Chapter 274: Sweeping Away Darkness (Part 2)
With an order from the "Daimyo's Office" in Asuka Castle, a special campaign named "Sweep Away Black and Evil Forces" was launched across the entire Land of Lightning.
Some personnel were drawn from the Cloud Village Police Force, while others were Cloud ninja already scattered in various cities.
However, unlike usual, besides cracking down on crime, they also had to take charge of propaganda.
"Huh? Why do we have to wear this?"
Yusuke Akahoshi looked helplessly at the "uniform" in front of him.
"I don't understand at all. This huge cloak will hinder movement. More importantly, if the fight gets intense, we'll probably have to take it off to fight properly. So its only purpose is to look cool during low-intensity combat, and then we have to strip it off for high-intensity combat?"
Konan pouted. "I designed this outfit specifically for publicity! If we only cared about combat, we could just wear ninja flak jackets. Publicity needs to be cool! I plan to report this to the village and see if other squads are interested."
Yahiko affirmed from the side, "Most of our sweeping operations happen at night. The black base of this uniform makes it easy to hide. The wide cloak can hold more ninja tools and allows us to form hand seals secretly. Plus, it's embroidered with red clouds representing the Cloud Village. You could say it balances coolness and practicality."
"I don't feel the practicality at all. I just feel like I'd want to take it off as soon as a fight starts. And why are the clouds red instead of white?"
Konan explained, "Idiot. Black and white would look like mourning clothes! And white is too conspicuous!"
According to instructions from above, besides Kumogakure, the other seven major cities in the Land of Lightning each needed to form a star squad dedicated to fighting evil forces.
Fighting for justice at night, coordinating with propaganda during the day.
To maximize enthusiasm and use each person's charisma for publicity, priority was given to young people.
Thus, Konan, Yahiko, and Yusuke formed the anti-crime squad for the capital.
To fully mobilize everyone's enthusiasm, the higher-ups gave them a certain degree of autonomy, which was why Konan designed the "uniform."
Compared to adult ninja accustomed to life and death, every young person had a dream of upholding justice and helping the weak. Everyone was highly motivated.
"Next is naming. Each squad needs a resounding name for publicity."
The three pondered for a while. Suddenly, Yahiko had a flash of inspiration.
"Since we fight evil at night to protect everyone's peace... like the dawn sun driving away the darkness, why don't we call ourselves..."
"Team Good Morning!"
"Agreed! Great meaning, sounds very energetic!"
"Agreed. That's a good name!"
(Note: "Good Morning" is clearly a joke about "Akatsuki/Dawn" which means daybreak/dawn. They ended up with "Good Morning" instead of "Dawn/Akatsuki".)
The three discussed excitedly for a while, very interested in the upcoming action. Although Yusuke complained verbally, his body was very honest as he put on the cool black cloak with red clouds.
Konan: "This uniform... as expected of my own design. I feel a... blood connection. Like this uniform was meant to be worn by me."
Yahiko: "Me too. This feeling... it's like destiny..."
Yusuke: "What are you two crazy about? Why don't I feel anything?"
Konan suddenly said, "By the way, I heard Dana-sama's wedding is next week. Have you thought about what gift to give?"
Yusuke was surprised. "Do we need to give gifts? For a wedding of Dana-sama's level, the whole capital will be mobilized. There probably won't be a gift-giving process like for ordinary people, right?"
Yahiko said, "You can't think like that. Dana-sama takes such good care of us; we should show some appreciation. Even if it's not an expensive gift, finding a chance to give it to him later would be good."
Konan said, "I've decided. Mom's restaurant is opening soon. I'll give him a permanent 20% off Supreme VIP Black Card!"
"Oh, is it the one she opened with Kayo-nee's mom? Very convenient! Let me think... what hobbies does Dana-sama have?"
That night, "Team Good Morning" made their debut. Wearing black cloaks with red clouds, the three shuttled through the night.
Konan's paper wings could now support long-term flight, providing aerial support for her teammates in the dark. Combined with Yusuke's Red Eye x-ray vision, evil in the capital had nowhere to hide.
Yahiko, with his meticulous mind, could formulate strict plans, and Yusuke had invisibility. Dealing with criminal gangs composed of ordinary people was a complete stomp.
Based on intelligence provided by the Special Strategy Division, on the first night, the three destroyed a gang whose main business was loan sharking. This gang used violent collection methods, forced women into prostitution, and even trafficked people. While the capital was chaotic for over a year, they had made a fortune.
The group of seven was wiped out in one go. Three were killed by Yusuke during resistance, and the remaining four were tied up and made to kneel at a busy market intersection.
As dawn arrived, the awakening citizens saw the villains, who usually made their legs tremble with fear, tied up like dogs and kneeling on the ground for everyone to see.
The three occasionally announced the evil deeds these people had committed and the cruel punishment awaiting them, drawing cheers from the neighbors.
Seeing the publicity effect was sufficient, the three took the criminals away. What awaited them was to continue shining for the United Iron & Steel Company.
Commonly known as: Mining until death.
This action, which protected the people, stabilized society, and served as propaganda, was widely praised. In just a few days, they achieved fruitful results, catching many pests. It was palpably felt across the Land of Lightning that the barrier between ordinary people and ninja had shrunk significantly.
As time passed, another event that the entire capital focused on and discussed heatedly was about to happen.
For ordinary people, they focused on: The Daimyo's Wedding.
For Cloud ninja, they focused on: Our Dana-sama is marrying the Daimyo as a wife!
This was unprecedented in the entire ninja world, full of topicality and built-in gossip attributes.
Not just the capital or the Land of Lightning—as invitations were sent to other countries one by one, the entire ninja world discussed this extraordinary wedding.
However, the high officials of various countries had no interest in gossip; they only had worry.
But regardless of what other countries thought, this day arrived unstoppably.
Tall Yotsuki Dana looked nervously in the mirror. His hair was meticulously groomed. Beneath his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his face looked like it was carved from marble, with strong lines.
Handsome and tough.
His usually powerful body looked exceptionally slender in the fitted suit. Combined with his height, he truly looked like a living sculpture. The girl who helped him dress earlier had been blushing the entire time.
Loosening his collar slightly, Dana couldn't help but feel nervous. An inexplicable heat made him uncomfortable.
Two lifetimes, and this was his first wedding. He couldn't not be nervous.
As a child in his past life, he often imagined what his future wedding would be like, but he never guessed it would happen in his second life.
And in the ninja world.
Yotsuki Arashi, also wearing a handsome suit but looking a size wider than Dana, patted Dana's shoulder.
"Don't be nervous, Dana. Today, you are the protagonist!"
"Exactly because I'm the protagonist, I'm nervous! Mom's arrangements are too ridiculous..."