Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 75 A Decisive Move to Secure a Fame

"Do you think it's possible that Konoha has discovered our connection to Nanshi?"

Ryuji Ida said, "No. The people we trade directly with are the nobles under Heiji's command. The equipment they use also comes from the Land of Iron. We are just resellers at best."

"The most important thing right now is how the situation is in Nanshi?"

Kurosaki Ichiro shook his head: "I don't know. It's said they suffered heavy losses as well, but Nanichi himself is still alive. However... he doesn't seem to have contacted that person."

Ryuji Ida was silent for a while, then suddenly looked up.

"Go back immediately and deliver the message to the Lord. The sooner the better."

"And you?"

"I'll stay in Konoha and continue gathering information. If Sakumo Hatake really does make a move, I'll find a way to let you know."

Kurosaki Ichiro nodded, turned around, and disappeared into the crowd.

Ryuji Ida watched his departing figure and let out a long sigh.

My lord, this is really troublesome.

Nanshi is also a stubborn fool. Are ideals really that important? He no longer wants to be an aristocrat.

Deep within the underground palace.

Aburame Shisei looked at the panting Kurosaki Ichiro in front of him and listened to his report.

"Has the city government not contacted us?"

"Yes." Kurosaki Ichiro lowered his head. "Mr. Ryuji said that people in Nanshi might... might feel ashamed to face you."

Aburame Shisei remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "In the end, we still failed."

His tone contained no anger, no disappointment, only a faint regret.

"However, it's good for him to face reality."

He stood up, walked to the wall, and unfurled a map. The map showed the entirety of the Land of Waterfall, including major cities, noble territories, and the valley where the Touken Danshi lived.

"Sakumo Hatake..." he murmured.

That is indeed troublesome, but if it's just troublesome, he has plenty of ways to solve it.

"Kurosaki, tell Ryuji to continue keeping an eye on things in Konoha. Report back immediately if there are any developments."

"Yes."

Kurosaki Ichiro stepped down.

Yu Nu Zhicheng sat back down on the stone platform, but instead of continuing to study the insects, he closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and raised his hands to form a hand seal.

In a city a thousand miles away, Lord Heiji was handling state affairs in his study when he suddenly heard a buzzing sound. He looked up and saw a small insect had landed on his desk, its antennae swaying gently.

His expression changed, and he immediately dismissed those around him.

"grown ups?"

The insect's tentacles continued to twitch, carrying Aburame Shisei's voice to his ears.

"How's the effort to win over the nobles going?"

Heiji took a deep breath and respectfully replied in a low voice, "Sir, through the Longevity Pill, we have won over 60% of the nobles in the country. In addition, we have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with... with the representatives of the six major underground clans of the ninja world."

"The six major families?"

Heiji's voice carried a hint of awe: "The gold exchange shops, underground black markets, and various shady industries that are spread throughout the ninja world are all their businesses. Although they don't participate in the struggle for supremacy among great powers, their influence in smaller countries is sometimes greater than that of the daimyo."

"If the daimyo are the rulers in name, then they are the rulers in secret. They can even render the daimyo powerless with a single word from them, even in the case of some small countries."

The antennae of the Teletubby fell silent.

After a long while, Aburame Shisei's voice rang out again.

"it is good."

"In that case, let's get started."

"I'll push you to the top, the sooner the better."

Heiji's heart skipped a beat.

"My lord, you mean...?"

"Overthrow the current daimyo and take his place. Then, announce to the world that the Toto-sama have been recruited and are now the legitimate samurai armed forces of the daimyo's shogunate."

Heiji's eyes widened.

This is... a desperate measure?

"Can you do it?" Aburame Shisei's voice was indifferent.

Heiji took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

"able."

-

A few days later, a bloodless coup occurred in the Land of Waterfall.

With the support of 60% of the nobles, Lord Heiji, in alliance with the forces of the six major underground clans of the ninja world, persuaded the Daimyo of Takigawa to voluntarily abdicate and pass the throne to Heiji Misugi, who was more capable of governing the country.

The entire process was clean and efficient, with no armed conflict occurring.

The first edict issued by the new daimyo upon ascending the throne was to declare the Toto-kun (Swordsmen) as the "official samurai armed forces of the daimyo's shogunate," and to grant all members amnesty for their past transgressions and to reorganize them on the spot.

The news drew attention from the ninja world.

At this very moment, Sakumo Hatake, who had already led his team to infiltrate the territory of Taki, was facing an awkward situation.

His mission was to wipe out the Dao Dao gang, and the reward was one hundred million taels of silver from the daimyo.

But now, that name is no longer a name.

The new leader said that the Dao Dao Clan were a regular army, not bandits.

Then what is he still clearing out?

"Captain, what do we do?" a teammate behind him asked.

Sakumo Hatake remained silent for a long time before finally sighing.

"withdraw."

The group slunk away from the Land of Waterfalls.

-

Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village), Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report in front of him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"this……"

Koharu, turning the dorm, frowned and said, "That new daimyo is doing this on purpose, isn't he!"

Mitokado Homura gave a wry smile: "Whether it was intentional or not, we really have no reason to take action now. They've already been granted amnesty; if we were to go and wipe them out again, that would be an invasion."

"Moreover..." he paused, "the new daimyo has the shadow of six major families behind him. If we touch their people, it won't be easy to explain to the underground black market."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, about to speak, when the conference room door was pushed open.

Danzo Shimura strode in, his face ashen. "Hiruzen, Sakumo Hatake delayed the battle, causing the mission to fail and resulting in Konoha losing 100 million ryo for nothing. This matter must be explained."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned: "Danzo, this can't be blamed on Sakumo. The situation changed, and his timely retreat was the right thing to do."

"That's right?" Danzo sneered. "If he had acted before receiving the imperial edict and wiped out the entire Totoro Clan, what could the new daimyo have to say? Can he bring the dead back to life?"

"But he hesitated and insisted on waiting for some orders. And what was the result? He made a wasted trip, lost money, and lost face."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

He knew Danzo was using this as an excuse to make a fuss, but he had to admit that Danzo's words resonated with many people.

Sure enough, rumors started circulating in the village within a few days.

"Have you heard? Lord White Fang's mission failed this time."

"It wasn't a failure, it was that they came back without even lifting a finger."

Why?

"It is said that he hesitated and missed the best opportunity."

"Sigh, one hundred million taels, just like that, gone. If it were someone else..."

Rumors spread like wildfire, as if someone was deliberately fanning the flames.