bookbashuk Chapter 605 A Vast Harem of Diverse Concubines!
Chapter 605 A Vast Harem of Diverse Concubines!
Peace in the ninja world has been firmly established for three years.
The position of the three Uchiha peaks as the rulers of the planet has become increasingly unshakeable.
The morning air was slightly cool, and the drizzle had just stopped. The bluestone pavement was washed clean and shiny, reflecting the shops scattered on both sides. Wine flags and banners swayed gently in the wind, exuding a touch of languid, everyday life.
Unnoticed by anyone, beneath the old locust tree at the street corner, a figure in grey robes, shrouded in a light veil, stood fixed on the royal palace, his gaze like a searchlight. His fingers repeatedly stroked a bronze token, its patterns strange—the token of the old ninja alliance, which had vanished three years prior.
"Just one step away from overturning this false sense of security."
The man in gray murmured softly, for beneath this peaceful facade, a storm brewing that could overturn the entire city was brewing.
"Candied hawthorn berries!"
"Fine silks and satins, selling at a reasonable price!"
The cries of vendors rose and fell. Children played and the elderly chatted, weaving together a vibrant tapestry of everyday life.
The national treasury is full, the granaries are overflowing, there are no more homeless people on the streets, and everyone has a contented smile on their face.
"Life is so comfortable now. We don't have to worry about the war reaching our doorstep anymore," the vegetable vendor said, chatting with the owner of the fabric shop next door as she tidied her stall.
"That's right, thanks to King Sanfeng, we're able to live a peaceful life." The cloth shop owner nodded with a smile, the abacus clicking away.
Only deep within the palace, in the imperial study, the lights had burned for three days and three nights. Uchiha Sanfeng's fingertips traced the yellowed old map, which marked the hideout of the remnants of the old Shinobi Alliance.
"Lu Jiu, look at these places, these are their last hiding places." He raised his eyes, his tone heavy. "The decree is ready, and when the time comes, it will be announced to the whole city."
Nara Shikaku bowed and nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything has been arranged. However... the old forces have many spies and may discover this in advance."
A sharp glint flashed in Uchiha Mitsunori's eyes: "So what if they notice? What I want is for them to come forward on their own."
Children with pigtails clutched their kites, running through puddles, their laughter as crisp as shattered glass. Elderly people sat on bamboo stools under the old locust tree, playing chess, their leisurely enjoyment hidden in the rhythm of the game.
"Old Zhang, your chess skills have deteriorated again. If you lose two more games, you'll have to buy me a pot of tea!"
"What's the rush? The best is yet to come!" the old folks joked with a laugh.
This healing scene was shattered just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM) by a sudden figure.
A palace attendant, carrying a gilded seal and a decree adorned with phoenix and dragon patterns, slowly walked out of the vermilion main gate of the palace.
The jade pendant at his waist was engraved with the Uchiha clan crest, and his reserved demeanor was out of place with the relaxed atmosphere around him.
As he passed under the old locust tree, he deliberately slowed his pace and whispered to the man in gray, "The decree has been issued; proceed according to plan."
The man in gray nodded slightly and replied in a low voice, "Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
At first, no one paid attention to this strangeness.
Until the eunuch cleared his throat and loudly proclaimed his name, his voice pierced through the clamor like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, instantly shattering all tranquility.
"Our King Uchiha Sanfeng, in order to continue the royal bloodline, gather the strength of all sides, and protect the long-term peace and stability of the ninja world, hereby issues a decree to widely recruit virtuous women to fill the harem. Anyone with talent and good character may apply. So be it!"
After the announcement was made, the plan was launched. The onlookers instantly erupted in an uproar.
"Taking a concubine? The king is going to take a concubine?"
The young man grabbed his companion and exclaimed in surprise, his eyes filled with delight.
"Of course! This is such a joyous occasion!" The girls whispered shyly.
The imperial decree caused an uproar in the capital.
