Among them were construction and renovation crews tasked with building infrastructure.
On the western front, in the capital of the Land of Birds.
Clad in armor, Sakumo walked with Itachi at his side. Both moved quickly, their expressions grave.
This was the Palace of the Land of Birds. Rows of armored samurai stood on either side, their faces filled with fear and tension.
The ministers trembled all over as they watched the two men stride in, followed by their ninja.
The Land of Birds had fallen three hours earlier.
In the end, the Daimyo of the Land of Birds had chosen to surrender, and the ninja of the Land of Rain had marched straight into the capital.
Sakumo, Itachi, and the others responsible for this campaign had come to take control.
Inside the Palace, which also served as the Daimyo's residence.
Passing between the wary samurai on either side, Sakumo approached the Daimyo of the Land of Birds, who was already waiting for him.
To his surprise, the Daimyo seemed neither nervous nor afraid. Instead, he appeared somewhat relieved, even pleased.
"Please, take a seat, great general of the Land of Rain!"
Toki, the Daimyo of the Land of Birds, smiled and extended a hand.
Sakumo sat cross-legged before him as invited, while Itachi stood behind Sakumo, studying the young Daimyo with curiosity.
He was a handsome young man with gentle features, quite unlike the Daimyo Itachi had imagined.
"You don't seem nervous, Lord Daimyo."
Sakumo spoke, curiosity in his eyes.
"While my ministers are worried about their own lives, I am actually more grateful to all of you from the Land of Rain for launching this war."
Toki smiled as he personally prepared tea for Sakumo.
"Oh?"
Surprise crossed Sakumo's face, and he waited for an explanation with questioning