This Is My Empire

The grand and sprawling Daimyo's Mansion resembled the magnificent ancient Chinese buildings Ryosuke had seen while traveling in his previous life.

Its architectural style differed from the low, plain houses commonly found in the Ninja World. It was even taller and more imposing than Konoha's Hokage Building.

Led by Chounohei, Ryosuke and the others entered the towering structure.

The entire Daimyo's Mansion was solemn and dignified. Every servant moved quietly, afraid of making too much noise and disturbing the Daimyo and nobles working within.

Amid the respectful greetings of countless retainers and servants, Ryosuke and the others climbed the stairs to the upper floors.

Noticing the appraising looks from the three of them, Chounohei, who was leading the way, stopped and turned back with a light smile. "My three ninja lords, compared to Konoha's Hokage Building, which do you think is superior—this Daimyo's Mansion or that one?"

Slightly surprised by the question, Ryosuke gave him a casual glance. "The Daimyo's residence is naturally majestic and magnificent, brimming with grandeur."

"Compared to it, Konoha's Hokage Building is like a shabby thatched hut—too ugly to look at."

"You flatter us, you flatter us."

Chounohei nodded in satisfaction, though he tried hard to appear humble.

Unfortunately, his attempt at managing his expression was utterly unconvincing in Ryosuke's eyes.

"You're too modest, Mr. Chounohei." Ryosuke continued with a smile. "We ninja live lives of bloodshed and danger, defending the country. We have no time for such refined and leisurely craftsmanship."

"Besides, we're all rough men. We wouldn't know how to appreciate it anyway."

"How could that be? You..."

Chounohei nodded cheerfully, about to continue with a few more humble remarks.

But after giving it some thought, he suddenly realized there was something off about Ryosuke's words.

Looking at Ryosuke's half-smiling expression, those words sounded somewhat... grating.

"The Daimyo truly lives extravagantly."

Seeing Chounohei fall silent, Ryosuke spoke again, casually shifting his gaze to the nearby walls and the lamps hanging from the ceiling. "Beauties and fine food, lights filling the entire building."

"Along the way, there have been countless cooks and servants. I wonder whether this Daimyo's Mansion's daily expenses can compare to a month's expenses for my Hyūga Clan."

"Cough... The Daimyo is usually quite frugal. Today is mainly to welcome the three of you."

Chounohei coughed dryly. After explaining himself, he did not dare strike up another conversation.

"My three ninja lords, please wait here for a moment. I'll go invite the Daimyo."

After leading Ryosuke and the others into an elegantly decorated, luxurious room, Chounohei offered an explanation before hurriedly leaving, as though afraid Ryosuke might say something else unpleasant.

"This Daimyo... really knows how to enjoy himself."

After Chounohei left, Souji, who had remained silent ever since entering the Daimyo's Mansion, finally spoke softly. But he quickly covered his mouth.

The entire Daimyo's Mansion was so quiet that even voices seemed altered in this environment, carrying far and echoing clearly.

"Calming Incense has the effect of soothing the mind and focusing the spirit. It requires many precious medicinal ingredients that cannot be bought even with money."

Seisai wrinkled her nose and sniffed the fragrance in the air. "I paid attention along the way. Almost every room has the scent of this incense burning."

"I'd estimate that this Daimyo's Mansion's daily incense consumption alone could cover the Hyūga Clan's expenses for an entire day."

Ryosuke merely smiled and said nothing.

No matter how extravagant it was, it could not stir the slightest ripple in his heart.

After achieving success in his career in his previous life, it was not as though he had never indulged himself.

But compared to cultivation, compared to improving himself, what did any of this matter? It was merely the self-consolation of ordinary people.

Oh... perhaps there was something here that could stir a faint ripple in Ryosuke after all.

Walking to the window, he casually pulled it open.

The wind howled as threads of cool air swept over him.

But what stirred Ryosuke's heart was not the chill in the wind, but everything before his eyes.

Most buildings in the Ninja World were single-story houses, while towering structures like the Daimyo's Mansion were rare.

That made the Daimyo's Mansion stand out prominently amid the countless low houses of the Land of Fire, drawing the eye immediately.

Conversely, with nothing obstructing his view, standing atop the Daimyo's City Mansion allowed him to take in the lands in every direction.

Especially since Ryosuke possessed the Byakugan and vision far surpassing that of ordinary people, the sensation of looking down upon the world was even more pronounced.

The smile on his face gradually faded, becoming calm.

The crowds moving through the streets, vendors calling out to customers, coachmen driving their carriages, wheels rumbling along the road—everything entered Ryosuke's sight.

Though his sensory range did not extend far enough for him to hear those sounds.

The scenes before his eyes automatically brought back what he had seen, heard, and felt upon entering the city.

The feeling was familiar. It made him feel as though he had returned to the past, to that day...

"Members of the Hyūga family, apologies for keeping you waiting."

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice came from the doorway.

Ryosuke withdrew his gaze from below and turned around.

Before Chounohei stood a burly, towering man, who nodded kindly at them. Naturally, most of his attention was focused on Ryosuke.

"You must be Neji Hyuga, the new person in charge of the Hyūga Branch Family's generation. Welcome."

He asked in a very gentle tone.

Yet beneath that gentleness, Ryosuke detected the faintest hint of arrogance.

Rather than treating them as equals, this Daimyo naturally placed himself one rank above them. After all, their statuses differed.

"My apologies, Tokugawa Daimyo. I am Ryosuke Hyuga of the Hyūga Main Family, not Neji Hyuga." Ryosuke smiled lightly and stepped forward to stand before him.

"The Main Family?"

Tokugawa Daimyo, who had been gentle moments ago, looked somewhat stunned.

In past years, it had always been members of the Hyūga Branch Family who came to negotiate business matters with him.

Yet this year, someone from the Main Family had come instead...

Tokugawa Daimyo hesitated. "Does... the agreement between the Hyūga Clan and us need to be changed?"

After learning Ryosuke's identity, his tone changed.

If Ryosuke belonged to the Hyūga Main Family, then the standing of both sides was roughly equal.

In a sense, he and Konoha's Hokage were of the same rank. Even if the Hokage wanted to replace someone, he would need to report it to him.

But in truth... his actual status as Daimyo was far inferior to the Hokage's.

Even compared to Great Clans such as the Hyūga and Uchiha, he could only barely be considered their equal.

Military strength was still the dominant theme of this world.

Though people like them prided themselves on their talents and acted arrogantly, everyone understood in their hearts that only by ordinary people banding together could they safely enjoy peaceful, comfortable lives.

If they truly showed these ninja a hostile attitude, it would be a very dangerous thing.