One Hundred and Eight Generals

Early the next morning, Masahiko followed Tobirama to "pay respects" to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Fortunately, the Daimyo was not some effeminate man. As for the one from the original story, it could only be said that his descendants had failed him.

Also coming to pay respects were Tobirama's old rival, Uchiha Izuna, and Uchiha Sen, formerly the Uchiha Third Elder and now their First Elder.

Uchiha Sen glanced at Masahiko and sneered. "Are you Uzumaki really going to tie yourselves to the Senju? At a time like this, you even brought along an old fossil like him?"

"An old fossil? Everyone, take a look. Between him and me, who's the real old fossil?" Masahiko said with a smile, relying on his eternally forty-eight-year-old face to leave Uchiha Sen looking thoroughly stifled.

"First Elder, don't bother with him. Half his body is already in the grave," Uchiha Izuna hurriedly said, coming to the First Elder's aid.

But those words...

In any case, Masahiko smiled even more happily, while Uchiha Sen's face turned bright red.

"Cough..." The Daimyo coughed from the dais, interrupting their exchange of insults.

Once the group had quieted down, the Daimyo spoke. "I summoned you here in such haste because I was recently targeted for assassination by ninja."

"My chief guard, Weiming Santaro, died together with the assassin in order to protect me. This has caused me great sorrow."

"Of course, I did not summon you here because I suspect the assassin was sent by any of you. Rather, I have come to feel that my safety is under threat."

"Since Santaro's death, none of my guards has been able to make me feel safe."

"I hope the major ninja clans can send several elite ninja to protect me and establish an organization known as the Guardian Shinobi Twelve."

"Of course, I will pay sufficient fees for their employment. What do you all think?"

The people below exchanged glances, and for a moment, no one spoke.

The major ninja clans acknowledged the Daimyo's position for two reasons. First, the Daimyo could make the Land of Fire more prosperous, which meant greater income for the major ninja clans. Second, the Daimyo did not possess sufficient power himself—and that was the main reason.

This time, the Daimyo wanted to establish the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. Though the ninja would be sent out by the major clans and were, in effect, hired hands, this would still form a military force belonging to the Daimyo.

However, since the Daimyo had made this request on the grounds of his own safety, they could not simply refuse.

Uchiha Sen stepped forward. "Your Excellency Daimyo, the Uchiha need to consider this matter. Please forgive us."

Tobirama gave Masahiko a look, signaling for him to decline in the same manner. As the leaders of their respective groups, neither Tobirama nor Izuna was suited to immediately state a position.

Masahiko stepped forward and said to the Daimyo with a smile, "Your Excellency Daimyo, establishing the Guardian Shinobi Twelve for your safety is perfectly reasonable. But the assassin may not necessarily target you. Your wife and children could also be threatened."

"Therefore, for the safety of the entire Daimyo's Mansion, how could twelve people possibly be enough? I believe establishing the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals would be more appropriate..."

The two Uchiha looked at Masahiko as though he were insane. As for Tobirama... Masahiko did not dare turn around to see his expression.

Masahiko was going all out for Witness Points. If the One Hundred and Eight Generals were established, it would completely alter the plot again, and he would probably gain plenty of Witness Points.

On the dais, the Daimyo beamed. "Oh, thank you for the Senju's support. I will consider establishing the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals!"

After bidding farewell to the Daimyo, the group returned to their respective rooms.

Masahiko did not quite dare look at Tobirama along the way. After all, he had come here to help Tobirama, only to make things worse.

"Tobirama, I..."

"Second Grandfather, your solution this time was excellent!" Before Masahiko could finish apologizing, Tobirama interrupted him excitedly.

"Uh..." Masahiko was utterly baffled.

"If the Daimyo wanted to establish the Guardian Shinobi Twelve to protect himself, it would not have been easy for us to refuse, especially with the Small Clans who came this time—they would love to have a long-term meal ticket. But if he wants to establish the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals, no ninja clan will agree. Even the Guardian Shinobi Twelve will likely be affected."

"As expected, bringing you here was indeed the right choice!"

Masahiko was falling apart inside. He had not expected his spur-of-the-moment idea to receive such an evaluation from Tobirama.

"Ah, right, right..." Masahiko came back to his senses. "That was exactly what I was thinking. I didn't expect you to see through my deeper intentions so quickly..." But inwardly, he thought, This time, it's probably hopeless. I doubt I'll get many Witness Points.

Just as Tobirama had expected, after summoning the Senju and Uchiha, the Daimyo gradually summoned the other clans as well. But what he proposed was no longer the Twelve, but the One Hundred and Eight Generals.

Sure enough, even the Small Clans that craved a long-term meal ticket from the Daimyo did not agree to his plan to establish the Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals.

In a room on the other side of the Daimyo's Mansion, the Clan Heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho gathered together.

The Yamanaka Clan Head looked somewhat grim. "What exactly is the Daimyo trying to do this time? The Guardian Shinobi One Hundred and Eight Generals—those protecting him would at least need to be Elite Jonin. With such a force, he could probably attack us!"

As he spoke, he looked toward the other two. "Our Daimyo is usually quite shrewd. He should not be acting like this... Before us, he also summoned the Senju and Uchiha. Perhaps the Uchiha are trying to stir something up again..."

The Nara Clan Head shook his head. "It may not be the Uchiha. It could be the Senju..." As he said this, he recalled Masahiko's punchable face.

"Kone, what do you think?" The two of them turned to the Akimichi Clan Head at the same time.

"Uh... I think... dinner at the Daimyo's Mansion yesterday was quite good. Our clan's cooks should come learn from them."

The other two exchanged a glance, then silently turned away and ignored the Akimichi Clan Head, continuing their discussion.

The representatives of the other clans had thoughts much the same as the Ino-Shika-Cho. None agreed to the Daimyo's proposal. But in the end, the Daimyo held the legitimate position, so they still needed to think of a proper way to refuse.

The next day, the Daimyo summoned the Senju and Uchiha to his residence again.

Compared to yesterday, the Daimyo's entire face was dark, especially when he saw Masahiko.

Masahiko felt very wronged. He had sincerely been standing on the Daimyo's side.

Before the Daimyo could speak, Masahiko rushed to say, "Yesterday's proposal for the One Hundred and Eight Generals was somewhat poorly considered on my part. The Daimyo's Mansion does not need that many people. I was thinking that the Daimyo's Twelve might be insufficient. How about twenty-four?" He still had to struggle a little.

The Daimyo's expression eased somewhat. "I also failed to consider things carefully yesterday. If it were the One Hundred and Eight Generals, I fear I would be unable to afford the employment fees... As for the exact number, it will depend on the actual need."

"I will hold a banquet tonight and gather everyone together. We can discuss the matter further then."

The group nodded and took their leave of the Daimyo.

On the way back, Tobirama said, "The Daimyo truly is formidable. He used your move against you and settled the matter of the Guardian Shinobi. Second Grandfather, your strategy has instead helped him."

"Heh heh."

Masahiko was doubly baffled...