Kurai Masanobu could not help giving an awkward smile at that.
Xuandou stopped teasing him and immediately turned serious:
"Get up. This will be my domain from now on. Cloudspring Port will be renamed Azure Tide Port. You will remain the bugyo and govern this place on my behalf."
Kurai Masanobu nodded repeatedly:
"Yes! Rest assured, my lord. I will spare no effort to govern Azure Tide Port well for you!"
Xuandou continued:
"Also, I need to establish a new ninja village near the city. Find me a large piece of vacant land."
Kurai Masanobu's eyes darted, and he immediately said:
"Please follow me, my lord. I happen to know the perfect spot!"
Kurai Masanobu led Xuandou to an open area in the city.
The terrain was flat and open, with ample space as far as the eye could see.
It stood right beside the main street, offering convenient access, and the docks were not far away, making transporting goods extremely easy.
There were no dense clusters of buildings around it, ensuring peace and quiet while also leaving room for future expansion.
Compared to the cramped Uchiha Clan Compound in Konoha, this place was a world apart.
Xuandou was very pleased, but also somewhat puzzled:
"This is an excellent spot. So excellent that I feel as though you prepared it specifically for me."
Kurai Masanobu hurriedly replied with an ingratiating smile:
"What you may not know, my lord, is that I originally intended to use this land to expand the city."
"Azure Tide Port has been developing faster and faster over the years. The original urban area was no longer enough, so I planned out this area in advance."
He paused, his smile growing even more obsequious:
"Then you arrived, just in time to use it."
"That proves this land