Flame Hidden Village

Land of Waterfalls, Daimyo Palace.

An ancient three-story wooden pavilion stood beside the lake. Its gray bricks, green tiles, carved doors and windows, and layered eaves created a tranquil, harmonious beauty.

In the first-floor hall, the sound of a zither drifted through the air as several scantily clad dancers swayed gracefully to the enchanting music. Their exquisite movements were like butterflies flitting among flowers, soothing to the eye and mind.

The Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls, dressed in a lavish brocade robe, reclined leisurely behind a tea table. A beautiful young woman with her clothes half undone lay in his arms, smiling sweetly as she occasionally fed him a fresh grape.

Two incense burners stood on either side of the tea table, their snowy smoke drifting through the air and releasing a faint fragrance, making the place seem like a paradise on earth.

The Daimyo's large hands roamed over the young woman's body, undisguised desire in his eyes. "Hehe, little beauty, we've got nothing better to do. How about..."

The young woman lightly tapped his chest with her small hand and said with feigned annoyance, "My lord, you're awful. It isn't even dark yet."

"Isn't that even better?"

"No..."

"Hehehe..."

"Report! My lord, there is an urgent matter to report!"

Just as the Daimyo was about to mount his horse and gallop, an ill-timed voice rang out in the hall. His brows furrowed as he barked impatiently, "What could possibly be so important that it can't wait?"

A middle-aged man dressed as a civil official hurried inside and dropped to his knees. With his head lowered toward the floor, he said fearfully, "My lord, we have just received an application from the Uchiha Clan ninja family to establish a village. They wish to build a ninja village in the Land of Waterfalls and hope that you will provide funds for its construction."

"Those ninjas again?" The Daimyo waved his hand, signaling for the dancers to leave. "They want to build a village too? A bunch of ninjas who know nothing but fighting want to build a village?"

"Um... My lord, you may not be aware, but ninja villages are not unique to us. Those ninja groups seem to have recently completed their internal unification. Since the Leaf Hidden Village was established in the Land of Fire, the other four great nations have also established their own ninja villages, treating them as their nation's second armed force. I believe this matter can be discussed."

The Daimyo interrupted him unhappily. "Tsk, are you teaching me how to do my job?"

The minister immediately lowered his head further. "I would not dare."

Only then did the Daimyo look away. Stroking his rounded chin with one hand, he said thoughtfully, "Since the Five Great Nations have all done it, our Land of Waterfalls can naturally follow suit. However, I have several demands. Help me convey them to those ninjas."

"Please speak, my lord."

"First, they may build their village, but it must be named Takigakure." After accepting a grape from the young woman, the Daimyo continued, "Second, they can forget about funding. Allowing them to build a village on my land is already an enormous favor."

"Third, once the village is established, it must obey the nation's orders. Whatever I tell them to do, they must do. They are absolutely forbidden from defying my commands."

As he spoke, the Daimyo gave the beauty in his arms a squeeze. "Finally, the nation must have the final say in every village chief appointment. I will also send several people to serve among their upper ranks. They must keep an eye on them at all times, lest they develop any improper thoughts one day."

"Um..." The minister wiped the sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "My lord, these conditions seem somewhat too harsh. I fear they may not agree. And I have heard that this ninja clan is quite formidable in battle. I'm afraid they might..."

Bang—

The Daimyo slammed his palm down on the tea table in fury, startling the beauty in his arms pale.

"They've got some nerve! I never begged them to establish any ninja village. If they want to be dogs, they should act like dogs. Don't let them get above themselves. If they disagree, they can get the hell out of the Land of Waterfalls! Deliver my exact words to them. I'd like to see who dares object!"

Helpless, the minister could only answer quietly, "Yes."

"Fine, get out. Tell everyone else not to disturb me. I need to study matters of national importance."

The minister let out a faint sigh. "Yes."

After the minister left, the Daimyo's face once again took on a lecherous grin. Smiling at the young woman in his arms, he said, "Little beauty, come on. Let's continue."

The young woman pretended to resist as she said coquettishly, "My lord, no..."

"Hehehe..."

Before long, sounds unfit for children echoed through the hall...

On the second floor of the pavilion, Enkō and Uchiha Mu exchanged glances. Having been single since birth, neither had ever encountered such a scene before, and both wore expressions of embarrassment.

Ever since Madara and Izuna had overwhelmingly wiped out the main forces of the Shemu Clan, Mu had led the Taketori Clan to swiftly eliminate their remaining forces. Upon learning that the Uchiha Clan had arrived like a fierce dragon crossing the river, the Riverflow Clan wisely chose to surrender and was absorbed as an outer force of the Uchiha Clan. Thus, the Uchiha Clan smoothly unified the entire Land of Waterfalls and began building a ninja village of their own!

Naturally, establishing a ninja village meant dealing with the Daimyo Palace. Enkō had infiltrated the Daimyo Palace this time on Miyakenichi's advice, intending to use genjutsu to control the daimyo and turn him into a puppet, bringing the entire Land of Waterfalls completely under the Uchiha Clan's control!

Yet who could have expected that they would stumble upon such an unsightly performance the moment they snuck in?

Mu truly could not bear to watch any longer and volunteered, "Lord Enkō, let's make our move."

Enkō covered his face with one hand and lightly waved the other.

Upon receiving the order, Mu immediately leaped down from the second floor. Panicked screams instantly erupted below, but they vanished in a single moment.

Only after everything had fallen quiet did Enkō stroll down from the second floor. Mu had wrapped a piece of clothing around the young woman and casually tossed her aside, while the Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls sat slumped in his seat with vacant eyes, clearly under genjutsu.

Enkō stepped forward, first casting a disdainful glance between the Daimyo's legs before solemnly patting Mu on the shoulder. "Mu, you've worked hard. From today onward, you are the Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls. Still, this piece of trash seems to have lived quite well. Don't lose yourself in pleasures when the time comes."

Mu gave a bitter smile. "Lord Enkō, I have followed you since I was young. To be honest, I still want to remain by your side. There are quite a few in the clan with greater skill in genjutsu than me. Can't you choose someone else?"

"But you are the only one I trust most."

Mu froze for a moment, then said solemnly, "Rest assured, my lord. I will complete the mission!"

Enkō smiled. "Don't be too nervous. I believe we soon won't need to use the nation as a support anymore. I'll notify you in advance of any future operations. You only need to control the daimyo and have him cooperate with us."

Mu nodded. "Understood. Then, my lord, what should we do now?"

Enkō had already made arrangements. "First, check how much money is in the treasury. Take seventy percent of it to build the village, then mobilize laborers to help with the construction. As for the village's name, it obviously can't be Takigakure. We might as well rename the entire nation."

"Um... Then what should it be called?"

"As for that, my eldest brother, second brother, and I have already discussed it."

"It will be called Flame Hidden Village."