Escape From Konoha

"...The important facilities such as the school and hospital in the village are in serious dilapidation. Therefore, Mr. Hoshikage hopes that the Daimyo can increase the budget by 30% this year to develop the Hoshi Ninja Village."

Wearing a forehead protector engraved with the 'Pentagram' emblem, the ninja from the Star Ninja Village knelt on one knee in the room, lowered his head deeply, and said these words.

Listening to the speech of this star ninja in the conference room, the Daimyo of the Bear Country gently touched his chin with a thoughtful expression.

Which woman should I ask to come over to bed tonight? He was thinking about this in his mind.

There were a total of six people sitting under the Bear Country, all of whom were national dignitaries of the Bear Country. They also had the calm expressions of old gods, and they seemed to be seriously considering what the star ninja said.

In this way, about half a minute passed in the conference room, and still no one spoke.

The atmosphere was also slightly condensed, giving people a suffocating feeling of difficulty breathing.

The star ninja who was kneeling there rolled his throat nervously and couldn't help but remind him:

"Well, Your Majesty, the budget for this year..."

"Oh, budget..."

The Daimyo of the Bear Country suddenly remembered something, and responded to Hoshi Ren without comment.

"Yes."

Although they were very angry, these people in the conference room did control the economic lifeline of Star Ninja Village.

If a ninja village wants to develop, it cannot do without the support of huge funds.

Over the years, the Star Ninja Village has become increasingly poor and weak due to lack of material.

"You just said... by how much percent?"

The Daimyo of the Bear Country wanted to confirm again to see if he heard correctly.

"Increase by 30%."

In fact, the Hoshi-nin also knew that the Daimyo and other important national officials did not listen seriously to his and the Hoshi-nin village's demands.

What these people are thinking about at the moment is nothing more than why this boring meeting doesn't end as soon as possible.

Before the Daimyo of the Bear Country could speak, another official spoke.

"As far as I know, the military strength of Hoshi Ninja Village has declined seriously in recent years. There are very few chuunin and jounin produced every year, less than 20% of the past. If you don't show decent results, we will also It is difficult to inject capital into the Star Ninja Village. If the money invested does not get a corresponding return, then you must choose carefully."

"However, it is precisely because of insufficient funds that the birth rate of chuunin and jounin in the village has become low."

"Then let's take a look at some results first."

"But that requires a lot of supplies."

"So as you said, we can only invest funds if you show results. The Bear Country is a small country, and it is our consistent style to spend the remaining funds wisely. As long as you make good enough results, we will naturally do the same. I am happy to inject capital into the Star Ninja Village."

The Hoshi-nin knew that this official had no intention of managing the Hoshi-nin village.

He looked at the Daimyo of the Bear Country again, and the other person began to wander again.

"Your Majesty, what is your decision?"

No matter what, the daimyo is the one who really calls the shots.

As long as he agrees, the matter will be mostly successful.

"Increase the budget by 30%... Well, this is not an easy task. Let's go back and tell the Third Star Shadow first. We will come up with a charter as soon as possible and give him a satisfactory answer."

The Bear Country said to the Star Ninja seriously.

"But……"

"Okay, that's it. You go back first. After all, the 30% increase in the budget is not a small number, is it?"

The Daimyo of the Kingdom of Bears picked up the folding fan and covered half of his face, smiling with his eyes narrowed.

Just as the star ninja was about to say something, several icy breaths shot from the corners of the room, completely covering his body.

The star ninja couldn't help but tremble, as he was being stared at.

There were at least a few ninjas secretly watching his every move, secretly unleashing murderous intent on him.

If you dare to say anything again, you will definitely be killed in the next moment.

That's what the ninjas lurking in the darkness told him.

"Yes, I understand. Sir, please make a decision as soon as possible."

The star ninja gritted his teeth in humiliation and exited the conference room in embarrassment.

The daimyo and other officials watched the star ninja leave, and someone didn't know who made a sneer.

"The Star Ninja Village is really getting worse and worse. The bandits in the country have not been cleaned up, and they want to increase this year's budget. Where is the face?"

