"Oh? So it's Mū-dono! Quick, get Mū-dono a seat. Please, sit, sit!"
The Daimyō of the Land of Earth beamed with cheer as he waved a pudgy hand, signaling his attendants. A group of servants immediately stepped forward, placing an elegant chair behind Mū.
"Daimyō-sama," Mū greeted, bowing slightly as he took his seat.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it? How is Ishikawa doing? I heard you recently visited Konohagakure. How did that turn out?" the Daimyō asked, keeping his tone casual, his eyes half-lidded with interest as he waved his fan lazily.
"The Tsuchikage remains in good health. As for my visit to Konoha, they showed no signs of wanting an alliance. So, nothing came of it," Mū replied evenly.
After a few minutes of polite small talk, he cut straight to the point.
"Daimyō-sama, I've come today to request funding."
"Oh?"
At the mere mention of money, the Daimyō's expression shifted. His jovial air cooled in an instant. The fan in his hand paused, and his tone turned a touch sharper.
"Ahem... Mū-dono, if I recall correctly, don't you ninja earn income through missions? Each task brings in tens or even hundreds of thousands of ryō. Why are you coming to me for money?"
His gaze remained fixed on the rippling pond, fishing rod resting idly in his hand.
"Daimyō-sama, times have changed," Mū began, voice steady.
"This is no longer the Warring Clans Era. We've entered the Age of Hidden Villages. Iwagakure now bears not only the duty of defense but the burden of development. We require funding not just for military maintenance, but to establish commercial infrastructure and cultivate a self-sustaining economy."
The Daimyō frowned slightly. "And what exactly is Iwagakure trying to accomplish?"
Mū didn't waste time with evasive language. He met the Daimyō's gaze and laid his vision bare.
"I want money and authority, Daimyō-sama. Iwagakure needs a chance to take its first real step forward. By leveraging the unique skills of ninjas and integrating with civilian life, I want the village to evolve into more than a military force. I want it to become a thriving, unified city of both warriors and citizens.
For too long, we've been chained to the mission system. It's volatile. Unsustainable. We must enter the commercial world, attract private capital, and build real industries. Iwagakure has the potential to be more than just a shield for the Land of Earth. It can become its engine of prosperity."
His voice was calm but forceful, conviction woven into every word.
"Mhm, quite right. Mhm, indeed. Very true."
The Daimyō nodded repeatedly, as if he were suddenly filled with the spirit of a court poet. However, there was no real conviction behind the nods. He was listening but not making a decision.
Mū fell silent. He knew exactly what this meant. Without offering a tangible benefit, there would be no support.
So he shifted tactics.
"The future potential is enormous. If the Daimyō grants us annual military funding, I am prepared to allocate twenty percent of Iwagakure's annual budget back to the treasury as tax revenue."
That finally struck a chord. The Daimyō's eyes lit up with renewed interest. The fan stilled, and he slowly turned to face Mū directly.
"How much are you asking for?" He asked in a composed, even tone.
After all, a family that had ruled the Land of Earth for thousands of years wasn't foolish. The Daimyō understood the principle of profit better than anyone. He would never approve funding without seeing value in return.
"Three and a half billion," Mū said, calmly offering a test figure.
The Daimyō's cheek twitched ever so slightly. He shot back immediately.
"Two and a half billion."
Mū let out a long, deliberate sigh.
The moment that sigh reached the Daimyō's ears, his heart gave a nervous skip.
"Daimyō-sama, even if you're not a shinobi, I'm sure you've heard the phrase: 'When war begins, the coffers run dry.'"
He leaned forward slightly, voice gaining force.
"Do you know how much a single kunai costs these days?"
He held up eight fingers. "Eighty ryō. That's right. Eighty. And a single cart can't even hold enough for a proper battle."
The Daimyō began fidgeting, scraping awkwardly at the wooden floor with his toes, lips tightening.
"Alright, alright... how about this? I'll take a step forward, you take a step back, three billion. I'll grant you three billion."
He finally gave in.
Behind his bandages, Mū smiled.
"Very well."
The deal was struck. They moved on to discuss broader commercial plans.
The Daimyō agreed to send civilians to settle in Iwagakure, including merchants, artisans, and business owners. It would mark the beginning of a civilian economy in the village. For the first time, Iwagakure would have ramen stalls, grilled meat, and real street food instead of just ration bars and field rations.
Just as Mū was preparing to leave, the Daimyō called out once more.
"By the way, there's one more thing."
Mū paused, raising a brow slightly. "What is it, Daimyō-sama?"
"In recent days, a border region in the Land of Earth declared independence. They've established a new country, the Land of Grass, and founded a shinobi village, Kusagakure. I'm absolutely furious..."
The Daimyō's voice dripped with suppressed rage, and a dark glint flashed in his eyes.
Mū understood immediately.
