On the second day of the Hokage inauguration ceremony, delegations from many countries gradually departed.
The delegations from the great nations did not leave and chose to stay, probably to conduct secret negotiations with Konoha.
Judging from the recent actions of the Four Great Nations — the Land of Wind, Land of Earth, Land of Lightning, and Land of Water — they were also moving toward the formation of ninja villages.
It was believed that yesterday’s ceremony had given the delegations from these Four Great Nations an almost terrifying shock.
If ninja villages were not established, it was a reality that all Four Great Nations foresaw they would be eliminated by the era.
The interactions between the major nations did not affect Yayoi.
On the second day of the ceremony, like the other countries, he left Konoha fully prepared and returned to the Night Kingdom.
Konoha was in ruins, and its foundations outside of the military aspect were also very weak.
Fields such as education, commerce, and medicine were in a blank state without systematic frameworks.
This was the greatest gap for Konoha, but at the same time, it was advantageous for the Night Kingdom.
Nearly ten years had passed since the Night Kingdom was officially founded, and thanks to Yayoi’s steady efforts, many basic fields had achieved significant results.
In the era that followed, he had the advantage of being a forerunner.
Another thing that reassured Yayoi was that Konoha had not shown any intention of expanding outward.
It simply occupied the most fertile Land of Fire and seemed to play an important role in maintaining the balance of order in the ninja world.
In a sense, this was a good thing.
It was an era where the situation was tense but the environment was relatively stable, and the strongest were willing to intervene to maintain peace — undoubtedly a great era of development.
As far as he understood from the original story, as long as the overall situation did not change, the First Great Ninja War would officially break out more than ten years after the founding of Konoha.
In other words, whether the Night Kingdom could catch up with the Five Great Powers in the next ten years or so would be extremely important.
When others were anxious, he could use this prophetic advantage to advance and grow.
“The ninja world is going to become something completely different from before, I have a feeling.”
Inside the carriage, even after a day of introspection and attending the Hokage ceremony, Kichou was still shaken and could not calm down.
The overwhelming impact of that overwhelming power was faster than anything else, making her feel suffocated.
Even someone like Kichou, who did not know how the future would unfold, and even the prophet Yayoi, who knew many things about the future, had been unable to remain calm at yesterday’s venue.
It was difficult for people to imagine things they had never seen.
One country, one village — that was something unfamiliar that people could not even imagine.
It was the first time people had learned that ninjas and ninja clans… could also be connected and bundled together like this.
In ancient times, there were ninjas who first understood the essence of chakra, and they were called ninja sects.
The first ninja sects were not families but individuals who began to connect through chakra.
Then, the ninjas who first acquired chakra abilities began to act as clans in accordance with the changes of the era.
Thus, ninja conflicts spread from individuals to families.
Now, with the end of single ninja clans, battles between ninjas were no longer between people or clans, but between nations.
“It’s okay, Kichou.
I’m here.”
He firmly embraced Kichou’s still trembling body and gently comforted her.
Her palms were colder than usual, and it was clear she had not yet fully recovered from yesterday’s suffocation.
People in weak positions facing such waves of the era had no choice but to submit and pray.
There was no other way.
That was why Yayoi knew he must never break.
No matter how painful it was, he had to grit his teeth and endure.
No one in the Night Kingdom, other than himself, was qualified to stand at the forefront of this momentum and lead everyone through difficulties.
This was the generosity and courage that a ruler and husband should possess.
This reminded him of a very wise old saying — “Establishing a foundation and starting a business is like a ruler without achievement.”
If a monarch could not accomplish this, power would become vacant, rule would collapse, the people would no longer trust you, and you would ultimately become a complete failure.
“Mm…”
Kichou nodded gently and quietly breathed in Yayoi’s arms, savoring a moment of peace and warmth.
“After we return… I’ll sell all the clothes and accessories I bought before.”
After a while, Kichou’s voice sounded muffled.
“Why do you say that?”
Yayoi was slightly taken aback.
“Because the country’s development will require a lot of funds from now on.”
Kichou pulled away from Yayoi’s embrace, sat up straight, and showed a serious and determined expression in her pure white eyes.
“…”
Yayoi was slightly amused and helpless.
Kichou sometimes possessed sharp political senses, but she did not seem to be very knowledgeable about the nation’s economy.
