The Remaining Value of a Good Neighbor

The size of the banquet hall exceeded Uchiha Shingen's expectations.

Long tables were set up vertically in the banquet hall, and people sat on both sides.

At the very back, there was another table laid out horizontally, where the people sitting were generally over fifty years old, with dignified and imposing expressions, clearly people in high positions.

In the corridor, waiters walked back and forth.

The ninjas drank wine, most of them with women in their arms, laughing and joking loudly among themselves, behaving quite recklessly and absurdly.

Seeing this scene, Uchiha Shingen couldn't help but frown.

Like demons and monsters.

To demonstrate their noble status, they arrogantly displayed themselves through eccentric and capricious behavior. This kind of foolishness was common among many ninja clans during the Warring States period, including the Uchiha Clan and the Senju of the Forest.

However, at that time, the Uchiha Clan was Uchiha Madara, who was a man of steel and found this style of art very distasteful. He would beat anyone he saw, and soon this style of art disappeared from the Uchiha Clan.

Senju Hashirama didn't fight, but he loved to chat; he could sit and talk to someone all day.

If things really get too complicated, there's also the black-faced duo of Senju Tobirama and Senju Muzoku, one big and one small.

These days, you can probably only find this kind of idiot in Kirigakure.

They're still clustered together.

Uchiha Shingen looked around but did not see Uchiha Shisui.

"Oh, Sakurako, finally willing to entertain guests?" A young man walked over with a grin, his chest and back bare, reeking of alcohol, and holding a wine glass in his hand. "What a pity, if the Yuki Clan had been willing to let you marry me back then, things wouldn't be like this today."

Uchiha Shingen glanced at the other person.

I don't recognize this logo; it's probably a product of some weakling ninja clan.

When it comes to playing the arrogant persona, no one can Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha Clan's arrogance is so natural, it's completely effortless.

"I'll give you three seconds to get lost," said Uchiha Shingen.

As they spoke, the Sharingan Genjutsu had already invaded the other person's mind, immobilizing them and revealing the most shameful memory of their life.

I never expected that the long-legged, mature woman was actually a member of the Yuki Clan.

The idiot in front of her was one of her suitors back then, but he was too low-class; the Yuki Clan didn't want him and only allowed him to marry into their family.

The idiot didn't even dare to shout "Don't underestimate a young man's potential," and slunk away in disgrace.

After reading this, Uchiha Shingen's opinion of him immediately plummeted to the level of trash.

Being unable to pick up girls is bad enough, but to wait until they're down on their luck and then come here to complain is truly pathetic.

This is a disgrace to men...

It's on the same level as the green-haired turtle.

Three seconds had passed, and the humiliated one still hadn't moved. Uchiha Shingen slapped him, sending him flying.

The waiter who had just arrived was stunned, holding his plate and standing motionless.

The noisy sounds in the banquet hall suddenly stopped.

Many eyes turned to them.

The long-legged, mature woman slightly opened her mouth, looking at Uchiha Shingen, somewhat bewildered and at a loss for what to do.

Faced with gazes from all directions, she unconsciously gripped her high-slit skirt with both hands, squeezed her legs together, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Uchiha Shingen slapped the troublemaker away, then took a wet wipe from a plate held by a servant and wiped his hands.

"Crazy," he muttered quite loudly, "This guy dares to mess with me."

In the banquet hall, everyone could clearly hear his mutterings.

Everyone looked rather grim.

But no one jumped out and shouted, "You scoundrel! Do you recognize me? I'll take your dog's head!"

Everyone knows the strength of the White Ghost of Leaf Village.

Shouting like that might not get you your head, but you'd probably get a beating.

With so many people watching, he'd completely lost face.

"Shingen- kun, don't get so angry." At a table at the back of the banquet hall, Hozuki Guiyue wasn't angry at all. His gaze swept between Sakurako and Uchiha Shingen, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Wanting to acquire a beautiful woman is a common weakness of men. It seems Sakurako served her well. I will reward her."

"The women I've been with don't really like others being with them." Uchiha Shingen chuckled, pulling the long-legged, Sakurako woman, Sakurako, into his arms. "Why don't you just give her to me?"

Feeling the intense gazes of the men around her, Sakurako, flustered, paled slightly and unconsciously shrank into Uchiha Shingen's arms.

The allure she exuded the moment she swayed her hips made everyone present swallow hard.

