The Daimyo of Tan Is a Man of Taste

Having already tasted the benefits, Ōnoki now values this highly.

If Kusagakure doesn't want to get beaten up, they have to cling tightly to Leaf Village's coattails.

However, Uchiha Shingen disliked Kusagakure's attentiveness.

He declined the hospitality of the Grass Ninja and didn't even stay in the town for long before continuing on his way.

After passing through several more towns, he finally began to enter the ruins of the former battlefield.

It's impossible to tell that this place was once a battlefield.

The previously abandoned Kannabi Bridge has now been restored.

As a daimyo, Kusa Daimyo certainly knew that if he didn't repair the Kannabi Bridge, merchants would travel through other countries instead.

Therefore, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and fixed it!

He was hoping this period of peace would last a little longer, allowing him to earn money for a few more years.

At least he should break even; repairing this bridge was very expensive.

Caravans frequently travel across the newly rebuilt Kannabi Bridge, and the Land of Grass even built a road specifically for this purpose, making it easier for caravans to travel within its territory.

Uchiha Shingen first climbed the Kannabi Bridge, reflecting on the changes that had taken place, and then went to the spot where he had left a mark last time.

The last time he left, he left behind the Flying Thunder God Seal.

The location is directly above Uchiha Madara's former ICU ward.

He sensed his own Flying Thunder God Seal and instantly passed by using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

After a flash, everything was exactly the same as when I last came here.

Grandpa Ban was quite good at choosing a location; this place was very secluded—in a forest with large, deep-rooted trees and lush vegetation.

The tree trunks here are so thick, you could practically have a whole group dancing on them.

No caravan would be so foolish as to travel this way.

Unless they feel they have too much stock and want someone to come and take some of their load to lighten their burden.

Uchiha Shingen crouched down; the burn marks from the previous fire had completely disappeared, hidden by dense weeds.

This time, however, he didn't need to go through such a complicated process to get in.

Of course, necessary safety measures are still required.

He created a Shadow Clone, which then used the Flying Thunder God Shadow Clone down. He then sat in place and waited.

After a while, the Shadow Clone sent back feedback, and the memories it provided surprised him.

The area below is already abandoned, and judging by the time, it will be a long time before it's completely deserted.

Uchiha Shingen activated the Flying Thunder God in his physical form and entered the underground space.

He casually conjured a Fire Release, illuminating the space.

The room looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time.

I searched the room and found the oil lamp from last time, but it was empty of oil and covered in dust.

Disappointed, Uchiha Shingen simply controlled the flames to form a fireball that floated around him, using it as a lamp.

He left the room and started walking along the same route he had taken before.

The floor of the passageway was covered in dust.

Walking to a mud wall, Uchiha Shingen placed his hand on it, and the wall quickly loosened.

It turned into dry sand and scattered.

The familiar gap inside was revealed.

I made him do it last time.

A fireball flew in, illuminating the passage.

Uchiha Shingen is now adept at Kagutsuchi, and his movements are completely responsive.

He stepped inside, his hands Hand Seals once more.

More fireballs emerged and flew in all directions.

The entire space was illuminated.

The marks from his last fight hadn't faded; the area was still pockmarked and uneven.

[They've even removed all the White Zetsu...]

When Uchiha Shingen came last time, he could see the blue light emanating from the equipment used to cultivate White Zetsu leaking through the cracks in the wall.

He lifted his foot and walked towards the base, the endless fireballs following him.

Finally, he entered the place where Black Zetsu had trained the White Zetsu army.

There's nothing left here.

Only the indentations on the ground indicate that there used to be a lot of equipment here.

As well as...

Uchiha Madara's coffin.

Only the indentation remained there.

Black Zetsu has indeed left.

Uchiha Shingen was very disappointed. He rushed over as soon as peace was achieved, only to find that he had come to no avail.

Was it because he thwarted Obito's plan once again?

You can't blame him for that.

Who told this guy to mess with Ninjutsu again? He told Uchiha Obito before that Ninjutsu shouldn't be modified casually.

If it were that easy to change, why would Orochimaru bother with human experiments?

Uchiha Shingen decided not to speculate.

Black Zetsu's whereabouts are currently unknown, so let him go find Orochimaru.

It's a pity we have to take a return trip, since the Land of Rice Fields is in another direction.

Uchiha Shingen turned and left.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Tian Daming is a man of principle

Tian Daming has been in a good mood lately.

Because the Land of Rice Fields finally has a ninja village with whom they have a targeted partnership!

It's not surprising that he doesn't know the founder; there are so many ninjas in the world, it would be a miracle if he knew them all.

But the opponent must be quite strong, Jonin!

For the Land of Rice Fields, it's quite commendable that a village with Jonin) is willing to reside permanently there and take on the business of the Land of Rice Fields's Daimyo's Court.

In the past, the Land of Rice Fields relied on Hidden Leaf Village, so prices were relatively high, as there were additional commission costs. As a result, many unimportant daily tasks could be entrusted to ninjas within its own territory.

On this day, the daimyo, who was in a good mood, was informed by his retainers that Uchiha Shingen from Hidden Leaf Village had come to pay his respects.

This startled Tian Daming.

White Ghost Leaf Village is a powerful figure renowned throughout the country, known for his ruthless methods and bloodthirstiness, and he comes from the prestigious Uchiha Clan.

