Recruitment

A black figure walked slowly through the forest. Sunlight spilled from the sky, filtering through the dense leaves and scattering specks of light across the ground. This person was Wu, who had just left Cherry Blossom Country.

Wu had removed his half-shattered mask, revealing a handsome face. His long black hair partially covered his right eye, while the hair at the back of his head was tied with a thin cord.

This person was none other than Miao from back then. Unknowingly, five years had already passed. Over those five years, Miao had changed tremendously. He had grown from an immature child into a handsome young man, his face now carrying a trace of maturity and weathered resolve.

He had also grown much taller, reaching around 170 centimeters, nearly the normal height of an adult. Of course, compared to before, his strength had undergone an earth-shaking transformation as well.

Thinking back to what had happened at the Cherry Blossom Country Daimyo's Mansion, Miao felt helpless. Naturally, it was not because of the money. The Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country had offered a generous reward and delivered every last bit of it to Miao's hand. After all, Cherry Blossom Country was a very wealthy nation, and this sum meant nothing to its Daimyo.

However, after handing over the money, the Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country made another request. He hoped Miao would remain in Cherry Blossom Country as Princess Goto Yurika's guard. He also hoped Miao would join Cherry Blossom Country's Ninja Village, strengthen its forces, and serve Cherry Blossom Country. Naturally, the compensation would be exceptionally generous.

Because the country's development was severely mismatched with its military strength, the Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country had finally made a decision after this kidnapping incident: to vigorously develop the nation's ninja forces. However, since they were only starting now, they had already fallen far behind other countries. It was too late to catch up with the other villages, because many neighboring nations were watching Cherry Blossom Country closely and would not give it time to develop.

If they wanted to protect Cherry Blossom Country's interests and keep it from the ravages of war, the only path was to strengthen the nation enough to deter other countries. But what if there was no time? There was only one way—recruit mercenaries! In other words, they would recruit Rogue Ninja wandering the Ninja World and have them serve Cherry Blossom Country. This was the fastest way to increase the nation's military strength. Although those Rogue Ninja could not compare to the ninja of the great nations, they were no weaker than the ninja of these small countries. Moreover, those Rogue Ninja lived by licking blood on the tip of a knife, possessing a ferocity that ordinary small Ninja Village ninja lacked.

This was also a good choice for those mercenaries. Why did they wander the Ninja World? For money and survival. Now, not only could they receive substantial rewards, but they could also find a place to settle down. Why would they refuse?

As for offending other Ninja Villages? Those who lived by licking blood on the tip of a knife had nothing to fear. Profit was what mattered most to them. In the past, they had yielded to Ninja Village ninja while traveling through the Ninja World only because they were alone and feared retaliation. But after joining Cherry Blossom Country, they would count as Ninja Village ninja themselves, and they would also be united with the other recruited Rogue Ninja. There would be nothing left to fear. After all, the gap between small Ninja Villages and great Ninja Villages was as vast as heaven and earth.

This method would take effect quickly, making up for Cherry Blossom Country's lack of military strength in the shortest possible time. Of course, the cost would be enormous, but money was the one thing Cherry Blossom Country did not lack. What they lacked was the strength and time to protect their nation.

As for loyalty, that could be cultivated gradually. Though the risk was considerable, it was nothing compared to being conquered by other countries.

As for asking the Five Great Nations for help, Cherry Blossom Country had not considered it at all. In the end, it was because they did not trust them. If those small countries were biting dogs, then the Five Great Nations were vicious jackals. Spending money to seek help from the Five Great Nations could very well lead the wolf into the room, something the Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country could never accept. None of those capable of becoming one of the Five Great Nations were soft-hearted.

At this thought, Miao smiled faintly. This truly was the fastest way to form a fighting force. Money could make even ghosts turn millstones, let alone people. From the Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country's explanation, he had learned that Cherry Blossom Country had already begun secretly recruiting Rogue Ninja. When the Daimyo had tried to recruit him, Miao had politely declined. Yet the Daimyo clearly thought highly of him and told him, "The gates of Cherry Blossom Country will always be open to you."

Miao knew that the Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country valued not only his strength, but also his potential. A ninja so young yet already so powerful was not something an ordinary Rogue Ninja could possess. According to Goto Yurika, he had easily dealt with those three Jonin without much effort. Such strength made him a genius among geniuses. The Daimyo of Cherry Blossom Country might not understand ninja very well, but he knew the deterrent power of Jonin-level ninja. For that reason alone, the Daimyo regarded Miao with exceptional importance.

And when he left, Goto Yurika's slightly flushed cheeks and reluctant gaze had also left him feeling somewhat helpless.

Still, Miao had not ruled out the possibility of joining Cherry Blossom Country. He might need a place to settle down in the future. His enemy was Konoha, and it would be difficult for One Person to deal a devastating blow to Konoha. He would need the support of a force.

As he walked, he considered matters concerning the future. Yet there was one thing in his plans that he absolutely had to do: return to Water Country and take revenge on the Fourth Mizukage. Although his father had died after the strain of forcibly using the Mangekyō Sharingan triggered his injuries and caused his body to collapse, all of it had been caused by the Fourth Mizukage. Since the Fourth Mizukage was likely being controlled, Miao did not intend to take revenge on Kirigakure. But the Fourth Mizukage, The Culprit, had to die!!

At that moment, Miao abruptly stopped. His gaze instantly turned ice-cold as he said calmly, "Someone actually dares to set their sights on me. They truly don't know whether they're dead or alive!!!"

The moment his words fell, whoosh! whoosh! whoosh! The Sound of Breaking Air resounded through the woods. More than a dozen Black Shadows darted through the trees, surrounding Miao from every direction.

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