Taking advantage of the opportunity to intervene in the reconstruction and rescue of Fushimi County, after Uchiha Tokumitsu unceremoniously expelled the daimyo envoy, the local hereditary nobles and county guardians came to pay their names with great discernment.

They unanimously presented the fiefdom population and tax books to the Tokuko shogunate.

This is also a subtle act of surrender.

Uchiha Tokumitsu, as if he had taken over the eight eastern counties of the Fire Country, first comforted him with kind words, promising to protect the personal and property safety of the nobles, and that some sinister forces within the Fire Country would not pose any threat to them; At the same time, they unceremoniously received the account books handed over by the nobles, and according to the shogunate tradition, they were given a tax ceiling, and the fiefdom population had the theoretical right to move freely.

In addition, Uchiha Tokumitsu also gave these very discerning northern nobles an additional right, that is, they were allowed to keep the original samurai troops, but they also had to bear their own military expenses within the share of taxes, and even how many government troops they could raise were up to them.

This was also a relief for the nobles, who could only recruit a certain number of samurai and form a private army according to their respective ranks.

But in this era when ninjas swept through the ninja world, the government army composed of samurai as the backbone had long been determined to be a costly but useless waste, so most of the nobles were not very interested in it.

It's just that there are some middle- and lower-class nobles who are smart and good at figuring out their intentions, but they smell something different. After connecting with the rumor that Uchiha Tokumitsu "asked Quyu no nobility in front of the daimyo envoy", they also had another understanding.

…… Maybe it's a good idea to be a knife for the shogunate!

Although he also understood that this knife was most likely going to be stabbed at the ministers and nobles of the Daimyo's Mansion, those middle- and lower-class nobles who were intelligent and not a side branch of the Daimyo family didn't care.

For them, being a knife and then trading it for a real chance to join the shogunate's ruling clique was well worth the fight.

No matter how bad it is, the shogunate won't let the vanguard of its own camp die so easily, right~

I have to say that after the heavy rescue of Uchiha Suke, although it has not been a few days since the incident, the importance that the shogunate and Konoha attach to the ninjas under their command has also quietly changed some people's minds.

……

"When will our ninja army be able to fight the shogunate!"

The daimyo who was so anxious that the corners of his mouth were bubbling up convened the squire Shinobu chief Hattori Heiji, and asked with a split head.

"There is no power to fight for the time being......"

After learning of the humiliation of the envoy, Hattori Heiji, who knew that he would face such a question sooner or later, immediately replied.

Although these words must have been greeted by various "greetings" from the daimyo, Hattori Heiji had to say it.

Otherwise, it would be bad if the daimyo was so confident that he would make the impulsive decision to go to war with the shogunate!

"Then what's the use of me spending so much money to raise your ninja army!"

Although he had known that his attendant ninja would answer like this, the daimyo angrily picked up the vase in his hand and slammed it hard!

"Our numbers are too different from the Shogunate Ninja Army and even Konoha , no matter how brave and good the squire Shinobi is, they can't defeat ten with one!"

Heiji Hattori is still a habitual speech.

In the past, whenever the shogunate took over a county, the daimyo would summon him to reprimand him, and then Hattori Heiji would state his difficulties, and the end result would always be raised high and gently lowered.

"Next, it's almost time to increase military spending......"

Although he still looks respectful, Hattori Heiji has long been out of the way, and he is just answering according to his past inertia.

"How many people have the squire ninja cultivated?"

Sure enough, the daimyo followed up with the previous way of asking: "If the thieves of the Uchiha rebel, how many loyal and righteous people will fight for the nobles in the ninja army!" ”

"The attendants are all serving His Highness the Daimyo!"

Hattori Heiji immediately raised a few tones, and his voice was full of fanatical sincerity.

Of course, it's just a habit.

After all, he has acted so many times, and he has long memorized the various reactions and appropriate feedback answers of the daimyo, and even formed muscle memory.

"I ask you! How many squires are there! ”

But this time, it was a bit unexpected.

The daimyo suddenly jumped up, picked up the fruit plate on the table and smashed it towards Hattori Heiji!

