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"Daimyo-sama!"
After leaving the Uchiha clan compound, Shin went directly to the Hokage's office.
Seeing him enter, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the two advisor elders all stood up and bowed.
"Hmm!" Shin nodded and said. "Sit down, everyone!"
With that, Shin calmly sat in the seat that should have belonged only to the Hokage.
The Hokage and others sat on either side, their postures stiff.
Minato Namikaze personally brewed a cup of tea for the daimyo. Hot tea poured into the cup, its smell filling the air.
"Daimyo-sama must be tired from your journey," Minato Namikaze said, trying to break the silence with this gesture.
In his mind, the daimyo's return this time would surely lead to Hiruzen Sarutobi being held responsible.
After all, the killing of three thousand Kumogakure shinobi prisoners had too great an impact on the Land of Fire.
Even now, Konoha was still full of discussion.
Shin nodded, his fingertips lightly touching the warm teacup.
His gaze, however, passed over Minato and fell directly on Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was silently smoking his pipe.
Seeing his gaze, Minato Namikaze's heart sank, and he opened his mouth to say something, but then heard Shin call out. "Third Hokage."
Hearing the call, Hiruzen Sarutobi's movement of holding the pipe paused.
Looking up, his forehead was covered in wrinkles, and his face showed clear tiredness that couldn't be hidden.
It seemed that the matter of the prisoners had worn him out during this period.
"I heard about the prisoner camp," Shin gently placed the teacup back on the table.
Clink.
A soft sound, yet it made everyone in the office jump.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tightened his grip on the pipe without thinking.
What was meant to come had finally arrived.
The moment of judgment was here.
Although he had already prepared himself the moment he received the daimyo's order.
But the lives of three thousand Kumogakure shinobi, this blood debt, still kept him awake at night these past few days.
"Third Hokage, you did very well."
"Huh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face froze, and everyone else was also shocked.
Shin smiled. "At a moment of crisis, to have such courage, to make a quick decision, and stop the rebellion with lightning speed, saving the Land of Fire from huge trouble."
"This firmness is worthy of the name shinobi hero."
"The Land of Fire truly needs loyal ministers like you, who can sacrifice everything for the greater good at critical moments!"
His words fell, firm and righteous.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was filled with disbelief.
Praise?
Had he misheard?
No, he hadn't misheard.
A chill shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making his hands and feet cold.
This was not praise.
This was a dagger to the heart!
Shin was using the blade of righteousness to carve the blood debt of three thousand fallen souls, stroke by stroke, onto his book of achievements!
Making him bear it forever!
From now on, only one thing would spread through the shinobi world.
He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, cruelly massacred three thousand surrendered soldiers.
And he, Shin Kurogane, was a kind ruler, deeply understanding of righteousness and generous!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips shook. He wanted to say something but dared not.
Argue against it?
He dared not!
Say that this was at your instruction?
He could not!
That would only add the shame of a cowardly blame-shifter to his name as a butcher.
He could only accept it.
And he had to accept this praise from the daimyo!
"It is... this old minister's... duty."
Every word seemed to be squeezed out of his throat.
Minato's expression instantly became incredibly dark.
The conversation between the daimyo and the Third Hokage made him realize there was a hidden story.
A little thought was all it took to understand what was going on!
Looking at the Third Hokage's broken appearance, his heart hurt.
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, both seeing the horror in each other's expressions.
They say old people are cunning!
Originally, they had been confused by the Third Hokage's sudden change in personality and the massacre of the prisoners.
Now they finally understood the heart of the matter.
This daimyo's cunning and methods were truly terrifying!
Only Hiruzen suffered for it!
Thinking of this, both of them lowered their heads.
"Hmm!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude greatly satisfied Shin. After a few words of encouragement, he turned to Minato Namikaze. "Now that the internal hidden dangers of the village have been cleared, let's discuss the main business."
"Regarding the issue of stationing troops in the southern plains of the Land of Lightning."
Minato immediately composed himself, forcing himself into the Hokage's state.
"Yes, Daimyo-sama." He presented a scroll with both hands. "I have already had Jiraiya-sama draw up a detailed plan for troop placement and rotation. Please review it."
"There's no need to see the plan." Shin did not take it. "I trust the Fourth Hokage's professional abilities."
"However, regarding the candidate for the overall commander of the stationed troops, I have someone in mind. Please listen."
Minato's hand, which was presenting the scroll, froze in mid-air.
The atmosphere in the office, which had just relaxed, tightened again.
Overall commander?
The appointment of frontline military officers has always been a core power of the Hokage!
The daimyo had never before directly interfered with specific personnel appointments!
This was openly stripping the Hokage of his military authority!
Minato Namikaze had decided to pledge loyalty to the daimyo a long time ago, but the power that should be fought for still needed to be fought for.
He lowered his head and said, word by word. "Daimyo-sama, the choice of overall commander is crucial for frontline stability. This is a serious matter and requires full consideration of their ability, experience, and judgment of the local situation. I believe..."
"I believe," Shin interrupted him directly, his voice still calm but carrying weight that couldn't be denied, "Uchiha Fugaku is very suitable."
"What?"
This time, it was Koharu and Homura who both exclaimed in shock at the same time.
Letting an Uchiha serve as the overall commander of the stationed troops?
What a joke!
This was something that had absolutely never happened in Konoha's decades of history!
"Daimyo-sama, absolutely not!" Homura suddenly stood up. "The Uchiha clan has long been in charge of the Police Force and has no experience in large-scale troop combat!"
"Appointing Fugaku as overall commander will make it difficult to gain public support and may cause great chaos!"
"That's right, Daimyo-sama, this matter must be considered carefully!" Koharu hurriedly agreed.
They weren't afraid that Fugaku lacked experience.
They were afraid!
After all, they had held down the Uchiha so much over the years... if the Uchiha were to hold significant military power... it would be a nightmare for them!
"I know what you're thinking!" Shin calmly picked up his tea and took a sip. "Our Land of Fire never mistreats any minister with achievements."
"Uh!" Homura and Koharu were immediately speechless.
"I am clear about Fugaku's abilities," Shin continued. "The primary task of this stationed troop is not combat, but keeping stability."
"He has managed the Police Force for many years. When it comes to keeping stability, no one in Konoha can surpass him."
After receiving the daimyo's promise, Homura and Koharu immediately changed their tune.
"In that case, Fugaku is indeed very suitable!"
"It was our mistake, Daimyo-sama is wise!"
"Then it's decided," Shin continued. "Fugaku will be the overall commander, and the matters of keeping stability in the garrison will be handed over to him."
"Jiraiya will be the deputy overall commander, to deal with potential external wars!"
"It's settled!"