Lord Torifu agreed on that point. "Arashi is indeed a capable child. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come all this way. You should already know what I discussed with him, right?"
The Third Prince nodded, then rose and bowed to Lord Torifu. "Thank you, Lord Torifu, for being willing to cultivate my son. He absolutely will not disappoint you."
Lord Torifu waved a hand. "No need to be so polite. Arashi is Lord Ashina's grandson. I'm only helping him with a small favor. At the same time, he's also my sister-in-law's cousin, so we're more or less related."
Then he smiled faintly. "Besides, that boy is very interesting. He's quick-witted, and his strength is quite good too. To reach Kage-level at this age—his talent is excellent. His future is promising."
The Third Prince smiled as if mocking himself. "To cultivate him, I used every trick I had. At least I didn't waste his—perhaps Arashi really can make the Land of Whirlpools' name spread through the Shinobi World again in the future."
Lord Torifu glanced at him. "Back then, I thought you were someone with strength and ambition, but I never expected you would ultimately choose an outcome like this."
The Third Prince shook his head. "I thought the same of myself. But in the end, it proved that I didn't have the aptitude or talent to govern a country. If Father had handed the positions of Daimyo and clan leader to one of my other brothers back then, perhaps things would have been better."
Lord Torifu said nothing, because that was a situation that did not exist. No one could turn back time.
For things already done, there were only two possibilities: satisfaction or regret. Clearly, the Third Prince regretted it now.
"I am extremely decisive when facing enemies. I dare