XX-level Hokage

The Otsutsuki clan has been constantly destroying other worlds; war is their main theme. Upon hearing this, Xiaoli's expression changed, realizing she had misspoke.

She could sense the melancholy in Kaguya's voice as she spoke, and quickly explained, "No, it's alright. You and Mashiro are here now, aren't you? In my eyes, you and Mashiro are both very, very remarkable people. You two saved the people of our Land of the Other, and everyone is praising your achievements."

Kaguya lowered her gaze, her calm and pure white eyes fixed on Kotori, and asked softly, "Kotori, don't you think that we, who brought war to this country, are more like sinners?"

Chapter 102: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (Part 5)

Upon hearing Kaguya's words, Xiaoli's pupils contracted, and she quickly explained, "How could that be! Kaguya-sama, how could you have such a thought?" Kaguya slowly lowered her head, her gaze fixed intently on the floor before her, letting her long, silvery-white hair cascade down in the starlight. Her slender, fair skin...

She gently placed her hands together on her lap and whispered:

"I already know the recent death toll on the battlefield. If we hadn't come to this country, you would still be living the way you used to, instead of like this now."

"Many people's peaceful lives were shattered, and countless others plunged headlong into the furnace of war, burning themselves out completely." Kaguya's cool voice slowly drifted into the corridor, mingling with the faint starlight, bringing a melancholy atmosphere to the room. Xiao Li was stunned, unsure how to offer comfort.

She lowered her head, rubbing her hands tightly. After thinking for a moment, she resolutely raised her head to look at Kaguya, whose face was filled with melancholy. Her clear black and white eyes widened, and she said earnestly, "But, without Lady Kaguya and Lady Mashiro, our lives would only be more bitter. It is because of the arrival of Lady Kaguya and Mashiro that we have hope to live on and dare to resist Suzaku's cruel rule."

Despite the constant deaths during the war, no one ever uttered a single complaint against Lady Kaguya and Lady Mashiro. Everyone knew that without their help, they wouldn't even be able to dream of that wonderful life.

Therefore, I implore you, Kaguya-sama, not to overthink things. You and Mashiro-sama are incredibly important to me and to everyone else!

Hearing Xiaoli's resolute words beside her, Kaguya paused slightly. Looking at Xiaoli, she softly asked, "Xiaoli, do you agree with our approach?" Xiaoli, her dark eyes wide, nodded and smiled gently, saying, "Xiaoli has always stood by Kaguya-sama's side, always." Hearing this, Kaguya was stunned for a moment, then a vibrant light seemed to emanate from her fair eyes.

A gentle smile curved her bright red lips. In that instant, her beautiful smile seemed to illuminate the entire night sky.

Xiao Li stared intently at Kaguya's smiling face, her mind filled with this beautiful image. Kaguya-sama, your smile is so beautiful…

Just then, footsteps approached, and Xiao Li instinctively turned her head, only to see the hem of a black garment. Xiao Li quickly lowered her head and respectfully said, "Lord Zhen Shiro."

Mashiro waved, and Xiaoli glanced at Kaguya, then lowered her head and turned to leave. "Are you missing your hometown?" Mashiro hugged Kaguya from behind and whispered in her ear.

"I don't know if what we're doing is right, but Xiaoli and the others all agree with it, and I don't quite understand why," Kaguya said softly, leaning against Mashiro with their faces pressed together.

"It's very simple. It's not them who were sacrificed. You don't like to show your face in public, so you didn't notice that the current resistance soldiers are not the same as the original batch."

Xiao Li is the same; she now has her own maid, wearing silk clothes she never even dreamed of before. Aside from serving you, she doesn't need to participate in anything related to the war. "Mashiro said softly.

"Is this what you wanted? There are so many civilians who died because of the war." Kaguya said, seemingly with a sigh.

I did nothing. Apart from providing some assistance on the battlefield, the recruitment of soldiers was handled by Inoue and his men.

They call us gods, using our name to absorb the oppressed. My existence is more like a tool. I'm thinking about how they will end up, and that's the purpose of our game. "Mashiro said.

Kaguya knew that Mashiro was telling the truth, and gently closed her eyes in Mashiro's arms.

Looking at Kaguya's serene expression in her arms, Mashiro couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Kaguya Otsutsuki was truly the most innocent and adorable person Mashiro had ever seen. She was so adorably naive. Mashiro wondered how she had become the kind of person Black Zetsu described.

Inside the main hall of the makeshift palace. "Mara. Mara"

The main gate was wide open, the wind swayed the shadows, and the candles standing tall on both sides of the hall flickered slightly in the night breeze.

On the main seat in the center of the hall, Mashiro sat calmly at her desk, pen in hand, diligently writing something down. Just then…

"Snap!" "Pat!" "Pat!"

But then hurried footsteps could be heard outside the main hall.

The footsteps stopped abruptly outside the hall, and a voice came from outside: "Lord Mashiro, there is a report from outside." "Come in," Mashiro said softly, putting down his pen.