"That's right, it's outrageous. If you increase the budget by 30%, won't this cost our lives?"

"It's really annoying to have to increase the budget every year. Can't we shut them up once and for all?"

Other officials also echoed and expressed their dissatisfaction.

However, the Daimyo of the Bear Country coughed and silenced the conference room.

The officials looked at the daimyo, waiting for him to speak.

The Daimyo of the Bear Country put down the folding fan in his hand and said, "It's nothing to increase their budget by 30%. If we all work together, we can still squeeze it out."

"You mean to agree to their request?"

One official was slightly dissatisfied.

Although the Star Ninja Village is the military guarantee of the Bear Country, the Bear Country does not need to expand its territory. Sandwiched between the two major countries of the Earth Country and the Wind Country, the Bear Country only needs to be content with the status quo.

If too much military spending is given to the Star Ninja Village, it is estimated that the Kingdom of Earth and the Kingdom of Wind will also have objections.

Unlike the neutral country like the Ghost Country, the Bear Country is not a neutral country. Once the country's ninja villages become strong, they are likely to be targeted by major powers.

They saw with their own eyes how the Kingdom of Rain fell.

A small country that is involved in a war and declines due to a big country looks so sad and powerless no matter when you look at it.

However, in the face of the five extremely powerful countries, what can be done?

The highest class in the ninja world has been established since the establishment of the one-country-one-village system.

In the past, small countries were not without the ability to fight against big countries, but now they rely on ninja villages for their military strength.

From this point of view, they resent the ninja god who created the one-country-one-village system.

It can be said that a large country with a vast land, coupled with an extremely powerful ninja village, further squeezes the living space of a small country.

Furthermore, I don’t want to give too much support to the vulgar ninja.

Who knows whether the desire of the Star Ninja Village will expand after more military spending is given, thus threatening their power and status.

Having amassed more than 90% of the Bear Country's wealth, they were unwilling to engage in such a business that they considered to be a waste of money.

They don't need the Star Ninja Village to expand their territory. They just need them to be honest and content with the status quo. This is the greatest support they can give.

The Daimyo of the Bear Country glanced at him and said, "Don't worry, just listen to what I have to say. Originally, there was no problem in increasing their budget by 30%, but I have heard some bad rumors recently."

"Not a good rumor? What should I say?"

"The Star Ninja Village seems to be colluding with officials from other countries."

Having said this, the face of the Daimyo of the Bear Country was slightly gloomy and solemn.

"What?"

The officials all opened their mouths and looked at the Daimyo of the Bear Country in disbelief, thinking that they had heard wrongly.

"This is a letter written by the Third Hoshikage to officials from other countries a few days ago. It was intercepted by my people. It has the handwriting of the Third Hoshikage and the official seal of the Hoshinin Village."

The daimyo solemnly took out a letter from his arms, asked the waiter next to him to take it, and presented it to the six officials below for them to browse in turn.

He opened the letter hesitantly, and all the officials present read it very carefully.

The more he looked at it, the more frightened he became, and the expression on his face became more gloomy and solemn.

Although the Star Ninja Village has not expressed its thoughts of rebellion, secret collusion with officials from other countries has undoubtedly violated the interests of the Bear Country.

This kind of thing must be stopped.

If the Star Ninja Village is instigated by another country to rebel, it will not be a good thing for the Bear Country.

Worse, the country of bears might be destroyed as a result.

Of course, all this is based on the fact that the Star Ninja Village really intends to rebel.

The handwriting on the letter is indeed exactly the same as that of the Third Hoshikage, and it also has the official seal of the Hoshi Ninja Village. It is difficult for outsiders to imitate it... However, ninjas cannot be measured by common sense.

It is not difficult to imitate handwriting. As for the official seal, with the ability of the Daimyo of the Bear Country, it is equally easy for the informants of the Hoshi Ninja Village to get the third generation Hoshikage unprepared.

They have a plan in mind. In all likelihood, this letter was forged by someone from the Bear Country, and the plan is clumsy.

