Chapter 31

"Lord Kazekage, these are the new mission territories the Daimyo has assigned to you, along with this year's funding. Please inspect them."

Inside the Kazekage's office, the Right Prime Minister of the Land of Wind handed two documents and a chest to Yunqing, speaking with a genial smile.

With his slightly plump figure and kindly face, he resembled a cheerful, benevolent Buddha.

"You're too polite, Right Prime Minister. How could I possibly distrust the Daimyo or you? There's no need to inspect them."

With a wave of his hand, Yunqing had Pakura collect the items and exchanged pleasantries with the Right Prime Minister.

"Right Prime Minister, to thank the Daimyo and you for your support, I specifically had two residences built for you in the newly planned area of Sunagakure."

He gestured for someone to bring over a blueprint, then pointed to one corner of it with a smile.

No one would have guessed that there had once been bad blood between them.

The Right Prime Minister's expression did not change. Internally, he cursed, Little fox, but outwardly, he feigned delighted surprise. "Oh my, Lord Kazekage, what are you doing? This is far too kind. I'm embarrassed to accept."

Old fox, still putting on an act, Yunqing cursed inwardly as well, though he kept smiling. "The Daimyo and the Right Prime Minister have devoted themselves tirelessly to the Land of Wind. These two residences are for you to rest in. Whenever you have time to visit Sunagakure, you'll have somewhere to stay."

"Hahaha, since Lord Kazekage insists, then I shall accept them on the Daimyo's behalf."

The Right Prime Minister covered his face with his fan as he laughed, concealing his true expression.

"You're too polite, Right Prime Minister. You must be weary from the journey. Why not go rest first?"

Yunqing gave Pakura a meaningful look as he spoke politely to the Right Prime Minister.

"Very well, very well. Lord Kazekage, please attend to your work. I'll take the opportunity to look around Sunagakure. I've noticed the village has changed greatly recently—I nearly got lost."

The Right Prime Minister tactfully left under the guidance of a Sand Shinobi.

"Lord Kazekage, just now, you...?"

Pakura could not understand why Yunqing had so generously given away two newly built residences.

"Pakura, you really are an excellent straight man."

Yunqing said something Pakura did not understand, leaving her utterly bewildered.

Straight man? What does that mean? Have I already fallen out of sync with Lord Kazekage's way of thinking?

That single sentence completely threw Pakura into confusion.

"Hehe, little Pakura, don't mind Lord Kazekage. He always says strange things."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Chiyo walked in.

"Lord Kazekage, stop teasing little Pakura."

Yunqing shrugged, completely unconcerned with appearances. "I wasn't teasing her. She simply couldn't figure it out herself."

"So, did what the Daimyo sent tempt you at all?"

Chiyo changed the subject.

The arrival of the Right Prime Minister of the Land of Wind was known throughout Sunagakure. Everyone was waiting to hear what Yunqing had to say.

"It's acceptable. The money is the same as last year, and the mission allocation is the addition of another city under the Land of Wind's jurisdiction. Overall, nothing has changed."

Yunqing casually flipped through the documents the Right Prime Minister had brought, speaking indifferently.

"The things themselves aren't important. What matters is that we no longer have a reason to keep making moves. The unspoken rules end here."

Chiyo frowned as she brought up another issue.

One reason they had been able to keep pressuring the Daimyo was that the Daimyo had acted improperly during the war.

Now that the Daimyo had made up for the fundamentals and shown sufficient goodwill, they no longer had a reason to act against him.

"True, we have no reason to keep going after him. But I wasn't planning to continue anyway."

Yunqing still looked unconcerned.

The meaning was simple: they were still making a profit anyway, so it did not matter.

"The Daimyo isn't a pig, and the Daimyo's Mansion isn't a slaughterhouse. They won't just let us keep cutting into them. We should start thinking about what to do next."

With Ebizo absent, Chiyo had gradually taken on the role of strategist.

"We'll keep doing what we've been doing. As long as we don't rebel, the Daimyo won't make a move. The better the Land of Wind's environment becomes, the more the Daimyo's Mansion benefits."

Yunqing saw things more clearly than anyone else and spoke with confidence.

"Just as you said, the Daimyo isn't a pig, and the Daimyo's Mansion isn't a slaughterhouse. As long as they aren't fools, they'll know which choice to make."

A life of wealth and honor, fame, rank, and fortune all within reach—or fight to the death, with kings and nobles rising while losers became outlaws.

"They'll understand."

Chiyo nodded in agreement. Why was it called the Ninja World rather than the Daimyo World or the Samurai World? Wasn't it because ninja were the strongest?

They could effortlessly destroy everything.

If the daimyo truly pushed them too far, a Ten Thousand Sands Return to Origin or Refined Sand Surging Waves would be enough to wipe out the entire Daimyo's Mansion.

"No matter when, strength is what matters most."

Chiyo said with a sigh.

Why could Yunqing brazenly patronize the ladies of the service industry, show up late to work the next day, and still make a domineering return? Wasn't it because everyone knew that Yunqing could smash all of Sunagakure to pieces?

Why could the Five Great Nations run rampant throughout the Ninja World, send a few ninja to threaten an entire country, casually wipe out a small Ninja Village, and force a small Ninja Clan to pick a side? Wasn't it because they were the strongest? Only those of the same level could fight them.

"That's just how the Ninja World is.

"Oh, right. The daimyo sent me a letter. He hopes his son and daughter can enter the Ninja Academy."

As if she had just remembered, Chiyo smiled, pulled out a letter from her robes, and handed it to Yunqing.

Without even looking at it, Yunqing tore it apart and tossed it into the trash.

"Agreed. Though I don't know what happened to make our lord daimyo realize the importance of strength, we must cooperate with him to the very end."

Yunqing said with a grin, though the sharp glint in his eyes refused to fade.

"Quite the move. On one hand, he's sending his children here as hostages to shut us up. On the other, he's finding a way out for his own family."

Yunqing thought to himself.