"The total number of ninja soldiers is 2,280, including 80 upper ninjas, 1,200 middle ninjas, and 1,000 lower ninjas."

Heiji Hattori, who was smashed and bleeding, didn't dare to slack off and immediately replied.

The reason why the registration and distribution of the attendant ninja is so balanced and even the number of people at each level is an integer is entirely because Hattori Heiji fills his own pocket in order to control military spending, so the eighty upper ninjas are mostly rich and noble people who can make money, and among the 1,600 middle ninjas, there are also many people who are indiscriminate, and as for the lower ninja, there are even more unlucky ghosts whose strength is acceptable but they have no chance of promotion.

But Hattori Heiji also has his own reasons, after all, the price of all kinds of forbearance equipment and weapons of the United Company is getting more and more expensive, plus in order to take care of the mood of the daimyo and the ministers and nobles, they have to go through the middlemen to change hands, and finally package them into self-produced equipment in the military workshop directly under the Land of Fire.

Besides, although the daimyo's internal funds are indeed quite large, there are also a lot of ministers and nobles who are eyeing this amount! They arranged for their cronies to "say hello" one by one, and sometimes the lowly and powerful Hattori Heiji really had no choice, so he could only "go along with them"; It's just that after tasting the sweetness, Hattori Heiji also took that billion points by himself.

"The ninja army must not be slackened!"

His Holiness the Noble and Holy Daimyo once again emphasized.

"This is the goal that His Majesty has always been striving for!"

Heiji Hattori, who finally regained his familiar feeling, breathed a sigh of relief and answered quickly and well.

"Tomorrow, send people to the land of earth and the country of thunder, and I will meet with the two highnesses......"

The daimyo didn't pay any attention to Hattori Heiji anymore, but summoned the chamberlain to command.

"Yes!"

The chamberlain immediately replied excitedly with a sharp voice.

Hattori Heiji suddenly had a chill on his back!

In the past, in order to ensure the concealment of information between daimyo from various countries, Hattori Heiji was responsible for communicating with foreign daimyos. How could a small waiter take over such an important job this time!

You must know that although Hattori Heiji is in charge of the ninja army directly under the daimyo, his official position is only a mere attendant chief, and his rank is equivalent to the county guard at most, and he is not a fart compared to the ministers!

And if this matter spreads, the ministers will immediately think that this is a signal that they have lost their power, and when the time comes, they will attack in groups......

Thinking of this, Heiji Hattori couldn't help but shudder.

For a long time, in order to show his absolute loyalty, Hattori Heiji didn't have many henchmen in the attendant ninja, plus he wantonly filled his pockets after the fall, so in addition to the ninjas from the same clan, he actually didn't have many people available, even if he wanted to make the "daimyo dissolve in water", he couldn't find it!

"Inform the master of the Fire Temple and let him enter the palace to give lectures......"

The daimyo also ignored Hattori's reaction and continued to command.

The Temple of Fire is in, and the distance from the Daimyo's Mansion is nothing for the ninja monks, and it is estimated that within about two hours, the Great Monk of the Fire Temple and the monks and soldiers will enter the Daimyo's Mansion......

Heiji Hattori began to feel hopeless.

At this time, he didn't even dare to move.

Several powerful qi machines firmly locked his every move, and he was afraid that wiping the slightest sweat would cause a thunderous blow.

"It's the guardian ninja ...... back then"

Heiji Hattori also sensed that the shadows were staring at who his qi belonged to.

Although the daimyo guardian ninja who was once ordered to disband by Uchiha Tokumitsu no longer exists on the surface, the strong ones in it are still secretly retained by the daimyo......

"...... by such means"

Heiji Hattori didn't know what he was doing wrong.

Everything was fine, why did it get to such a point?

Isn't it just to pour two hands of ordnance, collect some filial piety, and engage in the auction of some officials who are not bullied? As for treating yourself like this!

Hattori was terrified and a little angry at the same time.

Everything I did was learned from those ministers and nobles and the commanders of the government and army! Why are they so blatantly so dashing and free, while they themselves are going to suffer!

Thinking about it, Hattori Heiji couldn't figure it out.

After the daimyo sent his chamberlain out, he ignored Hattori Heiji in the hall and only closed his eyes to recuperate.

