XX-level Hokage

Then, after a moment's thought, he said to Zhuque, who had a sinister look on his face, "Lord Zhuque, this is just the other side spreading rumors. I believe Lord Xianshui will not distance himself from us because of this. Once Lord Xianshui has quelled the rebellion in the country and reinforcements arrive, we will still have a chance to turn the tide."

As the ruler of that country, Suzaku is extremely cruel, but he is also exceptionally intelligent and has great ambitions.

But he could never get over it, that a lowly peasant he had never taken seriously before could overthrow his rule in just three months and even drive him to his current predicament.

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

Zhuque muttered to himself, his eyes turning cold as he said fiercely, "Your Majesty, once I have wiped out this bunch of lowly people, I will surely raze your ancestral kingdom to the ground and topple the divine tree!"

At this moment, Suzaku realized that the well might have been accomplished with the help of the extraterrestrial visitor who had previously been in contact with the emperor, and he was filled with extreme anger.

Moreover, the emperor of the Ancestral Kingdom had refused his request for help before. He remembered these debts deeply and would make him pay for them one day.

Chapter 105: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (Part 8)

Meanwhile, within the land of the ancestors, a group of people were slowly advancing through the villages without disturbing the farmers working in the fields.

At this moment, a soldier leaned forward and whispered to a handsome young man in the middle of the formation, "Your Majesty, in the land of Zu, the people live in peace and prosperity, and the crops are growing well. Why do you seem to be somewhat uneasy?"

Upon hearing his words, the emperor, who was riding on horseback, turned serious, as if he had just snapped out of his daze.

The procession gradually came to a halt. The Emperor remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "How is the war between that country and this country progressing? Just as Mashiro said, Your Majesty possesses almost all the qualities of an ideal monarch. Therefore, our Ancestral Country has become the only one among the nearby great powers..."

Even in countries where no uprisings or wars occurred, many farmers from both countries fled to their ancestral homeland for refuge.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, the soldier was slightly taken aback and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, according to the information we have received, the uprising in this country is small in scale and should be successfully suppressed in the next few days. However, the other country is in danger, as most of its territory has already been occupied by the rebel army."

Upon hearing his words, the emperor fell silent, his expression turning slightly somber, as if a hint of sorrow lingered between his brows.

The soldier was very good at reading people's expressions and quickly whispered, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. After Lord Shuixian finishes resolving the uprising, he will be able to go and assist that country. The area that Lord Zhuque is currently defending is easy to defend and difficult to attack, so there will be no problem."

Although our ancestral nation did not participate in the war, it received many refugees and provided both nations with ample food as military rations. I presume that Suzaku and Lord Sensui will not hold a grudge because of this.

The emperor pursed his lips slightly, a beautiful figure in black robes flashing through his mind. After a long while, he slowly sighed, "I'm afraid this battle will not be easy."

He had initially given up on participating in the war because of a letter that came from the well; after all, he was a benevolent ruler, and he did not...

They wanted their country and people to be mired in war.

Ten days later, the final battle began.

Tens of thousands of dark, densely packed people and horses galloped across the land, kicking up countless clouds of dust.

Armed with various weapons and wearing only light armor, they charged forward recklessly. Sometimes, perhaps only by risking their lives can one truly survive.

"For the sake of the Goddess of the Rabbit, kill!! Kill!!"

Although it was an open plain, the roars still echoed as the two equally sized forces clashed violently like two raging floods.

Just as the two forces were clashing, two figures slowly appeared on the nearby cliff.

"Many people will die, and their deaths will be meaningless." On the cliff, Kaguya looked down at the dark mass below with slightly lowered eyes, her voice tinged with sadness.

Although she was no longer so opposed to Mashiro's actions, she still felt somewhat reluctant to see so many people die while calling out her name.

Mashiro looked at Kaguya, then slowly lowered her gaze to the battlefield below where you were fighting fiercely, and said softly, "Sometimes, only a few people can..."

Only through the death of many can the survival of the majority be achieved; that is how the world works.

Ultimately, wars originate from people's endless desires. As long as people exist, their desires can never be completely eradicated, even in times of peace.

What do you think they'll do in the well after they win?

Even so, there is still a way to suppress endless desires. Kaguya turned to look at Mashiro, the two facing each other in light, pure white facing pure white.

Mashiro looked into Kaguya's clear eyes and said softly, "Power! A power that completely surpasses everyone else, a power that makes people feel unshakeable."

When this power is forcibly bound to everyone, faced with this invincible force that can never be reached, all desires can only be hidden in the deepest recesses of the heart. Therefore, war will be forever forbidden, thus achieving true and lasting peace.

Mashiro's philosophy is somewhat similar to that of Yahiko and Nagato, but the difference is that Yahiko and Nagato want to achieve power, using the combined power of the nine tailed beasts to exert influence.

