XX-level Hokage

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)

"Sato, you seem to harbor disrespectful thoughts towards the gods. From this moment forward, resign from your post and await further orders in the rear." Inoue said calmly.

He glanced at Sato and said calmly.

Upon hearing Ino's words, Sato's pupils contracted, and he quickly explained, "Lord Ino, I, I didn't mean to..."

However, Nakano paid no attention to this, waved his hand, and said in a deep voice, "Someone, take Lord Sato to the rear."

Immediately, several burly soldiers rushed into the tent; they were Jing Zhong's personal guards. "Take them away!"

As soon as Inoue finished speaking indifferently, the soldiers dragged Sato away.

Sato's face was deathly pale, but as he was dragged out, a look of madness flashed in his eyes. His face was contorted as he struggled to break free, staring intently at the calm Ino, and he shouted angrily, "Ino, you are nothing but a puppet of the gods, what right do you have to punish me!"

After saying that, he quickly turned to the few pale-faced men inside the tent and shouted, "What about you? Are you going to wait until the well kills us one by one before you speak? I want to see the magistrate! As long as I can see the magistrate, I will definitely..."

Upon hearing his words, several people inside the tent became restless and their faces turned pale. While Sato was speaking so freely, Namikazu had already waved for his guards to bring him over. Then, Namikazu slowly rose, his slender frame gradually moving towards the robust Sato.

Sato glared at him and said angrily, "Ino, do you really think you're so capable? If it weren't for the God, you would be nothing and could only wait to die in the fields with your tattered granddaughter."

Upon hearing this, Inoue's somewhat aged face remained expressionless, a hint of icy coldness brewing in his eyes as he walked step by step toward Sato.

Upon reaching Sato, Ino, who had been silent all along, finally spoke. He calmly said, "You're right, everything I have was given to me by adults, but I'm different from guys like you."

At this point, his eyes fixed on Sato, then he glanced around, his voice low and cold as he sneered, "Ruthlessly plundering wealth, toying with women, utterly useless in war—what do you think you've done to deserve this long? The Lord has granted me this power, and I will certainly not disappoint him. As for you, you lot, you are no good!"

Then, suddenly, he bent down and pulled a blade from his waist. He looked thin, but he unleashed terrifying power.

He raised the knife high. "Thud!"

With a scream, blood splattered everywhere inside the tent. Everyone stared blankly at the scene, unable to believe their eyes as Jingzhong, his face grim, sheathed his sword.

Before him, Sato, who had been lively and energetic just moments before, was cleaved in two from head to toe with a single, powerful blow. The bloody corpse testified to this cruel reality.

Everyone stood there dumbfounded, filled with a mixture of surprise, doubt, and fear. When had he acquired such power?

Standing before the bloodied figure, with a detached expression, he stared at Sato's shattered body, his eyes flashing with excitement and a chilling light. "Is this the power bestowed upon me by the gods? It's too powerful, it's mesmerizing."

He quickly suppressed the excitement in his eyes, looked coldly at the dead Sato, pondered for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Sato has been corrupted by evil spirits and dared to offend the divine might. Little did he know that I am a general under the command of the Goddess of Rabbit. Such a petty villain acted recklessly and was ultimately destroyed by me."

Now, evil spirits are rampant, and Zhuque, Xianshui, and others have been controlled by them, committing wicked deeds against the divine tree.

This matter came to the attention of the Divine Tree's messenger, the Goddess of the Rabbit, who personally appointed me as the General Who Slays Evil, to annihilate all demons and evil spirits.

Upon hearing his words, everyone present narrowed their eyes. The people on either side, responsible for recording, exchanged a knowing glance and instantly understood what Jing Zhong meant. Things were about to change…

It must be said that Ino is indeed a smart person. After being guided by Mashiro, he quickly broke free from the limitations of a farmer and showed extraordinary strategic talent.

Rumors like these don't need to be deliberately spread; they can spread extremely quickly among the public.

Originally, the rebel army led by Bingzhong was several times weaker than the combined forces of Zhuque and Xianshui, and the morale of the rebel army that participated in the war began to decline.

But after these words were spread, the rebels were instantly in high spirits, even though they were about to face an enemy several times their size.

Prior to this, there had been rumors that Lord Bingzhong was able to lead the uprising with the help of the gods, and now these seemingly plausible rumors instantly made them realize who they were working for.

The Divine Tree, the Goddess of the Rabbit, and the General Who Slays Evil.

The various respectful titles put everyone in a state of excitement.

Those who joined the uprising began to believe they were fighting for the sacred tree they worshipped. This gave everyone immense confidence; after all, the sacred tree was a real, tangible thing.

The story was also circulating among the villagers in the countryside. For a time, it became a popular tale that the rebel leader, who had transformed into the Demon-Slaying General from the well, was entrusted by the goddess to sweep the sacred tree.

Rumors about exorcising evil spirits began to circulate, and many farmers who were originally hesitant joined the uprising.

A month later.

With the outbreak of an uprising within this country, Shui Xian was forced to withdraw her troops, and the alliance was thus abandoned. Without the support of this country, Suzaku's ability to resist the ever-expanding revolutionary army was virtually impossible. Most of the country had collapsed, leaving only its last major city.

During this period, the story of the Goddess of Rabbit also spread. Legend has it that she was a goddess who lived on the moon. Entrusted by the divine tree, she descended from the sky and transformed into the Goddess of Rabbit to guide people to eliminate evil spirits.

When Kaguya found out about this, she sulked for a long time, because the story, including the prototype of the goddess of the rabbit, was based on her, which made her very unhappy.

Mashiro simply said one thing to this.

This is your honorific title, and it sounds beautiful, doesn't it?

This made Kaguya blush again. "That bastard!"

Inside a tent outside the main city, Suzaku, his face extremely grim, glared at a guard delivering a message below. His gaze was so cold that the guard, trembling with fear, knelt on the ground, head bowed, not daring to move an inch. Beside him, Nara, whose expression was equally troubled, stepped forward and waved for the guard to leave.