Back then, the Fire Temple supported a large number of warrior monks. These monks could not only protect the peace of the surrounding villages, but when villagers encountered difficult problems, they would often ask the monks of the Fire Temple for help.
It's worth mentioning that Chiriku himself was no weakling either, at the very least at the level of a jonin.
Even if he encountered a powerful enemy he couldn't handle, he could still request assistance from Konoha.
Of course, the people of the Fire Temple didn't work for free. Every time they helped villagers solve problems, they would charge appropriate compensation, whether it be money, valuables, or various daily necessities.
Now, however, the situation had completely changed. Konoha had not only successfully built national roads, but had also specifically dispatched personnel to patrol and manage the surrounding villages.
And in recent years, the overall situation in the ninja world had been relatively stable, with not many intense conflicts breaking out.
Because of this, the villagers' dependence on the Fire Temple had gradually decreased.
However, as time passed, certain problems began to surface.
Some temples, due to issues related to land ownership, had developed serious conflicts with the surrounding villagers.
Faced with such a thorny situation, many villagers chose to seek help from Konoha ninja, hoping to properly resolve these disputes.
Although the Fire Temple still had a certain foundation, Chiriku, as its abbot, knew he couldn't just sit and wait. He had to prepare in advance and make plans early.
Konoha's current display of power seemed to indicate that it could replace the daimyo at any time, creating a situation where the entire Land of Fire would follow a single authority.
It was under this background that when Kazuma sought cooperation, Chiriku, after careful consideration, ultimately agreed.
Although the daimyo's power had already weakened, his status still remained. No matter what, he could still play some role.
Even setting aside manpower, the financial resources in the daimyo's hands were not to be underestimated.
Thus, Chiriku came together with Kazuma, hoping this visit would draw the daimyo's attention and prompt a response.
Before this, Kazuma had actually visited the daimyo many times, but each time the daimyo had pretended not to hear, deliberately avoiding involvement in this turmoil.
But now that even Chiriku had personally accompanied him, Kazuma couldn't help but think: surely this time the daimyo would show some kind of stance?
However, in reality, he didn't understand the daimyo's thoughts. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that this daimyo himself was an extremely intelligent person.
He simply waved his hand lightly, speaking in a vague, noncommittal tone, "The Land of Fire is able to be this prosperous now entirely thanks to Konoha's Hokage!"
"My life right now is quite comfortable. How it was before is how it still is now."
"As for my own safety, I've never worried about it at all."
At this point, the daimyo paused slightly, then continued:
"So…"
He deliberately dragged out his tone, then said, "I've never met you, and I don't know what you're trying to do."
"No matter whether you succeed or fail, there's no need to report to me."
Hearing this, a clear look of disappointment appeared in Kazuma's eyes, while Chiriku beside him remained calm and expressionless.
"Then, my lord, we will take our leave."
The two didn't say anything more. They stood up cleanly, bowed with clasped hands, and left.
After they had gone, the aide quickly walked up to the daimyo and asked in a low voice, "My lord, should we inform Konoha about this matter?"
The daimyo slowly shook his head. The relaxed expression on his face had already disappeared, replaced by seriousness.
"Remember this. All along, there have been countless people with ill intentions toward Konoha, trying to get their hands on it. Yet Konoha has always stood firm and has never asked for help from the outside."
"You must not reveal that you met those two, nor disclose their intentions. Just focus on completing your own duties."
The aide respectfully lowered his head, responded, and slowly withdrew from the room.
After everyone had left, the daimyo leisurely opened the folding fan in his hand, gently fanning himself as he uttered one word, "Naive."
———
At this moment, Kazuma, who had already stepped out of the daimyo's residence, was in an extremely agitated mood. He couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you let me tell the daimyo that we have other collaborators?"
Chiriku, walking beside him, couldn't help but snort coldly, "Can't you see the daimyo's attitude? He doesn't believe we can succeed at all."
"He doesn't encourage us, doesn't support us, but also doesn't oppose us. It's obvious, he's saying we should come back to him after we produce results."
"If we succeed, why would we still go back to him?", Kazuma said angrily.
Although he had always insisted that the Hokage was unnecessary and believed that real authority over the ninja should belong to the daimyo of the Land of Fire, after several exchanges with the daimyo, Kazuma had also come to realize a bitter truth.
That lofty daimyo seemed to have no interest in power struggles at all. Every day, he indulged in pleasure, immersing himself in feasting and entertainment.
As for whether his power was gradually being weakened, or whether Konoha's Hokage had already surpassed him, he showed complete indifference.
Hearing this, Chiriku let out a deep sigh and slowly said, "This daimyo is truly a smart man."
Then he added, "Because he acts this way, no matter how the situation develops, he will always remain in a position where he cannot lose. He'll never put himself in a disadvantageous position."
However, Kazuma's face was extremely gloomy at this moment. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Are we just going back empty-handed like this? You should know, Obito's plan carries huge risks."
Kazuma's heart was filled with anxiety and unease.
Chiriku silently placed his right hand before his chest, pressing his palms together in a Buddhist gesture, then replied calmly, "Actually, I still have another path to take."
"But what about you?"
At present, Chiriku was still observing, wanting to see how Konoha would respond. If it really didn't work out, he could always go back to being a monk.
But Kazuma was different. He had spent so many years working on this matter.
At this moment, Kazuma raised his head, his gaze drifting toward the vast, distant sky.
Watching the white clouds float leisurely past, he felt as though time had slipped by like a fleeting horse, passing in the blink of an eye. All those years had quietly slipped through his fingers.
The once ambitious and spirited version of himself had now become so worn out, so mentally exhausted.
His long-held wish had already turned into an obsession. Even though his son Sora, the artificial Nine-Tails jinchuriki, had disappeared,
he still hadn't given up on his plan to destroy Konoha. Now, there was no way he would abandon it.
Once he gave up, everything he had done in the first half of his life would be meaningless.
Kazuma's expression shifted, his eyes gradually hardening with resolve.
"Hmph! We'll follow Obito's plan. Even if Konoha isn't destroyed this time, it'll still suffer heavy damage!"
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