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Chapter 157: Festival (1)

Chapter 157 Ceremony (1)

Konoha, the land of the Uchiha clan.

In the snowy courtyard, the old man sat alone on the corridor with a fishing rod, fishing leisurely.

Soon, footsteps came from the corridor, the old man turned his head slightly, and saw Uchiha Lihuo walking towards him.

"The life after retirement is really comfortable, Elder Sifang."

Li Huo joked and laughed.

"I'm getting old, but I don't want to have to fight with others all day long at this age."

Elder Sifang said.

"But it's strange to say that the Hinata family has become much more peaceful recently."

Li Huo stroked his chin, as if he was thinking about something.

"Don't tell me this kind of thing to an old man."

"I just want you to refer to it. Maybe it will affect the Uchiha family."

"Boring question and answer. What do you want me to do?"

Regarding the actions of the high-level people, or the actions of the Hyuga family, the elders of Sifang do not intend to pay attention to it, nor are they interested in knowing it.

Compared to this, he wants to know whether the fish he catches later will be fat or not, and whether the maid at home can make a taste that satisfies him.

"Do you know Fuyue's child?"

Li Huo asked like this.

"The child with that girl named Mikoto? I remember the child was born in June this year."

Elder Sifang recalled it carefully, and then remembered this incident.

In June of this year, Uchiha Fugaku's child was born in the hospital. Elder Sifang knew about this.

"Yes, that child's name is Uchiha Itachi."

"Itachi? It's a good name. And what does this have to do with me?"

"Don't be so indifferent, elder. Fu Yue wants you to accept him as a disciple after his child grows up."

Li Huo said so.

"...my energy is not as good as before, and I have decided to ignore any external affairs. He is also the patriarch of Uchiha after all, can't he teach a child well?"

Elder Sifang's eyes were cold.

He knew exactly what Fu Yue meant.

wants to use him, a retired old man, to increase the weight of the so-called patriarch and deter the radicals.

Why do you want him, an old man, to accept his children as disciples? It may also be a temptation.

"I'm just conveying his meaning, there's no need to get angry with me, right?"

Li Huo scratched his head helplessly.

"After only being the patriarch for a few months, I dare to come here and test my limits... Instead of wasting energy on such boring tricks, it is better to focus on how to unify the voice of the clan."

It took him a few years to establish enough prestige to unify the voice of the radicals in the clan, and it didn't happen overnight.

Fuyue has only been the patriarch for half a year, and he is so eager to complete a career that surpasses the previous generation. The elders of Sifang understand Fuyue's mentality. The more he gets nothing, the more he wants to prove to others that he has these powers. This kind of immature stubbornness is not a good thing for the clan.

"Then should I reply him like this?"

"Let him perform well on the battlefield and don't think about messy things."

Sifang Chang's face was full of disappointment, but he still gave this suggestion.

Although he didn't have much expectations for the Uchiha clan in the village, he didn't expect that in less than half a year, Fuyue couldn't bear the pressure brought by the radicals, and secretly asked him for help.

Want to be cold-blooded and stern to the tribe, but can't harden his heart. He wants to tolerate everything with the tribe, but he is always dissatisfied with the radicals' fighting ideas, does not communicate with them, and blindly rejects them.

He only hopes that through this war, Fuyue can mature, and stop looking at the clan with such immature thinking.

However, Elder Sifang also knows that this kind of thing is difficult. The negative power of Sharingan affects people's thinking and personality. Pessimists can only see pessimism in their eyes. Fuyue was just one of the victims.

"Got it. I'll make it clear to him."

Lihuo nodded.

He was only acting as a mouthpiece, seeing that Elder Sifang was in a bad mood, he resigned and left.

◎

In the windy and cold winter, you can still feel the warm sunshine shining from the sky.

Although the life of the people in the ghost country is a little richer than before, everyone is still used to storing a lot of food at home to survive the cold winter.

In this era when a large number of labor forces have not been liberated, whether it is the people in the war zone or the people in the peaceful country, the way of life can be described as poor. Of course, the lives of people in countries at war will be even more difficult.

