Let's get one thing straight—Haseo is rolling in cash right now.
A ninja's mission payout is absurdly high to begin with. Even if we exclude the money he got from past missions—and there's definitely an awkward reason for that—he had also served as Hokage for quite some time.
Obviously, Tsunade didn't have any way to burn cash while she was stuck at the Front Line.
Don't forget all the red envelopes (filled with cash as wedding gifts) the whole village gave him on his wedding day, and the cash he borrowed—or more accurately, took—from his friends before leaving. No matter how you look at it, this guy is loaded.
That kind of cash should be more than enough for the two of them to start fresh anywhere—if Haseo picks a spot before his luck runs out.
The rate at which Haseo's assets will shrink follows a precise, scientific formula. Everything can be calculated. There's no need to go into the full explanation, but once the decline starts, his wealth will vanish instantly—faster even than money disappearing from the stock market, which at least has some struggle and a period of being locked in losses.
After leaving Konoha, Haseo and Tsunade first wandered around the Land of Fire, enjoying scenic views and tasting delicacies along the way. Their journey was pleasant and relaxing—the only rule was to stay far away from bustling towns.
That conveniently kept them away from casinos too.
Then, as winter deepened and temperatures plummeted, the two gradually left the territory of the Land of Fire.
In reality, the places Haseo and Tsunade could go were still limited—at the very least, they couldn't just roam into other major nations. After all, operating in another village's territory carries the risk of being discovered. If Haseo were found out, it would inevitably cause a chain reaction of trouble.
Haseo wasn't really afraid of anything. To be honest, if anyone should feel fear, it should be others fearing him. For other villages, what would the Hokage be doing sneaking around their backyard? Looking for tailed beasts? That mere thought would send chills down their spines.
Mainly, Haseo just didn't want to stir up more trouble. What's the point of picking fights with everyone under the sun? He'd always been a peaceful person by nature. Right now, leisure and relaxation made up his main lifestyle and philosophy toward life. Uncontested and wide awake all night? Naturally, he turned into a wise old soul by morning.
After leaving the Land of Fire, Haseo first headed to the Land of Iron—this place stood as a heretic nation within the Ninjutsu World, untouched by ninja clans.
Of course, Haseo didn't come to the Land of Iron because he'd finished messing with ninjas and wanted to start messing with samurais next. He just wanted to check out what a ninja-free country was like, that's all.
Since Haseo and Tsunade entered through regular channels, the moment they arrived in the Land of Iron, they were intercepted and questioned by samurais—the Great Ninja World War was raging, and to prevent infiltration, immigration control in the Land of Iron remained strict at this time.
One after another, armored samurai in full plate and swords at their waists surrounded Haseo's "luxurious carriage."
"Seeking refuge?"
The leader of the samurai even wore a "face mask," so his voice carried a muffled tone, along with a hint of cold aloofness.
"Yes, my lord samurai. My wife and I are originally from the Land of Fire. We used to live in Banami Castle up north, making our living as traveling merchants.
But once the great war started, the flames of battle quickly swept through my homeland. The city suffered multiple invasions by enemy ninja, and our home became unsafe..."
Haseo and Tsunade stood beside their cart while the samurai freely searched their belongings. As for Haseo himself, he gave face by constantly nodding and bowing, appearing rather servile—playing perfectly the role of an unfortunate commoner.
The other samurai standing next to the captain was likely his second-in-command. This man clearly agreed with what Haseo said and nodded right after, "Then undoubtedly, the Land of Iron is your best choice. The land of samurai remains untouched by ninja invasions... thanks either to treaties or our ability to keep them out."
This guy was obviously full of crap, considering that ninja were currently invading the Land of Iron—and not just any ninja, but a top boss openly and unashamedly marching in.
"Exactly, precisely why we came here."
Haseo smiled politely while secretly slipping a small money pouch into the captain's palm—bribery came first, after all; he'd seen how everyone else did it.
"Only a strong, tradition-upholding country like the Land of Iron can offer true peace in this world."
Frankly speaking, this guy also had issues. Why would someone who could be a fine Kage instead choose to come here kowtowing to others, calling it "experiencing life?"
Yet the samurai captain refused Haseo's attempt, seemingly insulted, though he didn't overreact.
