Subduing Zhongshan Haoze

Facing Uchiha Tenshu's inquiry, Nakayama Hiroshi gave a bitter laugh and said, "The Otomo Clan is a prominent local family and a major Daimyo with vast landholdings. They possess hundreds of elite samurai and dozens of ninja, making them the overlords of this region. Furthermore, they operate pawnshops and numerous black-market casinos; their influence is immense."

"As for their reliance in daring to commit such acts, it is because they have the protection of the Fire Daimyo's officials. The current head of the Otomo Clan is the brother of a concubine to the Fire Daimyo, so even when they waylay and rob merchant caravans coming from the Land of Rain, no one dares to intervene."

Nakayama Hiroshi paused for a moment after saying this.

He looked toward Uchiha Tenshu and his companion before continuing, "Moreover, before every operation, they have ninja conduct detailed intelligence gathering. They leave anyone with a background alone, but any merchant without connections who passes through the Otomo Clan's territory is stripped clean. Occasionally, if someone manages to escape, they are hunted down and eliminated by ninja. Even if a survivor manages to reach Konoha to post a mission, the intelligence is betrayed—and that information comes directly from Konoha Shinobi Village. They aren't worried about Konoha accepting a mission to retaliate against them; the two sides are undoubtedly colluding in the shadows."

"What? Coming from Konoha Shinobi Village! How could the village betray the information of a mission requester? This is simply..."

Uchiha Sakurako exclaimed in disbelief. As a member of the Uchiha clan who had joined Konoha, even if her daily affection for the village wasn't as significant as her loyalty to her own kin, it was still, in name, her home.

In front of outsiders, Uchiha Sakurako still tended to defend this home, yet now, the man before her dared to claim that her home, Konoha, was capable of such base acts.

To this, Uchiha Tenshu couldn't help but sneer, "You don't actually think that being a 'ninja' is some noble profession worth being proud of, do you? Murder, arson, stealing intelligence, and being hired to commit atrocities—aren't these all perfectly normal?"

"Even our Uchiha clan, back in the Warring States period, engaged in frantic looting for the sake of resources and supplies."

"This is simply the survival rule of this society. It is nothing more than the weak being preyed upon by the strong, survival of the fittest!"

"So-called fairness, justice, peace, and beauty are merely masks worn to make the act of devouring others appear more refined!"

"And right now, powerful families like the Otomo Clan are the bread and butter of Konoha Shinobi Village. As for those who manage to escape without any background, what do they matter to Konoha?"

Faced with Uchiha Tenshu's words, Uchiha Sakurako was rendered speechless, unable to find a single reason to refute him.

Instead, she glared fiercely at Nakayama Hiroshi.

Seeing Uchiha Sakurako's anger, Nakayama Hiroshi hurriedly explained, "It's true. The Otomo Clan has been doing this for years. I was worried before that if we engaged in this kind of highway robbery, someone might come looking for them. But the leader of this mountain stronghold said that Konoha ninja would never accept a mission against them, and foreign ninja, even if they accepted a mission within the Land of Fire, couldn't reach this place!"

"With the God of Shinobi guarding the Land of Fire, foreign ninja dare not carry out missions within the borders of the Land of Fire."

"According to you, does that mean we should protect them instead!" Uchiha Sakurako said indignantly.

This time, Nakayama Hiroshi gritted his teeth and stubbornly insisted, "It's hard to say!"

Clearly, having come from the Land of Snow to the Land of Fire to purchase supplies, only to be robbed by these powerful figures and treated as a captive to be exploited, he had suffered many grievances.

When it came to the issues of the Land of Fire and Konoha, Nakayama Hiroshi had nothing good to say.

After listening, Uchiha Tenshu thought to himself that since he had already offended the Otomo Clan, he might as well wipe them out; he hadn't expected them to have the backing of the Fire Daimyo's officials. However, this did not deter Uchiha Tenshu's intentions; rather, it made him even more determined.

