Shikaku Nara: …
Tōshirō really has a knack for "the thief cries 'stop the thief.'"
Tōshirō ordered the Guardian Ninja locked up in prison, then prepared to depart.
"Hokage-sama, calm down, calm down."
Shikaku Nara genuinely feared Tōshirō might seize the opportunity to kill the daimyō outright.
Tōshirō was unstoppable when it came to punishing the daimyō, but Shikaku worried: could he at least take it slowly? Shouldn't a political coup be done gradually? There's no way someone just finds an excuse to wipe out a daimyō.
Tōshirō, with righteous indignation, straightened his neck: "Do not stop me. The death of the Third Hokage demands that I hold the daimyō accountable."
Shikaku Nara: …
Tōshirō continued in a commanding tone: "Nara, you'll come with me."
Shikaku Nara was startled, mouth twitching: "I'm coming too?"
"Exactly."
Tōshirō's tone left no room for objection.
"Alright then…"
Having a madman as Hokage was giving Shikaku a headache. His past experience as an assistant was now useless. He longed for the days of Hiruzen Sarutobi's leadership.
◎
The Daimyō's mansion.
In the inner courtyard, birdlike songs and murmurs filled the air.
A beautiful woman in a kimono teased coquettishly, giggling: "Daimyō-sama… come here… I'm right here…"
A middle-aged man in luxurious attire, face covered with a black band, pounced at the sound. The hands he felt were firm—definitely not a woman.
"Uh… Daimyō-sama…"
An awkward voice spoke.
The Land of Fire's Daimyō—Shinji—removed the black band, revealing a greasy, portly minister. The contrast was so jarring that his face immediately soured. Coldly, he said: "You'd better have an urgent matter, or I'll give you one."
The greasy minister swallowed: "The Hokage requests an audience."
"No audience. No audience."
Shinji was annoyed at being interrupted. He was ready to slight the Hokage a bit. He controlled finances—did they think he wouldn't cut Konoha's military budget if displeased?
The minister said firmly: "I think it's best you meet him."
"Why?"
"He is the new Hokage."
"The new Hokage?" Shinji was surprised: "That old Hokage is dead?"
"Unclear. We only know he's the new Hokage. Lord Nara can vouch for this."
"Alright, I understand."
Shinji frowned, adjusted his clothes, and headed to the palace.
Normally, electing a Hokage required the daimyō's prior approval.
Although daimyōs typically didn't interfere, they still maintained that courtesy.
But now? The person is already Hokage, and only now are they informing him? Does this new Hokage even acknowledge his position?
Shinji thought cunningly: maybe he needs a little show of force with reduced military funds.
Entering the hall, Shinji summoned the new Hokage to an audience.
Tōshirō entered, casually surveying the surroundings, showing no restraint, as if returning home. After all, soon this would be his palace.
Ministers lined the sides, and through the front curtains, a distinguished figure could be faintly seen.
The daimyō was a high-ranking mortal god. Gods and humans differ—curtains create distance, emphasizing this divine distinction.
Tōshirō's lips curved in blatant disdain.
"What is the name of the new Hokage?"
A retainer asked.
"Uchiha Tōshirō…"
Uchiha?
The daimyō behind the curtain frowned. The new Hokage is from the Uchiha clan? What was the Third Hokage thinking?
Tōshirō smiled: "I've answered your question. Now it's your turn."
"Hokage-sama, please show respect. How dare you speak to the daimyō this way?"
The daimyō's servant shouted.
Tōshirō disregarded him, asking bluntly: "You ordered the assassination of the Third Hokage, didn't you?"
Everyone present froze.
What? The Third Hokage is dead? And the daimyō ordered it? How is that possible?
The daimyō felt a shiver. He didn't recall issuing such an order.
Could it be that his subordinates carried out the assassination behind his back—and succeeded?
He vaguely knew some of his subordinates wanted to place ninja military power under the daimyō.
From his perspective, the intention was good—they were loyal.
But they knew nothing of Konoha's actual power.
Consolidating ninja military might under the daimyō wasn't unthinkable—but it had to be practical.
Regardless, the daimyō would never admit to this—and he hadn't done it.
"Stop speaking nonsense! There's no way a daimyō would do such a thing."
