XX-level Hokage

In the field, Jingzhong was frantically wiping his blood-stained sickle, panting heavily.

At this moment, his once rough and honest face was now filled with a ruthless, wolfish glint. He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on the villagers who were staring at him in fear, and roared, "Now, all of you, do as the master says! If anyone doesn't do it, then the land under the bridge is yours!"

Upon hearing his words, all the villagers dared not linger any longer and hurried toward the bound soldiers. They preferred to face the incapacitated warriors rather than confront the now crazed Jingzhong.

From there, Xiao Li knelt on the ground, covering her mouth with her hands, her face pale as she looked at the man who seemed like a demon, and murmured in disbelief, "Grandpa."

Beside Mashiro, Kaguya stared blankly as the villagers, coerced into coming to Kuma's side from the well, approached him. Some of them, their faces filled with fear, carried sharp sickles, while others picked up blades and spears from beside the soldiers.

Just as they were about to kill the soldiers, Mashiro spoke up: "This is your own choice, I will not interfere. You can subdue the well or kill these soldiers."

The villagers hesitated for a moment, then brandished their weapons; their fear and awe vanished along with the weapons in their hands. "Pfft!" "Pfft!" "Pfft!"...

These normally honest and law-abiding men then took their weapons and began stabbing at the defenseless soldiers. Thrust after thrust... blood stained the ground, and everyone was splattered with it.

At first, they were forced by the well, but when they actually killed those people, a look of pleasure and even cruelty appeared on their faces.

These are the guys who used to bully us! Haha, now you're all dead at our hands!

Some villagers even went so far as to brutally stab the soldiers' faces with countless holes, finding satisfaction in their hatred.

At this moment, they were no longer ordinary, law-abiding villagers; the doors of their desires had been opened, and they now greedily wanted to devour everything.

Chapter 101: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (Part 4)

Mashiro watched all of this quietly, as if she had long expected this scene to happen. Human nature has never been able to withstand the test.

Kaguya turned her head slightly to look at Mashiro, jumped up, and asked softly, "Why did you do this?" She didn't quite understand why Mashiro had brought about everything that was happening now.

Hearing her cool words, Mashiro gently turned her head, her pure white eyes meeting Mashiro's clear, questioning gaze, and chuckled, "I already said before, it's a one-person game."

Kaguya's fair face slightly flushed as she softly said, "But these people haven't committed such a heinous crime, so it's a bit much to kill them like this..." Before she could finish speaking, Mashiro interrupted her with a smile and asked softly, "What, Kaguya, do you care about the lives of these ordinary people?"

Kaguya shook her head, then nodded, and said, "I just feel like it's meaningless." Kaguya is essentially a peace-loving person.

"Besides, I didn't actually do anything. Although I gave the order, these people only did it to protect themselves. If they hadn't done it, I wouldn't have done anything to them. I just gave them a reason," Mashiro continued.

Hearing her words, Kaguya pursed her lips, looked at her, and said somewhat angrily, "But if they don't obey your orders, they will definitely be awakened."

These people who came killed him.

Mashiro remained expressionless and said softly, "So, Kaguya, do you want these guys to die?" Kaguya was taken aback and retorted, "I didn't."

"But you yourself said that if those guys who fell to the ground woke up, they would definitely kill these villagers." Mashiro turned her head and looked at the villagers covered in blood, and said softly.

Kaguya was speechless for a moment, seemingly unsure how to express her meaning.

After a long pause, she looked up at Mashiro again, somewhat angrily, and said, "We can take these people away. As long as we take them away, the killing between us can stop."

Hearing Kaguya's words, Mashiro chuckled softly, giving her a wary look before replying, "Do you really think this method is feasible? Even if it's as you say, what about the wars happening in other regions? I merely presented the start of this war to you at the fastest possible speed. I didn't do anything; I just acted as a catalyst. Even without us, the war between the Narumi and Kuma clans would have started eventually."

This was indeed Mashiro's idea. Although she desperately wanted to see Namikaze bear everything on his own, and even encouraged Namikaze to choose a second time, Namikaze still chose to drag others down with him.

These villagers also had a choice; if they had worked together, they could have subdued the soldier in the well. However, they chose to attack the soldier who had no power to resist.

