Discussion * Anomaly

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire walked with composure, but his inner world was far from calm.

When he first heard the opening aria of the Tale of the Heike, his first reaction was to be wary.

The story of the Taira's rise and fall—isn't it a metaphor for the decline of imperial power and the rise of the samurai clans? What is the purpose of this group of Ninjas staging this in Kyoto, right under his nose?

And they even added Ninja scenes—what are they trying to do?

But after watching the whole play, especially the earth-shattering reversal of the "New Chapter of the Ninja," he understood. This wasn't a political allusion at all; it was clearly a tragic epic, a tale of blood, tears, and pride, written for the entire Ninja community.

They borrowed the shell of the Taira, but inside they contained their own souls accumulated over a thousand years.

The results were so good that even this seasoned young Daimyo was taken aback.

Look at this scene: his wife is spending a fortune on a little girl actress's rag headband, the usually arrogant nobles are vying to fawn over the Ninjas who play "tragic heroes," and even the common people are worried that these people will have to live a life of danger again when they go back.

People's hearts were thus captured by a single performance.

Uchiha Izuna, who orchestrated all of this, effortlessly steered the potentially laughable practice of tipping towards areas that would benefit Konoha in the long run, such as ticket sales, tours, and customized experiences.

This ability to adapt to changing circumstances, this precise grasp of people's hearts and interests, made Daimyo more wary and more impressed than his moving performance on stage.

He walked slowly along the edge of the stage to Hashirama Senju's side.

"Hashirama, Lord Madara," Daimyo said calmly.

Hashirama snapped out of his Hashirama and immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Daimyo, Daimyo." Madara also bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners.

"No need for formalities." The Daimyo raised his hand in a gesture of support, his gaze sweeping over the two faces, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again.

Putting aside his Strength, just in terms of appearance and temperament, Hashirama Senju is masculine and heroic, possessing a captivating blend of boldness and approachability.

Madara Uchiha, on the other hand, was like a deep pool of cold jade, handsome and sharp, with deep eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

Speaking of which, the other Ninjas were all quite good-looking and had a refined demeanor. Even the older ones didn't have many wrinkles on their faces. Could it be that they possessed some kind of Ninjutsu that could preserve their youth?

"Today's performance has broadened my horizons and... deeply moved me," the Daimyo said slowly, his tone sincere. "To be honest, when I first heard about the play, I did have some doubts. But now it seems that I was naive."

"You are not using the past to satirize the present, but rather to vindicate the Ninja and revive a buried history. Such magnanimity and talent are truly admirable."

Hashirama didn't actually understand, but he was shrewd enough to understand social dynamics, so he simply smiled and said, "You flatter me. We just want everyone to see that Ninjas aren't just about fighting. We also have joys and sorrows, and we also have things we want to protect and pass on."

Ban added casually, "It's just a fact."

"A fine 'fact' indeed." The Daimyo chuckled, then changed the subject, "Precisely because I've witnessed this fact, I have some thoughts I'd like to discuss with you two. Regarding the future relationship between the Land of Fire and Konohagakure..."

Hashirama's expression turned serious, and Madara's eyes sharpened. This was precisely their most important purpose for this trip, besides the performance.

To secure a legitimate and stable foothold for Konoha.

They moved away from the stage and headed to the Reception Room that the Daimyo had prepared.

After the tea was served, the Daimyo continued, "According to tradition, powerful Shinobi Clans or groups of Ninjas usually combine with the national military by accepting employment or being directly incorporated into the army."

"Our country previously had similar loose agreements with many Shinobi Clans. But after witnessing today's events and meeting everyone here, I believe... the old precedents may no longer apply to Konoha."

He paused, then said clearly, "I don't want Konoha to become just another sharp, easily broken 'weapon' under the Land of Fire's control. That would be such a waste."

His gaze swept over the young Ninjas in the distance, who were conversing amicably with the nobles. "These children, with their talent and character, deserve a better future, not just to be numbers on mission reports or names on the kill list."