Even a daimyo in a small country is still a daimyo, a high-ranking nobleman, but knowing how to treat people differently is a basic skill.

The White Ghost of Leaf Village is not someone to be treated casually.

Leaving aside the notion of a "good reputation" based on ruthlessness, anyone with a decent character wouldn't have such a reputation.

Of course, it is ultimately the name of a great nation, so we shouldn't be so shameless, but we still need to show respect.

During the Kunimura era, the relationship between ninjas and nobles became delicate. Ninjas no longer depended on nobles but on ninja villages, and nations no longer traded with individuals or clans but only with ninja villages.

The Five Kage are nominally nominated and appointed by the Five Daimyo, but in reality they are not subject to the Daimyo's control. Once a decision is made at the Five Kage Summit, the other countries will also agree with it.

However, outside of the Five Kage, there are still ninjas with special status in the Five Great Ninja Villages.

Although these ninjas hold the position of Kage, they can represent the will of their respective ninja villages when they are out in the field.

The White Ghost of Leaf Village is a typical example of this.

The Land of Rice Fields is an ally of the Land of Fire, relying on the Land of Fire for peace, while the Land of Fire's military strength depends on Hidden Leaf Village.

When Uchiha Shingen was traveling, as long as there wasn't a Hokage standing by his side, he was the embodiment of Leaf Village's will.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shingen, after leaving the Land of Grass, returned to the Land of Land of Fire, and then headed north to the Land of Rice Fields.

Few people in the world know where Orochimaru is these days, but he's not one of them.

The establishment of the Sound Village signifies that Orochimaru has established a foothold in the Land of Rice Fields.

The Land of Rice Fields is an ally of the Land of Fire. Although it is not as powerful as the Land of Hot Water, it is one of the more stable allies and is valued by the Daimyo's Fire Daimyo's Court and the Hokage 'Hokage Building. Therefore, after entering the country, Uchiha Shingen went to the Daimyo's Court first.

When traveling, as a representative of Leaf Village, one must observe proper etiquette.

Otherwise, Namikaze Minato might not grant him a leave slip next time, which would be a huge loss.

When Uchiha Shingen met this Daimyo, led by his attendants, he saw the Daimyo dressed in formal attire, with all his trusted retainers in attendance.

"Shingen, welcome to the Land of Rice Fields." The daimyo of the field had a friendly expression, maintaining the dignity of a daimyo. His retainers were also all smiles, and the room was filled with a friendly atmosphere.

"I am honored by your hospitality." Uchiha Shingen bowed slightly to show respect. "The Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Fire are close allies, and also important partners of Hidden Leaf Village. I have come to visit you today in the hope of obtaining your permission to stay in the Land of Rice Fields for a period of time."

"Oh? Is it a request from Leaf Village?" Daimyo waved his hand to stop his retainers and asked personally.

"No, Your Majesty, this is a personal request. I have important private matters to attend to in your country."

Hearing this, the high-ranking officials of Land of Rice Fields present all breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging from the implication in Uchiha Shingen's words, it was clear that Leaf Village had no objection to the recent changes in the Land of Rice Fields.

The Hokage is the actual architect of the Land of Fire's military policy. If the Hokage objects to this, the Land of Rice Fields will be in danger.

From the perspective of the Land of Rice Fields itself, it also has to rely on the powerful military strength of Leaf Village to ensure its own safety.

In small countries, there are only two ways for a powerful leader to be very influential.

One type is like the Land of Rain, which possesses considerable strength.

Or, like the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water, they would clearly stand in the camp of a certain great power from beginning to end. In this way, the great power would entrust the great ninja village with the full protection of the daimyo, and would also be very powerful to third parties.

Tian Daming is neither the former nor quite the latter.

After all, the Land of Rice Fields can't fight the Land of Fire to the death like the Land of Hot Water.

The establishment of Sound Village) will, in effect, cause the Land of Land of Rice Fields to waver more significantly in its stance.

Tian Daimyo was nervous because he was afraid that Uchiha Shingen was representing Leaf Village and would tell him, "We want to attack Sound Village, please remain neutral."

That would be very awkward.

After all, the Land of Rice Fields of Sound Village had already allocated the construction funds for Otogakure.

"Since this is Shingen's private matter, our country will not mind." Lord Daimyo nodded. "However, if any conflict between ninjas were to occur, we hope that you will inform us in advance."

"Of course, I will not cause any trouble for your country's officials," Uchiha Shingen said. "I have come to visit a friend in Sound Village."

"Oh? I didn't expect Sound Village to have such a background?" Dainya recalled for a moment and confirmed that the ninja who came to discuss the village's establishment with him was indeed a stranger.

If he doesn't recognize the person, it means the other person isn't a well-known ninja in the Ninja World.

A very simple view is that to be friends with a tiger, one must at least be a leopard.

A friend of a great nobleman must also be a nobleman. He may not be as rich or have as large a fief, but he must at least be someone with real power.

Dainya began to doubt whether the founder of Sound Village was truly the ninja he had met.

However, he didn't ask that question.

"Shingen, is there anything our country can do to help you?"

"It's embarrassing to say, but I do have one. I wonder if the Daimyo could send a guide to Sound Village)?"

"It's a small matter," Tian Daming said dismissively. "It can be arranged immediately."