Ran'on said calmly:
"Give me a quick death. As a fellow Amegakure, you should be able to grant me this small request."
Aoki Tsuki nodded. If Ran'on were captured alive, he would surely be imprisoned and tortured.
He wouldn't humiliate a ninja who practiced his beliefs and gave his life for them; it was just a difference in ideals, not a serious crime.
"Any last words?"
"At this point, right and wrong are no longer important. I hope the village can truly become what you expect. This country needs a strongman like Hanzō."
Perhaps it's really time for us old-fashioned relic from the past to retire.
"Don't worry, it definitely will."
Pfft...
Aoki Tsuki plunged the knife into Ran'on's heart.
Ran'on's consciousness began to fade. Looking at the young man before him, he murmured, "You're very strong, much like the one from back then..."
Before he could finish speaking, he had already stopped breathing.
At this moment, the ninjas fighting nearby had already witnessed Ran'on's death. They all collapsed, lost their will to fight, and were wiped out a few moments later.
"Collect the body and take it back to the village. I'm going in to meet the lord."
"Hi!" the crowd responded.
When Aoki Tsuki entered the daimyo's room, it was brightly lit. The daimyo seemed to know that there was internal strife in Amegakure outside, but he was not alarmed at all.
Compared to his anxious appearance a few years ago, Daming is now in much better spirits.
Especially when Aoki Tsuki bowed to him according to the etiquette that Amegakure ninjas use when meeting the daimyo, his last trace of worry dissipated.
He regained his pampered and carefree demeanor.
"Young ninja, you look familiar... Oh, I remember now, aren't you that... what was your name again...?"
" Aoki Tsuki."
"Oh, right, that's your name. I didn't realize you'd grown into such a handsome young man."
"Your Excellency is too kind. I am very sorry for tonight's events and for disturbing you."
Daimyo shook his head. "Yeah, I was assassinated a lot in the past few years, I'm used to it, haha..."
Aoki Tsuki lowered his head and didn't reply. This was just the daimyo joking around; he couldn't take it seriously.
"Is Hanzō really dead?" the Daimyo suddenly asked.
"Yes, the village is currently managed by Lord Pain, who is also a ninja in the village; you've met him before."
Aoki Tsuki decided to give the truth: the village's economy depended entirely on the daimyo's financial support, and this stalemate couldn't continue.
Only with the approval of the daimyo could Pain's rule be legitimate and everyone be able to live a good life.
There's no way they'd bow down to the daimyo if you expect Nagato and Konan to be stubborn.
They're the kind of people who'll endure hardship even if they don't want to!
"I've seen him before? Was he one of those who came to visit?" the Daimyo asked in surprise.
"Yes, I was with you at the time. A few young people came, and their idea was to resolve the dispute through communication."
"It was them! I remember those three young men; they were quite distinctive!"
The Daimyo clearly remembers the other party's ideology of non-aggression, but now that he has killed Hanzō and occupied Amegakure, it seems he has suffered quite a bit.
"Well... since you're also ninjas from the village, it's your own business. As long as you can stabilize the situation and protect the Land of Rain, it doesn't really matter who becomes the leader."
Hanzō was quite the hothead when he was young, it's just a pity..."
Having ascertained the Daimyo's stance, Aoki Tsuki then took out Pain's letter.
"This is a letter that Lord Pain asked me to deliver to you."
Daming smiled slightly, as if it were something he had expected. He immediately opened the book and began to read it, then his brows furrowed slightly.
"Peace? Hah... I hope he really can achieve it."
Aoki Tsuki knew Nagato's usual line without even looking, and quickly added, "Your Excellency, the leader is so young yet possesses such strength; naturally, he harbors lofty ideals."
However, all of this is predicated on managing the village well and completely ending the internal strife in our country.
"Many people have said this, including Hanzō."
" Lord Pain is a man who prefers to let his actions speak for themselves, and I believe you will soon realize that."
"Then I'll wait and see. If you can end the internal strife within three years, I can not only forgive your debts."
We will continue to provide you with sufficient funds every year.
Hanzō couldn't handle this after all these years, then if this arrogant and proud Pain can quell the internal strife within three years, then he'll have nothing to say.
