Soon, several months passed.
There was no news of Kirigakure's Blood Mist policy, but the Land of Fire Daimyo caused quite a stir.
When the Anbu of the intelligence unit presented the latest scroll, Tsunade's fingers almost crushed the thin paper.
Her angry voice echoed in the Hokage Office. "Is the Daimyo trying to form his own ninja army? He's recruited over seven thousand ninjas?"
Shizune stood by, her face somewhat pale. "Tsunade-sama, furthermore, our mission quota from the Daimyo's Mansion has been reduced to thirty percent."
Tsunade suddenly stood up, slamming her hands on the desk. "Call all high-ranking officials for a meeting, immediately!"
...
When Konoha's decision-makers gathered in the conference room, an unprecedented solemnity filled the air.
Tsunade surveyed everyone, her voice suppressing anger. "Everyone is aware of the situation. The Daimyo, through Hiruzen, has recruited the Tsuchigumo clan and also absorbed at least twenty small ninja clans. Now, the ninjas under him number over 7,000, exceeding Konoha in quantity."
Natsuki said worriedly, "The most fatal thing is that the Daimyo Mansion's mission quota has been cut by 70%, which will drastically reduce the village's income."
The conference room fell silent.
Hiashi hesitated before speaking, "Should we consider showing goodwill to the Daimyo? Negotiating again?"
Shikaku stopped tapping the table and said, "It's useless. The Daimyo is determined to weaken Konoha this time. According to my intel, he has been frequently meeting with merchants from various countries lately, seemingly secretly purchasing military equipment."
Shun suddenly chuckled, his laugh particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Advisor Shun, you seem to have a different opinion?"
Shun's voice was calm and full of confidence. "The Daimyo appears strong, but in reality, he is digging his own grave."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes. "You mean..."
Shun slowly walked to the center of the conference room and said, "The Land of Fire Daimyo is recruiting ninjas and suppressing ninja villages. Do you all think the high-ranking officials of ninja villages in other countries will stand by and do nothing? If the Daimyos of the Land of Wind and Land of Earth also follow suit, how will those ninja villages react?"
Tetsu immediately reacted. "They will feel threatened and are very likely to unite against the instigator."
Shun nodded lightly. "Exactly. The Daimyo thinks he has control of power, but he doesn't realize he has broken the Ninja World's balance of several decades. This imbalance will inevitably trigger a chain reaction."
Shikaku mused, "The intel I've recently received shows that the nobles under the Daimyo, while outwardly submissive, are actually experiencing undercurrents. Nobles from different factions were forced to unite under the Daimyo's high-pressure policy, but this unity is built on fear."
Shun smiled and continued, "Fear is the most unstable bond. Once a crack appears, the entire system will crumble."
Tsunade crossed her hands under her chin and asked, "So what is your suggestion?"
A red light flashed in Shun's dark eyes as he said, "Secretly purchase supplies, stockpile food, strengthen defenses but do not actively provoke. The Daimyo's madness will eventually lead to a backlash, and by then..."
Tsunade preemptively finished his sentence, "Konoha will be the last bastion of the Land of Fire."
The meeting lasted until night.
It was ultimately decided that Natsuki and Unkai would be responsible for secretly purchasing supplies, Tetsu for guiding public opinion within the village, and Shikaku for strengthening intelligence gathering.
After the meeting, everyone gradually went home.
Shun used Flying Thunder God to send Tsunade back to her own home.
Looking at her familiar bedroom, Tsunade let out a long breath, as if exhaling all the fatigue of the evening.
"You look exhausted." A low voice sounded.
Shun stood by the window, having already removed his outer robe with the Uchiha clan crest, appearing casual and intimate.
Tsunade did not answer, but simply walked barefoot across the soft carpet, directly towards him. When she approached, Shun naturally opened his arms and embraced her.
Tsunade buried her face in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "Hiashi is an old stubborn man. Except for Shikaku, no one else can see the essence of the problem."
Shun's fingers ran through her yellow hair, his movements gentle, like stroking the most precious silk.
"Because they are afraid of change, and fear can also blind people's eyes."
Tsunade looked up and asked worriedly, "Do you really think the Land of Fire Daimyo will bring about his own destruction?"
A meaningful smile appeared on Shun's lips. He took Tsunade's hand and had her sit on his lap.
"It's not a belief, it's a certainty. The end of all dictators in history is the same. When they think they are at the peak, they are often just one step away from falling."
Tsunade frowned slightly. "But before that, Konoha might be crushed first."
Shun leaned close to Tsunade's ear, his voice extremely low. "So I have a plan, a method called 'praise to kill'."
Tsunade leaned back slightly, meeting his gaze. "Praise to kill?"
A red light flashed in Shun's dark eyes. "Send people to the Daimyo's Mansion to secretly spread propaganda that there is only one ruler in the Land of Fire, and that is the Daimyo. Advocate that the ninja village system is outdated and that the Daimyo should directly command all ninjas."
Tsunade's brows relaxed a bit, but there was still doubt in her eyes. "And then?"
Shun's fingers began to move restlessly as he said, "Then we pretend to be influenced by public opinion and voluntarily announce that we are giving up all mission quotas from the Daimyo's Mansion, letting the Daimyo be pleased for a while."
Tsunade suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Are you crazy? The Daimyo's Mansion is the wealthiest city in the entire Ninja World, how much profit will we lose?"
Shun calmly clasped her hand in return and said, "We are not short of money for now, but the longer this kind of thing drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for us. So, on the surface, we are retreating, but in reality, it's a trap. When the Daimyo sees us retreat, he will inevitably become even more reckless. And when the ninja villages of other countries see this situation..."
Tsunade's eyes gradually brightened. "They will feel threatened, worried that their own Daimyos will follow suit."
Shun smiled triumphantly. "Exactly. And when the Daimyo invests all resources into military expansion, the interests of the nobles will inevitably be harmed. Internal division coupled with external pressure..."
Tsunade suddenly leaned in, pressing her lips to his ear. "You truly are a dangerous fellow, Shun."
Shun gave a charmingly evil smile, then flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. "Is that a compliment, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade's face flushed, and she pushed against him with her hands. "No, we haven't even washed up yet."
Shun gently picked her up, then kissed her, and their passion quickly intensified.
"Then we'll wash up together."
Soon, strange sounds came from the bathroom.