Chapter 48: War Begins Against the Land of Lightning! (Part 3...)
There are seven ninjas protecting the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. They are all carefully selected, battle-hardened elites, whose strength far surpasses that of ordinary ninjas, making them the top among ordinary ninjas.
Why emphasize the word "ordinary"? It's because there are two people in this generation who are exceptionally strong.
—Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
These two are on a completely different level from the others; their power is comparable to that of a myth, the difference between them is like heaven and earth. In this era, they are an insurmountable peak.
Tonight, the seven guardian ninjas did not get close to protect the daimyo.
Because the daimyo wanted to enjoy the newly choreographed song and dance performance, he felt that the presence of these aloof ninjas would spoil the elegant atmosphere, so he dismissed them, leaving only ordinary servants.
The daimyo's idea wasn't entirely unreasonable: being in the heart of the palace, heavily guarded, what assassin could have such audacity? However, he never expected that the one who came tonight was not an ordinary assassin, but a treacherous usurper who didn't play by the rules.
The daimyo was not entirely unprepared. He knew that although the seven guardian ninjas were not inside the palace, they were all waiting in a designated area of the palace, not far from the Moon-Viewing Palace. If anything happened, they could arrive in an instant.
But he underestimated Yan Sheng—Yan Sheng not only subdued everyone in the hall in an instant, but also used powerful illusions to overturn everything that happened in the hall, creating the illusion that everything was normal.
......
Just as Yan Sheng finished his genjutsu hypnosis and was preparing to leave, a sensory-type guardian ninja finally noticed the abnormality of Guanyue Palace with his special chakra sensing ability.
"Something's wrong!" His expression changed drastically, and he immediately sounded the alarm. He moved like lightning and rushed towards the Moon-Viewing Hall.
Yan Sheng had just stepped out of the palace gate when he bumped into the approaching guardian ninja.
"Who goes there?!" the guardian ninja shouted, his kunai already flying out, aimed straight at Yan Sheng's face.
Yan Sheng's eyes turned cold. As he dodged to the side, his sword was already drawn, and a cold, crescent-shaped slash whistled out, forcing his opponent back.
He had intended to leave quietly, but since he had been discovered, he had no choice but to act quickly.
This action caused a violent clash of chakra, like a boulder being thrown into a calm lake. The other six guardian ninjas were instantly alerted and rushed in from different directions, surrounding Yan Sheng.
Eight against one.
The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.
Faced with the encirclement of eight top-tier Guardian Ninjas, Yan Sheng felt the pressure. Although he was not afraid, ending the battle quickly without causing a greater disturbance would be no easy task.
His physical condition is ultimately a weakness, which is detrimental to a prolonged battle.
Without hesitation, Yan Sheng activated his Sharingan, and the eerie and magnificent kaleidoscope pattern in his left eye shone with a ray of light.
Fleeting Beauty
A vast, ocean-like power surged through his entire body in an instant. As if some kind of shackle had been broken, every cell in this frail body was filled with explosive power at this moment. Muscle fibers became tough, chakra surged like a river, and the five senses were sharpened to the extreme... His control over his body reached an unbelievable level of perfection.
This was his physical strength during his prime in his previous life.
Although it can only last for three seconds, it is enough.
The first second.
Yan Sheng vanished from the spot. His speed exceeded the dynamic visual capture limits of all the Guardian Ninja.
"Breath of the Moon - First Form - Dark Moon - Palace of the Night".
The dazzling crescent blade appeared out of thin air, slashing towards the first sensory ninja to arrive with incredible speed, too fast for the naked eye to follow. The ninja only had time to hold his kunai across his chest before being cleaved in two, crashing into the palace pillars behind him, coughing up blood, and instantly losing his fighting ability.
The second second.
The sword's momentum shifted.
"Breathing of the Moon, Third Form, Aversion to the Moon, Erosion".
Countless crescent-shaped blades swirled outwards, simultaneously attacking the three ninjas rushing in from the left and right. The three ninjas were horrified and unleashed their strongest defensive ninjutsu, Earth Wall and Water Wall rising instantly, only to be torn apart and dissolved like paper the moment they touched the crescent blades.