Immediately afterwards, a weathered middle-aged man clad in armor stepped into the main hall. Upon seeing Mashiro in front of him, he immediately knelt down respectfully without the slightest hesitation.

The well had undergone a completely different transformation compared to a month ago.

He used to toil in the fields all day, his face to the soil and his back to the sky, his body covered in black, his skin rough, looking like a timid, walking corpse, with no hope in his eyes. He was only in his fifties but looked like a man in his seventies.

Now, however, his eyes shone brightly. Although his skin was still incredibly rough, the armor, covered in scars, gave him an air of having endured much hardship.

Sang's resilience made him look even younger.

Of course, this also has the effect of Mashiro secretly using medical ninjutsu to treat him, and he is an extremely perfect subject for observation. Mashiro does not want him to die too quickly.

Kneeling on the ground in full armor, Jingzhong looked up at the calm-faced Zhenshiro with a somewhat anxious expression and said urgently, "Lord Zhenshiro, according to the latest news from the front, Suzaku has reached an agreement with this country, and the immortal water of this country and the emperor of the ancestral country have both agreed to unite with him."

In that case, we're probably no match for their combined forces. If you don't intervene, we'll be utterly powerless against a force far exceeding our own.

Upon hearing his words, Mashiro, who was sitting upright, suddenly laughed and said softly, "Ino, I told you from the beginning that I would not participate in your war. Playing a supporting role is all the help I can provide for you."

Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Aikawa's face paled, and he knelt even lower. "My lord..."

Mashiro looked at him calmly and said softly, "This war belongs to you. You are responsible for initiating this war, so it should be you who comes up with a solution."

Jing Zhong was taken aback, then quickly raised his head and said, "But sir, I am but a humble villager, how could I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mashiro waved her hand to stop him. Mashiro stood up and came to Ino, saying softly, "Ino, from the moment you picked up the sickle, you were no longer a farmer."

Then Mashiro's voice deepened as she said, "Don't think of yourself as so humble. You are now the leader of tens of thousands of rebels in that country."

Remember this: this so-called rebel force does not belong to me, nor to Kaguya. Everything gained under your leadership will be yours, even the throne of the Land of the Dead.

Hearing Mashiro's words, his breathing became heavier, somewhat incredulous yet quite certain.

And they knew that everything Mashiro-sama said was true, because Mashiro-sama and Kaguya-sama were indeed different from their group.

For them, the so-called throne of the other country was utterly insignificant, but for Inoue, who came from a farming background, it was an unimaginable and enormous surprise.

He knelt heavily on the ground, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

Mashiro glanced at the kneeling Jingzhong, a glint of light flashing in her pure white eyes, and said softly, "I have met the emperor of the Ancestral Kingdom. He is a benevolent monarch who would give everything for his people. If we find him, the so-called alliance will naturally fall apart without a fight."

Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Inoku immediately understood something. He looked up with a joyful smile and quickly bowed his head heavily to the ground. "Thank you, Lady Mashiro. I understand."

After Nakazaku left, Mashiro muttered to herself, "So, Sekiko, what will you choose?"

Chapter 103: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (Part 6)

Mashiro continued writing something on the yellow paper, the candlelight flickering, then stopped writing and turned to look.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Kaguya, shrouded in a wide, snow-white robe, had appeared in the palace. Her fair hands were clasped together in front of her, and she was calmly looking at Mashiro.

"Why aren't you asleep yet? Did something happen, Kaguya?" Mashiro asked with a smile.

Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Kaguya slowly walked forward, her fair eyes fixed on Mashiro's gentle face. Only when she reached Mashiro's side and leaned against her did she whisper, "You left suddenly, and I couldn't sleep. Then I accidentally overheard your conversation."

I've always believed it's wrong for us to meddle in their lives. Their country is already like this; why drag our ancestral country into it?

Mashiro was taken aback. Looking at Kaguya, who was standing next to him with a serious expression, he couldn't help but laugh and said softly, "So that's what you care about. I told you from the beginning that this is just a game, and so far, the game is not over yet."

Upon hearing this, Kaguya seemed to remember something and said softly, "Although I don't have the right to say that, life is not a game; everyone is living seriously, including me."

It was precisely because she wanted to live that Kaguya betrayed the Otsutsuki clan and killed Isshiki.

Kaguya's pretty face was tense, her lips were slightly pursed, and her fair eyes were intently staring at Mashiro, as if she would get angry if Mashiro didn't give her a satisfactory answer.

Mashiro gently touched Kaguya's slightly puffed-up face, her pure white eyes gleaming with tenderness, and whispered, "Kaguya, you are different from them." Mashiro's sudden words startled Kaguya, who was momentarily taken aback, completely unable to grasp what she meant.

Thinking about it, Kaguya could no longer maintain her cold and beautiful face. A blush instantly appeared on her fair face. She was no longer as intimidating as before, and she even dared not look directly into Mashiro's eyes as she had before.

Mashiro continued, "These people have nothing to do with us. We don't need to care about them at all. Even if we encounter any enemies, this country is not as powerful to me as a few old friends. Why do you think I should waste my time on these meaningless people?"

