After a brief thought, Mitsuki Kōmei understood. The Finance Minister coming at this time meant that those bastards had finished their business.
They had embezzled money together, reconciled accounts, and divided the spoils, then came to deceive him. What a loyal group of ministers.
"Please come in."
Mitsuki Kōmei stared intently at the door, and in a blink, the Finance Minister and a certain Ninja appeared in his sight.
"What brings you to the Daimyo Manor so late at night?" Mitsuki Kōmei asked.
"The Hidden Mist Village's funds are ready. When should they be delivered?"
Mitsuki Kōmei made arrangements, "When the Hidden Mist Village Jōnin are available, you can depart at any time."
He turned to look at the Ninja behind the Finance Minister, who was acting like a hooligan, leering at the passing maids' thighs.
"He looks a bit familiar, as if I've seen him somewhere before."
"Hmph, I've always been responsible for protecting your father's safety. Remember now?" When Shimotsuki Hayato was mentioned, the Jōnin's face showed disdain.
Mitsuki Kōmei feigned sudden realization, "So it was my father's confidant. He must have treated you well, right?"
"Heh, so what? He's a good-for-nothing, only giving me a million ryō as salary. It's not enough for me at all."
"A million ryō is quite a bit," Mitsuki Kōmei picked up his teacup, cleared his throat, and continued, "I'm afraid it's not just about the money, is it?"
"He's too stubborn. I kidnapped a commoner girl," the Jōnin said matter-of-factly. A moment later, his face was filled with hatred, "He sent people to beat me up and made me apologize to that lowlife. I wish he were dead."
Mitsuki Kōmei nodded, smiling indifferently.
"All right, I understand. You two go prepare for the next steps!"
Watching the two leave, Mitsuki Kōmei continued to give orders.
"Chief Yū, please invite the two useless Jōnin from Hidden Mist Village over."
Half an hour later, Mitsuki Kōmei was on the verge of exploding when Chief Yū, with an ashen face, finally arrived, followed by two Ninjas reeking of alcohol and disheveled.
"Why are you so late? It's been a full half hour."
"Daimyo, we were busy."
Mitsuki Kōmei was sprayed with the smell of alcohol, but his expression remained calm.
"Do you know your identities? Do you remember your mission?"
"Sorry, Lord Shimotsuki, Kawabe's head isn't clear, he's talking nonsense. Our mission is to protect the Daimyo Manor. We might not accept your mission."
"You..."
He raised his right hand, interrupting Yū Bohe, who was about to speak further.
"Busy drinking and chasing women? Disheveled, reeking of alcohol, not at all like a Jōnin. For you two to become Ninjas, my future wife must have been blind."
"Busy, are you? Then continue to be busy. The Hidden Mist Village's funds for this year will not be delivered, cancelled! Whether there will be funds next year will be discussed later."
"Chief Yū, let's go."
He flicked his sleeve, and without waiting for the two to react, turned and left the Deliberation Hall directly.
Mitsuki Kōmei's words instantly sobered up Kawabe.
Kawabe and the other knew the Hidden Mist Village's predicament. They had angered the Daimyo, leading to the cancellation of funds. The Mizukage would absolutely not hesitate to kill them to appease the Daimyo and exchange their lives for funds.
Thinking of the Third Mizukage's methods, cold sweat broke out all over their bodies, and they scrambled to chase after Mitsuki Kōmei.
"Lord Shimotsuki, we have time. Any mission can be given to us, and we guarantee its completion."
"Stop. Lord Shimotsuki has already gone to sleep. Any matters can be discussed tomorrow. If you continue to force your way in, I can consider it an assassination attempt on the Daimyo."
Kawabe's eyes were downcast, and he bowed, begging Chief Yū, "Chief Yū, all the mistakes are ours. You must persuade the Daimyo not to cancel the Hidden Mist Village's funds."
"You two go back for now. We'll talk tomorrow."
For three consecutive days, Mitsuki Kōmei refused to see anyone, cultivating on Penglai Island. Kawabe and the other were frantic, guarding the door without moving, like ants on a hot pan.
"Young Master, you are still the best. Those two lustful, alcoholic bastards are about to die of anxiety." Yū Bohe's face was full of admiration.
"Tell them that if they kneel outside for three days, the matter will be over."
Kawabe and the other dared not complain in the slightest, obediently and properly kneeling for three days.
"Let them go for now. They will be useful in the future. Tell them to find the Finance Minister and set off."
In Konoha Year 21, Mitsuki Kōmei obtained 320 million points, gaining two Ninjutsu: Liquification Release – Flood Mount Myōboku, and Liquification Release – Phantom Water Barrier, with 2 units of Chakra.
Liquification Release – Flood Mount Myōboku uses Chakra to control water to form a flood, and with the help of wind, increases the flood's speed and enhances its destructive power.
The Liquification Release – Phantom Water Barrier, valued at 100 million points, can silently set up a controllable illusion barrier. Any fluctuations or sounds within the barrier will not be transmitted, and only illusions can be seen from outside the barrier.
Cultivating knows no years; spring goes and autumn comes, and time quickly reached the end of Konoha Year 22.
Mitsuki Kōmei's four units of Chakra surpassed ninety percent of Ninjas. He mastered four powerful Ninjutsu, only lacking in Genjutsu and Taijutsu, with his overall strength just entering the Kage level.
The Ninjas he sent out to find orphans gradually returned, bringing back 216 talented orphans.
Led by another Jōnin from the Daimyo Manor, they secretly cultivated in a village outside the city.
Late at night, at the Finance Minister's mansion, a shadow flashed, and Mitsuki Kōmei entered the depths of the Finance Minister's mansion.
In the side courtyard with rockeries and flowing water, all the traitors of the Daimyo Manor lived in small courtyards.
Mitsuki Kōmei set up the Phantom Water Barrier and walked into the small courtyard step by step.
"Who's there! What are you doing here?"
"Sending you to your deaths," Mitsuki Kōmei waved his hand, killing the several Ninjas responsible for vigilance.
He stood in place with an expressionless face and hands behind his back, calmly watching the Ninjas who rushed out of the small courtyard surround him.
"Who are you? What is your purpose in trespassing into the Finance Minister's mansion at night?" The leading Jōnin prepared to form hand signs.
"Hahaha, you're quite loyal to your new master. I came specifically to deal with traitors today. You all must die."
"So it's the new Daimyo. It's been over two years, learned a few Ninjutsu, and came here to die? As foolish as your dead father." Another Jōnin who had seen Mitsuki Kōmei spoke.
Mitsuki Kōmei raised his left hand, and the pond water surged up, forming a dozen-meter-high wave that lifted him.
Looking down at the Ninjas on the ground, "Traitors, you all must die!"
He drove the water wave towards the traitors. The Chūnin and Genin were caught, crushed by the wave, leaving no bones.
Seeing no hope of resistance, the two Jōnin knelt on the ground, kowtowing heavily and begging for mercy, "Spare us, we betrayed the Daimyo out of greed. Spare our lives, and we can continue to serve the Daimyo Manor."
Mitsuki Kōmei remained expressionless, his offensive relentless. After more than ten minutes, the water flow engulfed the two Jōnin.
"Death is not to be regretted. There are a few more at the Minister of Rites' mansion. They will soon go down to join you."
Overnight, Mitsuki Kōmei killed all the Ninjas who had been bribed and betrayed the Daimyo Manor, without a single omission.
The corrupt nobles who were rich but paid no taxes, the highly autonomous Feudal Lords who were like states within a state—he had tolerated them for two years. It was time to deal with them.
The plan to unify the Land of Water was about to be put on the agenda.