That was certainly true — she was still young and could not think of everything, and she was not very sensitive to money.
“Hey, sometimes you’re really cute and a bit of an idiot.”
Yayoi lightly tapped her white nose and spoke as if teasing her innocence and whimsical heart.
Under Kichou’s puzzled gaze, Yayoi answered calmly and firmly.
“That is a reasonable expense as the Shogun’s wife.
And Kichou, you did a good job, right?
You don’t need to worry about money.
Let me put it this way: what we lack now is never money.”
In fact, he had known for a long time that such an era would come and had prepared many preventive measures in the Night Kingdom for that purpose.
One of them was about how to save and use money.
Various strategies such as people’s livelihood, military, and diplomacy had also been prepared in advance, and several feasible plans had been made.
In the era of one country, one village, except for the Five Great Nations, no other country was as stable as the Night Kingdom.
Like the Five Great Nations, the Night Kingdom also had the right to sit firmly and watch this development for a while.
The ones who were truly struggling desperately were the small nations with weak risk resistance.
Needless to say, the Night Kingdom had already transformed.
Ninjas and samurai had become accustomed to its system.
One country, one village belonged to the Five Great Nations and had nothing to do with the Night Kingdom.
The reason he had remained silent was because he had been overwhelmed by Konoha’s initial military power.
What he had been worried about was not the Night Kingdom’s system, which could not even be compared to the Five Great Nations.
However, he was not the only one who was afraid.
The delegations and ninjas from the other Four Great Nations had also been deeply intimidated.
“Is that so?”
After hearing Yayoi’s words, Kichou also began to doubt whether she had been too presumptuous.
Thinking this way, the fact that her small expenses had risen to a national level was purely a manifestation of her own panic.
“Besides, if you don’t buy more beautiful clothes, won’t our night life feel boring?”
Besides, I want to see more of your unique and beautiful poses, Kichou.”
Yayoi stroked his chin and quietly shifted to a private topic.
“Husband, you are…”
Seeing that Yayoi was completely relaxed, Kichou was surprised at how optimistic and strong his inner self was.
It was as if nothing in this world could defeat him.
“This is my beloved husband.”
Kichou felt an inexplicable emotion and pride in her heart.
Although they had not even known each other for half a year, if this man truly failed, she would gladly die for him.
…
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
The two great clans located in the center of the village — the Senju and Uchiha clans.
At this moment, the expected split had occurred within the Uchiha clan.
“Izayoi, are you really planning to leave the clan?”
An elderly Uchiha with long hair mixed with white, over sixty years old, stared intently at the clan’s genius girl who had awakened the twin tomoe Sharingan at the age of thirteen.
“Of course.
Just thinking about living with those Senju people makes me feel sick.
Elder Koraku, are you planning to stop me?”
The girl named Izayoi spoke her true feelings to the clan elder, and her face darkened as if showing that it could not be resolved.
This girl was Uchiha Izayoi, the Uchiha girl who had encountered Yayoi with the Seven-Tails several months ago.
Upon receiving news of the Uchiha-Senju alliance from Yayoi, she had hurriedly returned to her clan, but had witnessed the scene of the Uchiha and Senju forming an alliance.
Although she had caused a commotion, no one had taken this Uchiha girl seriously.
Senju Hashirama, the head of the Senju clan, had patted her head and laughed heartily, saying childish things like “From now on, both sides don’t have to fight anymore” and “The Uchiha and Senju will become family.”
Enraged, she had kicked his knee on the spot, nearly causing a diplomatic incident.
Thanks to Hashirama’s indifference, he had simply smiled and said, “If you hit me a few more times, we can get along peacefully.
Little girl, hit me a little more…”
After that, her foot had been swollen.
Was the body of the Senju clan head made of steel?
Without a doubt, the head of the Senju clan had treated her as an innocent child.
Izayoi felt that the winner, the Senju, had not settled things with the Uchiha clan but had invited them to form an alliance.
There must be some secret conspiracy behind it.
She did not believe that Senju Hashirama, the head of the Senju clan, was such a foolishly smiling person.
He must be a creepy man who hid a knife behind his smile.
In the end, regardless of the reason, Izayoi no longer intended to stay in this ninja village, Konoha.
She would rather starve or freeze to death outside than live with the Senju clan.
