Uchiha's personal opinion

Furthermore, after seizing control of the southern islands, the United Fisheries Company, jointly established by the Uchiha clan and affiliated ninja clans, could regain access to the source of goods and revive the previously abandoned trade routes.

The Jonin of the Ninja Clan Alliance also realized this key point.

Although the time they could earn dividends from the joint fisheries company's business was short-lived, the Jonin still fondly remembered it.

"...What's your real name?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu remained silent for a moment before asking a question.

In theory, the daimyo is the ruler of the Land of Water, and such matters require his decree to be valid.

"Lord Mizukage said that if the Daimyo doesn't agree, then we'll just choose another Daimyo..."

Despite his respectful expression, Pipa Juzo felt a deep sadness in his heart.

For Kirigakure, one of the five great ninja villages, to offer such conditions is an unprecedented disgrace.

But there's nothing we can do; circumstances are beyond our control.

If the shogunate continues its northward advance, coupled with the attack from Kumogakure, even if Kirigakure manages to defeat the enemy in a desperate battle, they will inevitably lose all their elite troops due to the fierce fighting, and from then on become easy prey for others to slaughter.

Therefore, it would be better to completely feed the Shogunate in one go, so that Kirigakure can free up its hands to clean up the situation and confront the ill-intentioned Kumogakure.

In this way, although it would be extremely embarrassing, as long as they could defeat Kumogakure, Kirigakure could still manage to maintain the dignity of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

Uchiha Tokumitsu's gaze fell upon the Jonin of the three Hidden Mist clans.

The three clans of the Hidden Mist looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

From the family's perspective, they would naturally prefer to continue conquering Kirigakure to avenge their previous defeat; however, the benefits of the conditions offered by Kirigakure to the shogunate are also obvious.

"...Lord Deguang, please make your decision. We absolutely support all your decisions."

After hesitating for a long time, Hozuki Masahiko finally knelt on one knee and spoke to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

All the Jonin from the three Hidden Mist clans rose and knelt.

"……I see."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded. "The three clans are wise and righteous. I have seen your sacrifices, and the Shogunate will not let you suffer..."

"I have a few more conditions."

Uchiha Tokumitsu turned to Biwa Juzo and said.

"General Deguang, please speak..."

The ten treasures of loquat should be understood.

The shogunate was the butcher's knife, and the shogunate was like fish on a chopping block. Kizo Biwa understood perfectly what it meant to "act according to one's power and position."

"I want the Twin Blades Flounder."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said, "This is a reward for the loyalty of the three Kirigakure clans."

"...I agree to this on behalf of Lord Mizukage."

Pipa Juzo nodded.

"Furthermore, the shogunate plans to establish concessions and trading posts in the eastern islands, and daimyo, nobles, or people from ninja villages in the Land of Water are not allowed to enter without permission!"

"This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to report to Lord Mizukage before making a decision."

"can!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu agreed, "There's a baseball field not far from outside the hall. You can go there to release your ninja hawks and contact the Mizukage."

Without further ado, Pipa Juzo bowed and left the camp hall to release his ninja hawk and make contact with the Mizukage to obtain further authorization.

"Given the three clans' profound understanding of righteousness, they should be commended!"

After Juzo Biwa left, Tokumitsu Uchiha said to the ninjas of the three clans, "The selection of the ninja wielder of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei will also be conducted within the three clans."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Deguang!"

Mizuki Chino responded.

"Furthermore, the three clans will be referred to as the 'Three Clans of Righteousness' in the shogunate's announcements!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said to his attendant ninja, Uzumaki Kaori.

"As ordered!"

Kaori Uzumaki immediately accepted the mission.

...After a short while, Pipa Juzo entered the hall.

"Lord Mizukage accepts all of General Tokumitsu's conditions!"

"very good!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu was also very satisfied.

"The dawn of peace in the Land of Water has appeared on the horizon!"

Chapter 206: Won Too Much!

Under pressure from both internal and external forces, Kirigakure chose to sacrifice the interests of the Land of Water by ceding territory and paying reparations in order to concentrate its efforts on dealing with the overwhelming force of the Cloud Village ninja army.

Compared to the Tokugawa Shogunate, Kumogakure was the greater enemy that could threaten the very survival of the ninja village.

In this way, Uchiha Tokumitsu should thank those barbarians from Kumogakure for their divine assistance, which allowed him to snag a huge bargain!

After the ceasefire document, signed by the Third Mizukage and proclaimed to the ninja villages, was delivered to the shogunate headquarters, Uchiha Tokumitsu ordered the withdrawal of the occupying ninja forces from the eastern islands and the Kinki region of the Daimyo's capital.

However, when Juzo Biwa raised the demand to return the Daimyo's residence, Tokumitsu Uchiha put forward another condition: that the Daimyo of the Land of Water personally issue an edict declaring that the Tokumitsu Shogunate's jurisdiction over the southern islands was a permanent rule supported by the laws of a major power.

Although neither the shogunate nor Kirigakure understood the binding force of such an empty document that could be torn up at any time, Biwa Juzo, who was in charge of the negotiations between the two sides, had no choice but to go north again to meet with the daimyo and ask him to issue an edict agreeing to transfer the ruling power.

Because the ninja army under Yagura Karatachi was defeated in the Battle of Kinki, the daimyo of the Land of Water moved his base to the northern islands.

However, due to the recent attack by the Hidden Cloud Village, the northern islands have become somewhat unstable. In addition, the negative impact of the Mizukage's massacre of the elders has left the daimyo and nobles in constant fear and unease.