And Hattori Heiji's bean-sized sweat dripped down the gold bricks, and after a while, they soaked the ground.

I don't know how long it was, but the great monk of the Fire Temple was striding into the hall and saluting the high daimyo.

"Your Highness, the humble monk has arrived with five hundred ninja monks from the Temple of Fire!"

Hattori Heiji calmed down at this time.

Whether it's killing or chopping, it's just a matter of sticking out and shrinking one's head.

"Master, please be seated......"

After beckoning the monk to take his seat, the daimyo turned his gaze back to Hattori Heiji, who was pale but calm.

"Heijiqing ......"

"In!"

Heiji Hattori immediately responded.

"The squire ninja army is the root of the country of fire, and it is really not to be ......"

The daimyo said slowly.

"My subordinates understand that there were many deficiencies in the affairs of the unified army in the past, and I hope that His Highness will punish him!"

Heiji Hattori threw in the towel very simply.

He also had to obey, after all, the Temple of Fire has secretly trained ninja monks for many years since the Uchiha Tokuko led the department to break the door, and the accumulated strength is not clear even to himself as a squire ninja chief, but since he can transfer five hundred ninja monks to Shangluo so quickly, it can be seen that the strength of the Fire Temple should not be underestimated, and it may even be above the squire ninja army! 、

"Remembering that you have been loyal to the state for many years, and there is no merit and hard work, so the punishment is forgotten......"

The "crane sound" of the daimyo dragged on for a long time, echoing in the empty palace, setting off the atmosphere even more eerie and eerie.

"So, you might as well go home and practice the Dharma behind closed doors, so that you can improve your state of mind. As for the wealth you have saved, I guess it's enough for the Hattori family to enjoy it......"

"Isn't that beautiful!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Hattori Heiji didn't say a word and bowed down.

Anyway, it landed safely......

Heiji Hattori, who was spared from the misfortune of the blood-spattered palace, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the daimyo is a mortal, his power skills did make Hattori Heiji, who has the power of ninja, panic.

As for dismissal, house arrest and other matters, they are insignificant compared to their own lives.

……

After the dazed Hattori returned to his mansion, he was blown by the cold wind and couldn't help but shiver.

Only then did he realize that his clothes were so wet that he could wring out water.

"Mr. Guard......"

Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind Heiji Hattori.

"Who!"

Hattori Heiji's hairs suddenly stood on end.

"That's not right...... It should be the former attendant Changping Jiqing......"

A figure walked out of the darkness behind Hattori Heiji and said calmly.

"You ......"

Hattori Heiji took a slightly large amount of this uninvited guest, and couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Judging by the outfit and the special pair of white eyes, it was a Konoha ninja......

"In the Shimoshogunate Joint Anti-Terrorist Force Chief of Staff Hinata Hinata ......"

"What's the matter!"

Hattori Heiji didn't dare to be careless at all, his right hand was hidden behind him and held kunai, and his body leaned forward slightly, ready to move.

"Lord Tokumitsu wants to see you, come with me!"

Hinata Hinata didn't care about Hattori's vigilance, and said his purpose lightly and happily.

"Tokumitsu-sama......"

Heiji Hattori couldn't help but feel furious inside.

I'm the chief of the ninja army, who is in charge of commanding the shogunate! Why was he just dismissed from his post and placed under house arrest in the temple, and the people of the shogunate came to the door!

How many shogunate spies are there in the Daimyo's Mansion!

Hattori, who was terrified of it, didn't dare to think about it anymore.

"Now, now......"

Heiji Hattori swallowed again, "I've been put under house arrest by His Royal Highness the Daimyo......"

"Meaning...... You don't even know how to use shadow clones......"

The polite smile on Hinata Hinata's face gradually faded, and he didn't give him a chance to refuse at all.

"I'm going to ...... now"

Hattori began to seal with a trembling shaki.

"Let's change your clothes! Don't worry! Tokumitsu-sama is already waiting for you! ”

Hinata Hinata snorted coldly and said arrogantly.

Update Today (1/2)

Spend a good full moon on Tanabata, I wish you all a happy Tanabata

(End of chapter)