Zhou Cheng did not answer Yamada Masanobu directly. He took a clean cup and poured himself some tea.
"Is Yamada Masaaki your son?"
Yamada Masanobu froze for a moment, then immediately put on a smile.
"Yes, he is my son by a concubine!"
"Do you know him, my lord?"
Before Zhou Cheng, Yamada Masanobu did not dare display even a hint of a Daimyo's authority.
He was terrified of angering this god of slaughter.
Zhou Cheng poured Koyuki Kazahana a cup of tea as well, making her lovely eyes sparkle.
"Make him your heir apparent!"
Yamada Masanobu's expression changed drastically. Make a concubine's son his heir apparent? How could he possibly do that?
His smile vanished as he looked at Zhou Cheng.
"Lord Zhou Cheng, this is a family matter. Outsiders should not interfere!"
Zhou Cheng merely smiled faintly. Until Yamada Masaaki finished the task he had assigned him, he would not openly take his side.
"If you can't, forget it!"
"It makes no difference to me who gets the position!"
He looked at Koyuki Kazahana. Wasn't it time to get down to business?
"What exactly did you ask me here for?"
Koyuki Kazahana looked at him in surprise. He still didn't know? Impossible!
"Didn't Lord Hokage tell you?"
Zhou Cheng shook his head with a wry smile. If she had told me, I wouldn't be sitting here.
"Allow me to explain!"
Yamada Masanobu eagerly seized the chance to make a good impression on Zhou Cheng.
Zhou Cheng gestured for him to continue.
"A few days ago, the Five Great Nations and all the smaller nations received some news."
Zhou Cheng's gaze sharpened, afraid of missing a single word.
"The Five Great Shinobi Villages wish to honor you as the God of Shinobi!"
"What?"
Zhou Cheng nearly spat out his