"However, before that!"

Uchiha Tenshu's gaze turned sharp as he looked at Nakayama Hiroshi and asked, "I understand the situation now. You are indeed not one of them, but you should also understand how things work among ninja—eliminating bystanders to protect one's own intelligence is an inherent obligation."

Just as Nakayama Hiroshi smiled bitterly, thinking he was doomed.

Uchiha Tenshu changed his tone and said, "I can spare your life, but from now on, you will work for me. As a price, I will help you take your revenge and destroy the Otomo Clan. How about it? If you don't agree, then I have no choice but to..."

"I agree, I agree! I agree!"

Faced with Uchiha Tenshu's unfinished sentence, Nakayama Hiroshi nodded frantically, clearly understanding the implication.

It was nothing more than switching to a new master.

If he didn't agree to this, wouldn't he be dead for sure?

Not to mention, the other party claimed to be able to destroy the Otomo Clan for him and avenge him. Recalling the incident where he was robbed, a surge of hatred rose within Nakayama Hiroshi.

"Very good!" Uchiha Tenshu nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Follow me, and you will not regret it. I will lead you to a new height; both in terms of power and wealth, it will be something you have never seen before!"

Next, Uchiha Tenshu quickly formed hand seals. Following his movements, black incantations emerged from his hands like ghosts. These incantations seemed to have a life of their own, trembling slightly in the air and emitting a mysterious and dangerous aura. Nakayama Hiroshi watched, dumbfounded.

Just then.

Uchiha Tenshu's fingers moved suddenly, striking Nakayama Hiroshi's body with lightning speed.

In that instant, Nakayama Hiroshi felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart. Before he could even react, he felt as if he were under some invisible control. He hurriedly pulled open his shirt to check and immediately saw a Black Sun Symbol emerging on his chest.

This Black Sun Symbol was like a curse, deeply branded onto Nakayama Hiroshi's body, emitting a heart-palpitating black light. Although Nakayama Hiroshi had agreed to Uchiha Tenshu's request, Uchiha Tenshu clearly did not trust him completely; he remained highly vigilant.

And this Cursed Seal Technique was the insurance.

As it turned out, this was a Cursed Seal Technique Uchiha Tenshu had obtained from his clan. After two years of research and development, he had transformed it into a unique control charm. This charm not only allowed him to take the person's life at any time through his manipulation, but it also had an extremely dangerous characteristic—it required an adjustment every three years, or it would immediately erupt, causing the heart of the person under the curse to burst, resulting in instant death. With this seal in place, whether the person was sincere or feigning, they would have no choice but to work diligently.

After all, the two were merely strangers who had met by chance, and the man was his captive; naturally, he had to act this way.

He was no "Child of Destiny" whom everyone pampered, and he didn't possess some "kingly aura" that made others bow down the moment he appeared.

"This seal will serve as the basis of trust between us. With this, I can believe in you, and you don't have to worry about me abandoning you or silencing you," Uchiha Tenshu said, explaining the function of the seal.

To this.

Nakayama Hiroshi did not feel that anything was wrong.

Instead, he felt a sense of relief.

This way, he didn't have to worry about the other party deceiving him and silencing him after destroying the Otomo Clan.

Having traveled far and wide for so many years and having experienced countless dangers, Nakayama Hiroshi had gained some wisdom.

Nakayama Hiroshi hurriedly knelt and said, "From today on, I pledge my loyalty to you, My Lord!"

His words were filled with respect.

There was no trace of contempt due to Uchiha Tenshu's age, nor did he treat him as someone to be deceived.

After all, Uchiha Tenshu clearly came from a prominent family, and the woman beside him looked like a guard specifically sent to protect him. Thus, even if he pledged his loyalty, it might just be a good choice for his own future.

Following this, Uchiha Tenshu asked for detailed information regarding the Otomo Clan.

Although he could not get the full picture from Nakayama Hiroshi, he had gained a sufficient understanding.