Their respective loyalties
Good afternoon, Professor.
"Is the professor going home?"
"Professor, do you have a moment? I have a question I don't understand."
The rugged-looking, black-haired young man, his burly frame encased in a solemn white coat, greeted the students who approached him with a kind and friendly smile, nodding in response to each greeting.
This somewhat rough-looking young man with long black hair is none other than Shinnō, who was invited by Yayoi to join the Land of Night six years ago and is now a high-ranking executive in the Land of Night's Technology Research Department.
Moreover, he is not only one of the senior executives of the Technology Research Department, but also serves as a professor at the Land of Night Military School, teaching and instructing senior students.
After all, the Military School of the Land of Night is different from ordinary Ninja Academy; it is a comprehensive school.
Therefore, even senior students in a school may not be able to understand all the subjects taught.
Besides ninjas and Samurai, this place is also the cradle for the Land of Night to train scientists.
This is only natural, as all the cutting-edge technologies in the Ninja World are related to Chakra.
To become an outstanding scientist, one must have a thorough understanding of Chakra, an energy substance.
Many scientists are even former ninjas and Samurai, giving them a natural advantage over those who don't know how to use Chakra.
Shinnō was such a person. He was not only one of the few high-level technical experts in the Land of Night, but also a ninja who was skilled in Chakra, especially in Medical Ninjutsu, where his expertise was quite remarkable.
Even if he didn't pursue a research career, he could have quickly established himself and risen to a high-level position within the Medical Rescue Department.
It can be said that in the short six years since Shinnō joined the Land of Night, his status and abilities within the Land of Night's Military Bureau have already become deeply ingrained in people's minds.
After leaving the school, Shinnō walked towards the state guesthouse.
Not long ago, he received an order from above, instructing him to meet with the various delegations that had come to the Land of Night, and to make all the decisions regarding the trade of flying ninja tools.
Besides the small countries, there are also ninjas from the Five Great Nations.
In the past, Shinnō might have felt incredibly excited.
As a wanderer from a small country persecuted by a powerful nation, Shinnō both hated and despised the powerful nation, yet also envied and longed to become a member of it.
Having worked in the Land of Night for six years and successfully climbed to a high-ranking position in the Technology Research Department, this important task of personally negotiating with the ninjas of the Five Great Nations no longer aroused any competitive desire in him.
Because nowadays, the ninjas of great nations can no longer use the arrogant attitude of superiors to ignore his existence.
In fact, in order to successfully obtain the flying ninja tools from the Land of Night, the ninjas from these major powers might even have to show him a little bit of obsequiousness.
Upon arriving at the state guesthouse, Shinnō took a deep breath and suddenly felt a sense of relief and triumph, as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through.
"My current position is not only due to my own efforts, but also inseparable from the support and cultivation of the General!"
Shinnō was filled with emotion.
If he hadn't met the General back then, he might still be a nobody wandering the world, being bullied by powerful nations.
And now? Not only has he risen rapidly in the Land of Night, but he has also married several beautiful wives and concubines, and has several chubby sons and lovely daughters. He lacks nothing.
His usual acquaintances include high-ranking political figures from various countries, wealthy and noble families, several ministers from the Land of Night's Military Bureau, and his relatives, friends, and brothers.
Occasionally, he could even visit the Heavenly Dao Palace to drink and chat with the General, discussing the cutting-edge science of the Ninja World.
The General was like the warm sun at eight or nine in the morning, dispelling the darkness around him and forever illuminating his path.
Loyalty!
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The trade of flying ninja tools between various countries and the Land of Night proceeded very smoothly, and it could almost be said that everyone was happy.
Konoha and Hidden Sand Village, in particular, ordered more than a thousand flying ninja tools in one go to test the waters.
The other small ninja villages also placed orders in the dozens or hundreds; in short, they took as much as they could within the limited resources.
However, not everyone involved in this arms trade left with a full harvest.
The representatives of Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Mist Village met with resistance.
This situation is not hard to guess for many people.
Leaving aside the Hidden Cloud Village, it is currently in a military standoff with the Land of Night, and relations are extremely tense. Naturally, the Land of Night would not support its enemy at such a time.
The same logic applies to Hidden Mist Village. It's clear to everyone that the military operations against Hidden Mist Village and the Land of Water were not solely driven by Iwagakure; the Land of Night played a significant role in their instigation.
After all, a considerable portion of the spoils transported from the Land of Water to the Land of Earth flowed openly and legitimately into the Land of Night.