The three were sent flying with screams, their bodies bearing deep, bone-revealing cuts.
The third second.
Yan Sheng locked his sights on the last four Guardian Shinobi, whose eyes now showed terror. He leaped high into the air, raising his sword above his head, unleashing a strike that concentrated all his peak power at that moment.
"Breathing of the Moon, Land Form, Everlasting Night, Lonely Moon, Infinite".
A slender crescent-shaped slash, extremely refined and seemingly capable of cutting through space, descended from the sky like a sword of judgment.
The combined defensive ninjutsu of four guardian ninjas—a massive rock fortress—was sliced in two like butter by a hot knife through butter.
The terrifying shockwave blasted the four people away, destroying the palace walls and magnificent dome behind them.
"Boom!"
The deafening roar shook the entire palace. Centered on the Moon-Viewing Hall, most of the palace collapsed amidst the smoke and moonlight, turning into ruins, with broken stones and wood falling like rain.
It ends in three seconds.
The immense power receded like a tide, leaving behind a profound sense of weakness.
Yan Sheng's face turned as pale as paper. He knelt on one knee, using his knife to support his body, and coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining his pale lips and the cold ground red.
Under the moonlight, on the ruins, a young man knelt on the ground, knife in hand. His black hair was disheveled, his clothes were stained with blood, and his face was handsome yet cold and intimidating.
Yan Sheng gasped for breath, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at the palace ruins he had destroyed in three seconds, and the guardian ninjas lying dead in the ruins, their fates unknown. He felt little emotion, but rather a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).
Fortunately, monsters like Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama are rare in this world—he has only seen these two so far, and he can't find a third being who can stand at the same level as them, or even just be close to them.
Otherwise... it's just a fleeting moment of beauty.
Let alone three seconds, even if he maintained his peak condition from his previous life for the entire time, he probably still wouldn't be a match for those two.
However, Yan Sheng felt little jealousy towards Madara and Hashirama's power; at most, he was merely amazed by their inhuman strength. That twisted, soul-scorching jealousy and obsession existed only for one person—
That dazzling figure, like the sun, was something he could never reach in his entire life:
Yoriichi.
Only Yoriichi could stir up the most obsessive and darkest emotions deep within his heart.
Yan Sheng slowly stood up, no longer looking at the ruins and chaos behind him. He had to leave as soon as possible. Although he had dealt with the enemy in front of him, the huge commotion in the palace must have alerted many more people.
Moreover, the backlash from [Fleeting Beauty] and the previous exertion left him in poor condition.
With a flash, Yan Sheng disappeared into the night, heading towards the meeting point he had agreed upon with Uchiha Masaki and Shiya.
Inside a hotel room.
Shi was restless, frequently walking to the window to look towards the palace. Although she had absolute confidence in Yan Sheng's strength, the faint loud noises and commotion coming from the palace earlier still made her heart leap into her throat.
Uchiha Masaki was relatively calm, but his furrowed brows betrayed his inner turmoil.
When Yan Sheng finally appeared, Shi practically rushed over, anxiously calling out, "Brother Yan Sheng, you're back! How come...?"
Before she could finish speaking, Shi's sharp eyes caught a smear of dried, dark red blood at the corner of Yan Sheng's mouth. Shi stopped abruptly, her face turning deathly pale, her voice trembling: "You're injured? There was such a commotion at the palace just now... did something happen?"
Yan Sheng waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "It's nothing. Just a minor injury."
He bypassed Shi, whose face was full of worry, walked to the table, sat down, and got straight to the point.
"The plan went a little awful. We accidentally made too much noise," Yan Sheng said. "I originally thought the Daimyo wouldn't have any ninjas protecting him, since I infiltrated too easily. I didn't expect those guys to be so unvigilant, or more importantly, they weren't strong enough."
He stated the result casually: "I've dealt with the ninja protecting the daimyo. But I'm not sure if there are any hidden ones or those who weren't present."