Hashirama's eyes widened slightly, his heart trembling.

The young ruler's statement was clear and cautious. He acknowledged the limitations of the old model and showed a willingness to seek change, but also frankly admitted the uncertainty of the road ahead.

This honesty, on the contrary, made Hashirama and Madara value it even more.

"We need a new partnership," Daimyo repeated, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the smooth, lacquered tabletop. "But since there's no precedent, I'm unsure how to achieve a mutually satisfactory outcome. This matter requires careful consideration."

Hashirama originally had a clear and simple plan in mind.

The Ninja group's submission to secular power, exchanging loyalty for protection, a stable source of missions, and a guarantee of survival, now seems somewhat pale.

Indeed, it was a visible path.

This would allow Konoha to quickly gain legal status, deeply integrate with the Land of Fire, and cease to be a drifting mercenary group, but rather a part of the nation's military power.

Even if war breaks out again in the future, Konoha, backed by a powerful nation, will have a much higher chance of survival for its Ninjas than the old, lone-wolf Shinobi Clans.

But is that all... enough?

Look at the eyes of the people in the theater, look at the eager expressions of the nobles, and think about the shining faces of the children on the stage.

They've just shown the world a more flesh-and-blood side of Ninjas; are they really going to retreat into the cold, hard role of "tools" or "weapons" in the blink of an eye?

How greedy! Hashirama sighed silently to himself.

Even though there is already a much better blueprint than in the past, we are unable to be satisfied with the status quo because we see warmer and broader possibilities.

Knowing that a better life exists, it's impossible not to pursue it.

This is human nature.

But as Daimyo said, how should we do it?

Hashirama and Madara exchanged a glance.

Madara sensed something was wrong when he saw Hashirama's appearance.

Hashirama leaned slightly towards Madara, muttering in a whisper that could barely be heard by the two of them, "Eh, should we ask Izuna?"

Ban's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He glanced at him, then lowered his voice, his tone tinged with exasperation. "Hey, stop acting so brainless. We're talking to Daimyo, be serious."

Although he believed that Izuna would surely come up with some brilliant ideas, it was simply improper for him, as the highest representative of Konoha, to rely on his younger brother for everything.

Hashirama, however, seemed oblivious to Madara's protective intent, and instead argued more confidently in a low voice, "But Izuna must have a way, right? A way that makes everyone happy and benefits at the same time..."

Madara was speechless. "Think for yourself first. If you have to come to my brother every time you encounter a problem, you, who haven't even officially become 'Hokage' yet, might as well just give up your position to me."

These words were quite damaging. Hashirama's shoulders visibly slumped, and it felt as if an invisible dark cloud drifted over his head.

But he quickly shook his head, pulled himself together, and realized that Ban was right.

This is a top-level design concerning the future path of Konoha, and he must have his own thoughts and opinions.

He took a deep breath, turned to Daimyo, and was about to say something when he suddenly remembered another person who should theoretically be very good at planning and organizing.

His younger brother, Tobirama Senju.

Tobirama must have had his own thoughts on matters involving system design and balancing interests.

However, Hashirama quietly expanded his senses, he was shocked to find that Tobirama, who should have been waiting or handling follow-up matters Tobirama in the theater, had completely lost his Chakra reaction!

With his perception abilities, there was absolutely no way he wouldn't have sensed Tobirama if he were present within Kyoto.

Where did he go...? Hashirama wondered to himself, but showed no sign of it.

At this critical juncture, Tobirama suddenly disappeared. What had he discovered?

Or did they go to deal with some urgent matter?

However, given Tobirama's abilities, he can escape even if he can't win, so he doesn't need to worry too much about that.

Bring your fleeting thoughts back to reality.

Hashirama looked at the Daimyo was waiting for his response and took a deep breath.