Tōshirō pointed at the daimyō through the curtain: "Excuses hide the truth, hiding confirms it. You're making things worse by pretending otherwise."
Everyone realized the situation.
This aggressive Hokage meant business.
Nearby guards moved quickly. Unlike bodyguards who bragged about killing in fractions of a second, these guards entered almost immediately after Tōshirō spoke, weapons ready.
Shinji slowly rose from his chair, drawing the curtain. The Guardian Ninja guards gave him the courage to meet Tōshirō's gaze.
"Daimyō-sama, please step back."
The radical Guardian Ninja displayed loyalty, thinking the daimyō would recognize their authority after this.
Surrounded, Shinji felt an odd sense of safety, gently waving a feathered fan: "You're not the Hokage, are you?"
"Whether I am or not isn't for you to decide."
"What an arrogant fellow."
Several guards, wielding short swords, dashed forward.
Tōshirō had no time for these lackeys. He kicked off, soaring over them, heading straight for the daimyō.
"Stop him!"
Shuriken and kunai flew from all directions, aiming to pierce him.
"Like ants shaking a tree…"
Tōshirō's aura flared, flames forming a skeletal armor around him. He deflected attacks from all directions and even extended a skeletal hand to snatch Shinji, holding him like a chick in his palm.
Shinji, unused to this, screamed, tears streaming: "Ahhh—help!"
"Hehe, I still like your calm demeanor."
Tōshirō, riding the skeletal hand of Susanoo, carried Shinji away as everyone gaped.
Guards pursued, shouting: "You bastard! Release the daimyō!"
Tōshirō landed lightly in an open area, pausing briefly. Within seconds, guards surrounded him.
"You're surrounded. Release the daimyō!"
The guards felt ashamed—they let one person kidnap the daimyō before their eyes.
"No, you're the ones surrounded by me."
Tōshirō's tone was mocking. He clapped, forming hand seals.
He wasn't afraid—he just didn't want to damage the palace. Renovations cost money.
Everyone looked up. The sky was encased in an enormous ice wall, encompassing the entire daimyō's mansion. From above, it formed an octagonal formation.
Inside the mansion, Fugaku and Shikaku noticed the extraordinary ice wall.
Fugaku looked up, understanding: "Ice Release: Ice Crystal Labyrinth. Looks like Tōshirō is starting."
"Starting?" Shikaku's voice trembled. "What does that mean?"
"No need to explain," Fugaku said, striding forward, voice low: "If we're late, we might miss it."
"This is Ice Release…"
The Guardian Ninja recognized the technique, shocked: "One person can create an ice barrier of this scale?"
"Now… let's have some fun."
Tōshirō's three-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, forming snowflake patterns.
"What is…"
Shikaku, rushing toward the center, suddenly saw a massive blue apparition materialize, full-bodied, large enough to rival a Tailed Beast. Its cyan-green eyes radiated a mysterious and dangerous aura.
His eyes widened in terror: "What… is that thing?"
"Flame of the Soul. It's a dojutsu of the Uchiha clan."
Fugaku explained proudly.
Seeing Tōshirō wield such power, Shikaku suddenly understood why he was so arrogant, treating everything with disdain.
Even from a distance, it made one's blood run cold. Guards facing the Flame of the Soul felt the same: "W-what kind of monster is this?"
Tōshirō sat on its shoulder, issuing commands casually: "Move around a little."
The Flame of the Soul's fist smashed forward like an unstoppable force, shockwaves sending nearby guards flying.
The daimyō's guards were utterly desperate—equipment abandoned, helmets lost.
The Flame of the Soul leaped to block fleeing guards, shaking the ground like an earthquake, knocking them down.
"Too slow…"
Tōshirō said calmly.
"Zzzt."
A lightning streak tore through the air, targeting the caster.
Tōshirō smiled slightly, a massive claw blocking the lightning.
The Guardian Ninja's face darkened.
What kind of jutsu was this? Speed, power, defense—flawless.
"Enough, I'm bored…"
With the dull announcement, the Flame of the Soul raised an arm, palm igniting with blue fire, exuding extreme cold. Flames struck the ground, erupting into pillars, freezing everything they touched.
Eight sake cups.
End of Chapter)
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