Yan Sheng's gaze swept over Uchiha Masaki and Shi: "Therefore, I will stay here for a few more days. I will only leave after I confirm that the situation is completely stable, that there are no longer any forces within the palace that can pose a threat, and after I have fully handed over the subsequent 'contact' and 'guidance' matters to you."
—Even before the operation began, Yan Sheng had informed Uchiha Masaki and Shi of his general plan. He needed their cooperation.
It is worth mentioning that although Uchiha Masaki, who knew the situation, had already guessed that this little rascal was audacious, he was still shocked and speechless for a long time when he heard the goal of "controlling the daimyo".
This is insane.
Shi's reaction was completely different. After listening, she simply blinked, then patted her chest vigorously, and said with a serious and even excited expression, "Don't worry, Brother Yan Sheng! I will definitely do my best!"
It's not that Shi Xin is particularly ambitious. If someone else had said they wanted to do such a thing, Shi would have thought they were crazy.
But the person who did this was Yan Sheng—Yan Sheng, her god-like, omnipotent brother in her heart. It's not surprising that Yan Sheng does anything; rather, doing something so earth-shattering is more in line with his lofty image in her heart.
Therefore, she accepted it extremely well, even feeling a sense of honor and mission.
After giving his brief explanation, Yan Sheng said no more. The backlash and fatigue from using his Mangekyou Sharingan ability [Fleeting Beauty] and the intense battle began to take their toll. Although he outwardly maintained a composed demeanor, his pale complexion and slightly erratic breathing were noticed by the observant Shi and Uchiha Masaki.
“Young Master Yan Sheng, please rest first. I will keep a close eye on the situation outside and the movements of the Daimyo,” Uchiha Masaki said immediately.
Shi nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Brother Yansheng, lie down quickly, I'll go get you some hot water and something to eat!"
Yan Sheng did not refuse.
He knew that in the next few days, he needed to maintain enough energy to deal with any possible changes in order to complete the final plan.
***
The deafening roar and billowing dust that came from the palace that night nearly woke up half the city.
The following day, news of the attack on the palace and the collapse of a large part of it spread like wildfire in private—countless eyes saw the ruins, and countless ears heard the unusual noises that night.
In teahouses, taverns, and alleyways, people whispered amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of fear and curiosity.
"Have you heard? Something terrible happened at the palace last night!"
"With such a huge commotion, how could we not know? The ground shook! And a large area collapsed!"
"My God, is it an assassin? That's incredibly audacious!"
"How is Lord Daimyo? Is he alright?"
"They should be... alright, right?" a rational and intelligent person analyzed. "If something really happened to the daimyo, the whole city would be under martial law by now, and the military police would be arresting people all over the streets. Look at us now, apart from the palace being tightly sealed off, people outside are still going about their business as usual."
This analysis has been widely accepted.
Indeed, if the ruler were to meet with misfortune, the core of the regime would inevitably descend into chaos, and it would never be as it is now, where, apart from the tense atmosphere in the palace area, the entire capital maintains a superficial calm.
Days passed. The authorities remained silent, issuing no announcements about investigating the murderer, nor any statements to appease the public. The ruins were quickly cleared, construction began on a new palace, and life seemed to return to its former course. That night's earth-shattering events seemed like nothing more than a fleeting dream.
The public's curiosity is limited; when there are no new stimuli or reliable sources of information, even the most sensational topics will gradually cool down.
Since Da Ming seemed to be unharmed and life went on as usual, the incident that night gradually faded from people's conversations, leaving only some vague legends and speculations.
***
Yan Sheng has been staying in the inn for the past few days, rarely venturing out. While seemingly resting, he is actually closely monitoring every development in and around the capital.
He was waiting, waiting for the "seed" of illusion to take root and sprout in the hearts of the Daimyo and his inner circle, waiting for the right opportunity.
He appeared calm on the surface, and his heart was equally at peace.
He was confident in the effectiveness of his genjutsu. There was a reason why so many people feared and were wary of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
Unless subjected to a similar level of mental shock or special means, it is extremely difficult to break free.
That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows into the room.
