Chapter 201: Don't they have flesh and blood, parents and brothers?
In the capital of the Land of Rain, outside the Daimyo Mansion.
Hanzo looked at the sky and earth blurred by the heavy rain, and felt that the whole world was filled with the sound of the tide.
It was as if one could smell the scent of blood and gore from the rain in the sky.
Snap! Snap!
While Hanzo was in a trance, the gate of the daimyo mansion slowly opened behind him.
"Lord Hanzo, please follow me." A middle-aged man in elegant and gorgeous clothes, with loose and slender robes embroidered with family crests, smiled and said calmly, "Your Highness has been waiting for a long time."
Hanzo knew this man. He was one of the daimyo's "retainers", a samurai directly under the daimyo and the daimyo's most trusted source of military force. He was usually given territory and a certain number of samurai subordinates.
At the same time, he is also one of the current "peace advocates".
Thinking of this, Hanzo's expression darkened slightly, and he followed the man into the Daimyo Mansion without saying a word.
When you enter Daming Mansion, you can see winding corridors and high eaves in the front yard, which gives a luxurious scene. Going further in, you will see trees and flowers in the courtyard.
It's hard to believe that there is such a place in the rainy country shrouded in haze. Compared with the outside world, it is like a paradise.
"These flowers and plants are transplanted from other countries. They are cold-resistant and water-resistant and can bloom all year round."
Glancing at Hanzo who was standing aside with a surprised look in his eyes, the man's eyes flashed with contempt, and he casually introduced as he walked: "Your Highness likes the feeling of vitality very much, so he specially found these varieties."
"..." Hanzo was silent for a moment, then said, "Even if they are cold-resistant and water-resistant, these flowers and plants can't survive in the Land of Rain."
It rains everywhere in this country. Because of the year-round rainfall, the Land of Rain has quite abundant water resources.
For the Land of Wind, which is in a drought all year round, this may be something worth envy for the Sunagakure Village ninjas.
But in fact, like the Land of Wind, the Land of Rain is equally poor. What the Land of Wind lacks the least is sand, while what the Land of Rain lacks the least is water. Those who suffer from drought will die of drought, and those who suffer from floods will die of floods. Neither country is suitable for growing crops.
"Indeed, these flowers can only survive for about a month."
The man smiled slightly and said calmly: "But it doesn't matter. If they die, we can just replace them."
Behind him, Hanzo's expression darkened and his mood grew increasingly gloomy.
But soon, they walked through the corridor and entered the hall.
A young man sat at the head of the round table, with girls surrounding him in a swaggering manner.
"Haha, Hanzo-sama, we've been waiting for you for a long time!"
The young man stood up enthusiastically, waved and said with a smile: "Come and sit down, and try the newly developed dishes."
"Your Highness Isibi." Hanzo bowed respectfully to the young man sitting at the head of the table, and said, "I came here this time to..."
"Hanzo-sama."
Before he could finish his words, Isibi interrupted him and waved his hand, saying, "We have been waiting for you, so we haven't started eating yet. Sit down first and talk while we eat."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone else in the room looked over, some smiled, some nodded in good faith, some examined him secretly, and some looked at him with disdain.
"...yes."
Hanzo paused, wanting to say something but stopping himself, and finally could only sit in the empty seat, responding to the smiling strangers beside him, and looking at the large round table in front of him covered with a spotless tablecloth.
At this moment, two arms, as white as ivory, stretched out from behind, one hand holding a teapot high and the other waving a sleeve, and tea poured down into the teacup placed in front of Hanzo.
"Thanks."
Hanzo said this subconsciously and turned around to see a girl who was heavily made up but still looked young. Her face was full of flattery and she lowered her head timidly.
Only then did he realize that behind everyone present, like himself, there was a chef and a girl standing.
"Haha, Hanzo-sama, don't be so reserved."
Seeing this, the retainer sitting next to him smiled, put his hand on the girl's leg, and said, "She's just a maid. If you want her, I'm willing to give her up."
Compared to the timid girl next to Hanzo, the girl next to him seemed more indifferent.
Faced with the retainer's hand on her leg, even if it was to be given away like an object, she just smiled without showing any disgust, and nodded generously in response to Hanzo's gaze.
"Okay, let's get started."
While Hanzo was distracted, Isibi, who was sitting in the first seat, clapped his hands.
The old-looking cook behind him walked out, turned around and bowed slightly to Isibi, then after he nodded, turned around and started serving the food.
After the cook finished serving the food, everyone happily started eating the food and praising it.
Looking at the people in front of him eating heartily, enjoying the delicious food and praising it, Hanzo, who had just returned from the front line, felt a sense of disillusionment and unreality.
