"Oh? So it's Mū! Quickly, prepare a seat for him, come, sit, sit!"
The Daimyō of the Land of Earth, his broad face stretched into a smiling squint, waved his hand.
Servants immediately bustled about, dragging over a chair and setting it behind Mū.
"Daimyō-sama."
Mū sat down slowly.
"It has been some time," the Daimyō said pleasantly. "How is old Ishikawa holding up? And I hear you visited Konoha not long ago. How did that turn out?"
Mū replied evenly, "The Tsuchikage's health is still steady. As for Konoha, they showed no intention of forming an alliance. The trip ended without results."
They exchanged a few pleasantries before Mū cut directly to the point.
"Daimyō-sama, my purpose today is to request funding."
"…Oh?"
The Daimyō's expression shifted, his smile thinning. The moment money was mentioned, his warmth cooled.
"Ahem. Mū, I recall shinobi already earn through missions, don't they? Each mission worth thousands, even tens of thousands of ryō. Why come to me for money?"
He spoke idly, eyes still fixed on the fishing rod in his hand.
"The world has changed, Daimyō-sama," Mū said gravely.
"This is no longer the age of scattered clans, but of shinobi villages. Iwagakure requires funds, not only for military upkeep but also to establish commerce and prosperity. We cannot remain tied solely to missions. To thrive, we must combine the strength of shinobi with the livelihood of civilians."
The Daimyō raised his brows. "And what exactly does Iwagakure intend to do?"
Mū's voice sharpened.
"I ask for money and authority. Allow Iwagakure to take the first step forward. Using the unique strength of shinobi, combined with common folk, we will make Iwagakure not just a military camp, but a flourishing city. A place that protects the Daimyō and thrives in commerce."
"At present, our village depends entirely on missions for survival. This is not sustainable. We must expand into trade and industry. Give me this chance, and I will ensure Iwagakure prospers under your reign."
The Daimyō hummed, nodding absently. "Yes, yes, indeed… quite so."
Again and again, he said the words, indeed, indeed, yet carefully avoided any mention of actual funds.
Mū felt his patience thinning. He understood perfectly.
Unless the Daimyō himself profited, he would never agree.
So Mū pressed further.
"The potential gains are enormous. Daimyō-sama, all I ask is that you provide military funding. In return, Iwagakure will pay a ten percent of our total revenue back to your coffers."
At that, the Daimyō's eyes flickered with interest.
"…How much do you want?" he asked at last, his voice steady.
Mū tested the waters. "Thirty-five billion."
The Daimyō's expression darkened, then countered immediately: "Twenty-five."
Mū sighed audibly. "Ah…"
That single sigh made the Daimyō's heart skip.
"Daimyō-sama," Mū continued, voice rising, "Do you know the price of a single kunai now?"
He thrust out his hand, fingers spread.
"Five hundred thousand ryō! Enough to fill an entire wagon! That is the cost of maintaining shinobi in today's world."
The Daimyō squirmed, embarrassment creeping into his expression. His toes dug awkwardly into the floor beneath his robes.
"…Very well," he relented. "I advance, you retreat. Thirty billion. I'll give you thirty."
Behind his bandages, Mū allowed himself a smile. "Deal."
The two struck hands and sealed the bargain, moving on to discuss commercial investments.
The Daimyō agreed to send a portion of his citizens to settle in Iwagakure, along with merchants and shops.
At last, the people of Iwagakure would taste ramen, grilled meat, and the luxuries of a bustling market.
"…But there is one more matter," the Daimyō said suddenly, halting Mū as he prepared to leave.
"Oh? What is it, Daimyō-sama?"
Mū arched a brow.
"Recently, a region on the border of the Land of Earth has declared independence. They've gone so far as to establish a new nation, the so-called Land of Grass, and even founded Kusagakure. This makes my blood boil…"
The Daimyō's voice dripped with hostility.
Mū instantly understood what he meant.
He wanted Iwagakure to be his enforcer, wipe Kusagakure off the map, then annex the Land of Grass back under Earth's banner.
Mū nodded without hesitation.
After all, he had just taken thirty billion in funding.
A job was a job.
"Consider it done, Daimyō-sama. Leave this matter to me."
And with that, the deal was sealed.
---
The Next Morning
Mū returned to Iwagakure, accompanied by new merchants, shopkeepers, and families relocated from the capital.
Thanks to the village officials' efficiency and their mastery of Earth Release, two entire commercial streets were constructed almost overnight.
Merchants and civilians were settled in immediately. That evening, the new market was bustling.
The residents of Iwagakure were ecstatic, savoring ramen, roasted pork, dumplings, grilled skewers, and other delicacies from the city for the first time.
The streets were packed wall-to-wall.
Even the Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, wandered down to purchase fine tobacco from the capital.
Mū stood proudly, declaring that Iwagakure was a village for shinobi and civilians alike. To reinforce this promise, he established protections ensuring no ninja could bully the common folk.
When everything was set, Mū summoned ten jōnin to his side.
Gasps of awe followed.
"Lord Mū himself is leading us?!"
"This is incredible! To serve under him is the honor of my life!"
"Lord Mū stood toe-to-toe with Madara and lived to tell the tale. This is our chance to prove ourselves!"
"Lord Mū, you're the pride of the village!"
The jōnin's excitement was palpable.
Mū's clash with Madara had already spread like wildfire.
With Ishikawa subtly exaggerating the tale, Mū's reputation now thundered across Iwagakure.
To fight the Ghost of the Uchiha and return alive was enough to make every shinobi in the village walk taller.
Once, Iwagakure had felt small compared to Konoha's twin titans, Hashirama and Madara. But now, with their own living legend, that inferiority began to fade.
"Prepare yourselves," Mū said coolly. "We march on Kusagakure. Our objective is simple. Annihilate every shinobi of the Grass. If any wish to surrender and serve Iwa, we'll accept them. We need manpower."
With twin greatswords strapped to his back, the same weapons he'd wielded in the Warring States era, Mū led the squad out.
"Yes, sir!"
The ten jōnin shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the mountains as they departed.
---
Meanwhile, in Kusagakure
Inside the fledgling village, two men stood together.
"Lord Daimyō… are you truly not worried about retaliation from the Land of Earth?" one asked nervously.
The Daimyō of Grass frowned. "It troubles me deeply. Surely Iwagakure won't let this slide…"
"Relax," the Kusagakure leader cut him off, his tone brimming with confidence. "The Land of Earth can't mobilize so quickly, and Iwa itself is barely established. They won't bother with us.
"Besides, I've already sent word to Konoha. Once we brandish their name as our shield, Iwa won't dare touch us."
"But..."
"No buts, Daimyō-sama! I've already secured negotiations with the Fūma clan nearby."
"Once they join us, our strength will double. With time, Kusagakure will grow into a true shinobi power. One day, I'll even claim the title of Kage"
His face glowed with ambition, as if he could already see the crown of power upon his brow.
The Daimyō of Grass grimaced. In truth, he wanted no part of rebellion. Sandwiched between two giants, Konoha and Iwa, his only dream had been survival, to quietly remain a vassal of the Land of Earth.
But these upstart shinobi had dragged him into their scheme, half coercion, half threat.
And so, unwillingly, the Grass Daimyō had allowed the founding of Kusagakure under his name.
Still, his heart quailed. He knew he had no desire for independence. All he wanted was to remain a loyal subordinate, safe in the shadow of greater powers.