Daimyo /Chapter 53: Cloud Ninja Conspiracy (Patreon)

Mitsuki Kōmei decided to meet Shabada Baba to find out what the traitor's conspiracy was.

Unbeknownst to him, Mitsuki Kōmei chatted with Hōzuki Yuzuki until late at night and stayed at Hōzuki Yuzuki's home.

Early the next morning, Hozuki Shingetsu was pulled out of bed by his father and told to deliver a letter to Shabada Baba.

Hōzuki Yuzuki picked up his big club, and the filial Shingetsu willingly went to deliver the letter, receiving Shabada Baba's reply that afternoon.

Mitsuki Kōmei slept until he woke up naturally. The Hozuki Clan members were busy with their missions, so he, with nothing to do, went fishing by the sea alone.

Just as he was about to cast his rod, he heard a whooshing sound from the forest behind him. He didn't need to turn around; he already knew who it was.

"Did he agree to meet?" Mitsuki Kōmei cast his fishing rod and asked Hōzuki Yuzuki.

"He agreed, but he rejected my request to meet in Tsukigakure (Village Hidden in the Moon)."

"Where did he propose to meet?"

Hōzuki Yuzuki looked at the letter, gently tapping his temple with his finger.

"Oh, if I remember correctly, the meeting place he requested should be by a small lake."

"Very well, you go prepare. Shingetsu and I will go together. Here it comes."

Mitsuki Kōmei tightened his grip on the fishing rod; a fish had bitten, but he didn't know if it was big or small.

Three days later, Mitsuki Kōmei, wearing a mask, arrived at the designated location.

An unknown small lake deep in a certain forest in the Land of the Moon.

The area around the lake had been cleared, and a temporary wooden house was built on the south side, surrounded by hundreds of soldiers.

Mitsuki Kōmei took out Shabada Baba's letter, and the soldiers made way for him.

Pushing open the wooden house door, he immediately saw the layout: there was a low table inside with delicious food, and behind the table sat an unappetizing man.

Mitsuki Kōmei had just stepped into the wooden house.

"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for half a day!" Shabada Baba scolded him, "Don't just stand there foolishly at the door, come in!"

Mitsuki Kōmei's peripheral vision caught Shingetsu taking a small step forward behind him, and he quickly stopped him.

The situation wasn't clear yet, so there was no rush to act.

Mitsuki Kōmei sat down on the mat, just about to speak.

"What's with the mask? Where did you get such an ugly mask? How can you wear such an ugly mask?" Shabada Baba hit him with another triple question.

Mitsuki Kōmei clenched his fist, then released it, taking a deep breath. He thought, 'Later, I'll show you why flowers are so red.'

"What if some of those soldiers outside are Getsu Izuru's people? Aren't you afraid the plan will be exposed?" Mitsuki Kōmei said in a deep voice.

"Hmm, you have a point." Shabada Baba picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

Mitsuki Kōmei grew more and more annoyed with Shabada Baba. He wanted to quickly figure out this guy's purpose and asked directly.

"Speak, what do you want with me?"

"That dog Getsu Izuru isn't fit to be the Daimyo. The Daimyo should be me. I hope you don't meddle."

Shabada Baba pointed at Mitsuki Kōmei across the table with his chopsticks.

"Hehehe, why do you think I would agree?"

Mitsuki Kōmei was utterly speechless, truly not knowing where this bastard got his confidence.

Shabada Baba glanced at Mitsuki Kōmei disdainfully.

"Getsu Izuru just gave you some money, didn't he? You don't need to be loyal to him. I'll give you money too when I become Daimyo. No problem, right? No problem, then get back and wait."

After speaking, he impatiently waved his hand at Mitsuki Kōmei, urging him to leave.

Mitsuki Kōmei was so angry he laughed. 'Do you think I'm a dog, following whoever throws a bone?'

He glared at Shabada Baba, enunciating each word.

"Hahahaha, just you? What are you? You're not worthy!"

"Bang!"

Shabada Baba threw his chopsticks forcefully onto the table, slammed his hand down on the table, and stood up furiously, pointing at Mitsuki Kōmei.

"Let me tell you, I have people backing me. Think carefully. I advise you not to be ungrateful."

"Tch, not only do I have people backing me," Mitsuki Kōmei pointed at Hozuki Shingetsu standing behind him, "I also have a dog in front of me."

"A dog? What dog?"

"A stupid dog."

"You dare to curse me, you bastard!"

"Finally caught on, you mongrel."

Mitsuki Kōmei stood up and walked straight out, with Shabada Baba raging impotently behind him.

Just as he reached the door, it was opened from the outside, and two strong Ninja walked into the wooden house.

"Hozuki Clan Leader, please wait. I think we can talk."

The leading Ninja walked to Shabada Baba's side, and "Slap!" he slapped Shabada Baba across the face, knocking him to the ground, several teeth falling out.

"Useless trash, more trouble than you're worth." He then raised his foot to kick Shabada Baba.

"Stop," Mitsuki Kōmei said, stopping him.

"Hmm? Doesn't Hozuki Clan Leader want to vent his anger?"

Mitsuki Kōmei shook his head, "You misunderstand. I'm afraid of seeing blood. Shingetsu, drag him outside and beat him."

The Ninja who was about to hit him paused with his foot in mid-air, unsure whether to kick or not, and finally lowered it.

"Hozuki Clan Leader is truly a man of character."

"Not at all, just average. What do you want to talk about? We don't seem to know each other."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am from Kumogakure, a Village even stronger than Hidden Mist Village. Kumogakure will eventually become the strongest Ninja Village."

After speaking, he looked at Mitsuki Kōmei with a proud expression.

Mitsuki Kōmei could tell that the Kumogakure Ninja in front of him was likely a fanatical war hawk, a Kumogakure supremacist, with a very high opinion of himself.

He inwardly scoffed, 'What's there to be proud of? I'm from Blue Star Village, and my compatriots have already dominated all the myriad worlds. Am I proud?'

He still had to play along with the Kumogakure Ninja. "Wow, you're so amazing!"

"Hmm, Hozuki Clan Leader, you don't need to be envious. The Hozuki Clan currently has an opportunity to join Kumogakure."

The Kumogakure Ninja put on an expression that implied Mitsuki Kōmei was getting a great deal.

"The Village sent me to assist Shabada Baba in controlling the Land of the Moon and turning it into a forward base for the Land of Lightning."

"And then?"

"Then, using the Land of the Moon as a springboard, we will launch a surprise attack on the Land of Water."

"I see. Your plan is quite ambitious." Mitsuki Kōmei finally understood the truth. "What benefits can the Hozuki Clan gain?"

"As long as the Hozuki Clan does not help the Daimyo of the Land of the Moon, they can join Kumogakure afterward and fight for Kumogakure."

Mitsuki Kōmei looked at the Kumogakure Ninja in front of him, who looked more and more like an idiot.

"Without tangible benefits, the Hozuki Clan will not cooperate with you."

The Kumogakure Ninja said in disbelief. "How many people are begging to join Kumogakure? Is the Hozuki Clan Leader sure he doesn't want to cherish this opportunity?"

"Get lost, idiot."

"Hmph, Hozuki Clan Leader! Since you are ungrateful, await Kumogakure's retaliation!"

Mitsuki Kōmei struck and beat up the two men.

"If you want to fight, then fight! I'll be waiting for you in the Land of the Moon!"