Light footsteps came from outside the door, followed by Uchiha Masaki's hushed voice: "Young Master Yan Sheng, someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived."
Yan Sheng opened his eyes, his dark pupils clear and undisguised.
"They said they were acting on the orders of the Daimyo to invite you to the palace for a chat," Uchiha Masaki added, his tone slightly tense.
Yan Sheng stood up and straightened his robes. His movements were calm and unhurried, and his face showed no emotion, as if this were just an ordinary invitation from a friend.
It's finally here.
......
Outside the inn, a luxurious yet understated carriage awaited.
Several people dressed as palace attendants stood solemnly on both sides. Upon seeing Yan Sheng emerge, the leader stepped forward and bowed respectfully but with a scrutinizing air, saying, "Are you Lord Yan Sheng of the Tsugikuni Kingdom? The Daimyo Lord requests your presence; we would be grateful if you would accompany us into the palace."
Yan Sheng nodded slightly and boarded the carriage.
Uchiha Masaki was allowed to follow as an attendant, but was required to ride in a smaller carriage.
The carriage slowly made its way to the palace. It passed through bustling streets and arrived at the palace gates, which were now several times more heavily guarded.
Upon re-entering the palace, one could see obvious signs of repair along the way, as well as a significantly increased number of patrolling samurai and ninjas, creating a somber atmosphere.
The carriage stopped in front of a side hall that had not been affected by the fire.
The attendant bowed and led the way: "Lord Daimyo is waiting inside the hall. Please come in."
Yan Sheng stepped down from the carriage and glanced up at the palace before him. Then he calmly walked towards the open palace door.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind us with a dull thud.
The hall was brightly lit, and the gilded pillars reflected a warm luster under the light, while the air was filled with the scent of expensive incense.
The daimyo of the Land of Fire was pacing anxiously in front of the carpeted main seat when he heard the door open and immediately looked up.
When he saw the person's face clearly, Daimyo's eyes, which had become slightly cloudy from days of fear, suddenly lit up, as if a lost traveler had finally seen a guiding lighthouse.
The young man who entered stood tall and straight like a lone pine or a bamboo grove. He wore a simple purple casual outfit, the fabric of which was visibly exquisite; his long, jet-black hair was neatly tied back, revealing a smooth forehead and an incomparably handsome face; his deep, unfathomable eyes were like a deep pool containing millennia-old ice, calm and still, carrying an air of aloofness and noble arrogance that looked down upon all living beings.
He simply stood there, yet he exuded an invisible, awe-inspiring majesty that made people dare not look him in the eye, as if he were the true master of this palace.
"Yan Shengqing! You've finally arrived!" Daming rushed forward almost impatiently, his face beaming with a smile that was a mixture of dependence and relief. He personally led Yan Shengqing to a seat on the side. "Please sit down, please sit down!"
—Under the profound influence of illusion magic, Yan Sheng's position in the daimyo's heart has been elevated to an extremely special and crucial one.
Of course, this "importance" does not stem from emotion; if the rulers value this thing, they're doomed.
While his name is mediocre, he does this very well: he is ruthless and heartless enough.
Therefore, that kind of "importance" is an importance implanted in accordance with the logic and cognition of the Great Name:
First, the "attack" that night left a huge psychological shadow in Daming's subconscious.
—The illusionary automatic hypnosis "mode" made the daimyo believe that Yan Sheng, who was present that night, was there to stabilize the situation, and was regarded by the daimyo as a powerful reliance that could provide him with absolute protection in times of crisis.
Secondly, the daimyo was implanted with a false memory that "although young, Kokugoro Geun-sung possessed exceptional insight and unique and insightful views on international affairs and governance strategies, and repeatedly provided him with brilliant plans to resolve crises at critical moments."
At the same time, he also "firmly believed" that Yan Sheng represented an ancient and wealthy reclusive family that possessed certain unique resources or channels that could form a powerful complementary relationship with the Land of Fire, helping the Land of Fire gain an advantage in the economy and even in certain covert technologies.
Losing Yan Sheng's support would be a major blow to the interests of the Land of Fire.
