The Stage Play Ends

Inside the brightly lit theater, the thunderous applause finally began to subside.

From the bright daylight to the starry night, this epic tale of the Tale of the Heike: A New Chapter of Ninjas has finally come to a close.

All the actors involved in the performance, regardless of the size of their roles, took the stage one by one when the stage lights returned to their bright and soft state.

Most of them were still in their costumes, their faces showing signs of fatigue, but they also wore smiles.

The Ninjas responsible for Genjutsu, sound effects, and props also filed out and stood behind the actors.

Among them, Hinata Rei right calf, slowly Earth Flow to the center of the stage.

Everyone stood still, facing the still packed audience seats, and bowed deeply.

Izuna stood at the very front, surrounded by the actors who played the main roles.

First, let's talk about the characters playing the Taira:

Uchiha Naoaki (Kiyomori), Sarutobi Sasuke (Shigemori), Sarutobi Sasuke (Shigemori), Hyuga Akari (Tokuko), Akimichi Takahiro and Akimichi Shiro (Senju Yūki Koremori), Yamanaka Harukawa (Kiyotsune), Uchiha Hinata (Atsumori), Uzumaki Sōsuke (Sukemori), Senju Kai (Tomomori Shigehira).

The main characters who play Minamoto:

Yamanaka Shikahiko (Minamoto no Yoritomo), Uchiha Tadayo (Yoshitsune).

The only actor from the imperial court whose name is recorded:

Hyuga Masayoshi (Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa)

There were also three child actors playing Ninjas from the Higa Clan:

Senju Ichiyo (Shintarō), Uchiha Takuma (Takuichi), Hinata Rei (Shinrei).

With a perfectly timed smile on his face, Izuna stepped forward.

"Thank you, esteemed guests, for taking the time to come and witness the 'The Tale of the Heike' that Konohagakure has painstakingly rehearsed."

His voice was clear and steady, subtly amplified by Chakra, carrying throughout every corner of the theater. "We have done our best to perform this tragic historical epic; please forgive any shortcomings."

After he finished speaking, he paused, then led all the performers in a bow once more.

"The performance has now come to a successful conclusion. Thank you all again."

Normally, this is the time for the audience to applaud and leave, and for the actors to go backstage to remove their makeup and rest.

However...

The expected boisterous departure did not materialize.

The audience remained seated, motionless.

No one got up, no one spoke, and there was hardly any sign of them moving.

They simply watched in silence, their gazes complex, as the figures on stage who had just been enacting scenes of life, death, joy, and sorrow.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

Izuna maintained his smile, but inwardly raised an eyebrow slightly.

Why isn't there a reaction? Given the level of enthusiasm just now, there should have been applause, right?

However, they couldn't linger there any longer, so he signaled to the actors that they could begin to slowly exit the stage.

But just as the actors turned around, preparing to walk to the wings of the stage...

"Wait a moment!"

A loud voice boomed from the middle of the audience!

A middle-aged man who looked like a businessman suddenly stood up, his face flushed red, and shouted loudly, ignoring everything else, "You... you're going back to Konoha after the performance?! That Ninja village?!"

That shout was like lighting a fuse.

"Yes! Are you leaving?"

Will we ever see performances like this again?

How can I ever see you again?!

"You... you're going to go back to doing those... those dangerous missions again? Like in the movies? No way!"

A cacophony of questions, pleas for them to stay, and even tearful entreaties erupted from every corner of the audience like a burst dam.

People crowded to the side of the aisle, craning their necks, their eyes eagerly following the familiar figures on the stage.

The nobles were still able to maintain some semblance of dignity, though they anxiously exchanged glances or whispered instructions to their attendants.

Many ordinary people, however, were completely driven by their emotions, their voices filled with reluctance and worry.

They may have come with curiosity, scrutiny, or even disdain.

But now that it was time to leave, my heart was filled with concern for the characters in the story, a renewed understanding of the Ninja community, and a strong desire not for it all to end.

The sudden and enthusiastic support stunned many of the young actors on stage, who looked at Izuna and Hashirama, somewhat at a loss.

Hashirama and Madara were also caught off guard.

Hashirama instinctively wanted to step forward and comfort him, but looking at the faces below the stage that showed genuine concern and urgency rather than fear, he didn't know where to begin.

Ban crossed his arms, his brows furrowed slightly, appearing somewhat uncomfortable and wary of such overly intense and direct emotions.

In this slightly chaotic moment--

"Shinrei--!"

A sharp, tearful soprano voice rang out!

Daimyo's Wife Wakako, the daimyo's wife, suddenly appeared from the VIP seats. Amidst the astonished gazes of several maids and guards who were too hasty to stop her, she lifted her elaborate skirt and rushed across the passage at an astonishing speed, heading straight for the stage and standing before Hinata Rei, who was leaning on a cane.

