The Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields

You had to remember that even the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, at the height of Konoha's power, had only been granted land after negotiating with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. That was how Konoha Village had been established on the Land of Fire's territory.

Dongfang Mao, on the other hand, had seized territory by force—a feat without precedent.

Though the Land of Rice Fields was nowhere near as powerful as the Land of Fire, the nature of the matter was the same.

The Land of Rice Fields was a recognized country with an independent government!

In theory, its Daimyo stood on equal footing with the daimyos of other countries.

For a time, Dongfang Mao's actions sparked fierce debate across the Ninja World.

Some felt that this so-called Grand Governor, Dongfang Mao, had dared to defy the world's conventions, capture a city, and commit unspeakable atrocities within its walls. His crimes were too numerous to recount.

Others scoffed, calling Dongfang Mao an arrogant fool who had no idea how powerful a country could be. They figured it wouldn't be long before the Land of Rice Fields' army crushed him.

Some, already envious of the Land of Rice Fields for currying favor with both sides and trading constantly with the powerful Lands of Fire and Lightning, simply snickered. They gathered together, eager to watch the Land of Rice Fields make a fool of itself.

Even if this rebellious faction was eventually put down, the Land of Rice Fields would undoubtedly be branded a disgrace among the nations and ridiculed without mercy.

Most powerful countries, like the Lands of Fire and Lightning, chose to ignore the news.

When reports of the incident reached the daimyos of these powerful countries, most merely skimmed them, muttered, "He doesn't know when to quit," and tossed the documents into a corner.

Whatever the outside world thought, when the news reached the royal city of the Land of Rice Fields, the Daimyo Mansion was thrown into utter chaos.

"Useless! Useless! What were those people in Tsukimiura doing?"

In the main hall of the Daimyo Mansion, where the floor was covered with a deep-blue brocade carpet, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields wore a luxurious robe with a short cape over his shoulders. He slammed his hand down on the table, his face twisted with rage.

The nobles and officials lined up before him looked grim as well.

Tsukimiura's fall had dealt a blow to the Land of Rice Fields and its Daimyo, but it had little to do with them personally.

But now that Tsukimiura was gone, so were its substantial trade taxes and the gifts its officials' families regularly sent. That mattered a great deal to quite a few of them.

Before long, several people in the hall were growing restless.

"Your Excellency, I humbly suggest that we immediately send troops to put down the rebellion!"

An official stepped forward to make his recommendation.

"Obviously! Did I need you to tell me that?"

The Daimyo glared at him. The official shrank his neck in fright and hurried back into the ranks.

The Daimyo sprang to his feet, his sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled officials.

"Who will go to Tsukimiura and put down the rebellion?"

His words were met with silence. Though there were still quite a few military officers among those present, the Land of Rice Fields had been at peace for far too long.

Years of wine and women had left them soft and weak.

Who among them knew how to fight? Who could actually lead an army?

At the sight of them, the Daimyo's face darkened further. He was about to lash out when a loud voice suddenly rang through the hall.

"I'll go!"

A heavily armored officer strode out and knelt on one knee, his armor clanking.

The Daimyo's eyes lit up, but the unfamiliar face gave him pause.

"And who are you?"

"I am Inoue Kojiro. My elder sister, Inoue Zhangzi, recommended me. I currently serve in the Great Guard Corps as a regimental commander!"

At Kojiro's words, the Daimyo froze. Then he recalled the consort in his harem, the one with a full, curvaceous figure and skin as pale as milk.

He swallowed discreetly, then looked Kojiro over.

The man was powerfully built, with a hint of a commanding presence. The Daimyo nodded with some satisfaction.

"Since you're Zhangzi's younger brother, I'll appoint you General of Tsukimiura Defense. You'll lead thirty thousand soldiers of the Rice Field Squad. Put down this rebellion within a month!"

Kojiro had just heard that he was being promoted from a junior officer in a squad to a general commanding thirty thousand soldiers. His face flushed, and he answered excitedly.

"I won't let you down, Your Excellency!"

As for the so-called rebellion?

He hadn't given it a second thought. Some ignorant fool had occupied a remote little city and dared to stir up trouble.

With an army of thirty thousand, the man would be no more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot. This assignment was practically a free ticket to glory!

Kojiro could already picture himself returning to receive his reward.

Then he, too, would buy himself a grand mansion in the city and keep several beautiful concubines, just like the noble lords. He'd feast by day and carouse by night. Now that was the good life!

At the thought, the corners of his mouth lifted. Even the hand gripping his sword hilt trembled with excitement.

The officials nearby were worried that the Daimyo had so casually appointed a relative by marriage to lead the campaign against the rebels. But they didn't dare openly oppose his decision, so one of them cautiously asked,

"Your Excellency, the rebellion in Tsukimiura arose without warning, and it took us so long to learn of it. This suggests the rebels aren't so simple. Perhaps we should ask the Lands of Fire or Lightning to send some ninja to help us?"

At that, the Daimyo's expression turned dark. He fixed a murderous glare on the official who had spoken.

"It's just a rebellion in some insignificant little city, and you want us to beg the Lands of Fire and Lightning for help? Do you want to make an even bigger joke of the Land of Rice Fields?"

The Daimyo's roar drained the official's face of color. He hurriedly fell to his knees.

"Please, calm down, Your Excellency!"

"Calm down? You lot do nothing all day but tell me to calm down. What else are you good for?"

The Daimyo's tirade swept across the whole assembly. The officials present all lowered their heads.

Seeing them cower, the Daimyo gave a dissatisfied snort. But he knew what these useless layabouts were like and couldn't be bothered to berate them further.

He also realized that, although an army of thirty thousand seemed certain to win, if something went wrong... the Land of Rice Fields would suffer another humiliating defeat.

To make sure nothing went awry, the Daimyo spoke again.

"The Lands of Fire and Lightning have ninja. Does the Land of Rice Fields not? I'll send ten of our own ninja to accompany the army and put down the rebellion, just to make certain of victory. That's all. You're dismissed!"

Seeing that the Daimyo had made up his mind, no one dared say anything more. They bowed to him and filed out of the hall.

After everyone had left, the Daimyo picked up some letters from the rulers of other countries that were lying on the table.

As he read the "expressions of concern" between the lines, veins bulged on his forehead. He swept his arm across the table and sent it flying!

"Bastards! Damn Tsukimiura! Damn Dongfang Mao! How dare you make me lose face like this! I'll tear you limb from limb!"

The Daimyo roared. Nearby, the maids were so frightened that they dropped to their knees, trembling.

It took a while for him to regain his composure. Then he turned sharply toward a maid on the floor.

"Go tell Zhangzi to wash herself and get ready..."

A flash of sadism crossed his eyes.

"And tell her that I'm in a very foul mood right now!"