Naruto : I Became the Daimyo of the Land of Grass

Confidence in its future was high. If only the population were bigger and the funds more plentiful, development could be even faster. As for the "Mutual Advancement" alliance treaty between the Land of Grass and Konoha, well, they mostly ignored it. 

Kusa shinobi were known for being unpredictable; brothers in the morning, backstabbers by afternoon. It was nothing unusual. National progress was their real priority. 

Helping Konoha fend off attacks from Iwagakure? That was a joke. The Kusa shinobi were small players; they couldnt carry that kind of burden. 

They didn't even give path to Iwa shinobi, already a clear sign of their shinobi code. But Charlie knew the truth.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the Kusa shinobi had actually led the Iwa shinobi through the route. Although they never declared war on Konoha, they stood by and watched during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, which gave Konoha an early disadvantage. 

The tide only turned after Konoha destroyed the bridge. Still, after the war, the Kusa shinobi allied with Konoha again. 

It made sense. Back then, the Land of Grass was a small country stuck between two great powers neither could defeat. Iwagakure was untrustworthy, and so was Konoha. 

Konoha's reputation for betraying allies was Well known. So the Kusa shinobi had no choice but to play both sides.

"Everyone, after this meeting, prepare yourselves! Right now, the most important thing for the Land of Grass is the autumn harvest! 

Also, quietly secure large amounts of grain from outside to ensure food supplies. At the same time, we need to buy kunai, explosive tags, and shuriken in bulk!"

 Charlie scanned the room one last time, his expression serious. "That concludes the meeting!"

"Understood!" everyone responded earnestly as they began to leave. 

Suddenly, a Kusa shinobi burst in, his face grave. Seeing the puzzled looks, he quickly explained, "lord! shinobi from Iwagakure have arrived, requesting an audience with you!"

"??"

Meanwhile, A group of shinobi wearing Iwagakures forehead protectors stood silently, stunned as they looked at the Land of Grass before them. 

The busy crowds coming and going...

Is this really the Land of Grass?

Why does it look so different from what they'd heard about this fence-sitting village? They had imagined it to be quiet and uneventful, but the reality was something else entirely. 

The village had an unexpected charm and a lively atmosphere that didn't quite match the stories they'd been told. It was as if the place had more character and life than anyone had anticipated.

Just as Advisor Mujie warned that tensions were rising across the shinobi world, shinobi from Iwagakure showed up unexpectedly. 

Why now? Surely, the Iwa shinobi werent here for some routine business meeting. 

While the Land of Grass took pride in its own progress, compared to the mighty Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the Kusagakures strength was mostly limited to selling intelligence and guiding travelers. 

Beyond that, they had little to offer the powerful Iwa. Could it be that the Iwagakure shinobi had come all this way just to ask the Kusa shinobis to help shoot a movie in Kusawood? 

There was really only one reasonable explanation, the Iwa shinobis had come to ask the Kusa shinobis for guidance, a route toward Konoha. But still, wasn't that a bit disrespectful? 

They had just formed an alliance with Konoha, and yet here they were, coming straight to the Kusa shinobis for help. did they really think the Kusa shinobis would agree so easily? did the Kusa shinobi's have no pride left? 

But since they were already here, Charlie stepped forward with a warm smile, leading his shinobi colleagues who had just finished a meeting over to greet the Iwa delegation. "Welcome, friends from Iwagakure!" he said. 

A burly Iwa shinobi wearing a red shinobi cap, with a prominent nose, a long mustache stretching across his face, and a beard on his chin, stepped forward and bowed deeply. "lord of the Kusagakure! Please forgive our intrusion." 

Despite the Kusagakures reputation for being somewhat chaotic, as an experienced Iwa jounin, he knew better than to show any disrespect. He was here representing Iwagakure for a cooperation talk, not to start a fight. 

More importantly, this young Kusa lord wasn't just the head of the village, he was effectively the daimyo of the Land of Grass, and respect was due. Besides, rebuilding the Land of Grass in just a few short years and achieving such incredible progress was no small feat; this lord was clearly no ordinary shinobi. 

"I am Kodo, the team sent from Iwagakure to visit the Kusagakure." 

"lord of the Land of Grass, both the kusakage and daimyou, I am Charlie," he replied, accompanied by his shinobi, offering a formal introduction.

"Welcome to the Land of Grass!" Charlie greeted warmly. Kodo, feeling relieved that the Kusa lord seemed friendly, paused before speaking. "Actually, Lord Tsuchikage sent us here with urgent matters that need your attention, Lord Charlie…"

Before he could finish, Charlie laughed heartily and clapped Kodo on the shoulder like an old friend. "When friends come from afar, how can we not let them rest first? It wouldn't be right to say the Kusagakure Isn't hospitable!"

"No worries! Actually, Iwagakure and the Kusagakure,- " Kodo began.

"let's not get into that!" Charlie interrupted with a smile. 

"The Land of Grass has always admired the Land of Earth, one of the Five Great Nations. Your country is prosperous and powerful. Ive heard the Third Tsuchikage was the strongest in history, his ninjutsu unmatched, able to make anyone vanish at will…"

"Lord Charlie, you flatter me," Kodo replied modestly.

"Flatter you? Who in the shinobi world doesn't know the Third Tsuchikages power? Thanks to his protection, Iwagakure has flourished. 

Everyone, from shinobi to civilians, says that when the Third Tsuchikage took office, happiness came with him!"

Kodo and his subordinates exchanged bewildered glances as Charlie continued praising the Third Tsuchikage and the strength of Iwagakure, leaving no chance for interruption. 

Then Charlie smiled and said, "Since you're here, take a good look around the Land of Grass. If you notice anything lacking, or see ways our Kusa shinobi can improve, please let us know! Help us raise our standards!"

"I…" Kodo started to respond.

Just then, Charlie called out to a shinobi standing nearby, who looked a bit goofy. "Mujie! Mujie! I have some matters to attend to. Please take care of our distinguished guests!"

"Understood, lord!" Mujie replied promptly.

They exchanged a quick nod, and as Charlie turned to leave, Kodo hurried after him. "Lord Charlie, we truly have important matters to discuss today for the sake of peace in the shinobi world…"