“If you have such thoughts, it would be difficult to stop you even if I wanted to.
I can’t bind Izayoi for life and make her obey.
Besides, you’re not the only one in the clan who thinks that way.
You must have already contacted those people long ago.”
Uchiha Koraku’s dark eyes seemed to see through Izayoi’s thoughts.
His wrinkled, aged face was engraved with the traces of time.
This elderly Uchiha in his sixties had endured the long struggle against the Senju clan.
In his era, very few Uchiha ninjas had survived safely.
Some had accepted it, but as time passed, their hatred toward the Senju grew day by day.
No matter what, it is impossible for us to coexist with the Senju people.”
Izayoi’s youthful face instantly fell silent, and she let out a faint breath from her nose.
Yes, she was not the only one in the Uchiha clan who wanted to leave Konoha.
Most Uchiha wanted to compromise with the Senju clan and live in peaceful coexistence, because at this point, both the Uchiha and Senju were tired of fighting.
Although the Uchiha had been defeated previously, the clan still retained considerable power and could not easily withdraw.
If a new powerful existence appeared, they could compete with the Senju clan.
However, due to war fatigue and the favorable conditions offered by the Senju, many compromisers had emerged within the Uchiha.
Thus, the radicals who wanted to continue fighting began to be marginalized, suppressed, and silenced.
As a member of the radicals, Izayoi said she would rather die than surrender to the Senju.
Her parents, siblings, close friends, and comrades had all lost their lives at the hands of the Senju.
The deep-seated hatred made it impossible to coexist peacefully with the Senju people.
Even if she did not seek revenge, she could not accept living with the Senju people.
In such a situation, the radicals secretly united and decided to leave Konoha and distance themselves from the Senju.
“Are you planning to stop me, Elder Gure?”
Or is it Madara’s decision?”
As a representative of the compromisers, Uchiha Madara was the head of the Uchiha clan and the ninja Izayoi respected the most.
But now…
However, he was the person Izayoi hated the most.
Similarly, Madara was also considered hostile by the radicals.
In their hearts, the clan head “Madara” was already considered dead.
“Lord Madara doesn’t care about that.”
“Haha, that’s certainly true.
He’s probably with those Senju people right now.”
Izayoi smiled mockingly.
Even the clan leader who had once been addressed with respect could now naturally be called “that person.”
Failure was not scary.
Weak compromise was shameful.
“That may be so, but it is true that the clan members are tired.
Not only the Uchiha, but even the clans that joined Konoha felt fear and numbness amid years of fighting and hatred.
They were afraid of dying, afraid that their clan might disappear at any moment.”
Koraku’s words were sincere and meaningful, neither affirming nor denying, simply stating known facts.
In his youth, he had been one of the most radical ninjas in the Uchiha clan.
Now, for the sake of the clan’s stability and continuation, he could let go of his hatred.
These past few months of stability had made this old man, who had fought his entire life, understand the value of peace.
“Hmph, weak excuses.
If you’re not going to stop me, I’m leaving.
Everyone is waiting for me.”
Izayoi sneered, feeling slightly irritated by this muttering old man.
This old man was a close friend of her late grandfather and had looked after her in the past, teaching her ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and even how to use the Sharingan.
The two were close elders and mentors.
“…
May I ask one more thing?
After you leave, how do you plan to live?”
Just as Izayoi was about to leave, Koraku suddenly asked.
“How else can I live?
Of course, I’ll find a new employer and get paid to work.”
Izayoi answered without hesitation.
“…
In that case, take Meiro with you too.”
Koraku’s eyes flickered.
“Uncle Meiro?”
Izayoi furrowed her brows.
Uchiha Meiro.
This person was an elite of the Uchiha clan, and his Sharingan had reached the three tomoe level, honed to the limit.
He was currently the ninja in the clan most likely to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and he also served as Koraku’s personal bodyguard.
In the previous war against the Senju, he had not appeared on the battlefield but had carried out important duties protecting the clan as an officer of the guard unit.
“The era has changed.
If you cling to the past, you will die soon.”
She wanted to argue, but seeing Koraku’s suddenly stern expression, Izayoi could only stammer twice and nod in agreement.
If she did not agree to Koraku’s conditions, Izayoi suspected she would not be able to leave the clan.