A stable Land of Bear is more conducive to the development of the Ninja Village.

After all, he's not very adept at handling political affairs; the country's stability still needs these people to maintain.

However, the foundation of all this is based on mastering the Hidden Star Village, only then would he be qualified to negotiate with the elites of the Land of Bear for interest distribution.

Without reaching a certain status, and without a tool like a Ninja Village in hand, it's impossible to negotiate at the same table as them.

Such is the current reality in the Ninja Realm.

In this matter, the Daimyo of the Land of Bear is in an advantageous position, and he cannot afford to lose the legitimate support of the Daimyo.

In this situation, there's only one road left to resolve the matter.

Having thought through all this, Akahoshi began to pack his things at his residence, essentially just a few scrolls he carried, and headed towards the door.

Stepping outside, a servant was waiting there, seeing Akahoshi emerge, he respectfully approached and asked, "What orders do you have, my lord?"

Akahoshi pondered for a moment and said to the servant, "Please tell the Daimyo, the affairs of Hidden Star Village are busy, I won't stay here any longer."

He knew that the servants serving him here were all confidants of the Daimyo of the Land of Bear, and every move he made here was under surveillance.

"Have a safe journey, my lord."

"Mm, you've worked hard these days."

Akahoshi nodded his head, turned, and walked out of the yard.

The servant glanced at Akahoshi's departing back, turned, and left through another exit of the yard, heading to report Akahoshi's departure to the Daimyo.

◎

Night. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Akakage was faithfully at his post, secretly protecting Princess Tamahime.

The other party was already asleep, the room only echoed faintly with the sound of their gentle breathing, presumably having a sweet dream.

What a greenhouse princess living in a peaceful environment, Akakage thought silently.

These days, protecting this princess in secret, he gained some understanding of her temperament.

Born of noble lineage, yet a kind and innocent young girl.

Untouched by the ugliness of the world, like a Byakuren unstained by dust.

Gathering all the beauties of the world.

Such purity untouched by darkness, to Akakage, was undoubtedly a dazzling existence.

Rich and poor, noble and lowly, they are two completely different worlds.

Once the task here is completed, they probably won't meet for the rest of their lives.

There's nothing regretful about it; all he seeks is to continuously hone his skills, perfectly completing any task assigned by his master, ultimately becoming a shadow behind that master.

Therefore, he conscientiously protected the princess.

As long as he protects the princess well, he can satisfy the Daimyo of the Land of Bear; satisfying the Daimyo means being valued, being valued by the Daimyo signals nearing the success of his master's plan.

Night is a very dangerous time; some shadows have begun stirring in the dark.

Akakage sits on the roof, glancing up at the moon in the sky, emitting a beautiful white glow.

The breeze gently blows, providing a pleasant feeling.

Suddenly, Akakage sensed something, turning his gaze toward a nondescript small yard in the huge Daimyo's Mansion.

The sound of 'moo', 'moo' of cows drifted to his ears through the air.

Akakage didn't hesitate; he made a hand sign, and a shadow clone appeared beside him immediately.

Akakage nodded at the shadow clone, then swiftly moved with the Instantaneous Body Jutsu toward the source of the sound.

In an unremarkable dark small yard, it's a long-abandoned part of the Daimyo's Mansion; few venture here, with mansion servants only coming monthly to clean.

After arriving, Akakage noticed a male figure standing in the center of the yard.

The figure was a very ordinary middle-aged man, with cracked fingernails, calluses on fingers and palms, sluggish and honest-looking, as if he were a farmer.

However, Akakage knew, the figure indeed was once a farmer, barely recognizing a few characters.

"Ugly Bull."

Akakage called out the man's code name.

"Exchange information now."

Ugly Bull was succinct, not one for much talking.

He took the scroll from his pocket.

Without wasting words, Akakage pulled out a scroll from his bosom, exchanging it for the intelligence scroll held by Ugly Bull.

After the scroll exchange, Ugly Bull was about to say something when suddenly a ground-shaking explosion resounded from another yard of the mansion.

Ugly Bull and Akakage turned to look.

Only to see the burning explosion of flames creating a terrifying illusionary scene, wildly consuming everything around it.