When the current Daimyo ascended the throne, the Land of Fire was still just a small nation. During his reign, he worked diligently to govern, gradually strengthening the nation's power. He also recognized the potential behind Ninjas, hit it off with Hashirama, and agreed with the Ninja Village proposal Hashirama had put forward, where the state would employ Konohagakure.
Subsequently, using the Ninja Village as the main force and the Samurai Corps as support, the Daimyo personally formulated external military operations, eating away at surrounding small nations one by one, which established the current layout of the Land of Fire.
Even among all the monarchs in the history of the Land of Fire, this Daimyo should be ranked among the best, or perhaps even the greatest, destined to be admired by future generations.
However, due to overworking himself with state affairs, the Daimyo had unknowingly accumulated illness. A mere minor ailment caused all the hidden problems in his body to erupt at once. He immediately fell bedridden with a serious illness, and within half a month, he passed away in the Daimyos Residence.
Upon learning this news, Tobirama immediately notified Hashirama, who was recuperating at home. Hashirama could not help but sigh and said, "I didn't expect His Highness the Daimyo to leave before me. When I went to the Daimyos Residence before, I saw him looking quite energetic."
Hashirama had cooperated with the Daimyo for many years, and there was a bond between the ruler and his subject. How could Hashirama not be sad? What he regretted even more was that he had not been able to see the Daimyo one last time.
"Brother, since the Daimyo has passed away, I will go to the Daimyos Residence to attend the funeral," Tobirama said. "While I am away from the Village, I will leave the Village in your care."
"No, I want to go and see him too," Hashirama shook his head and said. "I have known His Highness the Daimyo for many years; I cannot just stay in the Village. Do not worry about my health; this little trip is fine."
Tobirama certainly knew that if Hashirama went to the funeral in person, it would be easier to win the trust of the New Ruler, but Hashirama's health was gradually failing, and he did not want to add a burden to his brother. However, since Hashirama had said so, and looking at his expression, he knew it was impossible to stop him, so Tobirama said nothing more.
Since Tobirama and Hashirama were preparing to leave the Village, the daily affairs of the Village would be managed by Mito. As the wife of the First Hokage, she had the ability to temporarily take on the responsibilities. Subsequently, Tobirama selected some people from the Anbu to serve as a guard team to protect him and Hashirama on their way to the Daimyos Residence.
Originally, Tobirama did not intend to bring many people; he was outstanding in his own right and only needed one squad. But with Hashirama going along, he had to select more squads. One must know that there were not a few people who wanted Hashirama's life. As long as he had not truly died, there were people willing to assassinate him to gain money and fame.
In the past, someone from the Land of Waterfalls had come to assassinate Hashirama. At that time, Hashirama was at his peak and naturally defeated the opponent very easily. However, the opponent's strength was also quite good, allowing him to force Hashirama to use the Wood Release Secret Technique and still manage to escape in front of Hashirama—of course, mainly because Hashirama had no intention of chasing him.
Now, the news of Hashirama retiring due to illness had spread throughout the Ninja World, and perhaps some people would really dare to come and assassinate Hashirama. Tobirama had to make full preparations.
Soon, Tobirama determined the escort teams—the Anbu squads including his seven disciples, totaling three squads. Fūmori Masaki did not expect that he would have the opportunity to make a trip to the capital so soon. However, given such a major event, he might not necessarily have the chance to see the ninjutsu sect classics in the Temple of Fire.
While shouldering the responsibility of protecting the Hokage, others also had a glimmer of yearning for the capital. They had never been to the capital and did not know what it was like. At the very least, Satomi could see from the garment Fūmori Masaki had given her how prosperous the capital was.
The monarch's funeral could not be delayed, so Tobirama prepared to set off immediately. The group gathered at the Village gate. In the three squads, besides the seven disciples and Satomi, a member of the Hyuga Clan branch family was also selected.
The Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan was good at reconnaissance. As long as this Hyuga clansman was present, they could ensure control over the surrounding situation. Fūmori Masaki saw this branch family member for the first time, and after introductions by Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, he learned his name was Hyūga Kei.
Hyūga Kei was also a very talented person in the Hyuga Clan and had a close blood relationship with the current Hyuga Main Family. The Hyuga Clan sent him into the Anbu directly under the Hokage, and the purpose was obvious: to hope to improve the relationship with the Hokage. Or rather, every Anbu member had this thought to some extent.
The captains of the three squads were Senju Touka—the Female Ninja who had always been by Hashirama and Tobirama's side—as well as the Sarutobi Clan expert Sarutobi Kosuke, and the Aburame Clan expert Aburame Yuichi.
With these people by his side, Tobirama believed that Hashirama's safety was sufficiently guaranteed, so he confirmed the areas of responsibility with everyone and then set off.
There was a specially built main road between Konohagakure and the capital, with all unnecessary obstacles removed, leading directly to the capital. During the battle between Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, this main road was also affected, but fortunately, it was not serious and was soon repaired.
Along the way, Hyūga Kei constantly observed the surroundings through his Byakugan. Cooperating with his captain Aburame Yuichi's Kikaichu, there was almost no Ninja that could hide from them. It could be considered calm, but no one had the mind to chat; after all, this was not an outing.
Outside of missions, Fūmori Masaki and the others could chat and laugh freely, but during missions, Tobirama required everyone to take it seriously and not slack off. He hated that kind of frivolous behavior, which was absolutely not allowed to appear in front of him.
After Anbu training, the proficiency of Fūmori Masaki and others was undoubtedly up to standard. During the march, they were silent and loyal to their duties. Only when resting did they use the way of talking they had researched to deal with such situations to complain about the current oppressive atmosphere.
In their minds, Tobirama was amiable most of the time, but in this situation, he appeared too cold. If Hashirama had been the leader going to the capital, the atmosphere would definitely not be so dull.
Hashirama could have enlivened the atmosphere, but now his body was in poor condition, and he was worried about the Daimyo's passing. He either traveled or sat on the side resting, with no intention of speaking.
A few days later, the capital appeared before everyone's eyes. After Tobirama went forward to talk to the capital guards for a while, he led the others into the capital.
Upon entering the capital, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, who had never been here before, were immediately dazzled. The buildings in Konohagakure were all boring; however, the capital was unusually prosperous. The streets, alleys, restaurants, and teahouses—everything was something that Konohagakure did not have, leaving them overwhelmed.
Even though Fūmori Masaki had the experience of another world, that was already a brand-new city. Although there were TV shows, in terms of visual sensory perception, it was far less real and had a less thick atmosphere than the capital before his eyes.
Hashirama and Tobirama were already used to it and did not delay because of it. Tobirama did not go to the Daimyos Residence immediately but instead brought everyone to the temple in the capital, which was the Temple of Fire—naturally, one could not bring so many people to meet the New Ruler. Only he and Hashirama would go to have an audience, while the rest would remain stationed at the Temple of Fire.
Fūmori Masaki did not know if it was because his luck was too good. Not only did he come to the capital, but he also went directly into the Temple of Fire. Although it was impossible to check the ninjutsu sect classics of the Land of Fire all at once, at least he could learn some knowledge from the classics from the monks or the Abbot.
Inside the Temple of Fire, the Abbot and several monks came out to welcome Tobirama and Hashirama. The Abbot was a kind old man over fifty years old. He told Fūmori Masaki and the others that the Temple of Fire would arrange guest rooms for them to stay in, and before the two Hokage left, they could live here.
After Tobirama instructed the three captains, including Senju Touka, on some matters, he rushed to the Daimyos Residence with Hashirama. The three captains followed closely behind, and after seeing the two enter the Daimyos Residence, they would return to the Temple of Fire.
As for the rest, they were led by the monks to the guest rooms, and subsequently, the Abbot of the Temple of Fire would take them to visit the Temple of Fire.