The Third Mizukage has now bypassed him, the nominal supreme ruler of the Land of Water, and privately negotiated peace with a foreign warlord, even signing a territorial concession agreement. This has truly made the Daimyo feel utterly humiliated.

……

"...The people of the shogunate have grand ambitions!"

When Biwa Juzo arrived at the daimyo's residence to convey Uchiha Tokumitsu's request, the high-ranking official who came to greet him delayed for a moment, citing the need for further discussion in front of the palace.

The daimyo also summoned his close advisors to discuss countermeasures.

The ninjas might disregard the imperial edict, but to the seasoned nobles and courtiers, the edict ceding territory held immense significance.

This is tantamount to establishing an unruly separatist force within the territory of the Land of Water...

The daimyo of the Land of Water would rather let the southern and eastern islands be occupied by the shogunate's ninja army than issue such a decree ceding territory.

"Your Highness, I am well aware that this is a disgrace to the Land of Water, but I hope that Your Highness will show leniency for the sake of the country and strive to restore order..."

However, the nobles and courtiers were already preoccupied with their own mansions and treasures in the daimyo's residence, and were unwilling to continue to live in fear and tighten their belts to support Kirigakure in continuing to fight against the Tokukō Shogunate.

"Although the Mizukage is arrogant and rude, he is still the leader of Kirigakure, and the wolves and tigers of Kumogakure still need him to lead his troops to resist them; while the Tokugawa Shogunate is powerful, accepting it as a nominal vassal by imperial decree can, to some extent, check Kirigakure and prevent any one ninja power from becoming too dominant. His Highness the Daimyo can then mediate between them, watch them fight, and reorganize the Daimyo's army..."

Konoe Atsushi, with his silver tongue, earnestly persuaded him.

Other high-ranking officials and close advisors shared the same attitude.

No matter how powerful and domineering the Tokugawa Shogunate was, it wouldn't stoop to the level of atrocities like the Kumogakure massacre of nobles.

Besides, ceding the southern islands would only sacrifice the interests of local nobles, so what does it have to do with the officials of Daming Prefecture?

Moreover, after the devastation of war, less than one-tenth of the original local nobles in the eastern islands returned by the shogunate remained, making it a perfect opportunity for the court nobles of the daimyo's territories to expand their influence.

This is a win-win situation!

The Tokugawa Shogunate gained control of the southern islands, while the court nobles took control of the eastern islands. The only ones who suffered losses were the daimyo and those unlucky local nobles.

"Now that Kirigakure has suffered repeated defeats, the ninja army is demoralized and scattered. We still need to regroup and fight against Kumogakure. This is a matter of life and death for the Land of Water... I urge Your Highness to put aside your current honor and disgrace and take on more responsibility for this country."

The Grand Minister of State also spoke up to offer advice.

The daimyo's attitude softened somewhat, but he still had some reservations: "If the shogunate controls the southern islands, how will the defenses of the Kinai region be arranged? How will trade and taxation be conducted?"

This is a very practical question.

The former concerns whether the emperor can sleep or not, while the latter concerns whether the emperor can eat well.

"The ninja garrison in the Kinki region can be under the command of Kirigakure. After the war, another 3,000 ninja will be drawn from the Kinki region to form a guard unit..."

The Grand Minister of State said, "As for the issue of taxes... those sold abroad will not be questioned, but those traded domestically must be taxed according to the domestic tax rate!"

The nobles and courtiers were well aware of the smuggling operations that Uchiha Tokumitsu had launched in alliance with the Hidden Mist Ninja Clan, and in fact, they were among the beneficiaries of the smuggling trade.

At that time, specialties from all over the ninja world were transported to the heartland of the nobles, and all that was needed in return was the insignificant and worthless catch of those humble fishermen.

As for who suffers the most losses in the smuggling trade?

That's naturally the name of the province-wide taxation!

Although nobles and courtiers exist in dependence on daimyo, it does not mean that their interests are aligned with those of the daimyo.

Especially at this crucial moment when they are about to seize the territory of the eastern islands, being able to evade more taxes from the daimyo's tax collectors means that they can store more gold coins in their treasuries.

After repeated persuasion from his close advisors, the daimyo finally relented and agreed to issue the imperial edict, but also requested that envoys be sent to the shogunate's headquarters to discuss tax issues and the selection of leased territory locations in the eastern islands.

Helpless, the hardworking Juzo Biwa had no choice but to set off south again with the daimyo's special envoy to continue negotiating with Uchiha Tokumitsu.

……

The person sent by the daimyo of the Land of Water to sign the agreement with Uchiha Tokumitsu was none other than Konoe Atsushi, whose official career had been thriving since his mission to the shogunate.

Uchiha Tokumitsu was also quite interested in this person, thinking that he was a pragmatic and flexible individual who might be of great use in the future. As usual, he summoned Konoe Atsushi to the council hall of the residence.

"General Deguang, I have come to discuss matters on the orders of the sacred lord of our nation..."

Konoe Atsushi was interrupted by Uchiha Tokumitsu before he could finish speaking.

"Should I sign my name or not?"

"The southern islands can be designated as shogunate territory, but there are still other matters that need to be discussed."

Konoe Atsushi also explained the purpose of the envoy's visit: "Firstly, regarding taxes, and secondly, regarding the concession. The daimyo will not issue an imperial edict until these two matters are resolved!"

"Go ahead and say it."