Flame Hidden Village

Land of Waterfalls, Daimyo Palace.

An antique three-story wooden pavilion stood beside the lake, with gray brick walls, green tiles, carved doors and windows, and layered eaves arranged in pleasing order, exuding 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, delighting the eye and soothing the mind.

The Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls reclined leisurely behind a tea table, dressed in a lavish brocade robe. 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 white smoke curling through the air and releasing a faint fragrance, making the place seem like a heavenly realm.

The Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls let his large hands wander over the young woman's body, his eyes filled with undisguised desire. "Hehehe, little beauty, since we have nothing better to do, how about..."

The young woman lightly tapped his chest with her small hand and said in mock reproach, "My lord, you're so naughty. 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 steed and charge into battle, an ill-timed voice rang out in the hall. The daimyo frowned and snapped impatiently, "What matter can't wait?"

A middle-aged man dressed as a civil official hurried inside, dropped to his knees, lowered his head to stare at the floor, and 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 funding for its construction."

"Those ninja again?" The daimyo waved his hand, signaling for the dancers below to leave. "They want to build a village too? A bunch of ninjas who only know how to fight all day want to build a village?"

"Um... my lord, you may not be aware, but ninja villages are not unique to us. Those ninjas 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 the nation's second armed force. I believe this matter can be discussed."

The daimyo cut him off 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 round chin with one hand, he said thoughtfully, "Since the Five Great Nations have all done it, then our Land of Waterfalls can naturally follow suit. However, I have a few conditions. Help me convey them to those ninjas."

"Please speak, my lord."

"First, they can build their village, but it must be called 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 immense favor."

"Third, once the village is established, it must obey the nation's orders. Whatever I tell them to do, they must do. They must never defy my commands."

As he spoke, the daimyo gave the beauty in his arms a squeeze. "Lastly, the nation must have the final say on every village chief, and I will send several people to serve among their upper ranks. They must keep watch on them at all times, lest they develop any improper thoughts someday."

"Um..." The minister wiped the sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "My lord, these conditions seem rather 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 angrily slammed his palm against the tea table, frightening 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 don't agree, then they can get out of the Land of Waterfalls! Deliver my exact words to them. I'd like to see who dares object!"

Left with no choice, the minister could only answer softly, "Yes."

"Fine, leave. Tell everyone else not to disturb me. I have affairs of state to attend to."

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

After the minister left, the daimyo's face once again took on a lecherous grin. He looked at the young woman in his arms with narrowed eyes. "Little beauty, come, let's continue."

The young woman pretended to resist as she coquettishly said, "My lord, don't..."

"Hehehe..."

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

On the second floor of the pavilion, Yan Hong and Uchiha Mu exchanged glances. Both had been single since birth and had never encountered such a scene before, so a trace of embarrassment appeared on their faces in unspoken unison.

Ever since Madara and Izuna had forcefully 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 crossed into their territory like a fierce dragon, 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 establishing a ninja village of their own!

Naturally, establishing a ninja village could not avoid dealing with the Daimyo Palace. Yan Hong had infiltrated the palace this time on Miyakenichi's advice: to use genjutsu to control the daimyo, turn him into a puppet, and bring the entire Land of Waterfalls completely under the Uchiha Clan's control!

Yet who could have expected that they would stumble upon such a disgraceful spectacle the moment they entered?

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

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

Having received the order, Mu immediately leaped down from the second floor. Panicked cries rang out below, but they vanished in an instant.

Only after everything had fallen silent did Yan Hong stroll down from the second floor. Mu had wrapped the young woman in a garment and casually tossed her aside, while the daimyo slumped in his seat with vacant eyes, clearly already under genjutsu.

Yan Hong stepped forward, first casting a disgusted glance between the daimyo's legs, then solemnly patting Mu on the shoulder. "Mu, you've worked hard. Starting today, you are the Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls. Though this trash does seem to have lived quite well, so don't let pleasures distract you from your duties."

Mu gave a bitter smile. "Lord Yan Hong, I have followed you since childhood. To be honest, I still want to remain by your side. There are quite a few in the clan whose genjutsu is better than mine. Can't you choose someone else?"

"But you're the only one I can truly trust."

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

Yan Hong smiled. "Don't be too nervous. I believe it won't be long before we no longer need to use a nation as a backing. I will notify you in advance of any future operations, and you only need to control the daimyo and cooperate with us."

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

Yan Hong had long since made arrangements. "First, check how much money is in the national treasury. Use seventy percent of it to build the village, then recruit laborers to help with the construction. As for the village's name, it certainly can't be called Takigakure. We might as well rename the entire country."

"Um... then what will it be called?"

"As for that, I discussed it with my eldest and second brothers as well."

"It will be called Flame Hidden Village."