to poor construction, some alleys between houses are so narrow that three people can't walk side by side.

Some were even just empty houses, shells hastily built by Hashirama using Ninjutsu.

The only truly impressive buildings were the Hokage Building, which resembled a campfire base, and the watchtower where the Sealing Squad was located. Apart from that, the village's skyline was unremarkable, with no other noteworthy landmarks.

Even though Hashirama and Madara were already replanning, it was already quite an achievement to complete the construction of the Amusement Park in less than two weeks, let alone the renovation of the village.

Besides, what do our innocent college students know about urban planning? In Minecraft, he can use diamonds as walls, gold blocks as the ground, mob farms and redstone machines flying around, and lava and bombs all in one color.

The people inside live even more like the demolition office than the demolition office itself; it would be really difficult for him to plan things out.

But our college students understand one thing.

That is, as long as it is neat enough, beauty will naturally emerge. A unified color scheme and a staggered, layered arrangement are enough to transform this dull house into a stunning sight.

So he painted all the houses orange-red and planted trees on both sides of the road.

The rectification efforts have yielded outstanding results.

Looking down, the brightly colored rooftops, nestled among the green trees, resemble clusters of flames burning quietly, giving one a sense of warmth.

Even Izuna, a modern man, found the scene beautiful, let alone the nobles who had never seen anything like it before.

As long as they can be subdued immediately, the scene will be considered a success.

Izuna quietly instructed the Ninja Kitchen. After giving the order, he turned to look at the people who were composing poems in the face of the beautiful scenery before them.

Izuna knew perfectly well what the purpose of these people, apart from Lady Wakako, was in coming here.

They simply wanted to see what this Konoha Special Administrative Region was all about, what these Konoha Ninjas were really thinking, and whether they could find an opportunity to exploit it.

In the past, when preparing for Comic Conventions, he would receive people who came to discuss venue arrangements.

What Comic Conventions are like, whether they help the local tourism industry, and whether anyone comes to attend are none of their business.

They only care about how much money they can get from renting out the venue, and whether they can clean it up properly before leaving.

As for the content of the exhibition, they don't care at all, as long as it doesn't violate laws or regulations, that's all that matters.

These people are the same.

They didn't care about the Ninjas; they only cared about whether their own interests would be harmed.

So as long as they are given benefits, these people will accept Ninjas.

That makes things much easier.

They couldn't offer real money, but in terms of the sense of satisfaction, Izuna was very familiar with it.

They weren't interested in Ninja matters, but beautiful scenery, charming women, and fast-paced jokes were universally appealing.

He refused to believe that the new-age formula for attracting fans wouldn't appeal to these old fogies!

What Envoy? They don't exist!

When their gaze was drawn to the fuzzy ground before them and the orange-red rooftops in the distance, they ceased to be Envoys there to negotiate.

They were tourists who had walked for several days through the mountains and were hungry.

Seeing that they had looked around enough, Izuna clapped his hands.

"While appreciating the scenery and composing poetry is quite elegant, filling one's stomach is the most important thing. Lunch is ready, everyone, please enjoy."

The group turned around from the railing.

Under the awning, the linen tablecloth on the long table had been smoothed out again, the rough pottery vase had been moved to the corner of the table, and the empty space was filled with bowls and plates.

Wakako was the first to walk to the table, and upon looking at the dishes on it, she let out a very soft "Wow".

In the very center sits an exquisitely presented dish—steamed trout.

It lay quietly in the snow-white plate, like a work of art.

The tender, juicy fish meat has an enticing dark brown color and is crystal clear; it is garnished with bright green scallions and golden ginger shreds, giving off a fragrant aroma.

With a gentle sniff, a rich yet refreshing aroma wafts up, making one's mouth water.

Beside it was a small dish of bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms, cut into one-inch square pieces and soaking in a light brown broth, topped with a small piece of bright green celery.

The shredded white radish and white sesame seeds mixed together have a light sour taste that makes your mouth water just looking at them.

Small stone pots filled with Miso Soup were placed on the right side of each seat. Thanks to the excellent heat retention of the stone pots, the soup was still bubbling and steaming.

The Daimyo took his seat first, and the others followed suit.

When the Envoys sat down, they maintained the decorum expected of a diplomatic occasion, nodding, bowing, and politely offering each other seats.

Once everyone was seated, Izuna began his speech.

Izuna stood at the end of the long table and picked up a saucer filled with sake.

He looked around at everyone present and said, "You have all come from afar. Konoha doesn't have anything fancy to offer, just some simple home-cooked food. I hope you won't find it offensive."

He raised the wine dish slightly, sunlight filtering through the liquid and casting a small, pale golden spot on the bottom. "This cup is a toast on behalf of everyone in Konoha. The mountain road was difficult; you gentlemen have had a long and arduous journey."