Before the New Year's festival, Shiraishi, who had nothing to do, led people to explore the rural areas of the ghost country again.

The main roads between towns in the ghost country have been leveled. Even if the roads need to pass through forests and mountains, professional ninjas have cleared them. Roads to rural areas are also well underway. Some places are really remote and difficult to build, but it is also necessary for the development plan in the next few years.

Shiraishi does not expect to change the way of life of the people of this country all at once. Even if there are special professionals like ninjas who have a lot of productivity, it is impossible to completely change the way of life and the level of a country in just one year.

Otherwise, areas like the Land of Winds would have been able to escape ninjutsu with water and carry out lake building campaigns, and the Land of Winds would not regard water sources as so important, and would have to import them from foreign countries every year, costing a lot of money.

Ninjutsu is time-sensitive, and so is the water flow created by the water escape. When the chakra in the water flow disappears, the water flow will naturally disappear, and the resulting lake will also disappear. It can be used to solve urgent needs, but with such a large population in the Kingdom of Wind, it is impossible to use water to solve urgent needs every time.

Similarly, the same is true for evasion techniques such as earth escape and thunder escape. However, there are also special escape techniques that can be maintained. For example, Mudun.

Therefore, if the Tudun ninjas don’t learn professional road construction knowledge, the roads they create will only last for a while, and then they will collapse immediately. The ninja's ninjutsu only speeds up the process, instead of completing it in one step. Just use any ninjutsu and you can get it done once and for all. Otherwise, the meaning of civilian existence is really not great.

However, as long as the ninjas are instilled with the corresponding construction knowledge, it is not a problem for them to be able to outnumber one hundred in the construction industry. Some special personnel can be worth a thousand. For example, when Liuli opened the Susanoo to carry building materials, and Ayane used the kamikazu to demolish old buildings, a lot of manpower and material resources can be saved, and the consumption of funds will also be relatively reduced.

Reasonable use of every resource in hand, neither underestimate the convenience brought by ninjutsu, nor ignore the sense of honor of ordinary people participating in labor, is what Shiraishi requires.

The great era will come, not created by individuals, but by the entire human collective. Human history is created by the collective of human beings, not by a single individual. In this world, people who are not organized can do nothing, that is human beings. Neither wants to cater to the organization, but must rely on the strength of the organization to survive in this world.

After inspecting the rural areas in these remote places, generally speaking, Baishi is quite satisfied. Although some areas are not perfect, but the serious work attitude of the subordinates should be rewarded in time, instead of blindly dampening their enthusiasm.

After all, the New Year is coming, no matter how enthusiastic you are about work, you will miss your parents and children at home, and miss your wife. This is human nature.

Some employees temporarily left home to reunite with their relatives, resulting in slow construction, but as long as it can be completed by the beginning of next spring, Shiraishi can't criticize anything.

It took nearly half a month to inspect these places, not all inspections, but some areas were randomly selected for work inspection.

Although I would like to believe that the people under my command will not gradually forget the original intention because of the rich life, but this trust is not an obligation to indulge. Baishi has always firmly believed that without personal practice, one does not have the right to speak. It can be regarded as responsible for oneself.

◎

It snows this time of year.

The stove in the room was burning, and dew was forming on the windows.

After returning from the inspection mission, it was already dusk, and Baishi sat in the entrance and began to take off his shoes.

"It's a little early this time."

Liuli was wearing home clothes, appeared behind Baishi, and said this sentence.

In the past, when Baishi went out to conduct inspections, it would take at least a month.

While taking off his shoes at home, Baishi turned his head and smiled slightly: "Because not every place is inspected, but a few places are randomly selected as key investigation targets. Of course, it is faster than usual inspections."

Baishi noticed that there were fewer slippers on the shoe cabinet, and asked suspiciously, "Is anyone here?"

"Hmph, you can tell just by looking."

Liuli snorted softly, turned around and walked in.

Baishi didn't pay attention, came to the living room, and found that there was indeed a visitor.

And they are not strangers either. Ruri's mother Miyoko Uchiha and Ayane are sitting there talking about something. Judging by the atmosphere of the conversation, they should get along pretty well.

