Strategist Offers a Plan, Master Digo

(Bonus Chapter for Ten Thousand Thanks)

Meanwhile.

The Wind Country Daimyo's Mansion.

The Wind Country Daimyo knelt behind a screen, with his strategists kneeling on either side.

"Latest intelligence: Master Digo of the Temple of Fire is going to the Temple of Soup to discuss Buddhism. What are your thoughts?" The Daimyo's deep voice echoed from behind the screen.

Below, an old man kneeling at the very front pondered for a moment before speaking:

"The situation is not good.

This appears to be merely an exchange about Buddhist beliefs, but in reality, it is the Land of Fire extending an olive branch to the Land of Soup."

The Daimyo was slightly taken aback and asked, "Mr. Miyadera, why do you say that?"

Miyadera narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard, saying, "To ordinary people, this is just a curious event.

But to Buddhists, it is a rare Buddhist gathering.

They would crawl there if they had to.

Many drops make an ocean, and many grains make a desert. There are countless Buddhists throughout the ninja world.

When they all gather, a large crowd will stimulate the economy.

If this debate is exciting enough and has a significant impact, then for many years to come, the area around the Temple of Soup will become a pilgrimage site.

As long as the Land of Fire provides a little assistance, the Land of Soup's national strength will rapidly grow.

After tasting the benefits, they might even fully align with the Land of Fire."

The Daimyo listened to Miyadera's advice and found it increasingly reasonable. He sighed deeply, saying:

"At first, I thought it was just a small matter and didn't consider it so deeply.

It seems the relationship between the Land of Soup and the Land of Fire is growing closer.

To hear such bad news first thing in the morning.

Does Mr. Miyadera have any countermeasures?"

Miyadera secretly smiled and cleared his throat, asking, "Your Highness, who do you think is superior in Buddhist scholarship: Master Digo of the Temple of Fire or the monks at the Temple of Soup?"

"Naturally, Master Digo."

"I have a perhaps immature idea."

Miyadera stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke eloquently:

"The Temple of Soup is defeated in the Buddhist debate, losing all face.

Then, they send someone to assassinate Master Digo. Do you think this reason is sufficient?"

"This..." The strategists' expressions were strange, unsure whether to speak their minds.

Miyadera lowered his gaze and chuckled softly:

"It seems it's not reasonable, but that's alright.

Even the worst lie will be believed by some fools.

Especially those ignorant Buddhist believers."

The Daimyo humbly asked, "Mr. Miyadera, you mean..."

Miyadera bowed towards the screen and said word by word, "Let the highly respected Master Digo slumber forever in the Land of Soup."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young strategist stood up and immediately retorted:

"I believe Mr. Miyadera's plan is not appropriate. Any discerning person can see through such a low-level frame-up."

With someone taking the lead, other strategists who felt it was inappropriate also voiced their agreement.

Miyadera maintained an expression of strategic planning and said unhurriedly:

"Heh heh, I naturally know this plan has flaws.

But once Digo is dead, Your Highness can send people to spread rumors.

The first rumor: The monks of the Temple of Soup, feeling inferior to Master Digo's Buddhist cultivation, became jealous and sent someone to assassinate Master Digo.

As for the second rumor...

The Land of Thunder does not wish to see an alliance between the Land of Soup and the Land of Fire, so they sent someone to assassinate Master Digo to disrupt diplomatic relations between the two countries."

After Miyadera finished speaking, the Daimyo and the strategists fell into deep thought.

Miyadera knelt back in his original position and said leisurely:

"If there were only the first rumor, few people would believe it.

After all, when a person faces a rumor, they subconsciously choose whether to believe it or not.

But when a person faces two rumors, they will choose the more plausible one and believe it wholeheartedly."

Behind the curtain, the Daimyo clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Hahaha... a brilliant plan. This way, we can pit the Land of Fire and the Land of Thunder against each other.

Jiafeng, send someone to Sunagakure to post an S-rank mission now."

"Wait a moment."

Miyadera immediately stopped him, saying:

"Your subordinate believes this matter is not suitable for Sunagakure to handle.

Why not send someone to the Underground Bounty Office to post a bounty mission and let those rogue ninja do it?

This way, even if someone tries to investigate, they won't be able to trace it back to the Land of Wind."

After the meeting concluded, the strategists walked out of the Daimyo's mansion.

One of the older strategists followed Miyadera's footsteps.

"Lord Miyadera, does this move have another deeper meaning?"

Miyadera paused, pretending to casually look around, then whispered, "You mean, I was just crying wolf earlier."

"Whether I was crying wolf or not, we both know it in our hearts."

Miyadera clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowed, "You know the situation in recent years. His Highness has begun to heavily rely on newcomers, and only a few of us from the older generation of strategists remain.

If we don't find something to do, to give His Highness a sense of crisis, and incidentally demonstrate our value.

The few of us might soon have to go home and retire. Once we lose our power, it's even questionable whether we'll have a peaceful end.

Look at today, I hadn't even finished speaking before a young man started to refute.

They don't put us old guys in their eyes at all."

Another strategist nodded upon hearing this, "That's true. The current juniors are all too idealistic and don't understand reality.

However, the situation in various countries has become tense again, and the Land of Wind's finances are getting tighter and tighter.

A few days ago, we received news from Sunagakure asking to increase this year's military expenses."

Miyadera's brow twitched, "Did His Highness agree?"

"No."

Miyadera nodded, leaned close to the other's ear, and whispered:

"Help me do something. That young man today, I don't like him.

Tell Sunagakure that he's been taking bribes and embezzling funds, and send a few reliable ninja to investigate.

As long as concrete evidence is placed before me, I will personally donate five hundred million Ryo to supplement military funds."

After speaking, Miyadera gently patted the other's shoulder and turned to leave leisurely.

He took two steps before seeming to remember something and turned back, "Oh, right. The truth of the evidence doesn't matter, as long as it can prove he's guilty."

Two days later, Namikaze Minato and his group arrived at the Temple of Fire.

At the temple entrance, the sweeping monk saw the three of them and immediately clasped his hands together, "Are you three ninja sent by Konoha?"

Namikaze Minato nodded and took out the mission order from his ninja tool pouch, "That's right, this is the mission proof."

The sweeping monk looked at it, returned the mission order to Namikaze Minato, and nodded, "Master Dilu is meditating in the meditation room. Please follow me."

The group followed the monk towards the meditation room in the backyard of the Temple of Fire.

At this moment, Master Digo was meditating and chanting scriptures in the meditation room.

Suddenly, Master Digo frowned, his eyes snapped open, and he muttered to himself, "What pure evil thoughts."

As soon as he finished speaking, a knock came from the door.

"Master Digo, the Konoha ninja have arrived."

"Bring them in."

Namikaze Minato and the other two walked into the meditation room and bowed to Master Digo, "Greetings, Master Digo."

Master Digo smiled, clasped his hands together, and said, "No need for formalities. I'll be counting on you for this journey."

"This is our mission."

"You will rest at the Temple of Fire for one night, and we will depart tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

At this moment, Master Digo shifted his gaze to Uchiha Tunan, took out a Buddhist scripture from his bosom, and smiled faintly.

"Little fellow with glasses, I have a Buddhist scripture to give you. You can take a look if you're interested.

It can cleanse the soul."

Uchiha Tunan quickly clasped his hands together and respectfully accepted the Buddhist scripture.

"Thank you, Master Digo. I'll be sure to read it when I get back."

What was this old guy's deal? Giving him a Buddhist scripture out of the blue, was he another Kushina?