What Mashiro wants to do is control—control through power, economy, technology, education, and other means, so that desires dissolve in the economy and class distinctions are dulled.

In the law, equality is engraved in morality, and she is the guarantee that keeps everything running smoothly.

Mashiro's calm words were like a drop of ink falling into a lake that had been still for who knows how long, instantly breaking the tranquility in her heart, splashing countless ripples, and slightly changing the color of the lake water.

Kaguya froze, her eyes widening slightly. In that instant, she seemed to understand something.

But she quickly shook her head, as if trying to shake off the thought. Seeing Kaguya's expression, Mashiro smiled and said nothing more.

She gently kissed Kaguya on the cheek and said, "So cute." Instantly, a blush crept onto Kaguya's fair cheek.

Her fair eyes immediately lowered, darting around, unsure where to look. Her pretty face was flushed, and her slender hands were tightly rubbing her face, hidden beneath the wide hem of her dress.

On the vast plain, countless people fought and shouted.

Blood gradually stained the ground red, and severed limbs were scattered everywhere on the field. Sometimes, a black object splattered with blood would fly high into the air, revealing itself to be a human head.

The faces of the dead bore traces of pain, and the last vestiges of life in their pupils before death were regret and resentment.

In the end, Suzaku was killed in battle, the remaining soldiers of the Other Country surrendered, and the rebel army stormed into the royal city. "Kaguya, let's go to the royal city and take a look." After saying that, Mashiro turned and left.

Upon entering the royal city, the rebels began burning, killing, and looting. One of them, along with a few personal guards, stormed into the Vermilion Bird Palace and killed everyone inside.

"Lord Namichū, we've captured a woman; she seems to be Suzaku's sister." A Namichū guard held a bloodstained knife in one hand and grabbed a young girl's hair with the other.

The girl, dressed in a pale yellow dress, had a pretty face and appeared to be around twelve years old. Her youthful face was now filled with fear and despair. "Zhuque's sister?" Bingzhong stepped forward, looking at the struggling girl.

He thought of his granddaughter, and then an idea began to form in his mind. He took the girl from his guard and began to undress her.

The girl struggled and was slapped. As her clothes were removed, her eyes became lifeless. "Jingzhong! What are you doing!"

Just as Bingzhong was about to commit his atrocities, a very magnetic voice rang out. Bingzhong hurriedly stopped what he was doing and turned to look.

Kaguya, like a goddess descending to earth, slowly descended from the sky.

Her fair face was filled with anger, and her wide red and white robes swayed slightly as she slowly fell to the ground like a leaf blown by the wind.

Following Mashiro's advice, she entered the royal city and witnessed countless tragedies. Not knowing how to stop them, Kaguya decided to search for the well, where she discovered its atrocities.

"Lord Kaguya!" Inoue hurriedly knelt on the ground.

Upon seeing this, several of his guards quickly knelt down as well.

"What are you doing?!" Kaguya asked again, her expression somewhat cold, without saying a word.

Kaguya didn't know what to do. She picked up the girl who was almost... lying on the ground, floated into the sky, and said, "Go and stop the soldiers' atrocities in the royal city."

"Yes, Lady Kaguya," Namikaze said respectfully. Then Kaguya turned and left.

Chapter 106: The Growth Story of the Goddess of Rabbit (The End)

Mashiro left, but Inoue's heart remained heavy. He had no connection with this man; his only link was with his grandson.

The young lady, Xiao Li, served this gentleman.

"Go, tell all those troublemakers in the capital to stop. Tell them that the goddess is saddened by the plight of the mortals and cannot bear to see this scene," Jingzhong instructed a guard.

"Yes, Lady Inoue!" Upon hearing the goddess's name, Jin quickly ran out. Outside the city, at the rebel camp.

Kaguya led the bewildered girl to a tent, where Mashiro was leisurely reading a book.

"Who is this?" Mashiro asked softly, looking at the girl hiding behind Kaguya. "She is Suzaku's sister," Kaguya replied.

“You saved her from the well, didn’t you?” Mashiro said softly. “You know about this?” Kaguya asked, her expression somewhat cold.

Mashiro shook her head and said, "I don't know exactly what happened, but I have a vague idea of ​​what might happen. Didn't I mention it before?"

"Guess what they'll do after they win?"

"That's what they'll do. Under the influence of inflated desires, the oppressed will always become the new oppressors." Kaguya pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.

"What's your name?" Shinji stood up, walked to Kaguya's side, and asked the girl behind her.

"A-Zhu." The girl replied somewhat timidly. Overnight, she had gone from a princess above thousands to a refugee who had almost been humiliated. A-Zhu was still in a daze. "Someone will come and take her to rest and change her clothes." Mashiro called out from outside the tent.