The craftsmen, carrying timber and mortar, hurried to the empty palace on the west side of the royal palace. The clanging and banging of their hammers instantly echoed through the streets and alleys.
The craftsmen leading the group wore the same items around their necks and waists as the man in gray.
"Speed up! Make sure it's finished before the concubine-taking ceremony!" he urged as he walked, his tone urgent.
"Boss, don't worry, we'll put in a little more effort and we definitely won't mess things up!" The young craftsman quickly replied, his pace quickening even further.
Another craftsman stepped forward and whispered, "Boss, is it true that this concubine selection isn't just about continuing the bloodline?"
The foreman's eyes darkened, and he sternly rebuked, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Just do your job well!" In the instant he turned around, he secretly pulled out a slip of paper, quickly scanned it, and then swiftly hid it, muttering to himself, "These names are just as the adults said."
Beads of sweat slid down the young craftsman's forehead, landing on the bluestone slab and spreading into a small damp patch. After being reprimanded, he lowered his head dejectedly, his plane continuing to turn the surface, muttering under his breath, "It's strange that even asking won't work."
The old craftsman next to him patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense. We craftsmen take people's money and do their jobs. Asking questions you shouldn't will only bring trouble upon yourself."
The young craftsman nodded as if he understood, his work slowed down a bit, and a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.
Above the embroidered pavilion, candlelight flickered. Dozens of embroiderers sat together, their fingers flying like butterflies, colorful threads flowing across the embroidery frames, reflecting their focused expressions.
"Sister, look at this phoenix pattern, isn't it exquisitely embroidered?" The young embroiderer held up her embroidery hoop, her voice trembling as she looked at the owner of the embroidery shop beside her.
The owner of the embroidered pavilion had a cold expression, and a silver hairpin was inadvertently revealed from her sleeve. The hairpin was engraved with witch runes—she was Cui Zi's personal maid, entrusted by Cui Zi to secretly investigate the movements of the royal city.
"Embroider it more densely. The princess's clothes cannot be sloppy in the slightest." Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of vigilance in her eyes. She turned to her trusted embroiderer and whispered, "Keep an eye on the palace. If there is anything unusual, immediately send a message to Lady Cui Zi."
The trusted embroiderer nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Master, I've been keeping a close eye on things. There won't be any problems."
Someone pricked their finger with a needle, quickly sucked the blood away, and immediately threw themselves into their work: "This phoenix pattern needs to be embroidered more exquisitely, maybe it will be chosen by the princess." There was a hint of reluctance in their expectant tone.
"Stop dreaming. I heard that the 'virtuous women' to be selected this time are not ordinary women from noble families. The clothes we embroider may not even meet their standards."
Another embroiderer quickly tugged at her sleeve, her expression tense: "Besides, the lord has been frequently going out late at night lately, his movements are suspicious. I have a feeling this isn't as simple as it seems. Shh, keep your voice down!" "Don't speculate, be careful the lord hears you and you'll get into trouble!"
Inside the Ministry of Revenue, the lights were on.
The officials held thick ledgers, their brows furrowed.
"The expenses for the harem must be calculated precisely, otherwise, we won't be able to report back to the King," an official muttered, rubbing his throbbing temples.
As soon as the words were spoken, someone quietly approached and added in a low voice, "It's not just the expenses; the list of concubines to be taken this time is the key. I heard... there are people on the list who shouldn't be there, and Lord Nara has been frequently entering the palace late at night lately, his expression very mysterious."
Beside the speaker was an exquisite wooden box containing a secret letter from the old Ninja Alliance—he was a Ministry of Revenue official bribed by the old forces to gather details of the list.
"Really? Isn't the list a top royal secret? How do you know?" The official next to him looked surprised.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't," the bribed official said coldly. "Just keep your books. The rest is none of your business."