Finally, the illusion reinforced this sense of trust, making the daimyo believe that all of Yan Sheng's suggestions were made out of deep consideration for the interests of the Land of Fire and himself, and that he had no ulterior motives.
In conclusion, the daimyo's attitude towards Yan Sheng at this moment can be described as completely obedient and trusting.
After Yan Sheng took his seat, Daming immediately began to complain with a worried expression: "Yan Shengqing, you saw what happened that night! It was utterly lawless! How dare a madman commit murder in the palace! It's a pity that the assassin escaped and has not been captured yet. It's truly despicable!" He pounded the armrest, both shocked and furious.
Yan Sheng picked up the fragrant tea offered by the servant, gently blew on it to cool it, and said in a calm tone, "Your Highness, please calm down. Since the assassin has already escaped, blindly pursuing him will likely yield little result. It would be better to calmly analyze who would have the most motive to commit such a heinous act?"
He looked up at the daimyo and prompted, "Which side has the most tense relationship with the Land of Fire recently?"
The daimyo blurted out almost without thinking, "The Land of Lightning! It must be them!"
He began to angrily recount: "The border friction between our two countries has a long history! Recently, it has escalated to a point of contention over the ownership of a mineral vein discovered at the border!"
Both countries claim sovereignty over the mineral veins, negotiations have stalled, border troops have clashed several times, and relations are highly tense.
"It must be those barbarians from the Land of Lightning!" The Daimyo grew angrier with each word. "They couldn't gain any advantage at the negotiating table, so they resorted to such underhanded tactics! They're trying to plunge our country into chaos so they can seize the mines!"
Yan Sheng put down his teacup, making a crisp clinking sound. He nodded, his tone carrying an air of nonchalant certainty: "Your Highness is absolutely right. In my opinion, it is most likely the work of the Thunder Kingdom. Their intentions are despicable."
He subtly revealed a hint of righteous indignation: "It's just a pity that we didn't catch them in the act, giving them room to deny it."
Daimyo's personality was inherently conservative and indecisive, making him easily influenced by those close to or trusted by him. Now, with Yan Sheng holding such a special place in his heart, his words carried immense weight.
Yan Sheng's seemingly calm analysis, but actually guiding words, completely solidified the Daimyo's suspicion and anger towards the Land of Lightning.
"That's right! It's them! That damned Land of Lightning!" The Daimyo gritted his teeth, completely forgetting his previous uncertainty about the assassins' origins, and was now absolutely certain. "Such actions cannot be tolerated! I must take revenge! I must make the Land of Lightning pay the price!"
After saying that, he looked at Yan Sheng expectantly, as if seeking a pillar of support: "Yan Shengqing, you have always been resourceful and wise. What do you think is the most appropriate way to deal with this matter?"
Yan Sheng maintained his calm and composed demeanor, as if he had everything under control. The more understated he appeared, the more unfathomable and trustworthy he seemed in the eyes of the powerful leader.
"Your Highness, since there is no concrete evidence, directly launching a military campaign to punish them may give others grounds for criticism and provoke international condemnation. Perhaps... we should use their own methods against them."
"We can secretly support, or even dispatch, elite troops disguised as wandering ninjas or mercenaries, to continuously harass and sabotage the Land of Lightning's important supply lines and newly built outposts near the mines. At the same time, we can spread rumors within their country that the Daimyo of Lightning is warlike and willing to exhaust the national treasury and increase taxes to seize the mines, thus causing public resentment to boil over."
"This move serves three purposes: first, it avenges the attack; second, it significantly delays the Thunder Kingdom's progress in gaining actual control of the mine; and third, it disrupts their domestic situation, keeping them preoccupied with their own problems. Meanwhile, we remain uninvolved, sitting firmly on the sidelines. When they are exhausted and beset by internal and external troubles, the ownership of the mine, and even more benefits, will be entirely up to Your Highness."
Daimyo's eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if he could already see the Land of Thunder in complete disarray. He slapped his thigh forcefully: "Brilliant! Brilliant! Lord Yan Sheng's plan is exactly what I wanted! Let's do it this way! I'll go and arrange for my trusted men to begin!"