Liuli also sat opposite them, picked up a teacup, and drank tea quietly.

The lights in the living room are turned on, filling the room with a bright and clean atmosphere.

"Xiao Baishi is back."

Miyoko greeted Shiraishi with a smile.

"Yes."

"I always feel that I am becoming more and more masculine. If my aunt is twenty years younger, maybe she will catch up."

As a mother, Miyoko started to tease without fear of death in front of Liuli.

As an active atmosphere, Shiraishi was very worried that Liuli would immediately throw the cup out of his hand, causing his mother's head to explode.

But this kind of thing didn't happen, because Liuli just drank tea calmly, and seemed to be used to her mother's off-line behavior.

"However, Auntie is old and decrepit now, and she can no longer attract the attention of young people."

Wearing gorgeous twelfth singles anytime and anywhere, Miyoko, who keeps her appearance in her twenties, seems to Shiraishi to be the least qualified person to say such a thing.

"No, Auntie looks very young now, like a teenage girl."

Ayane smiled from the side.

"Ayane-chan still speaks so sweetly, if only little Liuli could do the same. Right, little Liuli?"

Miyoko covered her mouth and laughed lightly. Although she knew that Ayane was talking politely, she still felt happy when she was called a teenage girl. Then she hinted at Liuli with her eyes, as if she hoped that she would also say some pleasant words of praise.

"Middle-aged women should not imitate young girls and pretend to be tender. When you laugh, crow's feet appear."

Ruri put down her teacup and said this sentence that made the corners of Miyoko's mouth twitch.

"Sure enough, boys are more fun. So, Xiao Baishi, I'll take care of you tonight."

Miyoko smiled and hinted with her eyes.

Please what? I was the one down there at night. Bai Shi complained in his heart.

And children are not something that can be used to play with.

"By the way, why did Auntie and Ayane appear here together?"

Shiraishi asked about this topic.

"We are discussing what to prepare in advance for the upcoming festival."

Ayane replied.

For lively activities like festivals, women always pay a lot of enthusiasm.

"Is that so? Then talk slowly, don't worry about me, I'll go up and take a rest first."

Baishi is not very interested in talking about women, and the ghost knows what will happen to these people. He is so exhausted now that he just wants to take a good rest.

Letting the three women discuss the matter of the ceremony in the living room, Shiraishi returned to the room alone and fell asleep.

Although it is true that ninjas have more energy than ordinary people, after so many consecutive days of high-intensity work, no matter how energetic they are, they will still feel mentally exhausted.

I fell asleep in a drowsy state. When I woke up, I suddenly felt a little thirsty in my mouth and my nose was blocked.

It was already bright outside, and it was clearly the next morning.

The wind is whistling, although it will feel cold just listening to the sound, but this has the atmosphere of the New Year.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Liuli, who was sleeping next to her, opened her eyes, and seemed to realize that something was wrong with Shiraishi's situation.

"Yeah, I seem to have a bit of a cold."

Baishi covered his head and said helplessly.

"It is said that you should pay more attention to your body when you go out alone. Fortunately, you are still a medical ninja."

Liuli sat up from the bed, then got out of bed, went outside to pour a cup of hot water, and looked for cold medicine, and put it on the bedside cabinet over at Baishi.

"Sorry to bother you."

Shiraishi picked up the medicine and put it in his mouth, then took another sip of hot water.

"Are you going to work today?"

"No, I want to take a good rest at home, and it's okay to delay the work over there for a day or two."

"Really, I planned to let you go shopping with us today."

Liuli seems to have a headache.

"I haven't made it to the big festival anyway, I will take care of my body in the next few days. Just have fun."

Baishi felt a little dizzy. If he had known this, he should have prepared more things when he went out for inspections, instead of going into battle lightly.

After taking the cold medicine, Shiraishi continued to lie down, not wanting to move.

Seeing Baishi like this, Liuli also felt that it was really not suitable for him to go out at this time, and he was also busy with work, and the nights at home were also extremely hard, so let him take a few days off.