"It's no big deal." Hozuki Guiyue. "We're all friends. If things go well, you can take him away."

He stared at Sakurako, his eyes filled with reluctance.

In this Guest House, there are not many women like Sakurako, who come from a powerful bloodline clan and originally held a noble status.

This beauty, a direct descendant of the Yuki Clan and renowned throughout Kirigakure, did not Jonin, but before the Yuki Clan suffered its calamity, she had countless suitors.

Sakurako is not only beautiful, but also a capable homemaker. She was famous for managing the Yuki Clan's business in the Land of Water very well.

After Hozuki Guiyue kept her at the Guest House, countless people hinted at their intentions to give her away, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

Putting aside this woman's business acumen, she is naturally alluring, making her an absolute stunner in bed.

There are far too many men who want to pin this woman down and whip her.

But Hozuki Guiyue wouldn't waste it; she wanted to maximize the benefits of this woman's first time.

When the Leaf Village 'White Ghost and Body Flicker Shisui visited Hidden Mist Village, he finally decided to use this treasure. Although ninja clans have special techniques to prevent the outflow of their bloodline, he believed that Sakurako's charm would make the young people forget this.

As expected, Leaf Village's White Ghost was still young and couldn't escape the dangers of lust.

I had long heard that this man was a womanizer, and it turned out to be true.

However, he hadn't expected that the Leaf Village's White Ghost would directly demand people.

In this way, things might be even better. He also has control over the other party's family. Otherwise, the other party wouldn't have obediently allowed himself to be kept at the Guest House; he would probably have committed suicide long ago.

"Shingen- kun, please take a seat. Let's talk slowly." Hozuki Guiyue withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Sakurako, and extended an invitation to Uchiha Shingen.

"Okay." Uchiha Shingen put his arm around Sakurako and walked towards Hozuki Guiyue.

He walked to the table, looked at the empty seat, withdrew his hand, and plopped down on it. Sakurako stood behind him, head bowed.

"Uncle Guiyue, where is my cousin?" Uchiha Shingen asked.

"Your younger brother said he needed to be prepared to meet the Mizukage and refused," Hozuki Guiyue said without a hint of displeasure. "It seems the Uchiha Clan is hedging their bets."

"I need your understanding on this point." Uchiha Shingen mentally gave Uchiha Shisui a thumbs up; this little brother had finally grown up. "The Uchiha Clan is a great clan; we can't just follow one path."

"Of course, we completely understand. How does the Uchiha Clan plan to cooperate?"

"The way we cooperate will be different at different times. It's regrettable that the situation has changed. Our clan leader has become the Hokage's assistant, so the previous plan is no longer suitable." Uchiha Shingen smiled at the other party. "Why don't you tell me your thoughts first?"

Chapter 54 The Surplus Value of a Good Neighbor

"The Hokage assisting?" Everyone present showed surprise.

Due to the unique environment of the Land of Water, Kirigakure implements an intelligence policy that prioritizes the protection of its own secrets. Lacking an intelligence network on the mainland, it always lags behind in obtaining information from the outside world.

However, as the chaos in Kirigakure intensified, its access to information from the outside world was no longer just lagging behind, but practically paralyzed.

This is also related to some of the strategies implemented by Uchiha Obito.

In his vision, Kirigakure would become an absolutely closed place, cut off from all communication with the mainland, a place solely for cultivating tools for him.

Therefore, even though Hidden Leaf Village already had a new Hokage to assist them, no one present knew it.

"That's right." Uchiha Shingen nodded. "Therefore, the Uchiha Clan's stance in Leaf Village is different now than before, and I believe you all understand this."

"I see," an old man said. "This is truly unexpected. I never imagined that the Uchiha Clan would once again occupy the position of regent. They must have paid a considerable price."

The old man seemed to be the person chosen by the group to speak; after he spoke, everyone else fell silent.

"You've misunderstood that," Uchiha Shingen shook his head. "It's mainly because of the contrast with his peers."

Everyone's faces froze instantly.

It was uncertain whether Uchiha Shingen in front of him was making a veiled attack.

However, they did not believe that the Uchiha Clan could easily obtain the position of Kage, and assumed that Uchiha Shingen was exaggerating the advantages of the Uchiha Clan.

However, it cannot be denied that with such a position, the advantages and disadvantages of both sides have changed.

