"Lord Daimyo, Minister Hai Dan, did the Funato Clan really invade your country? You aren't deceiving us, are you?"
"Could it be... you set this whole thing up because you covet our Lady Mizukage?"
After entering the Land of Sea, they encountered nothing but calm waters. They had not seen a single suspicious person or vessel, and there were even fireworks going off on distant Dalang Island. The senior officials from Kirigakure could not help questioning the Daimyo of the Land of Sea's account.
The Daimyo of the Land of Sea hastily protested his innocence:
"How could I joke about my own country's safety? The Funato Clan really did send large numbers of clansmen to invade. It's just... I don't know where they've gone now!"
"If you don't believe me, we can ask my subjects once we land and learn the truth. Please believe me!"
"All right, all right, stop arguing. Let's land first. I want to see what's going on."
Once the Land of Water's Daimyo had given his opinion, everyone around him immediately fell silent.
Ten minutes later...
Kirigakure's fleet was only a few hundred meters from Dalang Island's harbor.
Every villager on the island wore a delighted smile. Some were setting off fireworks, while others were arranging floral banners. It was a lively scene.
"Are these people... Funato clansmen or your subjects?"
"They're... they're my subjects."
"Heh..." At the Land of Sea's affirmative reply, the Land of Water's Daimyo's expression gradually turned cold.
"My dear little brother, seeing this, it's hard not to believe you staged the whole thing. So coming to the Land of Water for help was just a pretext. Winning the beauty's hand was your real goal..."
"And look at those clean, tidy houses. Do they look remotely like they've suffered a Funato invasion?"