Even the wealth they found inside Haseo's wagon remained untouched, returned neatly to its original place.
Such discipline... honestly, Haseo thought, must be all about bringing in outside wealth—makes sense, really.
Though naturally barren, the Land of Iron offered stability, capitalizing on global chaos to naturally bleed the rest of the world dry.
Every time ninja wars spilled brains onto civilians, global wealth inevitably flowed toward this safe haven—humans naturally chase gains and avoid losses.
Haseo had brought quite a fortune, marking him clearly as a "valued immigrant."
Once confirming their identities held no issues, the samurai permitted them entry, offering several suggested relocation spots.
Haseo expressed endless gratitude, helped Tsunade back onto the cart, took hold of the ox, and walked onward into the vast snowy wilderness of the Land of Iron.
However, just as he was about to turn away entirely...
"The samurai of the Land of Iron truly possess character. Seems like we've come to the right place."
The words reached the ears of the samurai, earning nods of approval—clearly flattered. How naïve.
"..."
Tsunade couldn't help but be dumbfounded, muttering under her breath: Have you acted *long* enough? Just how am I supposed to go along with this?
"…Still, there are plenty of young pups among them too."
"Wife, have you noticed? Quite a few people keep secretly staring at you..."
The group of samurai fell silent.
Sure, he was teasing them, but Haseo wasn't lying—what he said was the honest truth. Immediately, several samurais lowered their heads in embarrassment... Don't you understand the etiquette of seeing without pointing out? They were indeed just inexperienced boys.
The captain exchanged glances with his deputy. What should they do? For some unknown reason, they now slightly regretted allowing this guy into their country.
A minor incident occurred upon entering the Land of Iron. However, Haseo and Tsunade stayed there only for a few days... Although snow mountains looked beautiful, they eventually became monotonous; blizzards might be spectacular, but this place was too cold to be comfortable.
So these "merchant couple" refugees left shortly afterward, leaving without hesitation or attachment.
Initially, Haseo had been interested in the political structure of the samurai nation, but soon realized it was all just the same old thing repackaged—everything was basically identical.
The ruling class of the Land of Fire consisted of nobles and ninjas, while the ruling class of the Land of Iron included samurais and nobles. That was the only difference.
Actually, even that barely counted as a distinction.
After leaving the Land of Iron, Haseo spent some time traveling through smaller nations before finally choosing an island blessed with more oceanic influence—a warm, pleasant climate throughout the four seasons—and settled there. This was none other than the Land of Hot Springs in the Eastern Sea.
In a small town, Haseo purchased a house and then acquired one hundred acres of fertile farmland... Returning to rural life and farming was always the best choice for every retired magnate stepping away from society.
Under Tsunade's puzzled and skeptical gaze, Haseo smirked arrogantly.
Come on, wasn't he from Tō? Would he not know how to farm? It was in his blood... No, better said, it was a deep-rooted legacy carved into his very soul.
Winter passed in the blink of an eye, and when spring came, Haseo weeded the fields, plowed the soil, bought high-quality seeds and natural fertilizers, and began sowing, fertilizing, irrigating, and pest control.
With painstaking care, he watched his crops take root and sprout. Before long, lush green rice paddies stretched as far as the eye could see.
Haseo's face overflowed with a sense of achievement.
Thus arrived the harvest season.
Facing his own land and crops, Haseo smiled faintly, then turned around—and immediately changed expressions.
Planting in spring, reaping in summer, harvesting in autumn... Like hell!
What the hell?! Everything just up and died.
Why?! Where was the tradition everyone talked about? Where was the legacy of the East?
Who knew what he was thinking—after all, he had never farmed in his previous life. Why did he believe he'd automatically succeed in this life? Did he think it was something anyone could do with merely hands? Even during elementary gardening class, he couldn't get a bulb to sprout. Where did such confidence come from anyway?
And yet he even complained:
"Heaven is so unfair! Am I, Haseo Yu, doomed to be forever separated from reaping any harvest?"
Oh, so you're only meant for planting but not reaping?
Then it's not planting you're destined for—but definitely not the harvest either.
(Volume 6, End)
P.S.:
Grateful thanks to Sanyousei for your generous support through Qidian Coins (donations on the Chinese platform), and congratulations on becoming the top patron of this book.
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