The Turmoil Ends, and Tea Country Is at Peace

The turmoil caused by the Daimyo's family was neither too great nor too small. Though it lasted for some time, it stirred up trouble throughout Tea Country.

But Feng held the moral high ground, commanded an army, and possessed greater strength. With the right time, place, and people on his side, he swiftly gained complete control of the capital.

As for the rest of Tea Country, Feng handled it personally. He directly ordered Shibata Keiichi and Furukawa Kengo to make a trip to Konoha and issue several missions in the name of Tea Country's new Daimyo.

The two then each led a squad from the Guard Corps and a Konoha team led by a jonin. Within a few weeks, they suppressed the unrest outside the capital.

During that time, he also had Sada Hidemasa bring lavish gifts to the capital of the Land of Fire, expressing Tea Country's unwavering respect for the Land of Fire and its willingness to remain the little brother.

Thus, without leaving a trace, he dispelled any possible suspicions that the Land of Fire and Konoha might have toward Tea Country after the turmoil.

At the same time, it also lessened Konoha's suspicions toward "Sekito," the mysterious man who had suddenly appeared in Tea Country and rapidly seized control of the court.

As for the attitudes of other countries and ninja villages toward Tea Country, Feng neither concerned himself with them nor cared.

He only needed to conceal his true identity and maintain Tea Country's good relationship with the Land of Fire and Konoha. If anything truly happened, he could still use Tea Country's name to push Konoha, the tall one, to the front as usual.

Three months later, in the middle of Konoha Year 52, within the Daimyo Palace of Tea Country's capital, which had finally settled down completely.

"My lord, General Shibata and General Furukawa, who were conducting an inspection tour across the country, have sent a report.

There have been no bandits, rebels, or other troublemakers in the country for half a month.

The country can be considered completely stabilized."

Sada Hidemasa, who had been promoted to Left Minister while also serving as captain of the Guard Corps, respectfully reported on the country's current situation to Feng.

At this time, Feng had already used Daimyo Aiko Hamuro's name to appoint himself Grand General, in charge of all military affairs in the country, as well as Protector of the Capital and captain of the Samurai Corps.

Hidemasa's position should originally have been handled by the Grand Minister, the head of the civil officials. However, that man was a cautious old fox. During the previous civil unrest, he had refused to take either side, putting on the appearance of an old loyal minister who only obeyed the Daimyo's arrangements.

But how could Feng allow a loyal minister of the former Daimyo, and the head of the civil officials at that, to remain in the shogunate? So regardless of whether his loyalty was genuine or false, Feng sent him home on the grounds that he was too old and should not overwork himself.

As the first person to pledge loyalty to Feng, and someone rather intelligent at that, Sada Hidemasa naturally received a promotion. He became Left Minister, nominally the second-ranking civil official but, in actual authority, the first.

As for the former Left Minister? He had sided with the former Daimyo's eldest son and participated in the rebellion, so he received the full package: dismissal, investigation, confiscation of property, and execution.

Of course, the former Left Minister was not the only one to receive the full package. Most of the officials in the former Daimyo's shogunate were likewise given the same treatment by Feng for one reason or another.

Those who replaced them were all people whom Shibata Keiichi, Furukawa Kengo, and Sada Hidemasa had previously selected as confidants, along with some who had participated in the slaughter of the former Daimyo's children.

Although this might allow those three to grow too powerful and develop thoughts they should not have, Feng did not care.

Not to mention that the three had been arranged to keep one another in check, even if they joined forces, they would only be a few samurai without even chunin-level strength, alongside several samurai roughly equivalent to genin and a few hundred ordinary people.

Feng himself naturally could not defeat them, but Uchiha Mikio, whom Feng had brought forth through Impure World Reincarnation, could kill them a hundred times over.

Naturally, there was no need to care.

"Mm. Send orders to General Shibata and General Furukawa. There is no need for them to continue inspecting the country.

At the same time, order General Shibata to lead the Guard Corps under his command in garrisoning Upper Leaf City, while General Furukawa will lead his men to garrison Lower Leaf City.

Recall the guard units originally stationed in Upper Leaf City and Lower Leaf City to the capital.

As for Degarashi Port, it will remain under the responsibility of the Wasabi Family and the Wagarashi Family."