Seeing how eager the lord was to carry out his "brilliant plan," Yan Sheng picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
Sipping the remaining warm tea in his cup, his gaze seemed to pierce through the magnificent palace and fall upon the distant north, on a land known for its precipitous mountains and raging lightning—the Land of Lightning.
Yes, after the Land of Fire, his second target has been locked in.
To be fair, Yan Sheng had considered controlling the Land of Lightning in the same way he controlled the Land of Fire. However, after careful consideration, he abandoned this plan.
The reason is simple: it's too troublesome and too unpredictable.
The people of Lei are known for their fierce and martial spirit, so one can imagine that their ruling class is even more ruthless. Moreover, being so far away, he is unable to make timely adjustments should unforeseen circumstances arise.
To replicate the Land of Fire's model would require a significant investment of time and effort in management and penetration, and there are too many variables involved.
In conclusion, it's not worth it.
Instead of expending effort to control a country full of uncertainty, it's better to use someone else to do your dirty work and take advantage of their misfortune.
He will use the Land of Fire, which he has firmly grasped, to launch a full-scale war against the Land of Lightning.
War is the cruelest yet most direct and effective tool for achieving political goals.
Yan Sheng put down his teacup, the white porcelain cup making a crisp sound as it touched the rosewood tabletop, interrupting the daimyo's incessant cursing and fantasies of revenge against the Land of Lightning.
Under the daimyo's questioning gaze, Yan Sheng calmly reached out and put his hand into his sleeve pocket. When he withdrew his hand, there was a small, oddly shaped raccoon-like object made of sand, no bigger than a palm, in his palm.
Shukaku was dozing in the pocket when it was suddenly pulled out and exposed to bright light and unfamiliar gazes. It blinked in a daze, instinctively sneezed a little, expelling a few grains of sand, and shook its head groggily.
Daming thought that Yan Sheng had only brought out an exquisitely crafted clay doll and was about to praise its lifelike appearance when he saw that this "doll" could not only move, but also sneeze.
He leaned back in surprise, pointed at Shukaku, and stammered, "What...what is this? Is it alive?"
Yan Sheng gently flicked Shukaku's head with his fingertip to wake it up completely, then calmly introduced, "Your Highness, there is no need to panic. This is a tailed beast."
"Tailed Beast?" Upon hearing these two words, the Daimyo's eyes widened instantly, and his breathing became rapid.
As the ruler of a country, he had certainly heard of the legends of the Tailed Beasts—monsters with terrifying power to destroy mountains and rivers and overturn nations.
He glanced at the harmless-looking little raccoon dog on the table, rubbing its eyes with its tiny paws, and his gaze instantly shifted from surprise to fanaticism and greed. It was as if he were looking at not a trinket, but an ultimate weapon capable of determining the fate of a nation.
"Yan Shengqing! This...that—" Daming was so excited that he was incoherent, his eyes burning as he looked at Yan Sheng, full of anticipation.
Yan Sheng met the daimyo's fanatical gaze and nodded firmly. His tone remained flat, yet it resonated like thunder in the daimyo's ears:
“That’s right. We can use the Tailed Beasts to deal with the Land of Lightning.”
He paused, watching the Daimyo nearly faint from the overwhelming surprise, and added, "Your Highness should have heard of the power of the Tailed Beasts. They are perfect for conquering cities and seizing territory. No matter how strong the walls of the Land of Lightning are, they are nothing but clay and earthenware in front of the Tailed Beasts."
Daimyo felt as if fireworks were exploding in his mind. All his unease, hesitation, and caution vanished in that instant, swept away by the prospect of this readily available, overwhelming power.
With the Tailed Beasts, what is there to fear from the Land of Lightning?! Border skirmishes and mineral disputes are all laughable in the face of absolute power. He can already see the Land of Lightning trembling and surrendering to the roar of the Tailed Beasts.
Daming suddenly stood up, went around the table, and almost pounced on Yan Sheng. He excitedly tried to grab Yan Sheng's hands, but was stopped by a cold look from Yan Sheng. He could only tightly grip his clothes instead, his face flushed red with extreme excitement.