However, they all understand that this does not require any clever strategies. Getting to the point directly is the most important thing.

What they saw was an ambitious Daimyo from the Bear Country who wanted to swallow up the Star Ninja Village.

There is no excuse to incriminate someone, so it doesn't matter whether the plan is clumsy or clever. What matters is the attitude of the Daimyo of the Bear Country at this moment.

All the officials looked at each other, but no one spoke first.

The atmosphere in the conference room fell silent.

The Daimyo of the Bear Country knew what these people were worried about, but his plan had progressed to this point and it was too late to withdraw.

"Open the skylight and speak out. I need your help. Imagine the benefits after this is done."

A ninja village completely controlled by their will... the officials dreamed about it with great excitement.

"But the agreement..."

One official was worried.

The one-country-one-village system was established because of the so-called ‘contract’.

The daimyo and the nobles provide funds for the development of the ninja village. When the ninja village receives funds, it will take the initiative to protect the stability of the country.

And neither party is allowed to overstep their authority.

"Did we do anything?"

The Daimyo of the Bear Kingdom put down the folding fan in his hand and looked at everyone with a puzzled look on his face.

All the officials suddenly realized.

Yes, they have done nothing, and the one-country-one-village contract naturally cannot sanction them.

What's more, they are the highest-ranking people in this country. Who can really sanction them except the big powers?

The so-called rules are originally just tools they use to enslave the lower classes.

Therefore, the Daimyo of the Bear Country who dared to propose this plan must have already let his people infiltrate into the core of the Star Ninja Village.

◎

"Long time no see, Daimyo-sama."

The person who met the Daimyo of the Bear Country in private was the Jonin Red Star who sneaked out from the Hoshi Ninja Village.

He spoke as if he was familiar with the great names of the Bear Country.

But from his slightly respectful tone, it is not difficult to tell that when the two get along, the name of the Bear Country occupies the dominant position.

As a daimyo of a country, he controls most of the country's wealth, including power.

The power in the hands of the daimyo was not only those soldiers composed of ordinary people, they also secretly cultivated trusted ninjas to serve as their own bodyguards.

Hong Xing also vaguely sensed that there were at least six ninjas lurking in an unknown corner of this luxurious room.

Two of them have a strong aura, and they are undoubtedly Jonin.

"Yeah, it's been a long time. You came here this time, didn't you attract the attention of Sandai Xingying?"

Daimyo Xiong Zhiguo held a folding fan in his hand and stared at Red Star closely.

"There are two of my partners in Star Ninja Village who are covering for me, and they are also supporters of the plan."

Red Star said.

Xiong Zhiguo daimyo smiled slightly: "You are still so careful and reliable in doing things, which reminds me of the scene when you used to work on my side."

Red Star also misses that time quite a lot.

When he was young, at the request of the village, he served as the guard of the Daimyo of the Bear Country for a period of time.

It was also at that time that he took refuge in the Daimyo of the Bear Country.

Because the same people will be attracted.

Both of them are ambitious people.

The daimyo of the Xiong Country wants to expand the territory and become the hero of a generation.

And he wants to gain the right to rule the Star Ninja Village, use the 'star' to enhance the combat effectiveness of the Star Ninja Village, thereby breaking the deadlock of the five major Ninja Villages monopolizing the mission market, and leading the Star Ninja Village to a higher position.

Because of this, he looked down on the conservative three generations of stars.

An old man in the old age, his thoughts and will have long been out of touch with this era.

"When does the Daimyo plan to take action?"

Hongxing asked impatiently.

"The matter is not so urgent, right?"

"No, I'm very worried that the third generation of Xingying will pass on the position of the next Xingying to Xia Ri."

"Xia Ri? I've heard of her, she seems to be a very good ninja in Xingnin Village."

All the high-end combat power of Star Ninja Village is clearly known by the name of Xiong Zhiguo.

The female Jōnin named "Xia Ri" is the number one master in Xing Nin Village.

Her late husband, Yinghuo, was also a senior ninja of Xingren Village. Both husband and wife used to be famous figures in Xingren Village, and their influence in Xingren Village was extraordinary.

