Chapter 3

"So this is Kaijin clan huh," Reto stared at the towering walls made of sandstone and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

While people of the Land of Wind were complaining about the harshness of this place and wanted to leave, the Kaijin saw its potential and built a bustling settlement that wouldn't lose to any rich cities in the Land of Fire.

He looked at his subordinates, this time he only brought with him five Elite Jounins. His right hand man, Shamon, remained with the rest of Kazefune.

Just in case there is a conspiracy and Reto perished here, he can at least feel assured knowing that Shamon, a Kage-level powerhouse, can keep the Kazefune from dying.

As Reto approached the large gates of Kaijin clan, he was stopped by two men wearing a uniform that suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Halt. This is the territory of the Kaijin clan. Please state your business."

Reto stared at the two shinobi - he was sure they are - and couldn't help but feel baffled. From the chakra levels he can sense from these two people, they are obviously Jounin, why were they here guarding the gates?

Though shinobis don't really care about the jobs as long as they are paid, it is still embarrassing for a Jounin to guard the gates when they could be doing more important and high level missions.

However, Reto didn't bother thinking about it too much. This is probably Kaijin's way of flexing their military. So he just silently took out the invitation card and showed it to the guards.

"I'm Reto, the chief of Kazefune group. I was invited by the Kaijin Patriarch to participate in a meeting."

One of the Kaijin Jounin took the invitation and read it before handing it back to Reto, "Very well. Lord Asahi has been expecting your arrival. You are the eighth one to have arrived."

Then, the Jounin tilted his head to the side as a young man also wearing the same uniform suddenly appeared beside him.

"He will lead you to your quarters where you will be staying with during your time here. Please enjoy your stay."

With that, thee Jounins vanished, leaving the young man behind to lead Reto and his group.

The young man turned towards Reto, "Lord Reto, I am Haruto Kaijin, a Chunin. Of this moment, I will act as your guide. If you have any questions, you are free to ask them and I will answer."

Then, he observed Reto and the others before saying, "...Please follow me. I will take you to where you will be staying during your time here."

"Hm." Reto motioned at his subordinates who silently followed him.

As they passes through the towering walls through the enormous gate, Reto was immediately greeted by the sight of a bustling street.

He can see vendors selling some fruits, and seafoods. Some were selling clothing, shinobi tools, accessories, books, etc.

Reto only had only seen this bustling city when he went to the capital of the Land of Fire when he went to assassinate a certain noble back then.

The Land of Fire is the richest country in the world, with abundant natural resources, so seeing a bustling city was no surprise. But for a town built by a shinobi clan in the Land of Wind - literally the poorest country in the world - to be this lively?

He was really shocked.

However, he reamined stoic and silently followed behind Haruto. He's not going to embarrass himself by acting like a country bumpkin.

After awhile, they arrived in a two story tall building located at the center of the town, near the so-called Ziggurat where the Kaijin patriarch lives.

Ziggurat was actually surrounded by water, and the only way to cross is through the four small bridges located on each of its sides.

"This here is where you'll be staying for the majority of your time here. Lord Asahi said that we'll be waiting for a week for the other clans to arrive. So at the mean, you can look around the place." Said Haruto.

Reto nodded, "Thanks. We would like to take a rest after a long journey, if that's alright with you."

Haruto nodded, "No problem. I will be taking my leave then, have a pleasant rest." With that, Haruto vanished with cloud of sand.

Reto turned his gaze towards the building he will be staying at. He flicked his finger on the walls, and immediately knew that this made using ninjutsu, and a powerful one at that.

He reckoned that this building could probably withstand a C-rank ninjutsu with no problem.

"You all, make sure to thoroughly search the place for any traps, or spying and listening seals."

"Hai!" The elite Jounins then went inside the building to execute the order.

Reto then turned his gaze towards the bustling streets. 'For the time being, I should collect more information about this place.'

****

Ziggurat, Throne Room.

Asahi, who has returned from his meeting with Shukaku was doing some paperworks. It's frustrating job, but he has no choice but to do it considering he's the patriarch of Kaijin and lord of this town.

"Asahi-sama," just then, a beautiful and busty dark skinned woman wearing a skimpy outfit with golden accessories and a white veil walked in and approached him.

"Hm?" He replied, not taking his eyes off the papers.

"The chief of Kazefune has arrived, and currently there are 8 out of 23 clans you have invited that has arrived." Said the woman as she stared at Asahi.

Scheherazade, that is her name. She's a daughter of the very first shinobi clan that Asahi raided when he was six - she was a year older than Asahi and she witnessed such a massacre when she was only seven.

At that moment, Scheherazade witnessed the brutal killing of her clansmen and developed a fear of death. She had then swore to always put her life first above all else.

So she abandoned her surname and begged the then six-year old Asahi to spare her life and she would willingly offer herself to him.

Thankfully, Asahi accepted her...and as years goes by as she witnessed how Asahi annihilate clans one after another, her fear of death keeps growing to the point where she learned all sorts skills just to remain useful to Asahi. Because in her mind, only through him can she keep her life.

Due to this, she learned politics, mathematics, military strategies and even some auxiliary skills such as singing, dancing, painting, calligraphy, story telling, tea ceremony, and so much more.

Using those skills, she would entertain Asahi and relieve his stress, mental and physical fatigue, give him some military and political advice, and even offer her body as much as he likes.

She also became good in grasping Asahi's mood, disposition, abilities, principles, state of health, etc., to make use of every art of coaxing she has so that by doing this, no matter how capricious he is, she can conduct herself in a way that will at least not get herself killed.

"What else?" Asked Asahi.

"Yes, the Kamai village that is under our rule has been hit by a strong sandstorm. Their houses crumbled, foods ruined, and crops destroyed. They are requesting us for help." Scheherazade replied.

"Hm, then what's the NDRRMC doing?" Asahi stopped his work and stared at Scheherazade.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, or NDRRMC, is a working group he established to ensure the protection and welfare of the people during disasters and emergencies.

"They have already evacuated the villagers, and has already started delivering relief goods and send some doctors to care of the sick and wounded."

"Good, at least the fund I gave them wasn't wasted."

"And also...the conflicts between Uchiha and Senju has greatly lessened. I think they are really planning to sign a peace treaty like you said Asahi-sama. They might even form an alliance."

Asahi remained silent. A few years later Madara and Hashirama will fight at the Valley of the End, and Hashirama will set out to collect the Bijuu's and distribute them to other villages.

Now, he had befriended the Ichibi - he got him addicted to games, manga, and anime - and was approved by the other party to borrow his chakra in a condition where they have to make a special day dedicated to him.

Asahi has no problem with that and declared March 18 - the day Asahi met Shukaku and also the Author's birthday - the Friendship Day, where each houses would make loads of foods and invite friends and strangers to dine with them.

Yes, it's a Filipino culture during festivals where you can go around someone's house to eat and drink for free.

Though Asahi still got no time to prepare it so he decided to do it next year.

"Well, for now, just observe those people we invited and make sure they don't cause any trouble."

"Understood."