"Thank you for your unwavering trust and support, Your Amegakure. We will certainly not let you down."
It was a typical performance-based agreement, something angel investors love to do with startup teams. Aoki Tsuki understood this perfectly and immediately accepted.
The lord nodded and said, "You're quite good. I look forward to the day I hear your name again."
"I will do my best. It's not appropriate to announce that Lord Pain is in charge of the village for the time being. I hope Your Excellency can help cover it up."
"Okay, you can go now. Someone will bring you a reply later."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Aoki Tsuki turned and left the room. Ryōta, Shioame, and the others had already finished cleaning up the battlefield.
"Captain, everything has been taken care of. No one escaped. We lost five men and had eight wounded."
"Okay, Kurokawa, you take a team and stay here to protect the daimyo. The rest of you come back to the village with me. I'll arrange for someone to come and replace you in a while."
With all of Ran'on's men wiped out, the Guardian Ninja naturally needed to be reorganized.
"Yes!" Kurokawa replied.
Protecting a daimyo is an honor for a ninja, and it will also be a highlight on their resume when they are promoted to Jonin.
Aoki Tsuki also learned Medical Ninjutsu and took the opportunity to practice it in combat, providing emergency treatment to the wounded.
After a while, the daimyo's attendant brought over the official letter, and Aoki Tsuki immediately led the group back, arriving at the village before dawn.
The wounded were sent to the medical department for further treatment, while he went to report to his superiors.
"How did it go?" Konan asked.
His anxious gaze revealed his inner tension; the village's daily expenses were flowing out like water, while income was limited, resulting in a deficit.
Pain's legitimacy is also a major issue; such matters cannot be concealed unless the daimyo is willing to cooperate.
The success or failure of this operation is of paramount importance.
"Don't worry, it's all taken care of. The rebel forces led by Ran'on have been completely eliminated. In addition, I have explained the situation to His Majesty and obtained his support."
Regarding funding, the lord made a request.
Konan secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; the biggest hidden danger had been resolved.
What are the requirements?
After reading the letter, he was somewhat skeptical of the leader's ideas and proposed that we quell the internal strife within three years to prove it to him.
If this can be done, not only will previous debts be forgiven, but more financial support will be provided in the future.
"If that's all there is to it, then it's easy to handle."
Even if the Daimyo hadn't made this request, Pain intended to eliminate all forces in the Land of Rain.
Aoki Tsuki continued, "Furthermore, I have instructed the Daimyo not to leak Lord Pain's information. This is for the good of the Land of Rain, and I believe he understands the importance of it."
"You've worked hard. Go back and rest now. I'll take care of the compensation for the injured and deceased ninja."
"OK."
Aoki Tsuki then went home to rest.
Konan hurriedly returned to the tower in the west district to tell Nagato the good news.
Even the strongest ninja cannot survive without food, water, or money; they can only earn commissions by completing missions.
Akatsuki's plans require money, and so does Amegakure. Now that the village is on the right track and has secured the daimyo's support, there are no more worries.
Now, once the internal strife is quelled, we can focus on executing Akatsuki's plan.
" Nagato, this is the daimyo's reply."
Konan handed the scroll to Nagato, who looked down and began to read it. At the same time, Konan reiterated the daimyo's requirements.
"Very good, it won't take three years, it can be resolved within a year," Nagato said confidently.
If he didn't have to watch over the village, with his current strength, he could sweep through and wipe out all the rebel forces in a few months.
"You're right, Yue is really useful. With his help, things should be much easier for you."
After several incidents, Nagato had come to acknowledge Aoki Tsuki's competence.
Should we recruit him?
At the time, Aoki Tsuki was promised an internship, but this did not match his actual abilities, Konan was worried that the latter would harbor resentment.
In any organization, people's strength and status must be aligned; otherwise, internal strife will inevitably arise.
"Let's wait a bit longer. The plan can't move forward anytime soon, and even if we bring him in, he won't have anything to do. Let's take care of the village's affairs first."
"Alright."
On the surface, Akatsuki has disappeared, and no one has issued any missions to him. Kakuzu and Sasori are still doing their own thing.
This situation will continue for a long time.
Meanwhile, after returning home, Aoki Tsuki went to bed and slept. When he woke up again, it was already noon.