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A massive figure descended from the sky like a ball of flesh. Despite a body over ten meters tall, its movements were as agile as a leopard. The moment it landed, it snatched Sarutobi Wataru up in its hand. It cast a glance at Mingye, seemingly tempted to fight, but that was as far as it went. It curled its body into a ball once more, crushing the ninjas beneath it like a giant boulder as it retreated rapidly toward the edge of the battlefield.

"Quite the pragmatist! The Nara Clan is truly a gathering place for those with strategic minds!"

The man had not said a word upon arriving or leaving, yet he was none other than Akimichi Shan, whom Mingye had seen just moments before. As Akimichi Shan departed, his path led him directly over the ranks of the samurai who had yet to collapse. Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the samurai—who were supposed to be reinforcements—became the most lethal point of failure. The resulting carnage of mangled corpses and blood instantly turned the land into a living hell.

Madara stood beside Akiyama Nobunori without making a move, and Akiyama Nobunori seemed to have no intention of struggling. He watched as over a hundred of his men were slaughtered by the ten-man Uchiha squad as if they were mere ants. His expression remained unchanged; he simply watched with a blank stare. Ten minutes passed, and as his men were nearly wiped out, Akiyama Nobunori finally spoke.

"What exactly does Sato have that I don't?"

Madara couldn't be bothered to answer, but Mingye had already walked over. He smiled and nodded at him, speaking as if they were old friends.

"He's simply easier to control. Since they're all dead, I don't mind telling you. The ambition of my Uchiha Clan isn't just to let you useless fools continue to rule the world. Only those with the capability have the right to dominate it. The sun itself must possess the power to radiate light and heat; otherwise, it's time for a replacement!"

If Mingye's words were spoken twenty years later, perhaps no one would argue with them. But in this chaotic era, they were an act of treason—a capital offense of the highest order. Akiyama Nobunori sneered at him.

"Hmph! You rebellious wild dogs!"

Mingye didn't mind, retorting with a playful tone.

"Fat pig, once you're dead, you and those real wild dogs can watch us become the most dazzling sun in the world. Now, commit seppuku. A samurai should act like one!"

Perhaps this world did possess a spirit of bushido; Akiyama Nobunori drew the short sword at his waist. Instead of making a futile final stand, he took a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wiped the blade. Then, with a solemn expression, he looked at Madara and Mingye, cursing them.

"I will watch as you die one by one. Your ambitions are nothing more than castles in the air—utterly delusional!"

As the words fell, Akiyama Nobunori drove the short sword into his abdomen and sliced across. His eyes held no hatred or fury, only a cold gaze fixed upon Madara and Mingye. Unfortunately, Madara held his curse in total contempt, and Mingye didn't even bother to look, let alone care—after all, Mingye cultivated the Immortal Path that defied the heavens.

Following Akiyama Nobunori's death, the Uchiha ninjas filed into a limestone cave to take shelter from the rain and regroup. Sensing a familiar chakra, Mingye smiled and spoke up.

"Lian! I thought you were at home keeping your wife company. I didn't expect you to follow Big Brother here!"

Uchiha Lian walked to Mingye's side, bowing respectfully to both Madara and Mingye before answering.

"I dare not disobey the Clan Head's summons! Besides, my wife still has some time yet! Life in the clan is comfortable, so there is no need to worry!"

Mingye chuckled. Lian's greatest asset was his upright and conventional nature, always operating within the bounds of worldly norms. Thus, bestowing a great merit upon him would surely yield returns. Although the clan ninjas appeared calm on the surface, it was only because their string of victories had offset all their anxieties and ambitions. They were not loyal to the clan out of devotion, but because the clan provided them with great benefits. Thinking of this, he pointed to Akiyama Nobunori's corpse and spoke.

"That's true. Since Akiyama Nobunori is dead, take his head to Okayama Castle. It's time to let Sato show what he can do with these affairs!"

"Yes!"

Lian nodded and walked toward Akiyama Nobunori's body. Two other ninjas produced a ledger and approached Mingye. One of them spoke.

"Third Young Master, we found it! The accounts match perfectly with those of the Land of Earth ninjas we killed!"

Madara furrowed his brows, looking at Mingye as if he didn't understand what he was planning.

"Mingye, these accounts..."

Mingye smiled again, explaining to Madara.

"If Sato wants the meat, we can at least drink the soup. As long as we are discreet, I don't think anyone will notice."

"What are you planning now?"

Madara frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Mingye acting on his own in ways he couldn't fathom. Mingye ignored his dissatisfaction and spoke again.

"Building a dam!"

"A dam?!"

The mere mention of the word gave Madara a headache. Mingye's style was always to act first and report later—or not report at all—so he could never gauge what Mingye was doing or what he intended to do next. Seeing Madara's confusion, Mingye explained in detail.