After hearing Sada Hidemasa's report, Feng, seated slightly below the Daimyo, pondered for a moment before giving his orders.

Although this was originally something the Daimyo should have handled, Feng, as the Daimyo's husband, had overstepped his position and handled it instead. Yet neither the Daimyo herself nor any of the other officials in the shogunate found it strange. Everyone turned a blind eye, as though it were only natural.

That was normal enough. After all, the Daimyo had been carefully selected by Feng to be a wife he could easily control.

The officials had also been replaced in several waves over the past three months. Those who remained now naturally obeyed Feng's every command.

"Yes, my lord, Grand General. I will immediately arrange for someone to handle it.

But Grand General, why leave Degarashi Port alone...?"

Sada Hidemasa immediately accepted the order.

However, having come to understand Feng somewhat and knowing that his lord was not incapable of accepting advice, he voiced his doubts at the proper time.

Tea Country's terrain was long and narrow, with sea on two sides. Across the sea to the west lay the Land of Wind, a land covered in yellow sand and of no value whatsoever.

Therefore, Tea Country's main regions consisted of three cities and one island.

Namely, Upper Leaf City in the north, which developed alongside the Land of Fire; the capital in the center; Lower Leaf City in the south, which developed alongside the Land of Moon; and Nagi Island in the southeastern corner.

Nagi Island itself had no particularly important resources, but its unique geography gave it an excellent seaport: Degarashi Port.

Degarashi Port was also Tea Country's largest harbor. It traded with many island nations, including the Sea Country, southern Red State Island, and Rainbow Country, bringing extremely generous revenue to the country.

For such an important location, Sada Hidemasa could not understand why his lord had not sought to gain control of it as he had the other cities, instead allowing the Wasabi Family and the Wagarashi Family on the island to struggle for control.

"If I remember correctly, before long, Degarashi Port should be holding its once-every-four-years shrine festival.

In previous years, to prevent the Wasabi Family and the Wagarashi Family from causing too much trouble during the festival, Konoha ninja were hired according to custom to maintain order, correct?"

Rather than directly answering Sada Hidemasa's question, Feng asked an uncertain question of his own.

"My lord, that is indeed the case."

After thinking briefly, Sada Hidemasa gave an affirmative answer.

"Mm, then that's fine. If there is nothing else, let us adjourn for today.

Hidemasa, stay behind. I have something for you to handle."

Feng still did not explain. He merely waved his hand and announced the end of the meeting, while keeping Sada Hidemasa behind.

"Hidemasa, for this festival at Degarashi Port, I want the Konoha ninja sent to maintain order to be from the Uchiha Clan.

Do you have any ideas on how to make that happen without drawing attention, yet still fulfill my wishes?"

In the rear courtyard of the Daimyo Palace, Feng got straight to the point with Sada Hidemasa, whom he had summoned alone.

"This... I do not understand."

Sada Hidemasa was even more puzzled.

"You do not need to understand why. Just think about whether there is a way."

Feng raised a hand, neither confirming nor denying anything.

"My lord, I cannot think of anything at the moment.

Fortunately, there is still some time before Degarashi Port's festival begins. Please allow me to return and consider it carefully. I will certainly think of a solution before the festival begins."

Sada Hidemasa thought for a while before answering solemnly.

"Fine. This matter is indeed not urgent, so take your time.

But remember, it must be done naturally and without drawing attention. The ninja sent must be Uchiha."

"I will remember."

"Good. There is one more matter. Previously, I had you, Keiichi, and Kengo gather information from the Underground Marketplace regarding the tailed beasts in Kirigakure and Takigakure, as well as search for the location of the Mask Hall of the Uzumaki in the Land of Whirlpools. There have been no results so far.

Over the past three months, we did not attend to it because we had to stabilize the country.

Now that Keiichi and Kengo are away, you will follow up on this matter alone.

Remember, keep a close eye on it. Its priority is above all other matters.

If there is good news, the position of Grand Minister will be yours."

As Feng finished speaking, a glint flashed through Sada Hidemasa's eyes. He hurriedly replied, "Yes. I will certainly bring good news to my lord."

"Fine, you may leave." Feng nodded, then waved him away.