"Daimyo Excellency is right; careful consideration is necessary," Hashirama said. "We are already very grateful that you proposed establishing new relations, rather than simply recruiting or employing them. This shows that you see Konoha as more than just a place of swords."

"The specific cooperation methods do indeed need careful consideration. We need to ensure the interests and security of the Land of Fire, while also providing the Ninjas of Konoha, especially the children, with a stable space to grow up and develop their talents. This is not easy, but it is precisely because it is not easy that it is worth our efforts in designing it."

Madara stood silently to the side, listening to Hashirama's words. Although this guy could be unconventional at times, his sincerity and foresight always touched people's hearts when it mattered most.

The Daimyo nodded slightly, acknowledging Hashirama's response.

He could tell that Hashirama Senju was not without political acumen, but his thinking was more inclined to get to the heart of the matter rather than to be adept at calculation.

This kind of fundamental thinking is precisely the crucial foundation for building a completely new relationship.

"Then," the Daimyo, picking up his teacup, the rising steam blurring the expression in his eyes, "Let's take this as our goal and begin the first step of this long-term plan."

Half an hour ago.

Just as the Battle of Dan-no-ura on stage was nearing its end, and the poignant music and light and shadow were about to fade into silence.

In a corner of the audience, Tobirama Senju his arms crossed, his cold face revealing little emotion in the dim light.

He was sighing.

Uchiha Izuna, after going through such a long and winding road, using a grand and dramatic historical tragedy, layer upon layer, ultimately only came to tell a simple truth.

Ninjas are not tools; they also have feelings and loyalty, flesh and blood. Their sacrifices should be seen and remembered.

Tobirama scoffed Tobirama, but had to admit that in this dogshit world that only recognized Strength and profit and treated Ninjas like straw dogs, his approach was remarkably clever.

Direct lecturing will only provoke resentment.

But if you hide the truth within the story and let the audience draw their own conclusion... the effect is completely different.

The transformation of a person's heart is always more profound when they realize it themselves than when they are told it by others.

It's just... a bit too long.

Even with the stamina of Ninja, after standing for so long and concentrating intently on perceiving everything around him, Tobirama felt a bit tired.

He yawned almost imperceptibly, preparing to deal with the backlog of logistical and intelligence summaries immediately after the final curtain call.

However, halfway through his yawn, his body suddenly froze.

An extremely subtle spatial fluctuation emanated from one of the Flying Thunder God Formula he had pre-set in the Capital of the Land of Fire.

The location of that spell is... a secluded warehouse used for transporting supplies, near the outskirts of the Daimyo's Residence!

What's going on?

Tobirama was instantly wide awake, his red eyes sharp as an eagle's.

The Flying Thunder God Formula he left behind is a unique coordinate belonging solely to him, and the Flying Thunder God Technique is his own creation. He is confident that no one can learn this technique, let alone trigger the formula.

Was it an accident? Or... was someone else equally proficient in Space-Time Ninjutsu, perhaps even able to detect and attempt to exploit his technique?

Either way, it's no small matter! Especially now that the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Fire has reached a delicate juncture, any unexpected events must be eliminated immediately!

Without the slightest hesitation, Tobirama vanished silently from the audience.

The next moment, he appeared in the shady corner of that secluded warehouse.

The night breeze swept through the empty alleyways, bringing with it the scent of damp earth and old wood.

The warehouse door was tightly closed, and the lock was intact.

Silence reigned all around, broken only by the faint echoes of the theater's final notes in the distance and the sporadic sounds of the city streets further away.

There were no enemies, no signs of battle, and not even any unfamiliar Chakra fluctuations.

But Tobirama's expression grew even more grave. His perception of his technique was never wrong!

The instant he activated the Flying Thunder God, he clearly sensed that the one who triggered the technique had performed another spatial jump Setsuna he arrived!

Not only did his opponent detect his technique, but they also grasped the timing of his spatial movement with extreme precision, almost slipping away at the exact moment!

Not good!