On the streets and alleys, vendors keenly sensed the business opportunity and set out to sell their cosmetics, jewelry, and silks. They stood on tiptoe and shouted their wares, their faces beaming with excitement as they watched the spectacle, occasionally huddling together to whisper among themselves.
"Have you heard? This time, the selection of concubines is open to all, regardless of social status. Anyone with talent and good character can participate!" "That's wonderful! My daughter is proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—perhaps she'll be chosen by His Majesty!"
The vendors chattered amongst themselves, oblivious to the fact that several figures in black, their expressions cold, were discreetly gathering information about the list of concubines to be taken.
"Have you found the details of the list?" a man in black asked his companion in a low voice.
"Not yet. We only know there are a few people with special identities, but we haven't found out their specific names yet," another man in black replied, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Wait a little longer. There will always be an opportunity. Once we confirm the list, we can proceed according to plan."
They carried short knives at their waists, the scabbards engraved with bronze token patterns—the very symbol of the old forces. They appeared to be watching the spectacle, but in reality, they were secretly investigating, searching for the person who leaked the list. In fact, they were the old forces' spies, only there to confirm the list and disrupt the situation.
Deep within the palace, the atmosphere was completely different from the outside world, oppressive and suffocating. Guards, dressed in black with long swords at their waists, patrolled back and forth, their eyes sharp as eagles, vigilantly scanning their surroundings, their lips tightly pressed together, more wary than usual.
"Everyone, be alert and patrol carefully. We must not let anyone approach the side hall where the list is kept!" the guard captain ordered in a deep voice, holding the tiger tally in his hand with a solemn expression.
"Rest assured, Commander, we will guard every checkpoint well, and we will not let even a fly get close to the side hall!" The guards responded in unison, their voices loud and clear, echoing throughout the palace.
Every hour, the commander of the guards would personally go to the side hall to check, unaware that a tiny scratch had already been left on the windowsill of the side hall—the mark of the intruder.
The list of concubines was a top secret of the royal palace, personally overseen and verified by Nara Shikaku. Every name underwent repeated deliberation and multiple checks.
Kaguya Otsutsuki can see through the conspiracies of the old forces, the water god can detect hidden strongholds, Athena can see through tricks, Lingyue Xianji can track demons and evil spirits, Ayame and Kagura can sense unusual movements, and after Ye Cang is resurrected, she can even identify the members of the old forces who harmed her back then.
"Shikaku, double-check this list. There can't be any mistakes." Uchiha Mitsunori sat at the desk in the study, his tone serious.
Nara Shikaku bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, we have checked three times and every name is accurate. The tokens of the powerful individuals have also been sent to them, and we are awaiting their response."
Once verified, the list was sealed in a brocade box and entrusted to a special person for safekeeping; even the personal eunuchs were not allowed to view it.
Late at night, under the hazy moonlight, during a shift change at the palace, a dark figure silently slipped into a side hall. With swift movements, skillfully avoiding all the guards, it was none other than the man in gray.
He skillfully copied down the list, his movements swift and without the slightest hesitation. Outside the hall, a palace attendant waited quietly, whispering, "Hurry, the guards' shift change is approaching; it'll be too late if we're any later."
The man in gray nodded, hid the copied list, and whispered, "Don't worry, it's done. Let's leave as planned."
The two figures flashed and disappeared into the night, unnoticed by anyone.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, several sheets of silk paper covered with names were quietly pasted on the notice board on Suzaku Street. The ink was still wet, and in the corner of the silk paper was the bronze token mark of the old Ninja World Alliance.
The early risers who were fetching water were the first to notice and curiously gathered around. At first, they just watched, but when someone read out the names on the list, the noisy street fell into a deathly silence, followed by an even more violent commotion.
"Come and see! The list of concubines to be taken by the king has been released!" The water carriers shouted, attracting even more people to gather around.
Some people stood on tiptoe, loudly reading out the names of the wealthy and noble ladies on the list, their faces full of envy. "His Majesty is truly audacious, to marry so many virtuous women!" "If my daughter were on that list, it would bring glory to our ancestors!"