"Yes, she is one of the few Jonin in the village who has practiced the 'Peacock Magic' to the highest level. She is much better than me. According to my speculation, I am afraid that the third generation Hoshikage may not be her opponent."

Red Star said so.

"Let her disappear."

The big name of the Bear Kingdom had a cold look in his eyes.

It would be safer to kill a powerful ninja who does not belong to his side as soon as possible.

"This is easy to do. Xia Tian has a son, just use her son to threaten him. But before that, we have to get rid of the third generation of Xingying, and then we can slowly deal with Xia Tian."

Hongxing expressed his opinion.

Although Xia Tian is strong, he is easily bound by family ties, making him easier to deal with than the Third Star Shadow.

This was also the fundamental reason why he was not in a hurry to deal with Xia Tian.

In the cruel world of ninjas, having feelings means being closer to death.

Only those who are ruthless and have no desires and are not moved by anything can be called a ninja.

"She will be left to you to deal with when the time comes. As for the candidate to deal with the Third Star Shadow, I have already found one."

The Daimyo of the Bear Country gave Red Star a meaningful look.

A ninja who has ambitions and cannot be a perfect tool seems to be unsuitable.

After hearing this, Hongxing was slightly shocked.

In the room, the two men looked at each other with evil intentions.

◎

"Ninja-sama, what is the outside world like?"

Princess Zhuji, who was in the courtyard today, started talking to herself again.

Maybe it's because I rarely had contact with beings like ninjas in the past.

Compared to ninjas, the guards around her in the past were usually samurai.

It is said that samurai are now a destitute class eliminated by ninjas.

More than a hundred years ago, the status of samurai was higher than that of ninjas. They were loyal to their lord, opened up territories for the lord of the country, and defended their territory.

At that time, samurai could also be said to be a symbol of honor.

There was no sound coming from her side. Even so, Zhuji knew that the ninja master was by her side, protecting her safety at all times.

This reassuring feeling has never been experienced before.

I couldn't help thinking of that day, the scene where I almost fell into the pond, it was really embarrassing.

Zhuji lowered her head slightly, as if she was seriously looking for ants on the ground, counting how many there were.

For Princess Zhuji talking to herself, Chi Ying has long been used to it these days.

For him, protecting anyone is not important, the important thing is to complete the task assigned to him by Baishi.

Whether it is to protect the daimyo of the bear country or the princess who has a problem with her mind, it is just a task assigned by Lord Shiraishi.

As long as it is a mission, he has the mission to complete, even if he tries his best to sacrifice his life, he will not hesitate to do so.

"I heard people say that there are always wars outside... If there is a war, many people will die."

Princess Zhuji had a sad look on her face.

Chi Ying felt strange, since he had never seen the real appearance of war, why did he consciously show such a lamenting expression.

Women are really strange.

Moreover, it is common sense that people die in war.

There are only three types of people who can survive the war.

One is a lucky person.

One is a person who is struggling.

The last type is a strong person.

"I really want to go outside and see...the world is too small."

The world is not small, but the world she lives in is too small.

From childhood to adulthood, the number of times I have been out can be counted on the fingers. Most of the time, I faced the tall city wall and could only see the blue sky and white clouds.

Her world is made up of this background.

Canaries raised in cages are only for viewing.

Chi Ying didn't take it seriously, the outside world was too dangerous, and the flowers in the greenhouse couldn't withstand the ravages of the outside world.

But why should I care about this kind of problem?

The reason why he listened carefully to Princess Zhuji's soliloquy was just to pass the boring time.

"Speaking of which, why did Ninja-sama become a ninja? The past story must be very exciting."

Regarding life, I can only read the story books that I usually read, but Zhuji also knows that stories and life are different.

There are no guards in the world who would risk their lives to protect her.

There is no romance like fairy tale love.

Not everyone is kind and lovable.

Even when the ninja-sama protected her, he was just following orders.

However, if you deceive yourself like this, you might feel better.

Still not hearing the sound, Princess Zhuji sighed.

Sure enough, I still couldn't communicate with the ninja-sama.