"The Land of Wind is located in the northwestern desert. Although it is the largest of the five nations, two-thirds of it is desert. Lacking water, soil, and grain, what they need most is water. The Land of Rain experiences constant, torrential downpours, and the vast amount of water flows through rivers into the Land of Wind, irrigating their few fertile fields. If we build a dam and charge them a high fee, what does Big Brother think?"

Madara curled his lip, clearly displeased by Mingye's brazen greed.

"Mingye!"

Mingye reminded him.

"Big Brother, a village cannot be built with just a few tens of thousands of ryo. If you want to gain profit, you must invest. We have nothing right now; we must obtain something first to have the capital to invest. Only through investment will we receive a bountiful return!"

"As you wish!"

Madara had nothing left to say. Even if he didn't know the price of daily necessities, he knew that the rewards Sato had provided were nowhere near enough to establish their village. He stopped speaking, turned, and walked out into the heavy rain.

In a low-lying valley, river water cascaded from a height of several dozen meters, the silver-white water falling like a screen. The uneven, protruding tiers of the surrounding cliffs caused the water to tumble repeatedly, forming a magnificent scene.

Beside the waterfall stood a bamboo grove. In the center of the grove, inside a pavilion, a man dressed in luxurious robes was performing the steps of a tea ceremony. Zhanye suddenly appeared outside the grove, walked in, knelt before the man, and spoke respectfully.

"My Lord! I have brought the people!"

The man performing the tea ceremony was Zhanye's master, Shimura Sasuke. Shimura Sasuke looked at Zhanye with a kind smile and raised a cup of tea. Zhanye hurried over to receive it.

"Yes! Freshly brewed tea. Come, have a taste. This is a premium fragrant tea grown on the highest peaks of the Land of Clouds!"

Zhanye bowed again in gratitude.

"Thank you, My Lord!"

Shimura Sasuke seemed accustomed to this, smiling as he spoke again.

"Sit and drink. And them... yes, tell them to come in as well. I'm just passing time with tea anyway! This place is elegant and beautiful—a perfect spot for a chat."

As soon as Shimura Sasuke's voice faded, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama descended from the sky and stood on the steps beneath the pavilion.

"Senju Hashirama pays his respects to you, My Lord!"

"Senju Tobirama pays his respects to you, My Lord!"

Rapid footsteps echoed through the bamboo grove, but Shimura Sasuke merely smiled and waved his hand, instantly silencing the hurried sounds. Afterward, Shimura Sasuke sighed and praised the two men.

"A fine display of skill. You are truly worthy of being called the genius ninjas of the Senju Clan. Although it may seem like I am alone in this bamboo grove, there are no fewer than a hundred ninjas hidden in the surroundings!"

Hashirama cupped his hands in a salute to Shimura Sasuke and replied apologetically, "We have startled you, My Lord!"

Shimura Sasuke chuckled, showing no signs of being frightened by their appearance, and completely disregarded Hashirama's apology. Instead, he praised Hashirama in return.

"Heh heh! No startle, no startle! If they failed to detect you, that is merely a sign of their poor training. Isn't this perfect? It demonstrates that you possess world-shaking talent. You must know that there are only two types of people who do not attract jealousy: the first are the mediocre, and the second are peerless geniuses whom no one can ever hope to catch! I believe you are not the former; do you not have the confidence to be the latter?"

Tobirama frowned slightly. Shimura Sasuke was completely different from the general he had heard about in rumors; he seemed like a kind elder. If not for that wave of his hand earlier, Tobirama would never have believed him to be a general. Before Hashirama could speak again, Tobirama waved his hand and replied to Shimura Sasuke, "We have been instructed."

Shimura Sasuke cast a meaningful glance at Tobirama, then gestured for the two to sit and join Zhanye in tasting the fragrant tea he had prepared.

"Very well! Let us dispense with the flattery. Tea is not good once it cools; drink it while it is hot, and we shall chat as we sip."

After Hashirama and Tobirama sat on the stone stools and raised their cups, Shimura Sasuke spoke.

"Just three days ago, Akiyama Nobunori of the Land of Rain committed suicide!"

Zhanye, who had just finished his tea in one gulp, froze, his expression one of shock.

"The Fifth General?!"

Shimura Sasuke shook his head with a bitter smile and sighed.

"Heh heh, there are no generals left. Everything has begun to change, and that is precisely why I was so eager to see you!"

Hashirama looked at Shimura Sasuke with a grave expression. "What do you mean, General?"

Shimura Sasuke did not answer Hashirama's question directly, instead shifting the topic.

"Looking across the Land of Fire, if there is anyone left who can stop the Uchiha Clan from acting so recklessly, it must be your Senju Clan, is it not?"

Hearing Shimura Sasuke's flattery, Hashirama's face was filled with bitterness.

"You jest, General. The current Senju Clan no longer possesses that kind of strength!"