Envoys * Land of Whirlpools

After the Memorial Service, the Envoy the Four Nations originally planned to return home as scheduled.

But that afternoon, no one left Konoha.

As evening fell, the Envoy from the Land of Lightning approached the Envoy from the Land of Wind, and the two sat in the Tea Room of the Post Station for an hour.

The next morning, the Envoys from the Four Nations each submitted a brief document to Konoha.

They hoped to stay a few more days to observe the reconstruction and daily operations of Konoha.

After Hashirama simply smiled and said, "Welcome."

Tobirama carefully read it twice, placed it on Izuna's table along with other diplomatic documents, and then continued writing his report, which was destined to break records.

Only Izuna was excited upon hearing the news and began planning where to take these Envoys for sightseeing.

The Envoy made this decision because what they saw and heard at the Memorial Service made them realize a question they had never seriously considered before.

From the very beginning, they maintained a condescending and scrutinizing mindset.

In their eyes, Ninjas are a group of humanoid weapons with extraordinary power, Konoha is nothing more than a larger arsenal.

What they feared was the loss of control over the weapons, not the weapons themselves.

Even Hashirama cited examples during his Appointment Ceremony to illustrate that Ninjas possessed strength and wisdom far exceeding that of ordinary people, they paid no attention, only thinking that he was using such words to win people over.

But at the Memorial Service, the image of the seventeen souls rising into the air along the beam of light suddenly pierced through this Barrier.

They saw the Ninjas bowing their heads and wiping away tears, they saw the family members laughing and crying at the same time, and they saw how a song could silence everyone present at the same time.

They suddenly realized something incredibly simple: Ninjas are human.

They would weep for the death of their companions, rejoice at the reunion of their loved ones, write songs of longing, and transform their sorrow into flowers that sprout from the cracks in the stone slabs.

And it is precisely because they finally see this clearly that a deeper fear emerges.

Ordinary People have no chance against Ninjas.

In the past, Ninjas were divided up by clan interests and consumed by the hatred of the Warring States Period, while nobles could sit back and watch them kill each other without worry.

But now, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju have joined forces. The Senju and Uchiha are sitting in the same Office reviewing documents. The Yamanaka Clan is using Mind Links to connect with others on various occasions. The Hyuga Clan has also begun reforms, and even the Daimyo's Wife of the Land of Fire's Daimyo is supporting this.

This group is coalescing into a cohesive whole at an astonishing speed.

A united Ninja group will eventually realize its true worth.

When they discovered that Ordinary People could not control them, when the words "Daimyo" and "nobleman" were no longer seen as "employers" but as "burdens" in their eyes.

What will this world become?

Ordinary People would be reduced to slavery.

To work for them, to serve them, to be humiliated by them, to be reduced to the cheapest labor force with no power to resist.

They don't do that now, not because they have any noble morals or humanity.

It's simply because they haven't realized it yet, that's all.

Once someone comes forward to realize this, these weapons that were once oppressed will become the most vicious oppressors.

They will surely repay them tenfold for the suffering and despair they have endured.

Ordinary People have absolutely no ability to resist, and they will never have a chance to turn their lives around!

This is the one thing that absolutely must not be allowed to happen.

Therefore, they must stay and cannot leave until they find a way to break the deadlock.

All this was just to keep these Konoha Ninja had witnessed Konoha's power here.

Ishimi of the Land of Earth was the first to understand this.

He sat on the veranda of the Post Station, holding a cup of tea that had gone cold in his hand.

Before coming to Konoha, his focus was solely on the extreme prosperity of the Land of Land of Fire's Capital. He was scheming about how to seize more resources from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, to carve out a piece of the pie, and to make the Land of Earth live a life where the nights are brightly lit.

At that time, his definition of Ninjas was the same as that of all nobles: tools, weapons, consumables that could be hired or discarded.

He refused to let Kudan Moku participate in the Memorial Service, not out of malice, but out of habit.

He subconsciously felt that this was his own "tool," and why should his own tool be taken away by people from another country? Even if it rotted, he had to take it back to his own home before he could throw it away.

But at the Memorial Service, the spirit of Kudan Moku appeared right before his eyes.