"Lord Hanzo?" The girl next to him held the crab meat in one hand and held it underneath with the other hand and handed it to his mouth.
But the aroma of the girl and the food that entered his nostrils made him feel more nauseous and nauseous than the bloody smell of the battlefield. His whole body trembled slightly involuntarily, and he subconsciously raised his hand to slap away the arm that was raised to his mouth.
"Ah!"
The force exerted in unconsciousness left a red mark on the girl's arm, causing her to fall backwards to the ground and scream in pain.
In an instant, the originally bustling hall became silent, and everyone looked over with different expressions on their faces.
Seeing this, the girl was so scared that her face turned pale and she subconsciously covered her mouth.
Hanzo also came back to his senses, facing everyone's gaze, and simply stood up, looked at Isibi and saluted, saying: "Your Highness, I am a common man, and I really don't have the honor to enjoy it. I only have one request, can you listen to me?"
Hearing this, Isibi looked at him deeply, but did not answer. Instead, he sighed and said, "It's a pity that Hanzo-sama has no intention of enjoying such delicious food and beautiful scenery."
"However, before you speak, I also have a question. I wonder if Hanzo-sama can help me solve it?"
Hanzo's mood darkened slightly, and he said, "Your Highness, please speak."
"I'm curious." Isibi smiled, but there was no smile in his eyes, "What did you say when you faced the Sunagakure Village troops led by Chiyo alone?"
"…I just went to ask for something."
"What?"
"An explanation." Hanzo said softly, "I want them to give an explanation for the massacre of the civilians of the Land of Rain."
Isibi sneered, "So, are they willing to give it?"
"No." Hanzo shook his head.
"So you took action?" Isibi stood up and said coldly, "As the leader of the Amegakure Village, once you take action, it is equivalent to declaring war. You don't understand this principle, right?"
"…"
Looking at the silent Hanzo, Isibi narrowed his eyes slightly and continued: "Okay, let's put this aside for now. Let me ask you, are you sure you can defeat the Third Kazekage?"
"…" Hanzo remained silent.
"Yes, or no?" Isibi's face darkened, and he said coldly word by word, "Hanzo, what are your chances of winning?!"
Facing the pressing Daimyo, Hanzo closed his eyes and said frankly, "Fifty percent at most."
BANG!!
The sudden sound of shattering echoed in the hall, causing the girls kneeling around to tremble.
"You Idiot!"
Isibi smashed the cup in his hand and scolded loudly: "If the Land of Rain had not been bowing to the five major countries all these years, the Land of Rain would have perished long ago!"
"And all of this was ruined by you! After fighting for a year, you have not achieved anything except driving the Sunagakure Village out of the country. The 10,000 Rain Ninjas selected with the whole country's strength are demoralized and afraid of fighting! Now you tell me that you only have a 50% chance of winning?!"
Hanzo opened his eyes and said quickly: "Your Highness, look outside. Everyone in the Amegakure Village has a strong hatred for the Sunagakure Village, and the hatred is getting stronger and stronger."
"As long as you can provide enough supplies, we will win the next battle. We will break through the Land of Wind's defense line and will surely inspire everyone's confidence in the war!"
"Hatred? What's the use of that?" Isibi pointed at Hanzo and said coldly, "Hatred can't change the situation. Your incompetence is a fact. Can you break through the defense line that you couldn't break through before just because you have a full stomach?"
After that, he paused, his tone became lighter, and advised: "Hanzo-sama, that's enough. You have already achieved success and made the great country see the power of our Land of Rain."
"It is meaningless to continue this war. The little hope you bring will only turn into greater despair. It is better to negotiate a ceasefire with the Land of Wind now and exchange enough benefits from them."
Hearing this, Hanzo's body trembled violently. He looked at Isibi in disbelief and blurted out, "Triumph? Benefits? Is this how Your Highness defines this battle?"
"I know you don't want to accept it, but the war is all about politics and the exchange of interests!"
Isibi said bluntly: "If you cease fire, you will lose some honor, but your men can at least survive and live a better life. They are all flesh and blood, with parents and brothers, right?"
"..."
Hanzo stared at Isibi in astonishment for a long time. After a moment, he smiled miserably, shook his head, stepped back, turned around and bowed his head, saying, "In that case, I'll take my leave first."
Looking at his broad back, Isibi said gloomily: "If you continue like this, you will make this feat a laughing stock!"
Hanzo paused, turned his back to him and said calmly: "Thousands of Rain Ninjas and tens of thousands of civilians have died at the hands of the Five Nations."
"Your Highness, please tell me, don't they have blood, flesh, parents, or brothers?"
(End of this chapter)