Iwagakure did not send any representatives for this order of flying ninja tools, because at the beginning of the war, they had obtained a considerable number of flying ninja tools from the Land of Night, and made Kirigakure the first victim of flying ninja tools.
I believe that even if the Land of Night reaches a deal with the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Mist Village for flying ninja tools in the future, it will be in a future where relations have improved, not now.
--Hidden Mist Village Frontline Camp.
Genji, whose forehead was wrapped in white bandages and whose body constantly emitted the smell of Yakumi, immediately darkened his expression after receiving the message from the Hidden Mist Village Envoy who had gone to the Land of Night.
His withered hand, which was resting on the desk, pressed down uncontrollably, causing exaggerated cracks to appear on the entire desk.
His mouth twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he ultimately held back.
He was just short of standing up, flying into a rage, and unleashing a torrent of curses.
But at this moment, as the commander-in-chief of the Hidden Mist Village Front, he had to remain calm, composed, and restrained.
"Lord Mizukage, what do we do now?"
A nearby core Jonin sighed. Seeing the Genji's gloomy face, he knew that the matter of flying ninja tools had not been agreed upon with the Land of Night.
Several key Jonin nearby also looked at Genji, hoping he would make up his mind.
A rare hint of confusion appeared in their eyes.
While flying ninja tools may not be particularly lethal, they can bring various benefits beyond the main battlefield, gradually helping Iwagakure expand its advantage.
Once they have accumulated enough advantages, Iwagakure will quickly regroup and advance the entire army forward.
However, Hidden Mist Village had no way to deal with this, as it wasn't just a dozen or twenty flying ninjas, but a well-organized force of hundreds of ninjas.
"How's the development of the new Water Release going?"
Genji calmed his inner turmoil and asked a question instead of answering.
Since the path through the Land of Night is currently blocked, the only option left is to make new techniques the key to a breakthrough.
"It's currently being tested. According to reports from over there, the ultra-long-range Water Release targeting flying ninja tools will require more than a month to refine."
A key Jonin a low voice.
Genji nodded; finally, some good news.
Just as he was about to speak, a buzzing sound like bees suddenly came from outside, growing louder as it approached.
Then came the incessant explosions and the crashing sound of rushing water.
He was also affected; the table kept shaking.
Then, with a hissing sound, the tent was torn apart by sharp stones flying from the blast, grazing past the Genji's ear.
"Retreat."
The Genji remained calm, gave a simple two-word instruction, and then got up and left the tent.
Once outside the tent, he looked up at the dense array of black dots falling from the sky, knowing that the Iwagakure army would arrive soon.
Inside the Camp, escaping Release Technique and ninja tools continuously swept upwards, intercepting the thrown explosives and detonating them in mid-air.
However, many explosives still managed to cross the defensive line and detonate within the Camp, creating scorching hot winds mixed with flames.
Fortunately, the ninjas are highly mobile, and as long as they avoid the core blast zone in advance, they are unlikely to be in mortal danger.
Furthermore, to avoid being attacked by explosives, all supplies in the Camp were stored underground.
Although the Hidden Mist Village currently has no way to counter this flying force, they can still take some simple precautions.
The only thing to be careful about is not engaging in battle with the main force of Iwagakure.
"Lord Mizukage, it's time to move."
Several key Jonin to report.
The Kirigakure Ninja in the Camp completed their evacuation preparations with astonishing speed and efficiency.
Judging from their swift and decisive action of evacuating after the air raid, it's clear this wasn't the first time they'd done this.
"Let's go. Instruct the relevant squadrons to complete the protective measures for the evacuation."
After Genji finished speaking, he personally led a group of elites to cover the rear, allowing the remaining Kirigakure Ninja to proceed first.
After the remaining Kirigakure Ninja had completed their evacuation, Genji calmly led his men away.
It didn't look like a desperate move after a defeat; it was more like a normal moving operation.
Let's be patient and avoid confrontation for now.
This is the consistent enemy-fighting strategy currently being implemented by the Hidden Mist Village from its upper to lower levels.
"But this means that Iwagakure will plunder a lot of things from us again."
One of the core Jonin who was standing next to Genji Jonin, regretting this.
Faced with this situation, Master Genji remained calm and spoke earnestly:
"Listen carefully, don't worry about temporary gains or losses. Compared to material possessions, you young people are the most valuable thing in the village. As long as you're alive, you can try again no matter how many times you fail."
Hearing these words, the surrounding Kirigakure Ninja were all deeply moved.
I felt a breeze get into my eyes, they're a little wet.