A chorus of envious exclamations rose and fell, but this envy was quickly shattered by shock. In the crowd, an old man pointed to the corner of the silk paper, his face instantly turning deathly pale. He exclaimed in a low voice, "This is... the mark of the Old Ninja World Alliance! How could they interfere in the matter of taking a concubine?"
"What? The Old Ninja World Alliance? Didn't they disappear for three years?" The surrounding crowd was filled with horror, discussing among themselves, "Could this concubine selection be part of their conspiracy?"
A scholar in coarse cloth clothes stood on tiptoe and read out several special names word by word. The noisy street fell silent instantly, and even the wind seemed to stop.
The smiles faded from people's faces, their eyes filled with disbelief. "Kaguya Otsutsuki? The water goddess? Athena?" The scholar's voice trembled. "These...these are all legendary beings! How could they be on the list of queens?"
"And then there's Lingyue Fairy, Changpu, and Kagura. They're either half-demon or powerful beings. Why would they be willing to enter the palace as princesses?" someone muttered in confusion.
The tea stall was surrounded by a large crowd around several square tables. The stall owner, holding a teapot but forgetting to refill the tea, listened intently to the discussion, his face full of disbelief.
"How is it? Is the public's reaction the same as we expected?" A tea drinker quietly approached the tea stall owner and asked in a low voice—he was an undercover agent of the old forces, responsible for collecting public feedback.
The tea stall owner nodded slightly and lowered his voice: "The reaction was intense, with panic and doubt. We're about to achieve our goal." The two exchanged a subtle glance and continued to pretend to chat, unnoticed by anyone.
"That's right! Lady Kaguya Otsutsuki, she is the legendary goddess of the rabbit, how could she be willing to enter the palace as a queen?" The scholar frowned, his tone full of confusion, and turned to look at his companion.
"Do you think there's something fishy going on here? And the sudden reappearance of the old guard and the leak of the list can't be a coincidence."
His companion nodded in agreement, saying, "I also feel something's not right. His Majesty is always so composed. How could he easily let the list of concubines be leaked, given such a significant matter? Perhaps this was done on purpose by His Majesty."
"And the Water Goddess, who governs all the rivers, lakes, and seas under heaven, can stir up waves with a wave of her hand and calm them with a wave of hers, how could she be subservient to someone and become the king's queen?" Someone asked with a face full of awe and doubt.
"Lady Athena is a goddess of wisdom from another land, whose knowledge and power are unmatched. She can see through all schemes. Why would she agree to enter the palace?" The discussion grew more intense. Some were shocked, some were afraid, and some were secretly pleased, each with their own thoughts.
The white-haired old man stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed, and sighed softly, his tone full of worry: "Although our king is only a mortal, he was able to seal the Six Paths Immortals and end the war, but in the end, he could not defeat the conspiracy of the old forces."
"If we marry a god or a half-demon into the palace, and we anger the Heavenly Dao, or if we are used by the old forces, the ninja world will fall into war again."
"Yes, we've finally achieved peace and tranquility, we can't let it be ruined like this!" The old man next to him nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of worry. "I still remember, during the war, my son was killed by the old forces. I don't want to go through that again."
The old man's words instantly resonated with many. In the crowd, some looked worried, glancing around cautiously, their breathing becoming labored, fingers gripping the hem of their clothes tightly, their expressions uneasy; others nodded slightly, their faces full of sorrow, muttering softly, "If war breaks out again, where will we go?"
A woman's eyes reddened, and her voice choked with sobs: "My child is still young, I can't let him experience the suffering of war again."
Just as everyone was gripped by panic, a young man with a face full of enthusiasm slammed his fist on the table, breaking the tense atmosphere: "What's there to be afraid of! Our King was able to end a century of war and seal away the Six Paths Sage, surely he can handle a bunch of remnants of the old forces?"
