The Land of Iron was a unique country. Long ago, the shinobi agreed that this country would have no wars with other nations, making it a neutral territory.
It was a country ruled by samurai, a neutral nation with an independent culture, independent authority, and independent military strength.
"The scenery here is truly beautiful..."
Kakuzu couldn't help but exclaim. As the last sacred land for samurai, it preserved unique architecture and natural landscapes.
"It's not your first time here, is it? Why are you suddenly sighing?"
At this moment, Ruri and Kakuzu stood on a mountain peak. It had to be said, the scenery of the Land of Iron was indeed beautiful.
"Perhaps I never paid attention before."
"Before, you were either killing people or on your way to kill people. How could you have the leisure to notice the scenery?"
Ruri sighed. The Land of Iron had few wars, so its landscapes were well-preserved, but other countries were not so fortunate. Even the Land of Waterfall, which had the fewest wars, once had its capital nearly destroyed in a battle.
Of course, Ruri would never admit that he was responsible for that incident.
After hearing Ruri's words, Kakuzu paused, then said after a moment, "So, peace is truly good."
?????? Kakuzu, did you get your character wrong? Ruri tried to pinch his hand, and only realized it wasn't a dream when he felt pain. Was Kakuzu a pacifist?
After these few years of living together, among all the shinobi in the Land of Waterfall, he probably had the most blood on his hands, didn't he? And now he says peace is truly good?
"Big Brother, isn't it true? In times of peace, making money is easier. While the Bounty Station is good, it's all about bounties on lives. If one can do legitimate business, who would want to risk their lives licking blood from a blade to earn money?
"A single life can be worth tens of millions, or as little as hundreds of thousands. Running a merchant ship can earn that much. It's not worth it. Moreover, can one do such a bloody business for a lifetime?
"When I get old, my head will probably be taken by others for a bounty. Such a life is too tiring. If I could, I'd really like to destroy the Bounty Station."
Kakuzu rarely showed such a thoughtful expression. Perhaps this was his true thought.
Ruri really wanted to tell Kakuzu that he was still doing this kind of business when he was over ninety years old, and doing it with great enthusiasm.
However, on second thought, Ruri felt that Kakuzu was right. If not forced, who would lick blood from a blade?
In the original story, Kakuzu massacred the entire Takigakure leadership, defected, and joined a terrorist organization. His identity was not presentable, so he couldn't do legitimate business and had no choice but to take bounty missions from the Bounty Station to earn money.
For the first time, Ruri felt that cultivating Kakuzu as the Second Takikage was not wrong. At least his money-loving nature could drive the village's commercial development!
As for destroying the Bounty Station, perhaps not. It was Ruri's own industry, and it had earned him a lot of money. Now its scale was growing, and it was starting to feel a bit too big to manage.
Moreover, too many interests were involved, with various forces intertwined, making it impossible to simply shut down.
"Alright, stop sighing about these things for now. Let's find a place to stay. The Five Kage Summit is tomorrow. Let's rest up today and prepare for a big show!"
Ruri pointed to the city below his field of vision. That was the location of tomorrow's Five Kage Summit.
There were naturally no greeters. Even if the Five Kage arrived, no one would greet them.
During this period, most samurai still harbored resentment towards shinobi, believing that the existence of shinobi left them without a place to belong. If they weren't attacked suddenly on the street, that was considered a good outcome.
Ruri and Kakuzu found a random inn to stay, set up a perimeter, and did not go out again.
"System, do you have any other missions here?"
Ruri finally had time to properly study the system and prepare some emergency measures for tomorrow's summit. Previously, there were too many things, leaving him no time to deal with the system. Being the Kage of a village was indeed very busy!
[Yes, Village Chief System. As the name suggests, as long as the host does things that benefit the village's development, you will receive rewards.]
That "as the name suggests" is too broad, isn't it? Things that benefit the village's development... Does it mean building water conservancy projects?
[For example, cultivating talent for the village, building water conservancy projects, increasing reputation, etc.]
Indeed, it really is building water conservancy projects... But these things can't be done in a short time. Ruri wanted the previous mode of getting rewards for becoming Takikage: one Truth-Seeking Ball at a time, six times and directly becoming the Sage of Six Paths. How wonderful, how wonderful!
[There is also a Village Chief Achievement module. The host's previous rewards were obtained through achievements, and these rewards can take effect quickly and immediately.]
Aha, this is it, this is good, a common version of a cheat finger! Ruri said happily, "Let me see what achievements can be completed."
[Promote the Shinobi World Allied Forces and enable all shinobi villages to coexist peacefully.]
[Seal Kaguya and protect the world's origin.]
[Find a way for the Nine Tailed Beasts to coexist peacefully with humans.]
One achievement after another made Ruri dizzy, but there wasn't a single one he could complete immediately.
Or rather, with his current strength, it would be very difficult to complete.
"Is there no way to quickly improve my strength? Even if it only lasts for a day..."
Ruri wanted to participate in the Five Kage Summit in the most perfect state. Opportunities to show off in front of the Five Kage, especially Senju Hashirama, were rare, so he had to cherish it. One Truth-Seeking Ball wasn't impressive enough, and its duration was too short.
The system was silent for a while before speaking again.
[Considering the achievements are too difficult, the Gacha System is now open. For each achievement the host completes, in addition to the inherent reward, you will also receive three Gacha opportunities to draw items that can help the village's development.]
Gacha? Gacha is good! An SSR today, a Gilgamesh tomorrow, check out a certain European Emperor's divine draw!
Wait, things that help the village's development? What about ninjutsu? What about Kekkei Genkai? No secret techniques or forbidden techniques?
The slight joy that had just arisen was instantly drowned in despair. Ruri could only shout "Gacha" in this despair.
Perhaps drawing a saw could even counter Hashirama's Wood Release, who knows?
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Wine Brewing Method.]
Is there something wrong with this Gacha? What about the big spinning wheel? At the very least, a nine-square grid would be nice?!
Did it just draw directly? Can't I even drool over not getting good stuff? Sinful system...
The Wine Brewing Method was imprinted in Ruri's mind. He was silent for a moment, then decided to continue the Gacha.
According to the brewing method, this wine surpassed all flavors in the shinobi world. As long as the villagers of Takigakure cultivated grapes well, getting rich and living a comfortable life would not be a problem. And once the villagers prospered, the village would also develop.
Wouldn't he then receive system rewards? This was a positive cycle: constantly drawing, developing the village, getting rewards to improve strength, using that strong strength to complete achievements, and achievements giving more Gacha chances...
Although this was a long time in the future, Ruri couldn't help but think about it more.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Manufacturing Method for a New Type of Waterwheel.]
A waterwheel, that's good. It improves the efficiency of irrigating farmland.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique.]
Wood Release, that's good...
What the hell?! Wood Release?!