"Yan Shengqing! You, you are simply sent by heaven to help me! You are an angel to save the Land of Fire! You are my lucky star!" The Daimyo's voice was sharp and distorted with excitement, filled with undisguised worship and dependence. "With you here, with the tailed beasts here, what worries do we have about the Thunder's destruction? What worries do we have about the prosperity of the country?!"
He looked at Yan Sheng's cold and handsome face, which was as perfect as a god in his eyes, and then at the little tail on the table that seemed not to understand the situation yet, but in his eyes it was already a weapon of destruction. His heart was filled with infinite longing for victory in the war and absolute faith in Yan Sheng.
Yan Sheng, however, calmly accepted this twisted fanaticism. What he needed was a knife that was sharp enough and completely obedient.
The war machines of the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning will be fully activated because of his words today. And he will remain hidden behind the scenes, manipulating everything and moving towards the next target.
Shukaku on the table finally realized what had happened. With its little paws on its hips, it looked up at the Daimyo who was so excited he was almost dancing with joy, and muttered in dissatisfaction, "Hey! You humans, did you even ask for my opinion before you decided to use me to fight!"
However, no one cared about its thoughts.
"Good! Good! Yan Shengqing, this matter is settled!" The daimyo rubbed his hands together, pacing excitedly in the hall, his face flushed with excitement. "I will go and summon the Grand General and all the important ministers to discuss the specific details of the troop deployment!"
Although he was influenced by the illusion and obeyed Yan Sheng's every word, he did not lose his basic political and military common sense.
Launching a national war requires mobilizing troops, raising provisions, formulating strategies, and coordinating all parties. Ultimately, these specific tasks need to be carried out by professional generals and ministers.
"Attack on the Land of Lightning is a magnificent feat of wiping away our humiliation, demonstrating our might, and expanding our territory! We must have a meticulous plan!" the Daimyo muttered to himself, as if he could already see the scene of victory. "I will let those barbarians know that the majesty of the Land of Fire cannot be challenged!"
He looked at Yan Sheng, his tone full of fervor: "Yan Shengqing, you should go back and rest first. After I and the ministers have discussed the strategy, I will invite you to come and discuss it! As for the matter of the tailed beasts... let's keep it a secret for now. When the time comes, we will use them as a surprise attack to catch the Thunder Kingdom off guard!"
Yan Sheng nodded, having no objection to the daimyo's arrangements.
He didn't want to get too involved in specific military affairs, as that was both tedious and risky. He only needed to grasp the overall direction and commit decisive forces at crucial moments.
"Your Highness is wise. Then I shall take my leave and await good news." Yan Sheng rose calmly, bowed, and his posture was impeccably elegant.
The daimyo was preoccupied with how to deploy troops and how to utilize the Tailed Beasts as a powerful weapon, and had no intention of keeping Yan Sheng any longer. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Alright, Yan Shengqing, please take your leave. Someone, see him out!"
Outside the hall, Uchiha Masaki stood quietly beside the carriage, waiting.
Although he was allowed to follow into the palace, he was not permitted to enter the halls to participate in the audience.
When Uchiha Masaki saw Yan Sheng appear unharmed in his sight, his tense nerves finally relaxed.
He strode forward and opened the carriage door for Yan Sheng.
Yan Sheng boarded the carriage. Uchiha Masaki followed closely behind and sat opposite him.
The carriage started moving and drove away from the still heavily guarded palace area.
The carriage was silent except for the clatter of wheels over the stone pavement. Uchiha Masaki had a bellyful of questions he wanted to voice—about the conversation in the palace, about the upcoming plans… but he knew all too well the saying that walls have ears, especially this carriage provided by the palace; there was no guarantee it wasn't being monitored.
Therefore, he only conveyed his inquiry and concern through his eyes.
Yan Sheng closed his eyes to rest, as if it were just an ordinary meeting. But he tapped his fingers lightly on his knee twice, signaling that he should remain calm.