He stood up, hands on his hips, his eyes filled with conviction. "His Majesty must have his reasons for daring to bring these powerful figures into the harem! Perhaps this is a scheme devised by His Majesty to lure out the old forces and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
"But those are gods and half-demons! What if they clash or are used by the old forces? The consequences would be unimaginable!" someone retorted, their tone full of worry.
The young man replied with a smile, "Your Majesty is a man of great foresight. Since you dare to do this, you must be confident! We must trust Your Majesty and not be intimidated by the schemes of the old forces!"
This young man was Ye Cang's disciple back then. He vaguely knew about the Uchiha Three Peaks' plan, and he spoke up now to appease the people.
The young man's words brought a semblance of calm to some, but this calm was quickly shattered by another name. Someone shouted, "Look! Lady Ye Cang is on the list! Wasn't she already dead on the battlefield? How can she be on the list?"
"What? Lord Ye Cang? She died on the battlefield to protect the people, and her body was never found. How could she still be alive?" Everyone was shocked and crowded forward, craning their necks to see, their faces full of disbelief.
"Lord Ye Cang was a powerful figure from Sunagakure, skilled in Wind Release ninjutsu. He died on the battlefield to stop the old forces from attacking. I saw it with my own eyes. How could he appear on the list of princesses?" A commoner who had experienced the war said through gritted teeth, his tone full of disbelief.
"Could it be...could it be that Lord Ye Cang has been resurrected by the King?"
"Resurrection? How is that possible? The dead cannot be brought back to life. Even if the king is powerful, he cannot defy fate, right?" Someone shook his head repeatedly, full of doubt.
"If Lady Ye Cang really is resurrected, then she will definitely be able to identify the members of the old forces who harmed her back then!" someone exclaimed in sudden realization.
"Yes! Lord Ye Cang was assassinated back then because he discovered the old forces' conspiracy!"
"So, the King's taking concubines isn't for the purpose of continuing the bloodline, but rather to gather forces from all sides, draw out the old powers, and completely eliminate them!" Discussions erupted again, this time with less panic and more understanding.
At the tea stall, an old-fashioned infiltrator quietly observed the crowd's reaction, a strange smile playing on his lips. He whispered to his companion, "Very good. The people have begun to doubt the Uchiha Mitsurugi. With just a little more fuel, we can completely disrupt their hearts and minds and launch a rebellion."
"Don't worry, my lord, we're all ready. We'll just wait for the day of the concubine's selection ceremony, then we'll coordinate from the inside and outside to take over the palace in one fell swoop!" his companion replied in a low voice, a sinister glint in his eyes.
Unbeknownst to them, all of this was part of the Uchiha Mitsurugi's plan.
Each person on the list is extraordinary. The Uchiha Sanfengs did not simply bring them into their harem to perpetuate their bloodline, but to gather strength from all sides—they could uncover conspiracies, investigate strongholds, identify enemies, or track down demons.
This seemingly grand ceremony for taking a concubine was actually a meticulously planned scheme.
Uchiha Hikaru, a standout member of the Uchiha clan, possesses extraordinary talent. His eyes and brows reveal the unique aloofness and pride of the Uchiha clan. He always wears an Uchiha jade pendant on his finger, which is the key to unlocking a secret base. Inside the base lies evidence of the old forces colluding with traitors.
"King Sanfeng, I have prepared this evidence and can hand it over to you at any time." She stood at the Uchiha residence, gazing in the direction of the royal palace, her tone firm.
The maid beside her asked softly, "Miss, are you really going to the palace? There will probably be many dangers once you enter the palace."
Uchiha Hikaru nodded slightly: "I must enter the palace, protect this evidence, and assist the King in eliminating the old forces. This is the responsibility of my Uchiha clan."
