After hearing out Danzo's plan, the Daimyo's furrowed brows gradually relaxed. By the end, he finally smiled and clapped approvingly.
"Very good. I'll leave this matter entirely in your hands."
"I won't disappoint your trust, my lord." Danzo bowed deeply again, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"Daimyo-sama, what about me?" Konoha Shin, seeing this unfold, grew anxious.
"Hmm... You shall support Danzo directly and lend him a hand," the Daimyo replied casually after thinking briefly. Upon hearing this, Konoha Shin immediately stiffened, his face darkening noticeably.
"Ahhh..."
At this moment, the Daimyo yawned lazily as if exhausted. "It's been a long time since I've worried about things like this. I need to rest now—I have a mahjong game scheduled for this afternoon."
With those words still hanging in the air, he stood up with assistance from his servants and turned to leave.
As he watched the Daimyo depart, a trace of coldness flickered through Danzo's eyes—barely noticeable.
Once upon a time, as a ninja, he had respected the privileged nobility like the Daimyo. But ever since personally witnessing Madara Uchiha's near-divine power, Danzo realized—
Daimyo? Please.
To Danzo now, the Daimyo had become nothing more than an untalented fool. Before long, through a series of schemes, he would control the Daimyo's Mansion itself, reducing Fire Country's Daimyo to just another puppet under his strings.
Suddenly, a mocking voice interrupted Danzo's thoughts.
"Don't think that just because the Daimyo has issued an order, I will obediently follow your commands."
"Just because the Daimyo said so doesn't mean I'll play your lapdog!" Konoha Shin sneered.
"Fool seeking death."
Without expression, Danzo extended his hand toward Konoha Shin. With a swift *shhhhuuutt*, a wooden vine shot from his palm, tightly wrapping around Konoha Shin's neck.
"Urk..." Eyes wide, face turning black, Konoha Shin nearly choked to death. Finally, when Danzo retracted the vine, he crumpled to the ground like a lifeless sack.
"Mercy, my lord!" Konoha Shin, having barely escaped death, surrendered completely out of sheer terror.
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted coldly, then strode out with large steps, eager to implement his plans.
Two days later,
A piece of news spread from the Daimyo's Mansion all the way to Konoha Village—
The Daimyo officially announced that as of today, military funding for Konoha would be resumed. The amount in the initial allocation reached an astonishing three hundred million ryo—the highest figure in history.
Then, the Daimyo's Mansion praised the "Summer Miracle" of Konoha Village, promising to send envoys to study these reform experiences and apply them to governing the Land of Fire.
Additionally, the Daimyo's Mansion expressed hopes to strengthen economic exchanges with Konoha Village, including high-priced purchases of the "Konoha Number One" rice, investments into real estate, and infrastructure development projects within Konoha Village.
To the outside world,
Through this series of actions, the Daimyo's Mansion seemed to deliberately lower its stance, clearly showing submission to Konoha Village. Under such circumstances, Konoha softened its position greatly toward the Daimyo's Mansion as well, and relations between the two sides warmed up once again.
Not long after all this happened—
From the Daimyo's Mansion came a bombshell message that shocked the entire Leaf Village. That was:
The Daimyo's Mansion would select a new batch of Twelve Guardian Ninja. Due to absolute trust in the Leaf, no fewer than eight candidate ninjas from the Leaf Village had been nominated, including Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Kosuke Maruboshi, Might Duy and an elite Jonin from the Shimura clan.
The Daimyo's Mansion urged these eight elite ninjas to report there immediately and begin their service.
This news sparked widespread discussion throughout the Leaf Village.
Twelve Guardian Ninja.
This title denoted twelve elite ninjas tasked with the protection of the Fire Daimyo. They formed the Daimyo's personal independent direct-command unit, usually composed of the finest ninjas recruited from all over the country.
For every ninja in the Land of Fire, joining the Twelve Guardian Ninja was a dream come true.
Because it meant tremendous honor and reputation — it was the ultimate stepping stone, the ninja world's version of 'the carp leaping into the dragon gate.'
In past selections for the Twelve Guardian Ninja, typically only one or two shinobi from Konoha made the cut. But this time, the number jumped dramatically to eight, occupying two-thirds of the total positions.
Most villagers were overjoyed at this, as it signified that Konoha's influence within the Land of Fire had reached an unprecedented high.
