Chapter 160: It’s Been a Long Time Since I’ve Slain a Daimyo

Name：Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived Author：
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Chapter 160: It’s Been a Long Time Since I’ve Slain a Daimyo

Chapter 160: It's Been a Long Time Since I've Slain a Daimyo

The Land of Waves, Naruto Bridge.

At dawn, this newly constructed bridge was already bustling with activity. Merchants from the mainland transported goods to the Land of Waves and then took local specialties back, creating a cycle that brought unprecedented prosperity to this once isolated island nation.

Standing at one end of the Naruto Bridge, Tazuna, the bridge's builder, regarded as a symbol of hope for the Land of Waves, smoked his pipe as he gazed thoughtfully at the "child" he had helped build.

Unbeknownst to him, a colossal object was floating above the Land of Waves. Its owner, descending leisurely like a pedestrian, soon stood beside him.

[Ding!]

[Main Mission: Operation in the Land of Waves]

[Mission Description: Team 7, who has been doing D-rank missions, finally took on a C-rank mission to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves due to Naruto's persistence. Protect the mission target, Tazuna, and ensure the successful construction of Naruto Bridge. Mission rewards will be based on the host's performance throughout the mission.]

[Warning! The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, including Zabuza Momochi, are about to appear!]

[Hint! Haku, the Ice Release user, is about to appear!]

[Ding!]

[Side Mission: Unravel the Mystery of Gender]

Noticing Tazuna's complex expression as he watched some people collecting tolls at the bridge's entrance, Gengetsu inquired, "Who are those people?"

Startled by the sudden question from the stranger beside him, Tazuna instinctively felt wary but soon opened up, eager to vent his frustrations. "The daimyo's tax collectors," he explained with a sigh.

"The daimyo of the Land of Waves?"

"Yes," Tazuna replied, his expression heavy with unspoken resentment. "Since Kado's death, the daimyo regained control. Initially, things were fine, but seeing the bridge bring prosperity, he began raising taxes relentlessly. The tolls on the bridge have increased several times over, causing hardship for our people and complaints from merchants."

"If the daimyo continues this unchecked exploitation, the hard-earned prosperity of the Land of Waves will vanish!" Tazuna's fists clenched in frustration.

The phrase "When the wolf leaves, the tiger comes" aptly described the Land of Waves' current plight. They had hoped for better days after Kado's fall, only to find the daimyo following the same path of exploitation.

Gengetsu had witnessed similar scenarios before. People believed a change in leadership would bring relief, but nothing fundamentally changed. A certain Zhao dynasty ruler once summarized it aptly: "It's not about corrupt officials; it's your internal power struggle."

It was the same everywhere. But now, with Lockfront Village here, true relief had arrived.

"Ever thought about getting rid of the daimyo?" Gengetsu asked nonchalantly.

"Get rid of the daimyo? No, no, we could never...," Tazuna stammered, nervously denying the thought. Yet, in a low voice, he added, "The daimyo has hired ninja for protection."

Impressed by Tazuna's concealed boldness, Gengetsu patted his shoulder, then vanished in a flash.

"It's been a long time since I've slain a daimyo," he thought. "Time to see if I'm still sharp."