https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-286-Cha-no-Kuni-It-s-Already-in-Dohei-s-Shape-/12932221/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-288-Danzo-You-re-Kidding-Me-I-m-Crying-/12932226/
Chapter 287: Underlying Currents and Future Plans
Chapter 287: Underlying Currents and Future Plans
Recently, a shocking piece of news spread throughout the Shinobi World.
The Tea Country Daimyo had hired the Tenshukaku to eradicate 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' within their borders.
Anyone associated with these weapons would be mercilessly eliminated.
Several noble lords had already been 'eradicated' for non-cooperation.
The orders came directly from the Tea Country Daimyo, making the process completely reasonable.
The major hidden villages reacted indifferently to this matter.
Such incidents were not uncommon.
For instance, in the Fire Country, there were forces like the Fire Temple and Guardian Shinobi who could also be hired.
Although the Tenshukaku's actions were somewhat over the line, they were not entirely unacceptable.
After all, even the Root Division could overthrow small countries; the Tenshukaku was merely taking on missions to sustain itself. Was it too much?
Nevertheless, even if the logic was flawed, they had to stand their ground.
The key point was that there was no longer any excuse for interference.
The Tea Country incident had already concluded.
Even if some force wanted to intervene, they couldn't do so openly.
The Shinobi World was no longer in a 'Warring States' era; they couldn't invade without a valid reason.
Even if the Cloud Village invaded the Leaf Village, they would find an excuse like a 'lost dog.'
Now, with the Tenshukaku firmly established in the Tea Country, if any force dared to intervene, it would be a direct confrontation with consequences to bear.
Purifying Flame! Storm's Wrath! And the Uchiha Nagahouse Lineage!
Anyone with a sound mind would simply observe from the sidelines.
It was just a poor, barren country.
Let them do as they pleased.
The Tea Country was not only impoverished but also had a terrible geographical environment.
If it were the Moon Country or the Soup Country, places with better environments, the five great hidden villages would never allow it.
With the major forces staying out of it, the smaller forces and rogue ninjas wouldn't dare to act either.
Thus, the Tenshukaku created a fait accompli.
However, the indifference of the hidden villages didn't mean the Daimyos would ignore it. They all spoke out in condemnation.
They weren't fools; even if they were, their subordinates certainly included intelligent individuals who could see that the Tea Country had fallen into the hands of the Tenshukaku.
Although such incidents were not uncommon in the Shinobi World,
Just like those small countries, they weren't immune to the control of the five great hidden villages.
But the five great villages' control was extremely discreet, allowing them to turn a blind eye.
But did the Tenshukaku have the right to do the same?
Hence, these Daimyos stepped forward.
The Tenshukaku's actions were too swift; by the time they realized what was happening, it was already over. Otherwise, they wouldn't just talk; they would have taken actual action.
And this condemnation served as a 'warning' to the Tenshukaku.
If they didn't stop their current actions immediately, these Daimyos might take matters into their own hands.
It wasn't out of loyalty but because these Daimyos knew one thing.
To suppress the ninjas and prevent them from overstepping their bounds was a necessity.
A force like the Tenshukaku, so 'arrogant,' was a target they had to suppress.
Those with money would contribute financially, those with strength would provide support, and those without would offer moral support.
Thus, the Tenshukaku instantly became the 'Shinobi World's Public Enemy,' a target for everyone to strike.
If it were any other hidden village, they might back down.
But Dong Ping wasn't intimidated.
The Tea Country was connected to his dream of overthrowing the Shinobi World and defeating the Otsutsuki clan. No matter who dared to stand in his way, he would make them understand the meaning of 'painful enlightenment.'
Did they think he couldn't handle it?
If anyone dared to take action, Dong Ping believed that organizations advocating 'justice' would intervene and directly confront them.
But that was for later. For now, the Tenshukaku aimed to take control of the Tea Country as quickly as possible and then assimilate everything they had learned from the Void Ninjas.
Although these tasks required Dong Ping's involvement, there was something even more important.
