Takamagahara

Amidst the drizzling rain, Uchiha Zhuang listened with a heavy heart as the boy recounted his experiences with an air of indifference. "So, what is your dream, young man?" Uchiha Zhuang asked softly. The boy looked at Uchiha Zhuang, who stood a head taller than him, and replied, "Sir Samurai, I am already twelve years old. In another year, I want to join Lord Hanzo's ranks as an Ashigaru Commander. With such a stable job, as long as I work hard, my mother and younger brother will surely live well." There was a glimmer in the boy's eyes, much like those who truly believed in Tiga. Uchiha Zhuang smiled and said, "Then you must train hard and eat well. Lord Hanzo is destined to become a man who shakes the world; you must stick close to him! I believe in you, kid!" The boy turned his head, looking at Uchiha Zhuang with excitement, and said happily, "Thank you, Sir Samurai! If you say I can do it, then I definitely can—after all, you are a real samurai lord! Hehe!"

The boy laughed with simple honesty. The three of them kept walking until they reached the checkpoint at the foot of the mountain. The boy took out two silver-white tokens and handed them to the guard, who skillfully accepted them, registered the entry, and handed back a wooden plaque, signaling for the two to enter. "Sir Samurai, I won't go in; I still have to greet the next group of tourists. I wish you a pleasant stay!" the boy said sincerely. Uchiha Zhuang hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a towel printed with a table tennis racket and handed it to the boy. "If you fail to become one of Lord Hanzo's Ashigaru, believe me: leave Takamagahara and head to the Land of Iron. This is a token of our organization. Take it to the far north of the Land of Iron and find a woman named Hanako; she will provide you and your family with a stable life." The boy took it, looking puzzled. "Remember, never let anyone else see this towel. It is best to keep it hidden in your pocket every day, or you might be killed for it." The boy shivered, then quickly stuffed it into his pocket. Uchiha Zhuang gave the boy one hundred thousand ryo, then led Persia into the sinful "Takamagahara."

Passing through the garden-like courtyard, they arrived at the reception hall, which was resplendent with gold and filled with the roar of a crowd. In the distance were bars and tables of gamblers playing cards; nearby was a leisurely cafe where people in ornate clothing—though with slightly frayed cuffs and collars—sipped coffee, read newspapers, or whispered to one another before erupting into bursts of laughter. In the reception hall, they removed their raincoats and straw hats, accepted tissues from the receptionist to wipe their faces and hands, and Uchiha Zhuang presented the wooden plaque to the front desk. Soon, a dedicated attendant arrived to lead the two toward the elevator for the upper floors.

The silver-white elevator ascended rapidly, carrying them all the way to the rooftop garden terrace. The hostess offered a standard smile as she led them out of the elevator, where a security gate stood before Uchiha Zhuang. He walked through boldly; having already stowed away all his belongings, Uchiha Zhuang would not give an unknown opponent a single chance. Having passed safely, the two followed the attendant into a tall, lush wall of greenery made of hedges. Several simple fabric sofas were already prepared, and a large executive desk faced Uchiha Zhuang. The boss's chair, which had been facing away, swiveled around to reveal the woman from the night before.

The hostess exited the room politely and closed the wooden door. The woman looked at Persia with interest, sizing her up before saying, "No wonder you wouldn't submit last night. How could a man who has seen a high mountain bow down to a small hill?" "If you are here to mock me, there is no need for such a grand display. Speak—what do you want us to do? Let's get this straight: the reward must satisfy me." The woman walked slowly toward the two and said, "Men are always so impatient, rushing to get down to business before even talking, aren't they? Right, sister?" Her eyes seemed to shimmer with flirtation, but Persia remained blank-faced, ignoring the woman's ambiguity and sitting straight down beside Uchiha Zhuang, remaining silent. The woman, having failed to get a reaction, was not annoyed. She nonchalantly pulled out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a drag. Uchiha Zhuang reached out to decline the cigarette she offered, saying, "I don't smoke, thank you."

