Days later, in Flame City, the morning light, carrying the slight chill of early autumn, scattered upon the mottled city gates.
The Land of Fire flags on either side of the city gate had their edges frayed by the wind, silently narrating the decline of this country.
Hundreds of trucks, loaded with grain, were neatly lined up behind.
The grain bags piled high in the truck beds were emblazoned with patterns and text like "Uchiha Clan Emblem", "Land of Water Granary", "Land of Fire Charitable Aid Grain".
Inside the city gates, Tsuyoshi wore a plain court robe, but his waist felt somewhat empty.
The jade pendant he usually wore, bestowed by the previous Fire Daimyo, now lay quietly in his sleeve. His fingers repeatedly caressed the flame patterns on the jade pendant, its cold material could not suppress the damp heat in his palm.
The Flame City officials behind him lowered their heads. Some secretly tugged at their robes, others clutched the documents in their hands, and an atmosphere of awkwardness and unease permeated the air.
Someone whispered in alarm, "They're here. Everyone, pay attention."
Tsuyoshi suddenly looked up, only to see a team of figures slowly approaching on the distant official road.
Shun wore a dark brocade robe, accompanied only by Minato and Shikaku, among others. There was no grand retinue, yet he exuded a calm aura.
As he walked to the city gate, Tsuyoshi's Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed, and he felt his legs weaken slightly. He was the first to lower his head, and the officials behind him quickly followed suit, bowing in greeting.
"Greetings, Shun-sama."
Tsuyoshi's head was bowed extremely low, his gaze fixed on Shun's shoetips. He dared not look up, fearing to see the mockery in the other's eyes, and even more, fearing to recall how he had once turned a blind eye to the suffering of the common people for the sake of "princely dignity."
"Second Prince, there's no need for such formality." Shun's voice was gentle, without the slightest hint of condescending pressure.
He stepped forward and gently supported Tsuyoshi's arm. "No need to be nervous. Strictly speaking, we are somewhat related."
Tsuyoshi was startled, and as he looked up, his eyes met Shun's. Those eyes were deep and peaceful.
"Your Excellency... I..."
Seeing his difficulty, Shun smiled and interrupted, "When your father was alive, he once spoke with me. He said that you only understood how to contend for power, but not how to govern a country. In the future, if you ever faced hardship, he hoped that I could, out of kinship, preserve your lives and allow you to live prosperous lives."
Hearing him speak of the old Daimyo, Tsuyoshi felt as if the floodgates of his heart had opened. His tears suddenly welled up, and he quickly wiped them with his sleeve.
"I... I have let down my father... let down the people of the Land of Fire."
Seeing the Second Prince's pathetic state, Shun did not dwell on the past.
He raised his hand, and with an invisible force, lifted the numerous officials into the air, overlooking the common people below.
Then, a majestic voice quickly spread throughout the city.
"People of Flame City, I am the Daimyo of the Land of Water, Uchiha Shun. In the past few years, the Land of Fire has been plagued by continuous warfare. You have starved, lived in dilapidated houses, and even your children have not had enough to eat. But from today onwards, the people of Flame City are the people of the Land of Water. I will not let you starve again."
"In the name of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, I promise. First, everyone can receive three months of free grain."
"Second, agricultural and commercial taxes in the Land of Fire region will be waived for one year."
"Third, I will establish large hospitals within the city to provide free medical care for everyone for one year, ensuring that both the elderly and children can receive treatment."
He paused for a moment, his voice becoming even more resonant. "If other countries invade, the ninjas of the Land of Water will protect you! Furthermore, I will help you rebuild your homes, so that everyone can have a stable and happy life!"
The ground was silent for a moment, then instantly erupted in a thousand cheers.
The common people below, trembling, raised their hands and let out excited roars.
"Long live Shun-sama... Long live Shun-sama..."
The sound, initially sparse, quickly grew louder and louder, finally transforming into an earth-shattering roar. This roar pierced through the clouds, as if releasing all the suffering and oppression endured over the years.
Tsuyoshi stood behind Shun, watching the people below waving their arms, watching those who clutched grain bags, weeping with joy. He suddenly felt that the Daimyo position he had pursued his entire life was ridiculous.
He had once believed that power was supreme, but he had forgotten what his father had once said: "The common people are the foundation of a country."
What the common people wanted was never the name "Land of Fire," nor the dignity of a "Prince." What they wanted was simply a home where they could eat their fill and live in peace... and he had never provided that.
In the following days, Flame City, Spring City and Ink City of the Land of Fire successively completed their transfers.
When the flag of the Land of Fire was lowered from the last city, and the deep blue flag of the Land of Water slowly rose, the Land of Fire officially declared its demise.
Relevant intel quickly reached Iwagakure in the Land of Earth.
Looking at the contents of the intelligence report, Ōnoki's expression suddenly became somewhat grim.
"The Land of Water transported a total of 10 million tons of grain to the Land of Fire, established twenty-four large hospitals, the common people cheered 'Long live Shun-sama' along the streets, and over 98% of the former officials of the Land of Fire were willing to pledge allegiance to the Land of Water."
"Many civilians from surrounding countries are moving with their families to the Land of Fire's territory, wishing to become new citizens of the Land of Water."
A fire burned in Ōnoki's heart, and he slammed the intelligence report onto the table.
"The original Land of Fire had approximately 60 million people remaining. But he transported 10 million tons of grain, enough to feed over 70 million people for a year. He must have anticipated that civilians from other countries would come to join."
"But 10 million tons of grain is worth over 200 billion ryo, is Shun just too rich and has nowhere to throw his money?"
He paced back and forth, his eyes filled with rage and incomprehension. "I knew the Land of Water was wealthy, but I never imagined it would be this wealthy. Even with a bountiful harvest, it's impossible to have so much surplus grain. Just how much grain does the Land of Water truly have?"
He snatched the teacup from the table and smashed it to the ground, porcelain shards scattering.
"Damn it! I had intended for the Land of Water to inherit a burden... a mess, but I never expected him to use grain to win over the people. Shun, you truly have excellent methods."
Seeing Ōnoki's fury, the Iwa ninjas all lowered their heads, no one daring to speak first.
Ōnoki looked out the window, never having imagined that his plan would ultimately become an opportunity for the Land of Water to win over the people.
Not only did it fail to cripple the Land of Water, but it also made the Land of Water's reputation even greater.