Hearing Mashiro's words, Kaguya shook her head. She had a premonition, but she didn't say anything and just listened quietly.

Mashiro said expressionlessly, "They are more like test subjects. I need them to verify one thing: whether a world without war exists. The results of this experiment will help you decide how to rule the world in the future."

Kaguya was taken aback; she hadn't expected Mashiro to give such an answer.

She frowned slightly and said softly, "There's no way to verify this kind of thing?"

Mashiro stroked Kaguya's hair and said, "Nothing is impossible. Humans are just animals with higher intelligence. Animals fight wars for food, territory, and rights, and humans do the same. It's just that humans are more complex than animals. I want to see if, under the constraints of reason, humans can restrain their desires and maintain the peaceful life they envision."

This is the answer that Mashiro has wanted for three lifetimes. Although experience tells her that it is not possible, she still wants to try and hopes for a different result.

Hearing Mashiro's words, Kaguya understood her meaning and softly retorted, "If life is peaceful, people naturally won't like a life where war is constantly taking place."

Looking at Kaguya, who was full of hope, Mashiro seemed to remember something, her gaze becoming distant, and she said softly, "No, peace breeds war."

Kaguya, when desire is unleashed from within, peace cannot satisfy it; the power of desire will break through all cages and obstacles.

The ideal world you speak of—no, the ideal world we speak of—was perhaps completely negated from the very moment someone like me came into existence.

The uprising that broke out in that country swept across the entire region in just two and a half months. Most of the rebels were peasants oppressed under the tyrannical rule of the country's ruler, Suzaku.

When these honest and hardworking farmers discarded their hoes and sickles and replaced them with various killing tools, a rebellion that overthrew the rule of their country unfolded with unstoppable momentum.

Outside a vast battlefield, countless makeshift camps were haphazardly set up on the ground, with many thin soldiers patrolling the camps.

Although they all had dark skin, rough complexions, and even looked somewhat emaciated, their eyes were filled with a strong murderous intent.

Inside the central tent, Jingzhong sat in the main seat, clad in armor with a sharp samurai sword at his waist. He looked completely different from the gaunt, expressionless farmer he had been two months ago.

Especially after receiving Mashiro's promise regarding the throne, Inoue had become almost a completely different person, inside and out. At that moment, inside the tent, a burly middle-aged man rushed in, his face anxious. He hurriedly said, "Lord Inoue, Suzaku..."

And the forces of Xianshui are almost upon our lines; their numbers are simply too great, and it will be difficult for us to stop them.

Half a month ago, Inoku sent someone to contact the emperor of the Ancestral Kingdom, offering to abandon the attack on the Other Kingdom and instead launch an uprising in the Ancestral Kingdom if the emperor joined the war. In order to protect the civilians of the Ancestral Kingdom, Sekiko finally agreed not to join the alliance and instead took action against them.

However, even so, Suzaku had still allied with the immortal waters of this country, and the situation remained extremely unfavorable for their rebel army. Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Bingzhong remained silent, his tightly sunken eyes appearing somewhat gloomy.

Upon seeing this, the middle-aged man's eyes flickered slightly. He glanced warily at the people around him, then said, "Lord Jingzhong, given the current situation, why don't we all go and beg that person? Only that person..."

Before he could finish speaking, the person in the well in front of him raised their eyes, their cold gaze fixed on him, and said in a cold voice, "Sato, can the gods..."

"This is not something that a lowly person like you can easily gain an audience with."

The middle-aged man called Sato's pupils contracted, and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet the gaze of Namichi at this moment.

A bead of cold sweat slowly slid down his forehead. In that instant, he felt as if his thoughts had been completely read, and a chill ran down his spine.

Two months ago, Sato and Nainaka were working in a field, and he was among the first farmers to come into contact with Mashiro and Kaguya. However, because of Nainaka's initiative, he became the initial leader of the rebel army.

Sato initially didn't feel anything about this, but after days of fighting, this once ordinary farmer began to enjoy the benefits of power and even became intoxicated by it.

They possessed countless riches, all plundered from the homes of the defeated.

Moreover, from the homes of the defeated, he could enjoy the most beautiful women and drink the finest wine, but these were still somewhat insufficient compared to what he had in Bingzhong.

If, if only he could gain that person's support... Just thinking about it made Sato's heart race uncontrollably.

Having enjoyed the benefits of this conquest, he became even more eager to try and win the right to that seat.

Inside the tent, Sato sat upright, his eyes coldly fixed on Sato, who was bowing his head and shooting out at him. An unusual atmosphere slowly brewed within the tent.

He glanced at the several middle-aged men who had once shared his background, his eyes turning cold, and thought to himself, "How many of these people share Sato's thoughts?"

Although Lord Mashiro has promised him all the rights and status he has acquired, what if Lord Mashiro is deceived by these people again? No, he will not let that happen!

In the shadows, Mashiro secretly observed everything that was happening. "Has it already begun to take shape? Internal strife," Mashiro muttered to herself.

Chapter 104: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (Part 7)