This wasn't a request but a command. The Daimyō wanted Iwagakure to suppress the uprising, erase Kusagakure, and bring the Land of Grass back under his control.
Mū didn't blame him. The man had just handed over a massive sum of military funding. It was natural to expect results.
"Understood. Leave this matter to me," Mū replied without hesitation.
Another transaction, sealed.
---
The following morning, Mū returned to Iwagakure at the head of a large convoy. Caravans of merchants, street vendors, and entire civilian families relocated from the capital, bringing with them goods, supplies, and the first breath of real commerce.
Iwagakure's officials were quick and effective. With a few well-coordinated Earth Style jutsu, they leveled ground and carved out room for two complete commercial streets.
Mū immediately assigned sectors and arranged for the merchants to set up shop.
That very night, the streets of Iwagakure were packed. The smell of rich broth, sizzling meat, and sweet dango wafted through the air. Food stalls bustled with activity, serving chashu pork, steaming ramen, grilled skewers, crispy dumplings, and sweets from the capital.
The villagers were ecstatic. Laughter and conversation filled the district.
Even Tsuchikage Ishikawa made an appearance, personally buying premium tobacco leaves imported from the capital. The sight of him casually strolling through the market caused a minor uproar among the villagers.
As the crowd gathered, Mū stood before them and spoke.
He told them of the path ahead, of a new Iwagakure, one where civilians and shinobi would coexist in harmony. A village that would stand not just as a fortress, but as a city. One that would endure through strength and prosper through unity.
The crowd erupted in unified cheers.
"Mū-sama is wise!"
Smiling faintly behind his bandages, Mū gave a slight nod. His reforms were taking root. But stability required more than infrastructure. He quickly issued new orders ensuring the civilian population received special protection, no low-ranking shinobi were to harass or exploit them. Discipline would be absolute.
With preparations complete, Mū convened his forces and personally selected ten elite jōnin for the upcoming mission.
"Wait, what? Mū-sama himself is leading us?!"
"No way… This is insane! To be under his command, it's the honor of a lifetime!"
"Mū-sama fought Madara Uchiha head-on and survived! I'm ready to give my life for this mission!"
"Mū-sama, you're incredible! You're literally my idol!"
The jōnin buzzed with overwhelming excitement. Why such fervor?
Because Mū's duel with Madara had already become legend.
Ishikawa had quietly fanned the flames behind the scenes. Word of Mū standing toe-to-toe with the infamous Shura of the ninja world had spread like wildfire. Embellished tales filled the streets of Iwagakure, igniting the pride of every shinobi in the village.
For too long, Konoha's twin demigods, Hashirama and Madara, had cast a shadow over all the other villages. Now, Iwagakure had a legend of its own. Finally, they could raise their heads high.
"Alright," Mū said, his tone calm but firm. "We're heading to Kusagakure. Our objective: eliminate all enemy ninjas. However, if any of them are willing to surrender and pledge allegiance to Iwagakure, we'll accept them. We need manpower."
He slung two enormous war blades, relics of the Warring States Era, across his back.
"Yes, sir!"
The ten elite jōnin responded in unison, their eyes burning with determination. The team departed swiftly, moving like shadows toward the Land of Grass.
---
At that moment, deep within Kusagakure... Two figures stood side by side in a candlelit hall.
"Kusagakure's leader... aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Land of Earth?" the Daimyō of the Land of Grass asked, voice trembling with unease.
The shinobi leader folded his arms, confidence radiating from him.
"Relax. The Land of Earth can't mobilize troops quickly. Iwagakure was just founded, they'll never risk an expedition so soon."
"But--"
"Enough, Daimyō-sama."
The shinobi leader cut him off before he could speak again.
"There's no need to worry. I've already sent envoys to Konohagakure. Once we establish diplomatic ties, Iwagakure won't dare lay a finger on us."
He turned slightly, eyes gleaming.
"Besides, the nearby Fūma clan is preparing to join us. Once we grow strong enough, I'll be recognized as a Kage. That's right... I'll become the Kusa-Kage."
He clenched his fist dramatically, basking in the fantasy.
The Daimyō's face went blank. He didn't speak a single word.
In truth, he had no interest in rebellion. As far as he was concerned, the Land of Grass had always been content as the Land of Earth's obedient little brother. Getting caught between the powers of Konohagakure and Iwagakure was already more than enough trouble. This breakaway movement had been none of his doing.
A few rogue ninja declared independence on their own and somehow dragged him into it. Worse, they forced him to legitimize the new Kusagakure by using his authority as Daimyō. Now he's caught up in their reckless ambition.
He didn't want war. He didn't want power. All he wanted was peace and survival.
But it was already too late. Mū was on the way. And Kusagakure's self-proclaimed leader had no idea what storm he had just summoned.
(Note: The Fūma clan is an established ninja clan in the original series. The first Animal Path of Pain was a member of the Fūma clan.)
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