Chapter 170

Strategies are not afraid of adversity; as long as they are executed with determination, they will undoubtedly be effective.

Sunagakure's final strategy may not have been perfect, but if implemented, it proved to be highly effective. It was a simple and direct approach that successfully suppressed the situation in Kaze no Kuni.

At this moment, elite Suna Shinobi surrounded the aristocratic mansions in Sunagakure. Long spears and cannons were pointed at the heads of the nobles.

"What is the meaning of this? My family is a hereditary noble from Kaze no Kuni. I own significant properties in your Sunagakure and am a major taxpayer," a fat nobleman shouted hoarsely.

However, his protests were in vain. The Suna Shinobi stepped on him, kicking him to the ground with the barrel of a gun pointed directly at his forehead, silencing him.

"We are here to ensure the safety of the nobles according to Shangfeng's instructions. Please cooperate," a young Suna Shinobi said, appearing calm and collected. The nobles were left speechless.

"Ahem, esteemed Shinobi, could you please lower the gun? It's easy for accidents to happen, and I am willing to provide any information you need," the fat nobleman chuckled nervously, wearing a flattering smile.

He was genuinely terrified. Being familiar with the shooting range in Sunagakure, he knew firsthand the devastating power of those black holes. If a single shot were fired, his head would explode, leaving his wife widowed and his concubines bereft.

It wasn't worth it, not at all.

"What do you know about the Daimyo's Parade?" the young Suna Shinobi asked indifferently, slightly loosening his grip on the weapon.

"I only learned about it ten days ago. I rarely see the Daimyo; most of the time, I reside in Sunagakure," the fat nobleman stammered, barely managing to speak.

"Very well, remember what you just said and stay put. We will ensure your safety," the young Suna Shinobi nodded in satisfaction.

He got what he wanted—ignorance. The fat nobleman was unaware that his words had saved his life.

......

"Do you know about the Daimyo's Parade?"

"I do."

Bang! Another person fell dead.

"Clean up and confiscate their family property."

"Do you know about the Daimyo's Parade?"

"I don't know. My family left the Daimyo's Mansion years ago."

"Very well, we will ensure your safety."

Similar questions echoed throughout the aristocratic mansions. Under the military's pressure, the rules of the game were rewritten. Those nobles who had knowledge of the Daimyo's Parade were sent away, while those who were ignorant were protected.

The crime was simple—murdering the Daimyo.

As Sunagakure executed this campaign of slaughter, Bunpuku led an elite group of ANBU members to depart from Sunagakure. Meanwhile, in a luxurious and opulent carriage on the other side of the desert, the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni leisurely enjoyed a comfortable life while listening to a report from a pure white Nepenthes.

"Daimyo-sama, Sunagakure has begun slaughtering the nobles under the pretext of protecting you, and Bunpuku is coming," White Zetsu said with a mocking smile.

"Hmph, that fellow Hitoshi is utterly unreliable. He resorts to slaughter at every turn. Well, I now command a samurai army of over 20,000 men. Let's see if he dares to kill me," the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni scoffed dismissively.

The disdain in his tone made White Zetsu view him as a fool.

"By the way, where is Madara-sama? He should return soon. Bunpuku is quite fearsome," the Daimyo asked inquisitively.

Perhaps not completely foolish, the Daimyo sought further reassurance. An old man had previously comforted him, boosting his confidence.

"Don't worry, I will protect you. Madara-sama is searching for an ally for you. You will not be alone," White Zetsu smiled and reassured him.

White Zetsu's appearance was not human-like but monstrous. Yet, to the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni, monsters were preferable—strong fighters with powerful abilities. Ignorant of the truth, he remained unaware that White Zetsu's combat capabilities were merely for show, especially when compared to Bunpuku and the others.

As White Zetsu departed, the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni drew back the curtains and glanced outside. With Chakra samurai donned across his body, he felt increasingly secure.

Though they were merely cold weapons, in the eyes of a military-minded fool like the Daimyo, they were more than enough. Moreover, there were many of them—over 20,000 samurai who could be mobilized at any time.

"Just wait, Hitoshi. The day will come when you realize my greatness. After this tour, I will amass an army of 100,000 samurai in Kaze no Kuni. I will hang you up and whip you," the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni sneered, his face contorting with a sinister expression. A Sharingan imprint flashed in his eyes before swiftly vanishing, undetected.

What makes Genjutsu truly terrifying? Is it the direct use of it? No, the true terror lies in the subtle manipulation that can influence a person's character and thoughts over a prolonged period. Just like Kotoamatsukami, it can transform a wicked individual into a virtuous one, subtly altering their behavior.

The impression Madara left on the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni was one of implication, subtly suggesting how incredible Madara was and how inferior Hitoshi was. After all, Madara held disdain for the Daimyo and his ilk, and wiping them out while destabilizing the world, thus giving Five Great Hidden Villages trouble, seemed like a splendid idea.

"Why not?" the Daimyo pondered.

"I will persevere. Once I form an army of hundreds of thousands of samurai, it will consume all their energy and exhaust Sunagakure."

The Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni made a silent vow, determined to achieve greatness and show Hitoshi who truly ruled Kaze no Kuni.

Within the Daimyo's residence, the Minister of Right and the Minister of Left of Kaze no Kuni exchanged worried glances.

"It's over. The Daimyo has made a grave mistake this time," the Minister of Left's face expressed despair, his demeanor utterly defeated.

"It's too early to say. It depends on how the Daimyos of other countries respond," the Minister of Right responded with caution.

Fear gripped him as he pondered the possibility of other country Daimyos following suit, which would render the Five Great Countries' covenant mere scrap paper. Nonetheless, he was uncertain of what the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni had in mind. The notion that Sunagakure would be overwhelmed was misplaced.

"Have you informed our son of the situation here?" the Minister of Right suddenly remembered something and asked with a piercing gaze.

"Do you take me for a fool? I'm aware, but if I reveal it, Sunagakure will kill us immediately," the Minister of Left retorted, sitting there in decadence as he reluctantly lifted his head.

"Good. That's right. The Daimyo may die, but we won't," the Minister of Right's eyes turned dangerously determined.

He refused to die, especially with his family about to arrive. Why would he go down to hell alongside the Daimyo?

He firmly believed that anyone capable of leaving war remnants scattered throughout the desert would not fear tens of thousands of ordinary people. Furthermore, Sunagakure had released a virus that had wiped out a Daimyo's mansion—there should be no problem.