The woman sat on the sofa opposite Uchiha Zhuang, her alluring long legs crossed over the coffee table. She leaned back lazily, smoking and exhaling a thin ring of smoke. After a long silence, she composed herself and said, "I am Tomoko. I have been operating in the Land of Rain for a long time. This time, I hope to use you to help me gather some information." As she spoke, Tomoko rose and walked toward the glass wall, looking out the window as she said, "Look, what a perfect place this is. The busy people below are like ants, working tirelessly to provide nutrients for the high-ranking officials in exchange for food. It follows the laws of nature and is quite reasonable, isn't it?"

Uchiha Zhuang also stood up and walked over. He looked in the direction behind Takamagahara, where noble building complexes bordered dilapidated districts, and the commoners below bustled about in a lively scene. It seemed the front courtyard was reserved exclusively for honored guests. "In my travels, I have seen much. To be honest, this scene is already better than many places after the war; at least they don't have to worry about their bodies being eaten by neighbors the next day." Uchiha Zhuang said this quietly, then pursed his lips and continued, "Weakness is not a sin in itself, but once strength appears, weakness becomes a crime." "Oh~" Tomoko tilted her head and glanced at Uchiha Zhuang. "Then, are you willing to do a favor for these weaklings? Kill Mado Tadamori and find out exactly what he is doing. Rumor has it he wants to unite with foreign powers and split his own country. Are you willing to do your part for the commoners of the Land of Rain?"

Her words carried a hint of pleading, and a pitiful expression appeared on her face, but Uchiha Zhuang saw the coldness in her eyes, which stood in stark contrast to her expression and tone. Uchiha Zhuang turned to look out the window at the endless drizzling rain, tilted his head at a forty-five-degree angle toward the sky, and then smiled. "Fine. Thirty million ryo. A hero can't work on an empty stomach, can he?" Tomoko stared fixedly at Uchiha Zhuang for a long time, then laughed. "Sodana (That is true). Very well, then I shall await your victory."

He left the terrace park with Persia, never looking back. In the descending elevator, Uchiha Zhuang began to ponder. Mado Tadamori was a prominent figure in the Land of Rain; even a foreigner like himself, fresh to the country, could learn of his deeds from the idle chatter of the commoners.

Mado Tadamori was born and raised in the Land of Rain, having suffered the ravages of war and the pain of losing loved ones from a young age. Later, he joined the service of the previous Daimyo as an Ashigaru. His harsh upbringing forged a fierce and combative personality; whenever something was rightfully his, he would bare his fangs and bite down hard. He followed the old Daimyo for over a decade, rising from Ashigaru to Ashigaru Commander, then to Ashigaru General, then to Grand General, and finally to the position of supreme commander. Before the old Daimyo died, he warned the young Daimyo to obey Mado Tadamori's arrangements and learn the art of governance from him. The young Daimyo thus took Mado Tadamori as his teacher, diligently following his arrangements and instructions for twenty full years without daring to defy him.

At first, Mado Tadamori was truly dedicated. The trust placed in him on the old Daimyo's deathbed allowed him to stand out among the ministers. Later, using strong-arm tactics and a mix of coercion and bribery, he rapidly built his own power network. During the period when power was concentrated in his hands, Mado Tadamori also did good deeds for the country and its people, such as building dams and levees of all sizes across the nation, dredging rivers, strengthening urban drainage systems, and improving universal education, healthcare, law, military, and public security. It could be said that Mado Tadamori was the undying sun of the Land of Rain, bringing hope and warmth to the people. Even now, many elders chatter on about how Mado Tadamori is an angel sent by the heavens to the Land of Rain!

In state affairs, the Daimyo, who originally sat in the main seat to preside over the big picture, gradually shifted to having Mado Tadamori sit in the main seat, with the Daimyo sitting at his side as a subordinate. He decided all political and military affairs for the entire country with a single word. All the ministers were submissive and obedient; it was as if Mado Tadamori had already become the new Daimyo. Moreover, not only did he hold absolute power, but his lifestyle was also incredibly extravagant!