"Shinrei!" Lady Wakako's eyes were red-rimmed, tears still wet on her face, her voice trembling with excitement. Completely disregarding her composure, she waved her hand frantically behind her, "Quick! Bring it here!"

Several servants, sweating profusely, carried several heavy boxes forward and placed them beside the stage.

When the box was opened, one half contained neatly stacked, gleaming gold and silver coins, while the other half was filled with dazzling, obviously valuable pieces of silk and fabric.

"Take all of these! Take them all!" Lady Wakako pointed at the pile of boxes, babbling incoherently, "You acted so well! Shinrei was so good! I, I... these are for your recovery! To buy you good food! To make you new clothes!"

The ten-year-old girl was completely stunned. Leaning on her cane, her fair face was filled with astonishment and panic. She hurriedly waved her hands, "Madam! This... this is too precious! I can't accept it! I was just... just acting..."

The people below the stage stared in disbelief, looking at Daimyo's Wife with a mixture of envy and admiration.

Although they also liked Shinrei and other characters, they felt that this was a bit too much.

Lady Wakako's actions seemed to have flipped a switch.

Other ladies and young women who were captivated by the charm of the characters in the play, as well as some male nobles who admired elegance and talent, also rose and left their seats!

"Lord Koremori! Please accept my humble gift!"

"Atsumori! This renowned flute, 'First Frost,' is a gift for you; only you are worthy of its tone!"

"Shigehira! This jar of century-old vintage wine..."

"Madam Tokuko! Please accept this set of jewelry!"

Suddenly, the area in front of the stage became quite crowded.

Almost every actor playing a major role was quickly surrounded by enthusiastic nobles who offered gifts and vied to strike up a conversation.

Even Nara Shikahiko, who played the villain Minamoto no Yoritomo, was surrounded by several noble ladies who seemed to prefer a deep and dangerous style because of his superb acting skills and unique temperament.

The situation briefly spiraled out of control.

Hashirama and Madara quickly stepped forward, trying to maintain order and separate the agitated nobles.

Hashirama said loudly, "Gentlemen! We appreciate your kind intentions! But the gifts are far too precious! If you truly admire our Ninjas, please consider giving priority to Konohagakure when issuing missions in the future! We will certainly do our utmost!"

These words, once spoken, immediately drew a chorus of opposition.

"Issuing a mission? What kind of mission? Is it going to be another fighting game?"

"No! How can you go on another risky trip!"

"Exactly! Isn't it better to act or play the flute? Why go back to living a life of constant danger!"

"Can't you Konoha do something else?"

Hashirama and Madara were speechless and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Taking on missions is the Ninja's main source of income and their reason for existence.

If I don't do tasks, then what do I do? Do I really want to be an actor? Although being a adored actor isn't bad, but...

Seeing the two Kage Level powerhouses being stared at by a group of nobles and commoners with looks that seemed to say, "Why are you all so foolish?", they were momentarily speechless.

Izuna finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

He pushed through the crowd, walked to the front, and cleared his throat with that standard business smile on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet."

The noise subsided slightly, and everyone looked at him.

"First of all, I am very grateful for everyone's kindness towards the actors," Izuna said. "However, as the Lord Hokage said, directly accepting such a valuable personal gift is against the rules and could easily cause controversy."

He changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes. "However... if everyone really enjoys our performance and wants to see these 'living' actors more often, there are ways."

Everyone immediately perked up their ears.

"Our Konohagakure, though located in the forest, is not an isolated island cut off from the world."

Izuna said with a smile, "The village is under construction, and we welcome friends from all walks of life to visit and exchange ideas. Of course, in order to maintain the operation and safety of the village, an appropriate 'visiting fee' or 'entrance fee' is necessary."

"Tickets?" someone asked, puzzled.

"Yes." Izuna nodded. "After paying the entrance fee, you can enter the designated open area of Konoha to experience the local customs and culture of our Ninjas and enjoy a different way of life."

"If you wish to meet a specific Ninja, you can schedule a meeting at the designated meeting area to chat, or commission some relatively gentle tasks, such as showcasing martial arts skills or other talents like playing the flute or zither, experiencing the feeling of scaling walls, or commissioning Ninja Tools as souvenirs, etc."

He shrugged, his tone a mix of helplessness and allure. "After all, we Ninjas need to eat too. If everyone isn't willing to spend money to support us, then we Ninjas, who seem to have no use other than fighting and killing, will only have the pitiful option of going back to take on dangerous missions and continuing our lives of 'going without a life, dying with a life on our hands'~"

Upon hearing this, the audience immediately began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"We need tickets too..."

"Konoha... that sounds so far away..."

"But... if I could see them again..."

"Customized Ninja Tools artwork? Sounds interesting..."

"It's better than watching them fight again!"

But the nobles, especially those from wealthy families, had their eyes light up.

Tickets? A small fee! They grant access to that mysterious Ninja village? They allow close encounters with these talented and charismatic Ninjas? And even offer customized services?

