"So cute!" Hōzuki Tsukiyo exclaimed as she rushed toward the small boy, reaching out to pinch Shigeo's cheek.
But he slipped aside effortlessly. When he turned those calm, sharp eyes on her, a chill ran down her spine.
"That's strange…" Tsukiyo murmured, scratching her head nervously. "Why do I feel this… familiar fear?"
She retreated a few steps without realizing it.
"Since it's on our way, we'll travel together," Hatsufuyu said casually. Seeing only a child, his guard dropped halfway.
And so, their group moved on together—walking, resting, and finally, after crossing the land routes, boarding a ship bound for the Tea Province.
Four days later, they arrived at Mo-kai Town—the starting point of the Zōdo Rinoki Shrine Festival.
The moment Mayor Masada stepped off the dock, trouble found them.
"You're the official sent by Nanmo's Wuyouka, right?" sneered a thug blocking the path. "Heard you're some local peasant who got promoted just 'cause you've got thirty acres of farmland? Hahaha! Has Wuyouka lost her mind? Letting a farmer run a town instead of a noble? Do you even know what nobles own? Hundreds of times more land than you! More wealth! More connections! She's an idiot!"
The bystanders laughed mockingly.
Refusing to appoint nobles as local officials—that was the core of the Tea Province's current tension.
But there was a reason for it.
"What's wrong with commoners?" Masada countered, his old voice trembling but firm. "Commoners understand the people's hardships better than anyone! The ruler Wuyouka and the first Mokukage may have never visited the Tea Province, but they still care for us! Not like those so-called nobles who only exploit the poor and line their pockets. Since joining Nanmo, our taxes were lifted! Bridges repaired, roads built—do you think nobles ever cared that much?"
For someone who had earlier confessed his fears, Masada stood remarkably brave now, defending both the people and Nanmo's government.
Watching from behind, Shigeo smiled quietly. No wonder Wuyouka chose him for mayor. Intelligent, courageous, and aware of the bigger picture. A bit timid, yes—but not weak before others.
"Hahaha! You old fool!" one of the thugs cackled. "Nanmo built bridges and roads, huh? Where are they? Show us one!"
Masada's mustache bristled in anger. "They were destroyed—by you scoundrels and your noble masters! Do you know what you've done? You've cut off your own livelihoods! When Mokukage-sama learns of this, you won't escape punishment!"
"Old man, you're asking for death!" one thug shouted, rushing forward with his gang.
Hatsufuyu reacted instantly, gesturing to his teammates. Kodomo and Kaku dashed ahead, engaging the ruffians in combat.
Meanwhile, Tsukiyo's group escorted Masada safely toward the town office to complete his formal duties.
Masada was the third mayor appointed since the Tea Province joined Nanmo. If he could oversee the festival and secure victory in the race, it would win over the common people's hearts—cementing Nanmo's influence in the region.
He couldn't die. He couldn't fail.
Shigeo, still in disguise as the child "A-Mo," followed silently.
At the town hall, a crowd of villagers gathered. The moment they saw Masada, they rushed forward excitedly.
"Uncle Masada, is it true? You're really our new mayor? We've never had a commoner as town mayor before!"
The people's joy was genuine.
All previous mayors had been relatives or friends of nobles—men who oppressed the poor, raised taxes, and abused their power. The first two commoner mayors Wuyouka sent had been murdered. But Masada was a native of Mo-kai, respected by all. This time, the people were determined to protect him.
"Yes," Masada said, lifting the official town seal. "It's official now."
Though his heart trembled, he stood tall before his townspeople. Inside, he feared this might be the end of his life—but he couldn't show weakness now.
"Mayor, we support you! We're behind you!" the villagers shouted in unison.
The festival contestants were quickly confirmed. The Mokunin ninja split into two units—one to protect Mayor Masada, the other to guard Xiaoyou, the young commoner runner chosen to represent the villagers.
The next day marked the opening ceremony of the Zōdo Rinoki Shrine Festival.
As the mayor, Masada stepped up to the podium to speak.
Though the local thugs tried to stir trouble, none dared act openly now—especially with Mokunin ninja visibly guarding him.
Of course, the previous mayoral assassinations had been investigated by Mokunin's Anbu, but despite clear evidence pointing toward several noble families, scapegoats always appeared to take the blame before arrests could be made. It had been frustrating.
This time, however, Shigeo himself was here. There would be no escape for those parasites.
"Masada," a sneering voice interrupted from the audience. "I heard you took office yesterday. Tell me, since when does a backwater peasant like you get to rule the Tea Country?"
On stage, the He Family patriarch glared down at him, disdain written across his face. Once, only noble kin had ruled Mo-kai Town. But since the Tea Daimyō had been slain by that "monster" Shigeo, their entire world had collapsed.
"Patriarch He," Masada replied evenly, "the Tea Country is gone. This is now the Tea Province."
"Hmph! You must have a death wish. Don't forget—the He family are direct kin of the late Daimyō. Even if this land bears another name, we won't bow to you Nanmo dogs!"
The patriarch's words dripped with venom. The other nobles nodded grimly, their eyes full of resentment. Once, they had enjoyed power and privilege. Now, they were stripped of titles, their wealth taxed heavily, their pride shattered.
Nanmo's policies had humiliated them—appointing commoners to official posts, exempting peasants from taxes, and imposing high levies on nobles owning over a hundred acres of land or large businesses.
To them, it wasn't reform. It was revenge.
(End of Chapter)
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