He drank it first; the dish wasn't big, and he finished it in one gulp.

Seeing his reaction, the Envoy from the Land of Lightning nodded in agreement.

"The Lord Hokage and my brother were supposed to come today, but some things came up in the village and they couldn't make it," Izuna said. "They asked me to pass on a message that they will definitely come to apologize in person once everyone is settled."

"So, here's the schedule for today."

"After the meal, our Summoning Beasts will each lead you to your private courtyard. Our staff will accompany and protect you 24 hours a day, so you don't need to worry about safety. If there's anything lacking or you're not satisfied, please feel free to let us know."

"After you've settled in, you're free to do as you please in the afternoon. Although Konoha isn't very big, there are still some things to see in the Commercial Street."

"There are Ninja Tools shops, Medicinal Herbs shops, Cloth Shop, Sweets Shops, and a few small Taverns —feel free to wander around whichever you like. If you're too tired from the journey to shop, there are also Hot Springs nearby where you can soak and relax."

"And tomorrow," Izuna raised his voice slightly, a hint of excitement in his tone, "the Amusement Park will officially open. This is the first large-scale entertainment facility built in our Konoha Special Administrative Region, and also the first comprehensive Amusement Park in the history of the Land of Fire that integrates dining, sightseeing, performances, and games."

"The opening ceremony will be held in Konoha Special Administrative Region Gate. You are all welcome to attend."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across both sides of the long table.

"Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha will also be present. Those of you interested are welcome to join us for the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony."

Wakako's eyes lit up. She put down her chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, as if she wanted to ask something, but held back out of politeness.

Yuan Yusheng glanced at her and asked on her behalf, "Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony? What kind of ceremony is that?"

"A red ribbon will be placed at the entrance, and several distinguished guests will cut it together with scissors, symbolizing good fortune," Izuna said. "We have prepared the ribbon and golden scissors. The specific positions and procedures will be explained to everyone by our staff first thing tomorrow morning."

Wakako finally couldn't hold back any longer, "Can I participate?"

"Of course." Izuna nodded with a smile, "Since you, Madam, are so supportive of Konoha, you certainly deserve a seat as a VIP."

He looked at Yuan Yusheng, "Of course, Daimyo and everyone else are also welcome to participate."

The Envoys looked at each other in bewilderment.

Yuan Yusheng couldn't help but laugh, "So I was just a side effect?"

Izuna looked a little embarrassed. "It's not that, but you're so busy, you probably don't have time to come to the Amusement Park. Naturally, we want to prioritize our future customers."

Yuan Yusheng waved his hand, "Alright, since that's the case, stop trying to please me. Just let Wakako have her fun."

"Yes, Daimyo." Izuna replied with a smile, "By the way, we've also prepared a small gift: a lifetime free pass to the Amusement Park. There's only one, and I'll personally hand it to you, madam, after the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony tomorrow."

Wakako gave a small cheer. She clapped her hands together, then realized she was being too loud and quickly lowered her hands, her ears turning slightly red.

Yuan Yusheng looked at her and smiled gently.

None of the Envoy uttered a question.

They knew this matter actually had nothing to do with them.

Amusement Park, Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, lifetime free pass—these were words I'd never heard before, but they were clearly meant for Lady Wakako, for the Daimyo.

Izuna spoke tactfully, inviting them to join, but ultimately this was an internal matter of the Land of Fire, a demonstration of the bond between Konoha and the Daimyo.

If they actually went, they would seem tactless and would be suspected of taking sides. This ceremony can be observed, but absolutely cannot be participated in.

"We've talked so much, the food's almost cold," Izuna said. "Gentlemen, I won't bother you any longer—"

He took a step back and bowed slightly.

Enjoy your meal.

The atmosphere turned cold after Izuna left.

Under the awning, the only sounds were the soft clinking of chopsticks against the rim of a bowl, the sloshing of a spoon stirring Miso Soup, and the low whistling of the wind as it passed through the edges of the canvas awning.

The band was still playing, but the tune was a bit slower than before.

Sunlight streamed in at an angle from the edge of the tarpaulin, drawing a bright, shimmering band on the linen tablecloth.

The Envoys ate their meals, their eyes fixed on the bowls and plates in front of them, occasionally raising their hands to pick up food, their movements all very proper.

No one spoke.

The previous poems and essays were merely a facade, an act to curry favor with the Daimyo.

The Daimyo was inspired to write a poem first, and they followed suit with a few lines of poetry. After all, they couldn't afford to offend the Daimyo on the land of Land of Fire.

But after that, the Daimyo ignored Envoy and became very affectionate with his wife, clearly not wanting to have any interaction with them.