Pharmacist Nonou is gentle, intelligent, and skilled in medicine. During the war, she opened a clinic, saving countless lives and earning the deep respect and love of the people. Her clinic houses samples of poisons used by the old regime, collected at great personal risk, and crucial evidence of their crimes.
"Lord Nono, are you really going to the palace? The palace is full of dangers. You can stay at the clinic and treat the people." The apprentice asked in a low voice.
Pharmacist Nono smiled, her tone gentle yet firm: "Only by entering the palace can we hand over these poison samples to the King, thoroughly expose the old forces' conspiracy, and protect the peace of the people."
Kushina Uzumaki is strong-willed, passionate, and possesses powerful chakra from the Uzumaki clan. Her clan was almost entirely wiped out by the old forces, and she is the sole survivor. Over the years, she has been secretly investigating the old forces and collecting evidence of their crimes.
"Uchiha Sanfeng, you have good judgment, knowing that I can help you eliminate the old forces." She looked at the evidence in her hand, a smile playing on her lips, and said to the clansmen beside her.
"After entering the palace, I will definitely avenge my clan and completely eradicate the old forces!"
"Lady Kushina, entering the palace is too dangerous, you must be careful!" the clansmen said worriedly.
Kushina patted him on the shoulder, her tone firm: "Don't worry, I'll be fine. What the old forces owe us, I will definitely get back!"
Konan, with her gentle temperament and delicate mind, was once a member of the Akatsuki organization. Later, she had a change of heart, reformed herself, and used her own strength to protect the people in her community. In her possession lies a secret letter from the Akatsuki organization that colluded with the old forces. It was something she secretly collected back then and is key evidence to prove the collusion between the old forces and the Akatsuki.
"Lord Xiao Nan, you had already distanced yourself from the strife back then, so why did you still enter the palace and get involved in this turmoil?" a maidservant asked softly.
Konan sighed softly, her tone complex: "I participated in the evil deeds of the Akatsuki organization back then. Now, I want to make amends for my mistakes, assist the King in eliminating the old forces, and protect this hard-won peace."
Yugimon Nii possesses powerful Two-Tails chakra and has a generous and forthright personality. Her clan was coerced by the old forces and forced to serve them. Later, she led her clan to rise up in rebellion and break free from their control.
"Uchiha Sanfeng, since you've invited me to the palace, I'll play along!" she laughed, addressing her clansmen.
"After entering the palace, I will personally eliminate those old forces that persecuted our people and make them pay the price!"
"Lord Yumu, you must be careful. The old forces are cunning and may try to take action in secret," the clansman warned.
The two men with teak doors waved their hands, their tone bold: "Don't worry, do you think I'm afraid of them?"
Samui is tall, beautiful, strong, and calm and capable. She comes from the Land of Lightning, which was once infiltrated by the old forces and many officials were bribed. It took her many years to eliminate the traitors and she has evidence of the old forces' infiltration of the Land of Lightning.
"Lord Samui, are you really going to leave the Land of Lightning and enter the palace to assist the King?" the subordinate asked softly.
Samui nodded slightly, his tone steady: "The stability of the Land of Lightning depends on the peace of the ninja world. Only by assisting the King in completely eliminating the old forces can the Land of Lightning truly be at peace. I must enter the palace."
Mei Terumi possesses a captivating charm and profound strength. She was once the Fifth Mizukage. When the Land of Water was infiltrated by the old forces, she spent many years driving them out. She holds evidence of the old forces' infiltration of the Land of Water.
"Lady Terumi Mei, as the Mizukage, why would you agree to enter the palace as a princess?" a maidservant asked in confusion.
Mei Terumi smiled, her tone languid yet firm: "The peace of the Land of Water is inextricably linked to the peace of the ninja world. Only by assisting the three peaks of the Uchiha clan in eliminating the old forces can the Land of Water enjoy lasting peace and stability. What harm is there in entering the palace?"
Kurenai Yuhi is gentle and virtuous, and skilled in genjutsu. She once used genjutsu to see through the disguise of the old forces and assisted the Uchiha Mitsurugi in quelling a rebellion.