Undoubtedly, this was achieved through the Leaf Village's reform efforts that made the Daimyo's Mansion look upon them with new respect.
However, amid this celebratory atmosphere, some people sensed something unusual.
Hokage office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the roster sent from the Daimyo's Mansion, frowning slightly. Except for Tsunade, all eight named ninjas had already gathered opposite him at his desk.
"What are your opinions?"
Sarutobi put down the roster and asked everyone.
"Respectfully Hokage-sama, I need several days to handover my Anbu duties before I can depart."
Sakumo Hatake spoke first.
He loathed leaving Konoha and parting from the companions and family he saw every day, but he still displayed a willing attitude without complaints toward this recruitment. It wasn't about pursuing fame or honor — rather, it was about fulfilling a ninja's responsibilities.
In Sakumo's view, going to the Daimyo's Mansion together with these colleagues could help establish connections, maintaining good relations between the Daimyo's Mansion and the Leaf Village long-term.
After he expressed his stance, Kosuke Maruboshi and Might Duy subsequently voiced similar sentiments.
Although they weren't particularly fond of the Daimyo himself, the Mansion had recently allocated three hundred million ryo to the Leaf Village, showing a humble and friendly attitude. To refuse such an offer now under flimsy excuses would appear impolite.
Additionally, the elite Jonin from the Shimura clan even suggested they should immediately head to the Daimyo's Mansion, emphasizing that keeping the Daimyo waiting would be extremely impolite.
So far, half of the eight on this list had already declared their positions, indicating willingness to become members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Apologies, but I don't want to go."
Hiashi Hyuga said coldly.
He had long disliked the Daimyo, and being asked to serve as the Daimyo's guard was completely unacceptable to Hiashi.
"I feel the same," Fugaku agreed. Like Hiashi, he also bore resentment toward the Daimyo. Moreover, he was about to inherit leadership of the Uchiha clan and couldn't possibly leave his family at such a critical moment.
"I still have much research to conduct."
Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before frowning in disapproval, clearly uninterested in this assignment.
After hearing everyone's opinions, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought.
He well understood that some individuals on this list were currently the backbone of the village. If they left for the Daimyo's Mansion now, the reform efforts in Konoha would stall.
Hiruzen realized the Daimyo's Mansion was using the recruitment of the Twelve Guardian Ninja as an excuse to interfere with Konoha's reforms. Talents like Orochimaru and Tsunade could be stuck there for years—effectively placed under house arrest.
In this situation, Konoha had little grounds to refuse outright.
Because the Daimyo's Mansion had proactively worked to ease tensions with Konoha, cutting off any opportunity for Konoha to reject them outright.
After all, the Daimyo still ruled over the Land of Fire, and Konoha lay within its borders. Refusing the Daimyo's summons would amount to open defiance against the Daimyo himself.
At that point, the Daimyo would gain legitimate grounds to march an army of millions against Konoha, bringing devastating consequences upon the village.
This was the Daimyo's open yet inescapable political strategy.
Realizing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brows even more tightly, almost forming a "III"-shaped crease on his forehead.
Just then, an Anbu ninja hurriedly entered the office and reported:
"Hokage-sama, Heiyan-sama and Tsunade-sama have returned to the village and are waiting downstairs in the lobby."
"Bring them up to my office immediately!"
Hiruzen said urgently. He desperately needed Heiyan's counsel—aside from the Shimura Jonin on this list, everyone else was a close ally of Heiyan.
The Daimyo's maneuver was clearly aimed at Heiyan.
[Creak.]
The door opened, and Heiyan and Tsunade walked side by side into the room.
Having learned of the situation during their journey, they parted ways with the Loulan clan early and returned to Konoha at full speed.
"The Daimyo's move is to disrupt Konoha's reform and weaken the Hokage lineage—we must not fall into this trap," Heiyan went straight to the point, cutting right to the heart of the matter.
"So then, how should we respond?" Hiruzen asked.
"It's simple—we flatly refuse," Heiyan declared decisively. As soon as he spoke, shock spread across the room.
"Heiyan-sama, what if the Daimyo's Mansion challenges Konoha over this refusal?" Sakumo Hatake couldn't help himself and asked.
"Then we simply disregard it and hold our ground. Let's see just how much the Daimyo's Mansion can really do to Konoha."
Heiyan responded without hesitation.
