Current State of the Land of Grass

"Haaachoo!" Kusana sneezed, his body shivering again. He then rubbed his nose in confusion, muttering to himself, "I've had this feeling lately like someone's been thinking about me!"

"Or maybe it's just that they're badmouthing the leader?"

"..."

Does this guy even know how to talk?

When facing other ninja villages, he was quite eloquent, wasn't he?

Showcasing the Kusagakure's adaptability... the spirit of a wise person who knows when to yield!

Why is he so irritating now?!

Don't get angry! Don't get angry!

Kusana glanced with a smile at Mujie, who was looking surprisingly presentable today, "You make a good point! I'll just assume it's you badmouthing me!"

"..."

Mujie's eyelids twitched. He hesitated for a moment, "Leader, there's something I'd like to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"Comrade Mujie!" Hearing Mujie speak, Kusana immediately put on airs. With his hands behind his back, he spoke in a tone befitting an elder statesman, "Don't hold back any opinions. Keeping them bottled up will only make you feel unwell! You must know that the Land of Grass is a democratic country. We would never hang you from a tree just for saying the wrong thing, or cover you in Explosive Tags and then, on this joyous occasion, set off fireworks for the citizens of the Land of Grass~"

"...Since the leader has said so, I'll speak directly then!"

"Hmm?!"

Kusana's tone rose slightly, and as soon as he finished speaking.

However.

"Here, I must represent all the citizens of the Land of Grass in thanking the leader for bringing peace to our nation!" Mujie said righteously. "With your own strength, Leader, you quelled the chaos in the Land of Grass; with your own charisma, you made the ninjas of Kusagakure willing to follow you to their deaths. Under your leadership, the Land of Grass has ushered in an era of peace, and the lives of the Ninja Citizens have steadily improved, bringing happiness to all the people of the Land of Grass!"

As he spoke.

His tone became impassioned, and he raised his fist.

"When the Leader arrived, the Land of Grass found peace! When the Leader arrived, the Ninja Citizens found happiness! Our lives are flourishing! With the Leader..."

Kusana: "..."

Since when did this guy become so eloquent?

Mujie looked at Kusana with a smile: I learned from the leader!

This is true.

I have always kept the leader's words firmly in mind, even writing them down in a notebook. I study them daily and feel a new sense of accomplishment every day, as if I've been fundamentally transformed.

"Very good! Your ideological awareness is quite high!" Kusana said, raising an eyebrow without a hint of embarrassment. "To commend your spirit of learning, go back and copy the New Spirit of Grass one hundred times. I believe you will gain even greater insights. Remember to submit it to me tomorrow!"

"...Understood!"

Mujie's mouth twitched. It seemed no matter what, the leader was determined to make things difficult for him today.

Since that's the case, he'd accept it.

After all... at worst, he could have Yahiko and Wu Wei copy them. It's not a big deal!

Children should learn more!

Speaking of which... Yahiko has been looking quite tired lately. The moment anyone says anything... oh, right, "We're already here!" he trembles all over!

What's so scary about that phrase?

This is laziness!

It's a sign of weak willpower and unstable ideology!

It's a perfect opportunity to temper his resolve by copying them!

He immediately said with a righteous tone, "A mere hundred times is nothing, I'm already used to it. I copy them a hundred times every night to strengthen my Spirit of Gr..."

Before he could finish.

"Then make it a thousand times!"

"...Alright!" Mujie's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Forgive me, Father!

"If there's nothing else, I won't disturb the leader!"

Saying that, he adjusted his wide, thick coat.

This harsh winter... it's truly f***ing cold!

Watching Mujie's retreating, desolate figure, Kusana smiled with satisfaction. Next... he looked at the bustling Land of Grass before him and continued to wander with Kana.

Along the way, they also encountered Oyakamon and Ryuzhi.

Speaking of which... the Chinoike Clan had also begun their work with the Land of Grass Guard. Although they encountered many difficulties at first, they persevered.

It seems they have now integrated deeply with the common people of the Land of Grass and gained their recognition.

As for Ryuzhi... as the head of the second largest clan in the Land of Grass, compared to the unreliable Mujie, Ryuzhi was quite dependable.

Speaking of which...

As the leader of one of the two largest powers in the Land of Grass during the war-torn era—Grass Fruit... Actually, Mujie was quite brave back then!

How did he end up like this now?

Back then, although the Land of Grass was in chaos everywhere, there were two major powers that others dared not provoke... One was the radical faction guarding the Box of Paradise—the Mujie lineage, known as Grass Fruit; the other was the moderate faction led by Ryushi, known as Grass Flower.

Later, he integrated them all, pushing through all the major and minor factions, forming the current Land of Grass.

As their leader, after inquiring about the recent situation of the Chinoike Clan, he soon encountered an elder from the Uzumaki Clan.

"Leader!" x2

"Elder Yang Zheng, Elder Yang Ren!"

The Uzumaki Clan had also been doing well recently. Perhaps due to their years of wandering, they now cherished their current peaceful and stable life very much.

Therefore, they would diligently complete any mission they were assigned.

For instance, in such a short period of time... they were almost finished with the Land of Grass's sealing barrier.

Moreover, Elder Yang Zheng had also brought Elder Yang Ren into the research he was conducting.

Chakra Capacitors and techniques for weak Ninjutsu scrolls!

This was the foundation of Scientific Ninja Tools.

Perhaps to repay the kindness of the Land of Grass, the two elders were researching to the point of neglecting food and sleep. It was heard that they had already made considerable progress.

It seemed that during their research, they discovered that the Uzumaki Clan's sealing technique could achieve the effect of the Chakra Capacitor he mentioned.

Of course, he didn't know the specifics, and he would have to wait to see the final research results.

After receiving the gratitude from the Uzumaki Clan, Kusana did not disturb the two elders' long-awaited festival and continued walking.

"That's wonderful! Amang," Kana said softly with a smile on her face, "Everyone is living so happily!"

As she spoke.

She waved towards the front, "Sister Fusang!"

With that said.

Fusang seemed to have seen them too, and she paused before walking over with a smile, saying gently, "Amang and Kana are here too!"

"Mrs. Fusang," Kusana nodded with a smile and greeted her, then looked behind Fusang, "Huh? Where are Nagato and the others?"

Didn't those three little ones say they were with Fusang?

Speaking of which...

He didn't know why those three little ones hadn't come to find him, their teacher Amang, these past few days.

They had loved visiting his home so much just a few days ago!

Were they feeling shy?

Embarrassed?!

"Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan?" Mrs. Fusang extended her slender, jade-like fingers, covering her mouth as she chuckled. Her charming eyes curved, exuding mature allure, "Because they saw many interesting things at the festival, they wandered off to play by themselves."

As she spoke.

Looking at Lord Amang before her, she sighed inwardly with emotion, "Thank you, Lord Amang!"

If it weren't for this man who suddenly appeared.

Perhaps then...

She and Nagato would have died at the hands of ninjas.

With that said.

Kusana waved his hand, about to say "You're welcome."

"Oh, right!" Mrs. Fusang seemed to remember something, her small, delicate brows furrowing. "Yahiko just said there was some kind of painting stall ahead, and he got very excited, then he dragged Nagato and rushed over, some painting stall..." Her tone was a little apologetic, "I didn't hear clearly either! What's wrong, Lord Amang, are you feeling unwell?"

"...I... I'm fine~"

Kusana's eyelids twitched, his face twitching slightly.

What painting stall?!

Damn it!

That guy wouldn't dare to set up a stall and draw pictures again, would he?!

What about your mission?

Your great mission to save your mother?!

Why are you running around at a time like this?

What if you get discovered?!