Dismissed

Another round of heated discussion broke out, but this time, Ruri was the focus of the negotiations. Hashirama joined in without hesitation. Whenever Wood Style was needed, he agreed immediately, without the slightest reluctance.

"It's settled, then! Meeting adjourned!" Hashirama was extremely satisfied with this Six Kage Summit. Not only had they brought about the Shinobi World Peace Accord, but they had also established cooperation between the nations. As long as that cooperation deepened and the countries became entangled in shared interests, starting another war would no longer be so easy.

Although the Land of Fire had not obtained Ruri's development policies this time, it had still gained plenty. In exchange for helping the Land of Water build bridges and helping the Land of Wind plant forests, Hashirama had secured vast sums of money and supplies. Combined with the funds the nations had contributed to purchase Tailed Beasts, Hashirama could confidently say that even all the other countries' wealth put together could not compare to that of the Land of Fire.

The Six Kage, each satisfied, prepared to leave, but Ruri was suddenly stopped.

"Takikage-sama was previously unknown and has no notable record to speak of. Although the Five Kage have acknowledged you, the Daimyo of the various nations do not know you." Tobirama's voice reached him, making Ruri feel as though he was being targeted again.

However, Tobirama was right. The Kage represented a nation's highest combat power and controlled their entire shinobi village, but the nation's leader was still its Daimyo. The Kage possessed a certain degree of autonomy, yet remained subordinate to the country. Put simply, a Kage was a nation's minister of defense, while the Daimyo was the national leader who made the final decision.

Ruri could make the Five Kage acknowledge his strength and status because, at their level, they could judge another person's caliber through every gesture and movement. But the Daimyo were different. They were merely ordinary people. To earn their recognition, he needed corresponding achievements and prestige. Otherwise, no matter how much the Five Kage talked themselves hoarse, seeing would still be believing.

"If Takikage-sama wishes for the title of Takikage and the Land of Waterfalls to be recognized by the Five Great Nations and even the entire Shinobi World, you will need to produce some achievements." Tobirama spoke slowly, and anyone could see what he meant.

A fight? Ruri did not reject the idea. He had just used the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals to seal Chomei, the Seven-Tails, inside himself. The Seven-Tails could continuously supply him with chakra, and with chakra reserves no weaker than Hashirama's backing him, he could extend the Truth-Seeking Orb's duration considerably. He might not be able to defeat everyone present, but he could at least maintain an undefeated stalemate. As for Tobirama, who had yet to reach his peak, he was even less of a match for him.

After hearing Tobirama's words, the Five Kage did not care whether a mere Hokage guard had overstepped his authority. Instead, they considered the matter carefully. Whether it was Ruri building houses or blocking Byakuren's Water Style, it had all happened in an instant. Even ordinary bystanders would not have been able to see it clearly, let alone spread word of it. The only event with any real spectacle, sealing the Seven-Tails, had taken place inside an enclosed house. Apart from them, there had been no other witnesses at all.

That left them with no choice but to consider whether they would be believed if they claimed that every development policy had come from a shinobi of a small country and a small village. Furthermore, Ruri had participated in the Five Kage Conference under the title of Kage from a small nation and village, even receiving the Five Kage's recognition. Would that cause the Daimyo and other shinobi to look down on them?

"Big brother..." Tobirama nudged Hashirama from behind. Hashirama froze for a moment, then understood what he meant.

Hashirama did not have as many twists and turns in his mind as Tobirama. Whether it was the Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Kazekage, or Raikage, none had earned the recognition of the entire Shinobi World. As the God of Shinobi, acknowledged by everyone, he was the most suitable opponent. Besides, Hashirama was deeply interested in Ruri's true strength. Strange ninjutsu, Wood Style, sealing techniques... what other surprises could Ruri bring him?

At that thought, Hashirama suddenly felt his blood boil. He hoped for peace, but that did not mean he disliked fighting. Most strong people enjoyed battle, after all, because strength was forged through combat. Someone who did not enjoy fighting could never become truly strong. He had acted less in recent years, partly because he had been busy with the village's development, and partly because there was no one in the entire Shinobi World capable of stirring his desire to fight.

"Takikage, fight me!" Hashirama said with a hearty laugh.

Ruri did not refuse. Achievements worthy of his strength were exactly what he urgently needed now. Once his reputation spread, everything would be easier. He had kept a low profile before because he lacked strength, but things were no longer the same.

The other four Kage watched Hashirama and Ruri with eager anticipation. They knew Hashirama's strength well, but he had not fought for a long time, and they did not know whether he had grown stronger over the years. Ruri's strength, meanwhile, had never truly been revealed, making him even more mysterious.

Though this was a time of peace, it was still necessary to investigate the level of another nation's strongest combat power.

System, use all the lottery draws I just received from those achievements. A battle with Hashirama could not be avoided, so strengthening himself beforehand was necessary. Although the lottery rewards were all things that helped village development, with the Four-Pillar House Technique as precedent, perhaps he might draw Deep Forest Emergence? This was the very ninjutsu Hashirama planned to use to plant forests in the Land of Wind. It would definitely help village development, right? Takigakure was in desperate need of greenery too!

[Ding... Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Steelmaking Encyclopedia.]

[Ding... Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a Michelin Three-Star Sushi Chef.]

Wait... stop right there. Steelmaking technology was fine; there happened to be a Steel Release Kekkei Genkai clan in the village, so that was a very good reward. But what was the deal with this Michelin Three-Star Sushi Chef?

[Cooking brings people happiness! Delicious food in particular can increase the villagers' happiness. Host, please do not overlook it.]

So this Michelin Three-Star Sushi Chef was a living, breathing person...?

[That is correct. He is a culinary shinobi wandering the Shinobi World. In addition to top-tier cooking skills, he also possesses respectable strength! He will arrive at the Host's village soon, so please return and welcome him as quickly as possible.]

...Fine. Food really did bring people happiness. Hopefully next time he could draw a master of Sichuan cuisine!

[Sorry, Sichuan cuisine does not fit this world's food culture, so it is not included in the prize pool. However, the Host may develop it independently.]

Ruri thought about it. With his talent for making horrifying food, he could probably only manage something like a roadside stall on Mount Longhu. He might as well use his final lottery draw...

[Ding... Congratulations, Host. You have obtained Amaterasu.]

Amaterasu??? Was he about to become absurdly overpowered?

This made no sense! There was no way a lottery could give him a Mangekyo Sharingan-exclusive ocular technique, right?

[Please rest assured, Host. This Amaterasu is a civilian version. Amaterasu's Black Flame can burn through all targets except people, making it a very safe open flame~]