In his view, facing the Daimyo's cunning yet obvious trap required a simple and forceful response—refusing to play by their rules so they wouldn't be manipulated.
"I stand with Heiyan."
Tsundade was the first to speak up.
"We feel the same," Fugaku, Hiashi, and Orochimaru quickly followed, once again declaring their disinterest in the title of Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Count us in too," Kosuke Maruboshi and Might Guy also changed their stance, because they placed full trust in Heiyan.
Only Sakumo Hatake remained hesitant.
"Sakumo-taichou, Konoha needs you, and so does the Anbu. Please, hear me out—stay in Konoha."
Seeing this, Heiyan met Sakumo's eyes with sincerity and said.
He remembered that in the original timeline, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had been well acquainted with the Legend of the White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, suggesting he was once a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
As a ninja caught between the Leaf Village and the Daimyo's Mansion, one would inevitably find themselves in a helpless position, much like Itachi Uchiha did.
Heiyan believed that in the original timeline, Sakumo's forced suicide might have stemmed from being dragged into political struggles between Konoha's high-ranking elders and the Daimyo.
To prevent such a tragedy, Heiyan decided to offer his advice.
". . . I understand. I will listen to Lord Heiyan."
Sakumo took a deep breath and replied. He also realized that with six others already refusing posts at the Daimyo's Mansion, his own dream of becoming a 'bridge' had already lost its meaning.
"Are you all out of your minds?!"
At this moment, the Jonin from the Shimura clan suddenly shouted at Heiyan and others. "Uzumaki Heiyan, you're inciting everyone to collectively defy the Daimyo's orders. How will the Daimyo save face? Have you even considered what will happen if the Daimyo gets angry and sends troops to attack Konoha? How will you deal with that?!"
Heiyan glanced toward the man and recognized him as the same Shimura Jonin who had previously led opposition against him during the Jonin meetings.
"If the Daimyo wanted to send an army, he would've done so already instead of going through all these convoluted steps. After all, isn't it precisely because he fears Konoha's strength? Moreover, who said we're defying orders together? Haven't you yet made your decision? I believe you must be very willing to serve as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. We fully support your choice—we'll never stand in your way."
He looked directly at the man and spoke calmly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The others in the room also exchanged knowing glances toward the Shimura Jonin, as though regarding him as an outsider.
"You...!"
The Shimura Jonin's face turned grim before he stormed out of the room.
"Then… how should we handle the funding from the Daimyo's Mansion? What do you think, Heiyan? Should we return this money?"
At this point, Sarutobi asked again.
"Why would we return it? Since the Daimyo is so generous, we naturally should accept it with pleasure. Don't you all agree?"
Heiyan said matter-of-factly, exchanging knowing smiles with Tsunade, Fugaku, Hiashi, and others.
Everyone present in the office felt Heiyan's unwavering determination. In their minds, not even the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had ever dared treat the Daimyo's Mansion this way prior to Heiyan's time.
Nevertheless, they would stand firmly behind Heiyan—believing in him completely.
History had shown, again and again, that this man would always rise as the village's hero.
One day later.
The Leaf Village issued a formal statement to the Daimyo's Mansion, expressing deep gratitude for the Daimyo's support during the selection of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. However, all eight selected ninja, except for the Shimura Jonin, were unable to take up their posts at the Daimyo's Mansion for personal reasons. They gladly offered this valuable opportunity to other shinobi from the Land of Fire.
When the news broke, it sent shockwaves across the Land of Fire.
Because Konoha's message was clear—it was no longer hiding the fact that the Leaf and the Daimyo's Mansion stood on opposite sides.
From this day forward, relations between Konoha and the Daimyo's Mansion would never be the same again.
Inside the Daimyo's Mansion.
"Dan'zō! You've ruined everything and disgraced the authority of the Daimyo's Mansion! You're finished!"
Konoha Shin stormed into Dan'zō's room, yelling furiously.
"Silence!"
Dan'zō's face darkened. He tore off the bandage covering his right eye, revealing his triple-tomoe Sharingan, which immediately cast a Genjutsu. Under the impact of overwhelming ocular power, Konoha Shin instantly turned into a drooling idiot.
"Heiyan of the Uzumaki."
Dan'zō spat each word through gritted teeth, his expression sinking into the deepest shade of rage, his eyes filled with hatred and killing intent.
[Crack!]
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