Meeting Adjourned

Another round of discussion broke out, only this time the protagonist of the negotiations had shifted to Ruri. Hashirama participated without the slightest hesitation, agreeing to any request involving Wood Release on the spot, never once pushing back.

"It's settled then! Let's adjourn!" Hashirama was extremely satisfied with this Six Kage Summit. Not only had he facilitated a peace agreement for the ninja world, but he had also fostered cooperation between the nations. As long as this cooperation deepened and their interests became sufficiently intertwined, it would no longer be so easy for anyone to incite war.

Although the Land of Fire hadn't obtained Ruri's development policies this time, the harvest was still significant. Hashirama had exchanged large sums of capital and supplies for the promise of helping the Land of Water build bridges and the Land of Wind plant forests. Coupled with the funds the various nations had brought to purchase Tailed Beasts, Hashirama could say with great confidence that even if all the other nations combined their wealth, they would still not be as rich as the Land of Fire.

The Six Kage were each preparing to depart in satisfaction, but Ruri was suddenly called back.

"Takikage-dono has not been well-known in the past, nor do you have any notable battle records. While the Five Kage have already acknowledged you, the Daimyo of the various nations do not know who you are!" Tobirama's voice rang out, leaving Ruri with the distinct feeling that he was being targeted once again.

However, Tobirama was right. While the Kage represented the highest combat power of a nation and controlled the ninja village, the true leaders of the nations were the Daimyo. The Kage possessed a certain degree of autonomy, but they were still subordinates of the state. Simply put, a Kage was a Minister of Defense; the final decision-maker was always the head of state, the Daimyo.

Ruri had been able to gain the recognition of the Five Kage regarding his strength and status because, at their level, one could judge another's caliber through every movement. The Daimyo were different; they were ordinary people. To gain their recognition, one had to present corresponding battle records and prestige. Otherwise, no matter how much the Five Kage wore out their tongues, it would remain a case of "hearing is believing, but seeing is reality."

"If Takikage-dono wishes for the title of Takikage and the Land of Waterfalls to be recognized by the Five Great Nations and the entire ninja world, you must produce some battle achievements," Tobirama said slowly, his intentions clear to everyone present.

Did he want to fight? Ruri was not opposed to it. He had just used the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals to seal the Seven-Tails Chomei into his body. The Seven-Tails could provide him with a continuous stream of chakra. With this backup—chakra that did not lose to Hashirama's—the usage time of his Truth-Seeking Orbs could be extended significantly. Even if he couldn't defeat everyone present, he could at least maintain a stalemate. As for Tobirama, who had not yet reached his peak, he was even less of a match for him.

Hearing Tobirama's words, the Five Kage didn't mind that a mere guard like Tobirama was overstepping his bounds; instead, they began to ponder the matter carefully. Whether it was Ruri building houses or blocking Byakuren's Water Release, it had all happened in an instant—too fast for any passerby to see clearly, let alone spread the word. The only event with significant movement, the sealing of the Seven-Tails, had taken place inside a sealed room with no witnesses other than themselves.

Consequently, they had to consider: if they claimed all these development policies came from a ninja of a small country and a small village, would they be believed? Furthermore, if Ruri participated in the Five Kage Summit and gained their recognition based on the title of a Kage from a small village, would that cause the Daimyo and other ninjas to look down upon them?

"Big Brother..." Tobirama nudged Hashirama from behind. Hashirama blinked, finally understanding the implication.

He didn't have as many complex thoughts as Tobirama. Neither the Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Kazekage, nor Raikage had gained the recognition of the entire ninja world. As the "God of Shinobi," he was the most suitable opponent for a trial by combat. Moreover, Hashirama was very interested in Ruri's true strength. With his strange ninjutsu, Wood Release, and sealing techniques, what other surprises could he bring?

At this thought, Hashirama suddenly felt his blood boil. He desired peace, but that didn't mean he was not fond of battle. Most powerhouses were battle-hardened; after all, strength was honed through combat. A person who disliked fighting could never become a powerhouse. It was just that he had fought rarely in recent years, not only because he was busy with the village's development, but also because there was no one in the ninja world who could stir his desire to fight.

"Takikage-dono, let us have a battle!" Hashirama said with a hearty laugh.

Ruri did not refuse. Battle records that matched his strength were exactly what he needed right now. With a reputation established, everything would become easier. In the past, he had kept a low profile due to insufficient strength, but things were different now.

The other four Kage watched Hashirama and Ruri with anticipation. They were well aware of Hashirama's strength, though he hadn't fought in a long time, and they wondered if he had grown even stronger in recent years. As for Ruri, his strength had never been truly revealed, making him all the more mysterious.

Although this was a time of peace, it was necessary to probe the level of the strongest combatants of other nations.

"System, use all the lottery chances granted by the recent achievement." A battle with Hashirama was unavoidable, and pre-battle strengthening was essential. Although the lottery usually provided things to help the village develop, given the precedent of the Four-Pillar House Technique, who was to say he couldn't pull a Deep Forest Emergence? That was the ninjutsu Hashirama intended to use to help the Land of Wind plant forests; it would certainly help the village develop! Takikagure was in dire need of landscaping, too!

[Ding... Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Steelmaking Encyclopedia.]

[Ding... Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a Michelin Three-Star Sushi Chef.]

Wait... hold on a second. The Steelmaking Encyclopedia was fine; the village happened to have a clan with the Steel Release bloodline, so that was a great reward. But what was with the Michelin Three-Star Sushi Chef?

[Cuisine is something that brings happiness to people! Especially gourmet food; gourmet food can enhance the happiness of villagers. Please do not overlook this, Host.]

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

[That is correct. He is a culinary ninja wandering the ninja world. Aside from top-tier culinary skills, he also possesses decent combat strength! He will arrive at your village soon. Please return to the village to welcome him as soon as possible.]

...Fine. Cuisine does indeed bring happiness. Hopefully, I can pull a Sichuan cuisine master next time!

[I am sorry, but Sichuan cuisine does not conform to the dietary culture of this world and is therefore not in the prize pool. However, the Host may develop it himself.]

Ruri thought about it. Given his own "dark cuisine" level, he could probably only manage a Longhu Mountain roadside stall. Better use the last lottery chance...

[Ding... Congratulations to the Host for obtaining Amaterasu.]

Amaterasu??? Am I going to become a god?

This doesn't make sense! The lottery shouldn't be able to pull a Mangekyo-exclusive ocular technique like this!

[Please rest assured, Host. This is the civilian version of Amaterasu. The Amaterasu black flames can burn any target to ash, except for people. Therefore, it is a very safe open flame~]