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*Fire Country, the Daimyo's Castle*
"Oh, I truly didn't expect that our partner would be a beautiful… ahem, outstanding ninja like you," the Fire Daimyo hastily coughed twice to cover his awkwardness.
"Uh, ha…" Yūhi Kurenai didn't quite know how to respond either, but all things considered, she was here now.
After regaining his composure, the Daimyo tapped his fan against his hand and then straightened his expression. "I assume you already know of our plans, so rest assured—I will fully support your efforts to establish yourself firmly within Konoha. The supplies will be delivered in batches to the village. After all, you must become indispensable to them, ensuring they always need you if you wish to secure your position. Hmm… These words were spoken by that Uzumaki brat, but I find them quite reasonable. I also have a few covert operatives who will assist you, though they may not be particularly useful. Everything is in your hands now."
All this was for the sake of securing those resources. Without much inner conflict, Kurenai convinced herself to accept the offer and bowed deeply to the Daimyo. "I will do my best."
Though she had no idea what plan the Daimyo referred to, it didn't matter since the "Uzumaki brat" hadn't asked her to harm the village. As such, she figured she could just go through the motions and play along.
The Daimyo nodded approvingly and glanced at his attendant, who brought forward a wooden tray covered with yellow cloth. The attendant placed it before Kurenai and lifted the cloth, revealing a neatly arranged layer of gold.
"Please don't misunderstand—this isn't meant to insult your principles with money. It's merely a small token of appreciation. And…" The Daimyo winked at Kurenai, "though I don't know what benefits that Uzumaki offered you, once we achieve our long-cherished goal, I'll grant you control over an entire minor country. You shall become its ruling female Daimyo, passing down your lineage for generations. When it comes to rewarding my allies, I am always exceedingly generous."
Kurenai was momentarily stunned. Was she… being poached? And from that Uzumaki?!
"I…"
"There's no need to rush your answer. Time is on our side, and eventually, you'll come to understand the kind of person I am."
"Yes…"
After seeing Kurenai off, the Daimyo's lips curled into a faint smile, which soon erupted into uncontrollable laughter. "Hahaha! How delightful! Yūhi Kurenai! Hahaha! Never would I have imagined that Asuma's woman could betray Konoha! Hey, Matsuda! Investigate every piece of intelligence related to her! Money is no object! If we can successfully bribe her and make her a new guardian ninja to oppose Asuma, just imagining the look on Asuma's face makes me too excited to sleep!"
After leaving the Daimyo's castle, Kurenai began escorting the first batch of supplies back to Konoha. Along the way, she counted the gold pieces and, after some quick calculations, realized that the total value of the money far exceeded the worth of the supplies she had received!
Kurenai fell silent for a moment before calling over one of the supply escorts. "The Daimyo… gave me a sum of money. I think he's trying to buy me out."
The guard bowed respectfully and replied, "Our leader said everything here is under your command. He trusts you completely, and you are not required to explain any of your actions to him. From now on, we will follow your orders."
Kurenai opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated for a long while before asking, "Did he… give any specific instructions?"
"The leader's exact words were, 'Do whatever you wish.'"
Kurenai fell silent again, then finally nodded. "I see."
The guard bowed and departed.
Kurenai exhaled deeply and gazed up at the sky, feeling lost once more. If that Uzumaki had given her explicit instructions, she might have been able to reject them outright, pocket the money, and sever ties with him—just as Anko had rejected Orochimaru.
But now…
She certainly wouldn't do anything to harm the village. She intended to use this money and the power entrusted to her solely for the village's protection. Yet, all of this stemmed from that Uzumaki. Did this mean she had betrayed the village—or not?
After pondering for a long time, Kurenai shook her head and chuckled bitterly at herself. "Refusing to admit my hands are already dirty, huh? I'm quite the cunning woman, aren't I? Ever since I continued communicating with him despite knowing how many lives he ruined, I've already tainted myself…"
"If… I'm already stained, then let's embrace it. Let me become a woman who has made a pact with the devil! Captain? Commander? No! I must climb even higher!" Images of the Hokage Monument flashed in her mind, and ambitions she had never dared dream of began to surface. Her steps grew resolute.
*Earth Country, Hidden Rock Village*
The Earth Daimyo was an imposing old man. He walked alongside Ōnoki on a hill outside the village, both gazing out at the distant landscape.
The blue sky stretched above, white clouds drifted lazily, and a gentle breeze brushed their faces. Yet all they saw were barren rocky mountains and desolate wastelands.
The Earth Daimyo scooped up a handful of dry soil and let it slip through his fingers. "The land of Earth Country is too barren. It's either high mountains or red earth and desert. There are so few crops we can cultivate. I heard that Sunagakure has declared war on Konoha—is that true?"
"Yes," Ōnoki confirmed.
"Then, Ōnoki." The Earth Daimyo turned to him, his tone grave. "Can you help me seize the fertile lands of Fire Country?"
Ōnoki paused briefly, then looked up with determination. "Leave it to me. You have my word."
As Ōnoki left, the Earth Daimyo gazed at the towering presence of Iwagakure and murmured, "This place does resemble a nation… Ōnoki, forgive me. I trust you, of course, but as shinobi villages grow stronger, how can you guarantee that your descendants will remain loyal to mine? The growth of these villages is simply too rapid. Far too rapid."
*Lightning Country, Daimyo's Meeting Hall*
The Fourth Raikage was deep in discussion with the Lightning Daimyo.
"Raikage!"
"Daimyo-sama!"
"Go and seize it! Wealth! Land! Population! Take everything!"
"Yes! I'll prepare the army immediately to declare war on Konoha!" The Fourth Raikage stood abruptly.
But the dark-skinned Daimyo shook his head and suddenly widened his eyes. "No! Not Konoha—it's Iwagakure! Raikage, do you remember how your father died?! Go conquer Iwagakure! Fulfill the shared ambition of your father and me! Don't hesitate about anything! Kumogakure's needs will be fully funded by me!"
"My father…" The Fourth Raikage clenched his teeth tightly. "Understood! I will conquer Iwagakure!"
With a decisive swing of his arm, the Fourth Raikage strode out of the meeting hall.
The Lightning Daimyo leaned his chin on his hand, watching the Raikage's figure disappear from sight.
"Hmph. I've always said that the shinobi possess overwhelming strength. Those fools are finally waking up. Raikage… Heh, the shadow of Lightning Country, eh? Since when did this nation ever belong to you?"
In the original timeline, during the formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces, the Lightning Daimyo questioned whether the coalition was aimed against the Daimyos.
But clearly, he overthought it. To deal with the Daimyos, no alliance was necessary.