"30% tax?" Shinia ninja's eyes went wide as she read the latest order from Kampaku. She and Kuro, who usually found themselves on the same side during council votes, were typically more Kampaku-friendly. However, it has become increasingly obvious that Kampaku is targeting them lately.

From limiting their ability to accept tasks to issuing outrageous orders such as killing heroes, assassinating powerful nobles, and even spying on the North Kingdom, Kampaku seemed relentless.

Samurais would do anything for the right pay, but despite issuing orders, Kampaku wasn’t compensating the ninjas at all; he treated them as disposable tools. These 'orders' cost money and lives, yet Kampaku kept assigning difficult tasks without pay.

Shinia and Kuro consistently voted to carry out these tasks in hopes of winning Kampaku's favor, but despite their efforts, Kampaku's enmity seemed as strong as ever.

Mienai ninja was also outraged, declaring, "We can't allow Kampaku to do whatever he wants! If we continue to act passively like this, he will only become more tyrannical!" Mienai ninja, usually not one for rash decisions, had joined the anti-Kampaku faction after losing trusted comrades on one of Kampaku's missions.

Midori ninja added, "Everything you say is true, but Kampaku holds unmatched power. With a royal army of a hundred thousand at his disposal and the ability to mobilize hundreds of thousands more troops within weeks, what can we realistically do?"

Listening to the discussion, Kuro turned to Mienai ninja and asked, "Is assassination an option?"

Mienai ninja shook his head. "We have some high-ranking spies in the palace, but the chances of success are slim. Kampaku is heavily guarded and rarely leaves his chambers."

The ninja elders exchanged helpless looks; assassination seemed their only chance, as they stood no chance in a fair fight against Kampaku's forces.

Shiro ninja interjected, "Kampaku still has the support of the samurais. We ninjas are no match for him on our own."

Shinia cursed, "Those shortsighted samurais! They accept Kampaku's money while we endure increasing taxes each day."

Pinku ninja suggested, "How about allying with the Northern Kingdom?"

The suggestion surprised everyone; while they opposed Kampaku, they had never considered allying with the Northern Kingdom.

"Are you out of your mind? The Northern Kingdom is even worse than Kampaku. If they win, they'll enslave our people!" objected Kuro.

In Kuro's view, the Northern Kingdom would never allow ninjas to remain independent, so even if they were to defeat Kampaku, the replacement would not be any better.

"But what about creating a balance of power? We could use the Northern Kingdom to keep Kampaku occupied, preventing him from focusing solely on suppressing us. Additionally, with the threat from the Northern Kingdom looming, Kampaku may begin to see our value," explained Pinku.

"What's your plan?" inquired Shinia ninja.

"We must establish contact with the Northern Kingdom and pretend that we're willing to abandon the Empire. We can offer them information about border castles, army numbers, and royal forces. If they receive this information, they may be emboldened to launch attacks on border cities. This would force Kampaku to divert his military resources to defense, weakening his hold on power," elaborated Pinku.

"This is incredibly risky; if the Ministry of Truth discovers our plans, we're finished. No other ninja villages would come to our defense," Shinia warned.

"But we're facing destruction under Kampaku regardless. We must use every means at our disposal to prolong our survival, and wait for an opportunity to overthrow Kampaku," argued Pinku.

Most elders remained skeptical; allying with the Northern Kingdom, the Empire's main enemy, seemed too drastic even for ninjas.

"What if the Northern Kingdom wins the war?" Shinia pointed out.

"Everyone knows that our Empire is stronger than the Northern Kingdom. If they advance beyond the border cities, Kampaku may have to deploy his 100,000 royal army or even send his personal bodyguards to assist, but in my view, it's impossible for us to lose truly," Pinku countered.

Kuro intervened, "This matter is too serious to decide hastily. We'll take a vote on it later."

And with that, the meeting concluded without reaching a definitive decision.

Only a few days later, Mienai ninja delivered grim news to the ninja village. The royal army was constructing fortresses near their village, potentially in preparation for conflict. Additionally, spies had heard rumors of plans to expel them to the border.

This news incensed all the elders, tipping the balance. They voted unanimously to ally with the Northern Kingdom in their next meeting.

...

Meanwhile, Kampaku, yawning as he opened a letter, was taken aback by its contents.

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"The Northern Kingdom is preparing for a large-scale innovation," he read with widened eyes. Border incursions were common, but preparations for invasion were entirely different.

This letter, unlike most, was long. As Kampaku read further, his shock deepened: "Northern Kingdom's central commander has ordered full mobilization, preparing an army of at least a million troops, expected to be ready in 3-6 months."

"Are they crazy?" Kampaku thought in disbelief.

"Kampaku-sama, Kampaku-sama!" Inazuma screamed as he burst into the room. A few trusted individuals could enter without permission, and Inazuma was one of them.

"What is going on?" Kampaku asked, sensing trouble.

"The Northern Kingdom has taken North Star Castle!" Inazuma said, also in disblief.

"What are you talking about? How is that possible?" Kampaku stood up, wide awake now. Originally sleepy, the recent news had jolted him fully awake.

"I don’t know the details, but the news is legitimate! The Ministry of Truth confirmed it," reported Inazuma.

Kampaku remained silent, closing his eyes in contemplation. After a moment, he spoke, his voice dripping with anger. "Send an order to all nobles, samurais, and ninjas. Everyone must prepare for war! This time, I am going to crush those barbarians ruling the Northern Kingdom!" Kampaku declared.