Uchiha Masaki understood, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and also turned his gaze to the window, seemingly admiring the street scene, but actually observing his surroundings warily.
The carriage finally returned safely to the inn. Only after entering Yan Sheng's room, which had been thoroughly checked beforehand, closing the doors and windows, and having Shi secretly stand guard outside, did Uchiha Masaki finally breathe a long sigh of relief and impatiently ask in a low voice:
"Young Master Yan Sheng, how is the situation?"
His tone was filled with barely concealed tension and anticipation. He knew that Yan Sheng's visit to the palace would determine their next move, an action that could potentially impact the entire Land of Fire and even the entire ninja world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or structure of the ninja world).
Yan Sheng walked to the table, poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and then slowly began to recount the conversation he had with the daimyo in the palace—of course, a version that had been appropriately edited and embellished.
The text emphasizes that the Daimyo has decided to wage war against the Land of Lightning, and that the Tailed Beasts will be used as strategic weapons on the battlefield.
Despite being mentally prepared, Uchiha Masaki still felt a chill run down his spine when he heard the news of "launching a war against the Land of Lightning" and "using the Tailed Beasts."
This is a huge leap! And this is war! It's a war! It wouldn't be surprising if it escalates into a world war.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and analyzed, "In that case, what we need to do is ensure that this war proceeds as we wish, and... at critical moments, be able to control the situation and prevent the power of the tailed beasts from completely spiraling out of control or being interfered with by other forces."
Yan Sheng nodded, acknowledging Uchiha Masaki's reaction.
“That’s right. The course of the war needs guidance, and the fruits of victory must be reaped by us. Yashu, next, you need to use the network of relationships we’ve built up to closely monitor the movements of the Fire Kingdom’s military, especially the temperament and abilities of that general. At the same time, try to pass on some suggestions that are beneficial to us to the decision-makers through appropriate channels.”
"Yes." Uchiha Masaki nodded solemnly, his mind already racing as he calculated how to proceed.
At the same time, an indescribable sense of absurdity and regret welled up in my heart.
In the past, he would never have dared to imagine that he would one day be plotting how to incite a war that would engulf two great powers.
The mastermind behind all of this is Yan Sheng, a young man with a cold face and a deep, unfathomable mind despite his young age.
To follow him is to embark on a path that is completely different from the past, full of unknowns and dangers, yet incredibly exciting.
Uchiha Masaki felt a mix of emotions: unease about the present, anxiety about the future, and excitement about participating in "making history."
Just as Uchiha Masaki's heart was churning, a "scratching" sound suddenly came from the tightly closed window, as if something was scratching at the window with claws.
Uchiha Masaki was instantly jolted out of his reverie. His eyes sharpened, all distracting thoughts were suppressed, and his body subconsciously went into a state of alert.
He first glanced quickly at Yan Sheng, and seeing Yan Sheng nod slightly to signal him to check, he then moved to the window.
Instead of opening the window immediately, he pressed his ear close to the crack and listened intently to the sounds outside. Apart from the continuous scratching, there were no other unusual noises. He took a deep breath, quietly placed one hand on the kunai behind his waist, and carefully unfastened the window latch with the other.
"Squeak"
The window was suddenly pulled inward, and Uchiha Masaki slightly turned his body, his kunai already poised to strike, his gaze shooting out the window like lightning.
There were no enemies or traps as expected outside the window.
There is only one cat.
A cat with glossy black fur and four paws that looked like they were wearing white gloves.
It perched on the windowsill, one front paw raised in a scratching motion. Its amber eyes gleamed eerily in the night, seemingly displeased with Uchiha Masaki's alarmed reaction. It let out a lazy "meow" and flicked its tail.
Uchiha Masaki's pupils contracted slightly, and he subconsciously turned to look at Yan Sheng inside the room:
“Young Master Yan Sheng, it is... the clan leader’s ninja cat.”
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Author's Note: The conversation subtly shifted to the topic of war.
My name is Belike: Tata Kai! Gentlemen, I love war!
The ministers: ...Isn't it because of the tailed beasts? Yes, indeed, we also like Tatakae because of the tailed beasts.
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