The Village Messenger!
This time, Nara Shikaku, the Jonin Squad Leader and Leaf Strategist, was sent as the messenger, clearly conveying the village's intentions.
If they didn't want to 'betray the village,' they had to return immediately.
However, only Team 404 needed to return.
Theoretically, the Uchiha Nagahouse lineage and those civilian ninjas were not affiliated with the village.
Of course, they would still be invited.
At the very least, Uchiha Meika was among those invited.
Faced with this situation, even if Dong Ping was reluctant, he had no choice but to leave Cha no Kuni and return to the village.
The distance from Whitefish Port in Cha no Kuni to the Celestial Fortress was only about a thousand nautical miles if they traveled in a straight line over the sea, instead of taking a longer route.
If they were to travel by land, the journey would be several times longer.
Naturally, they chose to travel by sea!
The returning group consisted of Team 404 and Uchiha Meika.
Uchiha Soaring, Uchiha Shizuka, and Yagyu Nao remained in Cha no Kuni.
At the very least, they needed to eliminate those troublesome individuals and assimilate their resources before withdrawing their forces.
As for the Celestial Fortress?
It was located within the borders of the Fire Country and was safe except during the Shinobi World Wars, so it was fine for Hachidaime to stay there.
It only took a few hours for them to reach the Celestial Fortress.
This was the speed of ninjas!
Upon their return, Hachidaime, having received the news, came with a messenger.
"Dong Ping, I have been ordered to request your return to the village!"
As soon as they met, Nara Shikaku immediately entered a professional mode to avoid putting him in a difficult position.
He was well aware of the purpose of this request.
Although he disagreed, as a member of the Hokage lineage, it was natural that he wouldn't openly oppose the Hokage's decision, so he simply followed orders.
"Alright!"
This time, Dong Ping didn't try to delay like before but agreed immediately.
After all, further delay would be impolite.
Now, he also needed to return to prepare for the upcoming Nine-Tails Night.
In a recent letter, Uzumaki Kyuhinane had revealed her pregnancy.
Even without a specific due date, it would be within a few months at most, so he didn't have much time and needed to seize the opportunity.
The Second Pillar had already been born, and he could meet him this time.
However, before departing, Dong Ping naturally wanted to return to the laboratory to store the information and ninjutsu he had obtained.
Nara Shikaku certainly wouldn't deny him this courtesy, so he told him to go ahead.
After Dong Ping left...
"Hachidaime, I think we should promote a competition in the Celestial Fortress and the Land of Rivers!"
Dong Ping eagerly assigned Hachidaime an extremely important task.
"A competition?"
Uchiha Hachidaime was perplexed.
"Yes, a competition!"
Dong Ping gestured as he explained his plan.
A gliding wing competition!
Anyone could control these, as long as they had enough skill and courage.
As long as the rewards were substantial, countless people would be willing to participate.
As for the danger?
Sorry, in the Shinobi World, death was commonplace.
In other places, people might not even have enough to eat, so they wouldn't have the leisure to participate in such activities.
However, it was unrealistic to say that everyone under their command was wealthy.
But they absolutely ensured that everyone could have enough to eat!
It was precisely because of this that they had earned the title of 'Shinobi Lighthouse'.
As long as the rewards were generous, countless people would compete to participate.
As for why it was a competition instead of entertainment?
Of course, it was because the people had no right to entertainment; they only needed to eat.
The organization of the competition, the rules, the rewards... These tasks were incredibly busy, so they needed to assign them to Hachidaime.
"If you do a good job, you can choose a bottle of either the Radiant Potion or the Natural Force!"
After stating his requirements, Dong Ping also offered a reward.
"Rest assured, Dong Ping-sama!"
Hachidaime instantly assured him that these requirements were not a problem, and he could definitely handle them.
Only then did Dong Ping go to put down his things, check his experimental progress, take some items, and meet up with Nara Shikaku to head to the Leaf Village.
(End of Chapter)
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