Everything was as Mashiro had predicted; nothing changed.

Having experienced the Third Shinobi World War, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan realized a truth: old hatred breeds new hatred. Mashiro also grasped this truth; her experiences across three lifetimes gave her a profound understanding of war and human nature.

Old hatred breeds new hatred, the oppressed turn to the oppressors, class conflict will always exist, and peace will always breed war. Hearing Mashiro's words, Kaguya's face darkened; she knew that what she said was utterly impossible.

Even so, I still believe there will be a peaceful world. "Kaguya said earnestly. Mashiro looked at her quietly, meeting her gaze with her Byakugan filled with unwavering conviction.

After a moment, Mashiro suddenly smiled, a genuine and radiant smile, and said, "Yes, I also believe in your idea, Kaguya. Perhaps you really can do it. However, let's continue watching. The game I'm talking about isn't over yet."

Kaguya was slightly taken aback, wondering what Mashiro was going to do next.

Just then, the man in the well, trembling slightly, walked to a spot a certain distance from Zhenbai, knelt on the ground, and said in a deep voice, "My lord, we have done everything you asked. Please lead us to a way out."

Behind him, the villagers who had been forced by him now looked at Mashiro in fear and knelt on the ground, imitating the way he did in the well.

In response, Mashiro said softly to him, "I have seen everything you have done. You have done well. I promise you that I will help you overthrow the rule of the other country, and you will become the new rulers of the other country."

"!"

Upon hearing Mashiro's words, Ino's face lit up with joy, and he immediately kowtowed heavily to the ground. "Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Kaguya watched all of this quietly. She saw the joy on Inoue's face and the excitement on the faces of the villagers behind him who had just killed people.

She couldn't understand what had driven this group of people to such madness.

This transformed these once honest and law-abiding farmers into demons from hell, who, after wantonly killing their own kind, could still display excited smiles on their faces.

A month later.

Most of that country's territory had fallen, and an unprecedented uprising had turned it into a scorched wasteland. At night, the stars filled the sky, their countless points forming a beautiful pattern.

In a quiet corridor within a hastily constructed palace, a woman sat gracefully on the rustic wooden floor, her head gently tilted back.

I gazed calmly at the enchanting starry night.

The woman's skin was extremely fair, like ice and jade, with two vermilion dots on her fair forehead and bright red lips. What was most astonishing were her clear, white eyes, which seemed to see right through people, both eerie and mysterious.

She was draped in a wide robe, the red and white stripes of which looked very clean and simple. The hem of the robe spread gently on the ground, making her appear dignified and elegant.

Just then, she heard soft footsteps behind her.

"Lord Kaguya, it's easy to catch a chill at night. I've brought you a cup of hot tea to warm you up."

A girl, who looked like the girl next door, walked gently from the entrance hall, carrying a cup of hot tea in her hand. Her long, black hair was tied back, and a gentle smile graced her fair face.

Kaguya turned her head slightly, gave her a wary look, and nodded gently.

As the war continued, and seemingly out of nowhere, the gloom on Xiaoli's face dissipated, replaced by an endless fawning over Kaguya. Xiaoli knelt gently beside Kaguya, not at all reserved, even though her initial goal was to become a close servant to Lady Kaguya.

After spending so many days together, she realized that this adult was not as cold as she appeared; on the contrary, she was more like a caring older sister.

"Are you looking at the stars again? Although I think the stars are beautiful, I get tired of looking at them after a while. Don't you get tired of it, Kaguya-sama?" Kaguya-sama asked softly.

Hearing her words, Kaguya's eyes remained calm. She gently put down her teacup and said in a cool tone, "What I'm looking at isn't the unchanging stars, but my homeland."

Upon hearing Kaguya's words, Xiaoli paused for a moment before covering her mouth and saying, "I almost forgot, you mentioned before that you and Mashiro-sama are both visitors from another world."

As she spoke, her eyes shone with brilliance, and she said with utmost reverence, "With such powerful beings as you and Lady Mashiro, the world you live in must be incredibly wonderful."

Hearing her words, Kaguya gave her a slight warning look, lowered her gaze, and then looked up at the deep starry sky again, saying softly, "I don't know about the world Mashiro lives in, but my world is no different from this one, or perhaps it's even worse."

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."