After getting dressed, Liuli washed up briefly and went out.

There is a shadow dancer there, so don't worry that Baishi has no one to take care of him.

When we got outside, my mother, Miyoko, and her nemesis, Ayane, were already waiting there.

"Strange, why didn't Mr. Baishi come out?"

Ayane tilted her head, feeling puzzled.

"I have a cold, I have to recuperate at home today."

Liuli replied.

"That's really bad. Indeed, Shiraishi-kun's physique has dropped a bit compared to before."

Ayane stroked her chin and commented in a very professional tone.

"Maybe it's because I lost too much money at night. Although I'm not married yet, it's like a newlywed couple who fall in love and can't extricate themselves. Xiao Liuli needs to be restrained in this respect. But it's the same as my mother at that time. Dad also worked very hard to give birth to Xiao Liuli."

Miyoko smiled and said.

"What nonsense! Is this what a mother should say?"

Liuli was a little embarrassed.

Shiraishi's cold incident is related to her unrestrained demands.

No, she is just a very normal physiological need for human beings to live in this world, and she just needs a little more than normal people in that respect.

"Don't talk about such meaningless topics, I just agreed to come out to relax after I pushed off the practice time."

Liuli took a deep breath and ended the topic.

"Yes, Xiao Liuli is also very cute. Let's stop here. After all, the festival in the kingdom of ghosts is still very lively, so you need to prepare well."

"Aunt Miyoko has lived here for many years, so she must have participated in many festivals. How does it compare to Konoha?"

Ayane asked curiously.

"Konoha? After all, I seldom go back to Konoha during the Chinese New Year. In recent years, I only go back to visit occasionally, or through secret channels... How should I put it, each has its own merits. However, the characteristics of regional customs and culture are more prominent in the country of ghosts."

Miyoko has lived in the Ghost Country for many years, and knows most of the things here.

It has customs and culture different from the country of leaves and fire, which makes people from all over the world feel very novel.

If I had to say it, it would be the gap in belief.

As far as Miyoko knows, the country of fire believes in monks, that is, the existence of the temple of fire with the characteristics of "Buddha". Unlike the Land of Fire, Konoha Ninja Village believes in the will of fire, but the birth of the will of fire is too short. Naturally, it cannot be compared with the witch culture of the land of ghosts in terms of the cohesion of belief and culture.

Afterwards, the three of them wandered around the commercial street in Ziyuan City.

Because their identities are too sensitive, Liuli and Ayane are wearing clothes without family emblems, and their faces are covered with masks.

The country of ghosts now has more and more people from abroad, which is the result of Shiraishi's leadership, but he must be careful not to expose his identity.

After all, Liuli and Ayane, who are S-rank rebels, are also well-known figures in the ninja world.

They were originally from the White Fang team, their names have already caught the eyes of high-level officials in various countries, and they have become familiar, and their defection has further expanded their reputation. Despite this fame, comes a lot of negatives.

As for an ordinary ninja like Shiraishi, because Konoha didn't give any decent information, the villages' understanding of Shiraishi still stays at the level of a medical ninja who doesn't have the slightest threat. From this point of view, it cannot be said that it is completely wrong.

Despite the combat ability of a few clones, his own level is only at the level of an elite jonin.

"Although Xiao Baishi doesn't know how to do business, he sometimes has his own unique insights on how to develop business. It took only a few months to make this commercial street full of vitality."

Miyoko pointed to the various shops with brands in the commercial street. Whether it is products or shops, most of them are hardcover, which looks like luxury goods. But in fact, the price is very close to the people, dredging the vitality of the ghost country's business.

"Didn't you and Dad do this?"

Liuli asked suspiciously.

"No, the detailed development is indeed created by us, but the grand strategy is provided by Shiraishi." Miyoko showed a look of appreciation, and smiled: "He said very bluntly at the time that wealth is concentrated on the rich, and ordinary people lose the opportunity to climb up. The goods in the store will be monopolized by the rich, which will lead to a downturn in the entire market. With dead money, it will eventually lead to the decline of the power of the country."