So clear, so real.

He saw the bond between Kudan Moku and the Iwagakure Ninja, and he saw the tears of those Ninja.

At that moment, Ishimi knew he had to make a change.

That man died for Konoha, and his soul was guided to heaven by Uchiha Izuna's sword.

If the Land of Earth doesn't express its intention to deepen ties, then the Ninjas of the Land of Earth will eventually become disaffected.

They would think: Konoha is willing to guide our heroes to the Yomi, yet our Envoys treat them like disposable tools. Why should we be loyal to such a country?

Once this kind of crack appears, it can never be repaired.

Ishimi spread out a sheet of paper and began writing a long letter to the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.

The letter detailed all the sights and experiences of the trip.

From impressions of the Land of Fire's Capital to thoughts on Konoha, the writing finally leads to this Memorial Service.

As he finished writing, he paused for a moment, then added a sentence.

--Your subject dares to propose that, henceforth, we should treat the Ninjas of our Land of Earth with the highest level of courtesy.

Ishimi sealed the letter and handed it to the Samurai attendant beside him.

The Samurai accepted the letter with both hands, bowed, and retreated, his footsteps quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Ishimi gazed at the plum Plum Tree in the courtyard, washed by the morning dew, and thought to himself.

He didn't know if this letter could persuade the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.

But at least, he did what he could.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard on the other side of the Post Station, the Envoys from the Land of Whirlpools were extremely anxious.

Their country is the only one in the world ruled by Ninjas.

Uzushio Village, founded and governed by the Uzumaki Clan, wields real power in the Land of Whirlpools.

They came to Konoha with a secret mission.

They persuaded Hashirama Senju, the strongest Shinobi World, to lead Konoha out of the shackles of the Land of Fire and establish itself as a kingdom.

They originally assumed that the God of Shinobi must have ambitions to conquer the world, and since the Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clans were distant relatives, the dual ties of interests and bloodlines would make this persuasion a natural success.

But now, Quhai sat on the veranda, the cold sweat on his back had soaked through his inner lining.

He saw the fear in the eyes of the nobles, and he also saw the self-awareness that was awakening among the Konoha Ninjas.

However, none of them wanted to disrupt the current peaceful situation, because no one wanted war.

The Warring States Period had only just ended, and their cooperation was finally on track. If their instigation of Konoha to rebel were exposed now, the Land of Whirlpools would become the target of everyone's wrath.

Neither side fully realized that the Ninjas had gained the upper hand in the current situation.

The Daimyo has been sidelined, and Konoha has become the de facto capital of the Land of Fire. Hashirama, as the Hashirama, Hokage wields a substantial influence that surpasses that of the Daimyo.

If they wanted, changing dynasties would be as simple as a word from him.

However, the nobles still have the support of Ordinary People and a group of Ninjas who rely on them for their livelihood. They have devoted themselves to the development of the Land of Fire for generations, and the Minamoto Surname has been passed down on this land for five or six generations. Their position is not easily shaken.

The Ninjas also did not want any more conflict; they would cherish the peace they had finally achieved.

Neither side wants to disrupt the current delicate balance.

Therefore, any stone that could potentially ignite the situation will be crushed by both sides working together.

The Land of Whirlpools is that most conspicuous pebble.

This can't go on.

Quhai pressed his fingertips against his knees, his brows furrowed.

If they don't come up with a solution soon, no matter how careful they are with their words and actions, the Land of Whirlpools will eventually face annihilation.

If there's no fuse, create one; both nobles and Ninjas are well-versed in this principle.

They will definitely find an excuse to attack his Land of Whirlpools, no matter what.

"We must stay here," Quhai looked up at Hang, who was sitting opposite him. "We must keep an eye on Konoha's every move, and do everything we can to bind Land of Whirlpools and Konoha together. Whether it's a marriage alliance or cooperation, whatever the means, we must strive for it."

Hang frowned.

The elderly man with gray hair looked at Quhai with an almost reproachful gaze. "What nonsense are you talking about? Hashirama has already rejected us. Since he won't cooperate, what are we doing here? Are we just making a fool of ourselves?"

Quhai stared at Hang's matter-of-fact face, his anger rising to the top of his head.