The Kirigakure may not have a Kagefusa, but that doesn't mean they are unaware of the Kagefusa's importance.

However, for them, the situation has become much worse than before as the internal conflicts within Kirigakure have become public.

"As expected of the Uchiha Clan," the old man said in a deep voice. "Presumably, the names of the White Ghost and the Body Flicker Technique played an important role, but it's impossible to say there was no price to pay. Our cooperation is still mutually beneficial."

"Old man, you don't believe me?" Uchiha Shingen said with a smile.

"It's not that I don't believe it, but it doesn't make sense." The old man shook his head. "Everyone should be more honest."

"So what's the new plan?" Uchiha Shingen didn't dwell on the topic. "Interactions between ninja clans don't need to be so complicated. Let's just talk openly."

Everyone frowned.

How could I possibly come up with that in such a short time...?

Originally, it was the Uchiha Clan that proposed establishing a friendly relationship. They could guess the reason, and they were very happy to see it.

And now this has happened.

Originally, everyone thought that the future of the Uchiha Clan would only be a break with Leaf Village and the entire clan moving away.

In the original plan of the Hidden Mist Village, a specific plan had been prepared to go to the Land of Whirlpools in the name of the Kirigakure to guide the Uchiha Clan to relocate when the time was right.

The Hidden Mist Village Clan has always maintained a close-knit group to protect their common interests, and intermarriage is a common practice. In this respect, they are more open-minded than the Leaf Village Clan. They are known for their close-knit group structure and their extreme xenophobia.

However, this xenophobia depends on the individual.

If it's Uchiha Clan, they'll welcome them with open arms.

These ninja clans understood one thing very well: if the pie doesn't grow bigger, no amount of banding together will help; they won't withstand the test of time.

Therefore, they also hope that Kirigakure will become strong, and they are working towards that goal.

The addition of the Uchiha Clan could fundamentally change the strength of Kirigakure.

The person the Hidden Mist Village Clan values most is Uchiha Shingen. He is even more like Kirigakure Ninja than they are, and he could become the Mizukage in the future.

They had already begun selecting suitable marriage partners from various ninja clans. Before the Yuki Clan's incident, Sakurako was the marriage partner recommended by that clan.

The Hozuki Clan felt that Terumi Mei was more suitable because the White Ghost of Leaf Village was a strong ninja, while Sakurako wasn't even a ninja. In the Hozuki Clan's view, the Uchiha Clan, who admired strength and were warlike, should be the same as them. If Sakurako were to marry into that clan, she would probably only be a concubine.

Of course, now that the Yuki Clan is gone, Sakurako no longer has that identity, but her former reputation has attracted countless wolves.

This is also the rule of the game in Kirigakure —whoever ruins their own life shouldn't expect others to remember their past alliances.

Hozuki Guiyue kept Sakurako in the Guest House but never used her, which was considered slightly better than what others in the pack of jackals did.

"We're afraid we can't give you an answer right now," the old man said after a long discussion. "We wonder how long Lord Shingen can stay in Hidden Mist Village?"

"The village didn't restrict me in this regard," Uchiha Shingen said, pointing to the ceiling. "After all, my cousin also shoulders an important mission."

"The Fourth Hokage..." The old man pondered for a moment, analyzing various possibilities in his mind, "Could it be that you're planning to deal with your own traitor?"

"His identity is known to the Lord Hokage; he was once the Hokage's disciple," said Uchiha Shingen. "Out of consideration for our past relationship, it wouldn't be appropriate to take action, but he clearly betrayed the village and attacked the Lord Hokage."

Everyone suddenly realized.

No wonder Leaf Village wanted to kill this person.

The news that the Fourth Mizukage was being controlled was known to several major ninja clans, but this information was well controlled.

It's simply that several ninja clans are thinking of using this as leverage to make a deal with the other side when the time is right.

But now it seems that the other side wants to kill them, the ninja clan.

If it weren't for the fact that Kirigakure couldn't actually wage a civil war, they would have leaked the news long ago, guaranteeing the village would be in an uproar.

"We can discuss how to cooperate later." The old man's gaze was sharp. "For now, let's join forces to resolve the Mizukage's matter. Leaf Village sent you here, presumably because they are worried that the chaos in our Kirigakure will affect Leaf Village."

"That's right, that's certainly true."

"Since that's the case, let's do what Zabuza Momochi failed to do: we'll cooperate with you to take care of this person."