This is much more interesting than simply sending money or gifts, or posting impersonal tasks! It's not just about making friends, but also a novel and fun experience and investment!

Just as everyone was weighing their options, Lady Wakako of the Daimyo's Wife jumped out again. She didn't care about tickets at all; her attention was still on Rei.

"Tickets it is! I'll book a year's worth first! Oh, right! Izuna!" She turned to Izuna, her eyes sparkling, "Shinrei... is that red Butterfly in Rei's hair for sale? I want it! To keep as a souvenir!"

Izuna looked troubled. "This... Madam, that Butterfly was... blown to shreds in the play."

"It's alright!" Lady Wakako said decisively, "Even rags will do! Please sell them to me! How much?!"

Izuna blinked, giving me a look that said, "You're really putting me in a difficult position."

Then, in a consultative tone, she said, "Well... after all, it's an important prop in the play, carrying a story... Madam, how much do you think it's worth?"

Lady Wakako blurted out, "Of course, it's the reward for S-Rank Mission!"

A collective gasp filled the air. S-Rank Mission reward! That's an astronomical sum!

Izuna didn't agree, but quickly waved his hand, seemingly reluctantly declining. "Oh dear, Madam, this is absolutely unacceptable. Our Ren is still just a Genin, how can she accept such a grand gift from S-Rank Mission? Besides, it's just a small prop for a play, it's too extravagant, Ren will be overwhelmed with gratitude and unable to eat or sleep."

He paused, as if after careful consideration, and offered a "fair" price. "In my opinion... let's consider it a performance fee, calculated according to the reward for a D-level mission, how about that? That way, Ren can accept it without worry, and you, Madam, will get something you like. It's a win-win situation."

The reward for a D-rank mission might be a sum of money for an ordinary person, but for the Daimyo's Wife, it was just a drop in the ocean.

But Lady Wakako was a little unwilling to accept it. She felt that Shinrei's belongings—oops, props!—were definitely worth more!

But Izuna that Rei would be overwhelmed with gratitude and unable to eat or sleep, she could only reluctantly nod. "Well... alright. As you wish, Lord Izuna. However, I absolutely must have the original version!"

Izuna smiled and nodded, "Of course, after the performance, I'll have it cleaned, framed, and sent to Madam's residence."

After dealing with the Daimyo's Wife, Izuna looked around.

"Everyone, please feel free to suggest anything you'd like. All our props are available for sale, but we don't support auctions. Our actors can give them to whomever they prefer, how does that sound?"

When Izuna saw that some people had already set their sights on his Biwa, he seemed startled and quickly hugged it tightly.

"The Biwa is not for sale!"

"Then I'll trade it for a better Biwa?"

"Hiss... I kind of want it, but never mind, everyone!" Izuna said loudly, "It all depends on personal wishes! We can't force anyone!"

Some nobles sighed in regret, but those with a clear purpose and intelligence had already stepped forward to strike up conversations with their favorite characters.

Seeing this, Izuna established another rule. "By the way, let's set a time limit. You've all been watching all day, and we've been performing all day, so I'm sure everyone is quite tired. Therefore, our exchange will only last until 5 PM. After 5 PM, we will leave. If you want to see us again, please go to Konohagakure. Is that acceptable?"

Five o'clock in the afternoon is lunchtime.

Moreover, there was still nearly an hour until five o'clock, and none of the nobles had any objections.

Now they all treat these Ninjas like precious treasures and don't want to see them suffer at all. Moreover, they do look tired, especially those Ninjas who participated in the final battle of Dan-no-ura.

As a result, communication became more organized, with some nobles even exchanging only a few words with their favorite characters before leaving to make way for others.

The Daimyo's Wife's unreasonable request was thus defused by Izuna with ease, and the other nobles also obediently followed Izuna's arrangements.

Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were dumbfounded.

Hashirama stroked his Hashirama, watching Izuna skillfully navigate the situation, turning what could have been a charity into something beneficial for Konoha's future, while also doing a favor in the process. His eyes were filled with astonishment and admiration.

Ban crossed his arms and looked at his younger brother, who seemed gentle and harmless but was actually calculating every step clearly. He couldn't help but smile, and pride appeared in his eyes.

As expected of my brother!

The young Daimyo, sitting on the high platform, watched as Izuna turned the tables with just a few words, not only resolving the awkward situation but also opening up a completely new, non-violent path for Konoha's development. He felt a chill run down his spine.

It can transform a solo Biwa performance into a large-scale stage performance that captivates the entire audience.

This Uchiha Izuna... his vision, his shrewdness, and his grasp of human nature are far more terrifying than his displayed artistic talent.

The performance has ended.

But after this night, Konohagakure and this exceptionally talented Uchiha boy are destined to step onto a broader stage in a completely new light.

He sighed softly, stood up, straightened his sleeves, and walked onto the stage with his attendants.

It now seems that only by personally extending an invitation can the sincerity of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire be demonstrated.