Then, three maids entered. They didn't dare look up at Mashiro and the two men, bowed respectfully, and then left with Takeru. These maids were specially hired by Inoue to serve Mashiro; he was afraid that others would come into contact with Mashiro, so he came up with this method.

"Is Kaguya being a bit unreasonable now? Since the oppressed will become the oppressors, and hatred will be reincarnated, then war will inevitably never end," Mashiro said softly.

Kaguya didn't speak, leaning against Mashiro, suddenly feeling tired. "Kaguya, do you remember how you saved Takeru?" Mashiro suddenly asked. Kaguya was stunned; she understood what Mashiro meant.

"The reason you were able to stop the atrocities in the well wasn't because of your words, or because of your identity, but because of your power," Mashiro whispered in Kaguya's ear.

Kaguya's expression became blank, and Mashiro's words from before began to echo in her ears. "Power! A power that completely surpasses everyone else, a power that makes people feel unshakeable."

When this power is forcibly bound to everyone, faced with this invincible force that can never be reached, all desires can only be hidden in the deepest recesses of the heart. Therefore, war will be forever forbidden, thus achieving true and lasting peace.

After a moment of stunned silence, Kaguya seemed to suddenly come to her senses. An excited expression appeared on her fair face. She kissed Mashiro on the cheek, then gently grasped Mashiro's hand with her slender hands, her pretty face full of joy as she said, "Thank you, Mashiro. I understand. I know what to do."

Kaguya was incredibly excited, like a happy little girl who had received candy, completely losing her usual aloofness. Mashiro looked at Kaguya, who was as happy as a child, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Kaguya, once you have this desire for power, your desires have been unleashed. With the fruit of the Divine Tree, you will surely rule the entire world and bring about eternal peace. If you still fail, I would also like to know exactly where things went wrong.

Several days have passed.

By this time, news of the war had spread to every corner of the land.

When people heard the news of the defeat of the enemy army and the change of rulers, everyone was shocked and couldn't believe it. So, everyone sprang into action, wanting to investigate how that peasant-turned-rebel had managed to do this. How could he, with a mere peasant rebel army, have fought against well-trained warriors and succeeded?

News of this battle was not difficult to obtain, as it was truly legendary. And it was precisely because of this victory that the previously suppressed rebellion in this country stirred up unrest once more. Meanwhile...

Inside an ancient palace, Inoue, who had officially adopted the title of monarch of that country, cautiously waited outside the main hall.

Only when Xiao Li came out did a look of relief appear on his dark and somewhat stern face. He looked at his granddaughter with some expectation in his eyes and quickly asked, "Xiao Li, what did the two adults say?"

Upon hearing her grandfather's question, Xiao Li quickly replied, "Grandfather, Lord Mashiro asked me to tell you that everything should be done as agreed upon." Naruto repeatedly pondered the few words Xiao Li had relayed to him, a deep thought appearing on his dark face.

Seeing this, Xiao Li paused for a moment and said, "Grandfather, you don't need to think too much. Kaguya-sama and Mashiro-sama are both very gentle people. You just need to completely obey their wishes."

Hearing Xiaoli's words, Jingzhong was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant and quickly said, "Yes, yes, Xiaoli, you are right. Lady Mashiro and Lady Kaguya are both transcendent beings, so naturally they don't worry too much about worldly things. I was overthinking it."

Once he understood this, he felt much more relaxed.

He looked at Xiao Li with a relieved expression, a rough but warm look appearing on his dark face.

At this moment, for this half-old man who had experienced bloodshed and war, his only granddaughter was probably the most important thing in his heart. "Little Li, you must serve Lady Kaguya well. The two ladies have bestowed unimaginable favors upon our family, and I can only feel at ease when you are by Lady Kaguya's side," Inoue said, stroking Little Li's head.

Xiao Li hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "Grandfather, recently a new maid has appeared beside Lady Kaguya. Do you know her background?" Inoue pondered for a moment and said, "I haven't sent anyone. What, Xiao Li, do you dislike that person?"

Xiao Li's eyes darted away for a moment before she said, "It's not that I dislike her, it's just that I feel she doesn't genuinely want to be by Kaguya-sama's side."

He understood Xiao Li's meaning and smiled, saying, "Then let's find a chance to let her leave." Xiao Li's pretty face tightened slightly. The grandfather and granddaughter chatted for a long time before finally parting ways.

Meanwhile, inside the ancient palace, Haku and Kaguya were sitting in a side hall, watching the snow-like petals of the scattered flowers in the courtyard fall to the ground in the wind, creating a sea of ​​red.

In the corridor, Mashiro lay on Kaguya's body, a serene look in her eyes as she quietly watched the beautiful scenery before her, enjoying this moment of tranquility.