This guy! He didn't learn anything else, but he certainly picked up all those nobles' problems of being all talk and no action!

Quhai a deep breath, suppressing his surging anger. "Elder Hang, haven't you realized yet? Konoha is already the ruler of this land! Trying to make them king is a foolish move! If we don't repair relations with Konoha, even with Princess Mito here, we'll still be doomed!"

Hang's face darkened, his gray eyebrows furrowing. "Could it be that Hashirama Senju would dare to silence us? He personally said, 'Genin are one family!' Our Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan have been on good terms for generations, and Princess Mito is his wife. How could he possibly lay a hand on us!"

"You blockhead!" Quhai finally lost his temper, slamming his hand on the table, causing the water in his teacup to spill. "You think I'm talking about 'us'? I'm talking about the Land of Whirlpools! Is this still the Warring States Period? Do you think Konoha is still that newly established village that has to be mindful of the Daimyo's feelings?"

"Look at those clusters of buildings outside! Look at the expressions on the faces of those nobles! They're scared! They've finally realized that Ninjas aren't weapons, they're not tools, they're monsters who can smash mountains with a single punch and summon the souls of the dead back with a single song!"

"They will definitely try every means to prevent the Ninjas from seizing power! And the head of the Senju will not allow his peace to be broken!"

"We are the only country ruled by Ninjas. In the eyes of the nobles, we are the most obstructive thorn in their side!"

"They will definitely use any excuse to attack us! When that happens, will Hashirama protect us, or the peace he worked so hard to build? You tell me!"

Hang Duan frowned and said slowly, "Quhai, you're worrying too much. I watched Hashirama grow up, and I know his character better than anyone."

"Even though Konoha is powerful now, he wouldn't betray his promise. Besides, Princess Mito is still by his side. The Uzumaki Clan and Senju Clans are distant relatives; this blood bond can't be severed overnight. If the nobles want to harm us, they'll have to ask Hashirama for permission first."

Looking at Hang's matter-of-fact face, Quhai felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He felt terrified, so terrified that it sent chills down his spine.

Hang is not a fool; anyone who can rise to the position of Elder in the Uzumaki Clan is definitely not a fool.

But it is precisely this shrewd and experienced Elder who still clings to the unrealistic fantasy of "distant blood ties," which is what truly alarms Quhai.

His thinking had been assimilated by the nobility. He had relied on the conveniences of the nobility for too long, thinking that he could rest easy just by marrying into the family. However, there are many historical examples of families that turned against each other after marriage.

Hashirama Senju was no benevolent figure. Without his ruthless and decisive nature, how could he have pacified this chaotic world? And how could he have forged an alliance between the Uchiha Clan Senju Clans?

His lifelong wish lay in Konoha. Quhai had no doubt that as long as the existence of the Land of Whirlpools threatened the interests of Konoha, even if Hashirama might accept the Uzumaki Clan, their Land of Whirlpools... would surely be destroyed.

Moreover, they possess a secret manual of Sealing Jutsu rarely seen in the world, and have already devised an excuse for Quhai from the five kingdoms.

Because the Land of Whirlpools abused Sealing Jutsu in an attempt to capture the Tailed Beasts for their own use, the Land of Whirlpools must be destroyed in order to prevent this from happening.

They were already fish on a chopping board, ready to be cut up and eaten at any moment, yet their Elders were still telling him, "Hashirama is a very good boy."

Could it be that the Land of Whirlpools has truly reached its end?

"Elder Hang," Quhai's voice calmed down, "You keep saying that the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan are distant relatives, and that Hashirama will protect us because of our bloodline. But have you ever thought about it? Hashirama is first and foremost the Hokage, and only then is he Princess Mito's husband."

"If one day, he had to choose between the peace of Konoha and the survival of the Land of Whirlpools, are you sure he would choose us?"

Hang's brow twitched, but Quhai didn't give him a chance to speak.

"I'll ask you again, what makes Hashirama think he can shake the peace that Konoha has worked so hard to build, all for the sake of the Land of Whirlpools, which is thousands of miles away? Just because of that distant relative you mentioned? Or because of Princess Mito's influence alone?"