Although Liuli and Ayane don't know much about business issues, judging from the current situation in the commercial street, even some civilians have started business with the help of loans from the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce. The business is still booming, which means that the grand strategy given by Shiraishi is not wrong, and it has actually helped the economic development of the ghost country.

"Can just one sentence stir up the market?"

"No, it might have something to do with the road."

Miyoko looked at the ordinary road under her feet, her eyes revealing a thoughtful look.

At the beginning, she was hesitant about Baishi's road construction suggestion.

If it wasn't for Liuli threatening them with Sharingan, she really didn't want to spend such a huge amount of money to do things that didn't benefit her.

She is just a businessman, essentially a vampire who exploits the interests of civilians, not a charity. Benefiting the common people is tantamount to cutting off one's own interests and reducing one's wealth. As a businessman, she doesn't want to do this kind of loss-making business anyway.

Now it seems that, as a top ninja businessman, she has been taught a lesson.

Road construction, which seems to be a very loss-making business, is the real way to make money.

The lost funds will come back, and it will be a ten-fold or a hundred-fold return.

After the roads in the ghost country were closed, more businessmen were willing to come to the ghost country, which led to business interaction. The rapid development of the ghost country was also due to the contribution of these foreign businessmen.

Different from Ruri and Ayane, they are interested in the packaging, quality, and function of products, but Miyoko, who is a businessman, can see more distant things through the changes of more than half a year.

A road never imagined by the ninja world is quietly going on in the kingdom of ghosts.

I picked a lot of products and bought them without considering the issue of funds, and I didn’t stop until noon.

The commercial street of the Oni Land is wider than that of Konoha, and the variety and quality of the products are also much higher.

After all, this is not only driven by the merchants of the ghost country, but also a large number of rich merchants from abroad are concentrated here, allowing wealth to flow, and the commercial street will naturally develop rapidly.

"Ah, my stomach is full. I didn't expect to eat so much delicious food here."

Ayane returned from the bathroom to the private room, where no outsiders would disturb her, and she could eat and drink openly.

"Eating so much every time, it's time to lose weight."

Liuli looked at the empty plates in front of Ayane, and said this to her.

"It's too rude, I just have a little more breasts. It's not out of shape in terms of body shape."

Ayane coughed.

"It's okay, a girl who can eat is a blessing. But it's a test for the husband's ability to earn money. Ayane-chan can eat as much as he wants, and the aunt will pay the bill."

Miyoko really likes Ayane's cheerful temperament. Although she doesn't say a word of truth, it makes people feel very comfortable to get along with.

"Thank you, Auntie Miyoko. Then I won't be polite. After all, it feels like a waste to not eat so much food."

After a long time like this, Ayane was still eating and drinking at the dining table.

Although Hu Tianhai eats like this, Ayane's eating movements are very elegant, without any rudeness. At first glance, she looks like a well-educated lady, giving people a pleasing feeling.

Liuli looked at Ayane's happy eating, and was a little jealous. This woman always eats so much, why does she only grow breasts, which shouldn't grow? Normal people have already become fat pigs.

Liuli changed a few positions and sat, and Ayane was still eating and drinking there, showing no intention of stopping when she was full.

After such a long time and still eating and drinking, Liuli felt that she was procrastinating a lot more than usual.

dragging more than usual...

Liuli felt something was wrong. Normally, this woman would eat a lot, but this time it took too long.

The complexion changed suddenly, and the eyes immediately turned scarlet, meeting Ayane's gaze that happened to be raised.

Ayane's eyes were dull, her body was stiff, and the tableware in her hand was also suspended in mid-air.

"Hey, Ruri, you do this—"

Seeing this scene, Miyoko immediately knew that Ruri had used illusion on Ayane.

Although she knew that Ruri hated Ayane, but using Sharingan illusion to attack her companions was too much.

boom!

Ayane's body turned into a cloud of white smoke and disappeared on the seat opposite.

Miyoko's voice stopped abruptly.

Shadow clone?

Not only can't hear a word of truth, even the behavior itself is a woman full of deception. At this time, Miyoko seriously felt Ayane's cunning and danger.