Daimyo didn't speak, the Envoys were happy to have some peace and quiet.

They are ultimately adversaries.

The Land of Earth Land of Wind fought intermittently on their northwestern border for over a decade. The Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire were separated by a mountain range, appearing peaceful on the surface, but secretly each side had been sabotaging the other's trade routes.

The Land of Water is far away, but precisely because of this distance, the Four Nations have no need to befriend the Land of Water, which is located in the middle of the ocean, and their relationship with each other is very cold.

It's a miracle that we can sit at the same table and eat together peacefully today.

After the meal, everyone rode their Summoning Beasts back to the inn.

I was in a rush on the way there and back, the wind filled my ears, and I didn't get a chance to see any of the scenery.

On the way back, we slowed down a bit and realized that this wasn't just a monotonous mountain forest dirt road.

The stone-paved road is newly paved, and a Stone Lantern stands at intervals along the roadside. The surrounding trees have also been trimmed, providing greenery without obstructing the view.

The stream beside the road was lining itself with solid stone bricks; the water was shallow and clear, with a few freshly fallen leaves floating on its surface.

None of the materials were particularly valuable, and there was no elaborate carving or painting, but the walls were neatly laid out and the walls were cleaned thoroughly, showing that care had been taken in the process.

The footsteps of the Summoning Beasts echoed across the stone path, and occasionally a Ninja Dog's paw would knock a pebble off, which would roll into the water with a soft splash.

After entering the outskirts of the village, the number of houses on both sides of the road gradually increased.

We've arrived at the Commercial Street.

They had previously gone around from the other end of the village and hadn't crossed this street.

Walking down the street now, they realized it was much more lively than they had expected.

The owner of the Ninja Tools shop arranged the newly arrived Kunai and Shuriken in a fan shape on the stall at the entrance. Next to it stood a wooden sign with the words "New Arrival, Forged in the Land of Fire, Buy Ten Get One Free" written in charcoal.

At the entrance of the Medicinal Herbs shop, two boys wearing aprons were carrying a sack of dried herbs inside. The curtain was lifted, and a faint scent of mugwort wafted out.

The Cloth Shop's noren (traditional curtain) was printed with brand-new Family Crests, and several bolts of dyed fabric hung in the shop window. One bolt was two-tone blue, folded into beautiful pleats, with a dried flower pinned to the side.

There were three or four people queuing outside the Sweets Shop. When the steamer was opened, white steam billowed out, and the sweet aroma mixed with the fragrance of glutinous rice wafted across most of the street.

Wakako rode on the cat's back, gazing at the shop, she wondered when she could come and browse it.

The inn is newer than these shops, but its location is excellent. It's nestled between the Commercial Street and a residential area, just steps from the street, yet partially shaded by several old Camphor Trees, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle.

The gate was newly painted, and a wooden plaque with the words "Konoha Inn" was embedded in the gatepost.

Once inside the gate, a completely different world unfolds.

Several independent courtyards came into view, separated from each other by low walls, with trees, streams, rockeries, and low pines.

A small Wind Lantern hangs in front of each courtyard gate, with a nameplate beneath it bearing the name of the resident's country written in ink.

The Ninjas led their respective Envoys to their respective courtyards.

Ishimi arrived at his courtyard, he dismounted from the dog's back and turned around to say something polite, but saw the majestic wolfhound take a few steps back.

He lowered his head, his two front legs slightly bent, and bowed to him. The Ninja beside him also bowed to him.

Ishimi paused for a moment, and before he could return the greeting, smoke rose, and the wolfhound and the Ninja disappeared together.

Ishimi stood at the door for a moment, then turned around and looked around at the place where he would be staying that night.

At this moment, his entourage was already in place, standing at the door with a slight bow, welcoming his return.

The courtyard is paved with white pebbles, making it spacious and clean.

An old plum tree grows in the corner of the wall, its branches gnarled and twisted, its leaves fluttering gently in the breeze.

Wind chimes hang under the eaves, their copper tongues striking the copper walls, producing a soft tinkling sound.

The wooden floor of the corridor was wiped clean, and two pairs of Geta were neatly placed under the eaves, with the toes pointing outwards.

He took off his shoes and stepped onto the corridor. The wooden planks were very sturdy, and he made no sound at all when he walked on them.

He opened the paper door, revealing a traditional tatami room.

A landscape scroll hangs in the niche, depicting a pine forest shrouded in mist, rendered with a light and serene brushstroke.

A single wild lily was placed in the vase; its petals had just begun to open, and dew still clung to the edges.

After walking around, I found that the room had everything: a bedroom, Tea Room, a study, and a bathroom.

Standing on the corridor, Ishimi looked at the old plum tree in the courtyard and snorted. "That Konoha really knows how to please people."