Inazuma bowed deeply. "Yes, master," he responded solemnly.

...

The news spread throughout the Empire, catching everyone off guard. It was unbelievable to many, happening so suddenly.

This incident caused the tensions between the ninjas and royal forces to dissipate completely. Royal forces constructing strongholds near the thirteen ninja villages left in response to the urgent call to arms.

Nobles activated their reserve troops, sending them to the capital for the country's defense.

But even as Kampaku mobilized his forces, the Northern Kingdom struck again, attacking Fire Flower City, another vital settlement. The speed of their movements was unbelievable.

By this point, it was clear that the Northern Kingdom possessed detailed knowledge of the weaknesses of each castle and city.

Maps of castles, cities, and other sensitive information were supposed to be protected by the agents of the Ministry of Truth. The fact that this incident occurred was a terrible scandal, a failure of the Ministry of Truth.

Ninjas should never be underestimated, especially the Mienai division. They even had spies at the highest levels of the Ministry of Truth, making obtaining the maps relatively easy.

With no other choice, Kampaku ordered 50,000 troops from the royal army to march to the Northern border. He couldn’t wait for his entire army to be ready. If he delayed, the entire Northern part of the Empire might be lost.

Reports indicated that the invading Northern forces numbered 150,000 troops, sent from the Kingdom's capital. This meant that if any other country attacked them now, their capital would be left unguarded.

Unfortunately for the Empire, they had no allies. Other countries were content to watch the two sides fight, unwilling to intervene.

Kampaku was surprised that the Northern Kingdom was taking such risks. In fact, if Kampaku wished, he could have sent his entire 100,000-strong royal army along with 150,000 regular military to suppress the invaders swiftly. However, doing so would endanger his rule, and he would never compromise his own safety.

He refused to bring the troop numbers in the capital below 200,000, regardless of how many Northern cities were lost.

...

The Northern Kingdom swiftly captured another city, Skyflower City, but their advance was halted by the arrival of the royal army, which engaged and restrained the Northern Kingdom's forces. With the royal forces present, the Northern Kingdom couldn’t conquer cities as quickly as before; they were forced to deal with the royal army first.

Local nobles sent over 300,000 troops in less than a month on the Empire's side, while samurais contributed 100,000 troops. The only group not assisting were the ninjas.

Kampaku had increased taxes on them, expelled them, and failed to pay for tasks, earning their hatred. It was fortunate they didn’t assist the Northern Kingdom.

Even without the ninjas, the combined 400,000 troops were enough to suppress the Northern troops temporarily. However, if the war dragged on, more troops would be needed.

Kampaku appointed Inazuma as the commander and dispatched them to the Northern border. As for the ninjas, Kampaku decided to deal with them after the war.

...

As if the situation weren’t already dire enough for Kampaku, a secret organization emerged, spreading news about Jack. Already harboring resentment toward Kampaku, rural people were armed by this mysterious organization and formed rebel armies.

The movement spread rapidly, with over 50,000 men mobilized in the hero's name.

With the royal army entangled on the Northern border, Kampaku ignored the rebels, only planning to suppress them if they attacked major cities.

...

Three months passed in this manner.

The Northern Kingdom attacked several other castles and settlements, conquering them all by exploiting weaknesses. Despite conquering Northern castles, they couldn't advance further south due to the presence of the 400,000-strong army on the empire's side.

Both sides avoided all-out war, and negotiations for a resolution seemed imminent. The Northern Kingdom would likely take a few castles in exchange for their retreat.

However, just as negotiations were about to begin, a group of assassins targeted the Northern Kingdom's crown prince. It was believed to be the work of someone sent by Kampaku.

Although Kampaku denied involvement, the Northern King, devastated by the loss of his son, rejected any notion of a negotiated end to the war.

With no other option, both sides prepared for a massive battle.

The Northern Kingdom fielded 650,000 troops, while the Empire had 450,000.

The Empire suffered a defeat, losing 100,000 troops and being forced to retreat. The Northern Kingdom sustained similar casualties but had more reserves to absorb losses.

With the main obstacle to attacking Northern castles removed, the Northern Kingdom resumed its conquest, seizing several castles without resistance. Many castle commanders, appointed for their loyalty to Kampaku rather than the country, switched sides in the face of the war.

Appointing individuals based on political leaning has its disadvantages. This was one of the reasons why the military should not be politicized. Kampaku's disregard for this principle was now showing its consequences in the war.

...

Kampaku, no longer in the mood to leisurely read letters every night, angrily threw a letter to the ground. "Find him!" he shouted to his subordinate.

The report confirmed that Jack was the leader of the secret organization.

"Leave the Northern; go and bring me his head!" Kampaku ordered Inazuma.

Inazuma, back from the north, didn't dare to oppose this irrational decision and replied, "Yes, master."

Kampaku was surrounded by yes-men, so when he made irrational decisions, there was no one to challenge him. Consequently, Kampaku made extremely illogical decisions, diverting troops from the Northern lines because of his personal hatred of Jack.

Jack, by now, had amassed over 100,000 troops, most of whom were trained and well-armed.

Using the funds provided by Raphael, Jack had purchased weapons from surrounding countries. He left Ninja Village some time ago.

...

Upon hearing the latest report about the Royal Army leaving the Northern lines to attack him, Jack smiled. "Send this news to the Northern Kingdom."