It's fine to kill boring time, but it seems quite rude to talk about other people's lives wantonly.

"..."

In the darkness, Chiying was reminded of some memories of the past by Princess Zhuji's words.

But that kind of memory is actually what he rejects the most.

His childhood consisted only of exploitation, death, war and wandering.

Before meeting that adult, he couldn't even see the real world clearly. He was a wild dog living at the bottom, only barking at the desolate mountains.

To a certain extent, prominent nobles like Princess Zhuji are the kind of people he hates the most.

These people always wear gorgeous and bright clothes, eat delicacies from the mountains and seas, and have no concern about the life and death of other people.

When in danger, he will only scream in fear and need to wait for others to save him.

They are completely from two worlds.

The mission... I really want to complete it quickly. Chi Ying thought in his heart.

As long as he quickly completes the task here, he can be freed from here and continue to follow the adult and become another shadow behind him.

At this moment, Chiying suddenly frowned.

Someone is approaching here.

At the door of the courtyard, a neatly dressed messenger warrior appeared there.

◎

Arriving at the Daimyo of the Bear Country and kneeling down on one knee, Akei looked like a perfect tool who was loyal to his orders.

The Daimyo of the Bear Country smiled and said, "Get up. I'm sorry for having you come suddenly at such a time."

Chi Ying stood up.

In the room, besides him and the Daimyo of the Bear Country, there was another person.

Hoshi Ninja Murakami Ninja Akahoshi.

Akei has seen this person's information, and he is a powerful jounin who ranks among the top in the Star Ninja Village.

While Chiying was sizing up Red Star, Red Star was also sizing up Chiying.

According to the name of the Bear Country, this person is the best candidate to assassinate the third generation Hoshikage.

Can such a young brat really do it?

It's not that Hongxing doesn't believe it, but that Chiying is too young. He still looks like a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old, and there is no sharp aura about him.

However, to be trusted by the great names of the Bear Country must be quite powerful.

"Akage, this is Red Star, the Jonin of Hoshi Ninja Village. Red Star, this is Akage."

The name of the country of bears introduced the two.

Hongxing nodded, took the initiative to reach out to Chiying and said, "Hello."

Chiying couldn't refuse, so he stretched out his hand to Hongxing.

Before Hongxing could say anything, the Daimyo of the Bear Country had already taken the lead and said: "Red Star, don't underestimate Akei, he is a ninja with rare talents."

The name of the country of bears pretends to be mysterious.

Rare talent? Hongxing raised his eyebrows slightly.

Soon, he understood.

Blood succession limit!

If it's the blood inheritance limit, this kid can't use common sense to judge. Hong Xing thought to himself.

"It seems that, Daimyo-sama, you have really made a decision."

Hongxing said regretfully.

Originally, he wanted to deal with the Third Star Shadow personally, but he didn't expect that the Daimyo of the Bear Country had already arranged for a candidate.

"Crimson Shadow has extremely outstanding assassination abilities. If he is caught off guard, he might even be able to kill you."

The great name of the Bear Kingdom laughed.

Threat...or warning? interesting. Hongxing sneered secretly in his heart.

"I understand. Since the Daimyo is so confident, then the task of assassinating the Third Star Shadow should be left to this young man. However, I would also like to remind you that geniuses always die young. The Daimyo still needs to be prepared. Better."

Hongxing smiled pointedly, then bowed his head respectfully and said, "Then, please allow me to excuse myself."

After saying that, Hongxing glanced at Chiying beside him intentionally or unintentionally. The moment he turned around, murderous intent flowed from his eyes and he walked towards the door.

The Daimyo of the Bear Country didn't seem to hear Red Star's underlying words. He casually made a haha ​​and joked to Akei: "It seems that Red Star appreciates your talent, Akei. When the time comes, you have to perform well." Okay, so that I can enjoy a good show."

The Daimyo of the Bear Country covered half of his face with a folding fan and laughed softly, feeling very good.

"yes."

Akakage doesn't care what the other person says, as long as he shows the attitude of a loyal dog.