"Lord Hong, your illusion magic can see through people's hearts. Staying outside can also help the King uncover the old forces' conspiracy. Why do you want to enter the palace?" the student asked softly.
Kurenai smiled gently, her tone firm: "After entering the palace, I will be able to assist Your Majesty more closely, using illusion magic to see through the old forces' disguises and protect the safety of the palace. This is my responsibility."
Silent, meticulous, skilled in medical ninjutsu, has healed countless ninjas injured by the poisons of the old forces. She knows the old forces' poisons inside and out and has a prescription for counteracting them.
"Lady Shizune, your medical skills are superb. Staying at the clinic would save more lives. Why do you want to enter the palace?" the nurse beside her asked in a low voice.
Jingyin smiled gently and said, "After entering the palace, I can heal the King and all the powerful figures, break the poison of the old forces, and assist them in eliminating the old forces. Only in this way can more people be saved."
In addition, there are Bulma and Chi-Chi from other lands, and Sakura Kinomoto, Rukia Kuchiki, and Rangiku Matsumoto, who are proficient in magic. Each name has an unusual origin, and each person has an intricate connection with the old Shinobi Alliance—either they are victims of the old forces, or they possess evidence of the old forces' crimes, or they have the power to fight against the old forces.
"This concubine selection looks like it's going to be a tough battle," Bulma murmured to Chi-Chi beside her, looking at the news in her hand.
"We must assist the King in completely eliminating the old forces and safeguarding the peace of the ninja world." Chi-Chi nodded, her tone firm: "Don't worry, we will definitely do it!"
The discussions in the capital city had not subsided. Some looked forward to the grand ceremony of taking a concubine, some worried about the backlash from the old forces, some were puzzled by the strangeness of the list, and some were secretly plotting a famous conspiracy.
The hustle and bustle of the streets, the solemnity of the palace, the unease of the people, and the ruthlessness of the old forces intertwine to form a vast web.
The man in gray stood at the street corner, gazing towards the palace. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he rubbed the bronze token between his fingers. He whispered to his subordinate beside him, "Uchiha Sanfeng, you think you can lure us out by setting up this concubine-taking scam? You're too naive!"
"My lord, we are all ready. We'll launch a rebellion on the day of the concubine's selection and seize the palace in one fell swoop!" the subordinate whispered in response.
The gray-clad man smirked coldly: "Fine, then we'll work together from within and without to overturn the peace of the ninja world and rebuild the order of the old alliance!"
In the royal study of the palace, the lights were still bright. Uchiha Mitsunori sat calmly at his desk, toying with the jade pendant in his hand, listening to Nara Shikaku's report.
"Your Majesty, the old forces have begun to act. They are secretly gathering troops, preparing to launch a rebellion on the day of the concubine selection ceremony," Nara Shikaku said, bowing deeply, his tone somber.
"Excellent," a sharp glint flashed in Uchiha Mitsunori's eyes. "This is the effect I wanted. Pass the word down to all the powerful figures to prepare; on the day of the ceremony, we will wipe them all out!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything has been arranged. However... there may be some friction among the powerful individuals. Should we coordinate in advance?" Nara Shikaku asked worriedly.
"No need," Uchiha Mitsunori said calmly. "Although they each have their own agendas, they all share a common goal—to eliminate the old forces and protect the peace of the ninja world."
The jade pendant was warm and smooth, reflecting the deep eyes of Uchiha Mitsunori. He had long seen through the old forces' conspiracy. This concubine-taking incident was never a simple marriage alliance, but a scheme to gather power and lure out enemies.
The horn for the grand ceremony of taking a concubine is about to sound.
The bustling city remains as it always is, but the undercurrents are already surging. The conspiracies of the old forces, the plans of the Uchiha Three Peaks, and the thoughts of the various powerful figures are all intertwined.