Chapter 136 - Chapter 136 : Courage is worthy of praise, but this is the only thing that can be praised!

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In the capital of the Land of Fire, deep within the Daimyo's estate.

The day after receiving the letter from the Daimyo, Uchiha Hikaru and Tsunade temporarily handed over all village affairs to Shizune and Hyuga Hiashi.

It was also the perfect time to let the students return home and discuss their futures with their families.

Would they choose to follow Uchiha Hikaru's training path, or stick to the traditional routes passed down through their clans?

The Daimyo's grand hall was packed with Fire Country nobles and ministers.

At the head sat the elderly Daimyo himself, robed in lavish garments embroidered with the Fire Nation's crest. To his right sat Tsunade and Uchiha Hikaru.

To his left sat the two most influential ministers in the Land of Fire: Minister of Finance (Minister #1), and Minister of Taxation (Minister #2).

Behind them stood their respective heirs. Minister #1's only son, Noble Son #1, loomed proudly, while Minister #2 had both of his sons, Noble Son #2 and Noble Son #3, positioned right behind him.

Uchiha Hikaru found the power distribution here absurd.

A country dominated by finance and taxation, with no ministry overseeing the military? No infrastructure or foreign affairs?

Wait—military power? That belonged to the Hidden Leaf Village. To Konoha. To him.

If that's how it was, then fine. It all worked out perfectly.

Behind the Daimyo sat his three sons—Eldest Son #1, Second Son #2, and Third Son #3—whose generic and uninspired names nearly made Uchiha Hikaru twitch with annoyance.

In the ninja world, if you had no talent or clan name, you didn't even get a proper surname. Yet here they were, holding positions of nobility with laughably ordinary titles. It was pathetic.

The Daimyo wore a fan-like crest on his head, the word "Fire" painted boldly across it. His smile stretched as he looked fondly at Tsunade.

"Haha! My dear granddaughter," he said with false warmth. "I'm already ninety-two years old. If you'd waited much longer, I might not have lived to see you again."

Tsunade forced a polite smile. Though the man was her grandfather in name, she'd met him only a handful of times. There was no real bond between them—just obligation.

Uchiha Hikaru didn't hesitate to speak on her behalf.

"Lord Daimyo, as you know, the village exists to safeguard the Land of Fire. It is Konoha's duty to ensure the nation's peace and security. Tsunade—descendant of the First Hokage—has stepped into the role of Hokage to honor that duty."

"She carries a great burden on her shoulders, and I ask that you understand her position."

The Daimyo's gaze flicked to Uchiha Hikaru, his weathered eyes studying him with faint interest. He raised his fan slightly and chuckled behind it.

"Well said. That makes sense… And you are?"

All eyes in the hall turned toward Hikaru.

He answered firmly, calmly.

"Uchiha Hikaru. Deputy Head of the Uchiha Clan. Assistant to the Fifth Hokage."

A hush swept through the chamber.

The room, thick with political weight, seemed to pause. But Hikaru felt nothing.

These weak nobles? They thought they could intimidate him?

He'd already faced down scheming Uchiha elders, rebellious clansmen, and high-level shinobi. This pathetic attempt at pressure was laughable.

If not for Tsunade's blood ties to the Daimyo, he'd have marched the Uchiha here and seized the entire estate in one night.

The Daimyo's narrowed eyes remained fixed on him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

In his mind, the aged ruler was comparing this young Uchiha to another legend—Uchiha Madara. That same arrogance. That same silent strength.

And yet, something about Uchiha Hikaru reminded him of Hashirama too. The way he carried himself. The way he stood beside Tsunade.

At that moment, Minister #2—the Taxation Minister—picked up on the Daimyo's thoughts. His gaze flicked toward the noble sons behind him.

A brief signal passed between them.

Noble Son #2 traced two fingers across Minister #2's back, forming a silent message:

Danzo.

The minister's eyes lit up.

Right… this guy must be another Danzo! Another arrogant advisor who thinks he can do as he pleases!

He slammed his hand on the table.

BANG!

Pain shot through his wrist as the wood rattled. But he gritted his teeth, pointing accusingly at Uchiha Hikaru with his other hand.

"How dare you, a mere assistant, interrupt a conversation between the Daimyo and Lady Tsunade!?"

"This is a family matter. Your interference is not only inappropriate—it's insubordination!"

Tsunade, who had been tolerating the ceremony with growing annoyance, exploded.

BOOM!

Her fist came down like a thunderclap, shattering the wooden table. A deep crack spiderwebbed across the tiled floor, leaving a gaping hole beneath her knuckles.

"My private matter!?"

"If it's my personal business, then why the hell are you butting in!?"

The gathered nobles screamed and ducked under the furniture, some visibly trembling.

Minister #2 went pale. But when he glanced at the Daimyo, the old man's face remained unreadable—calm, detached, as though lost in memory.

Encouraged by the silent approval—or lack of disapproval—Minister #2 pushed forward.

He bowed his head slightly.

"Forgive me, Lady Tsunade, I spoke out of turn."

"But I must ask—what right does Uchiha Hikaru have to speak for you?"

"He's just an assistant. He interrupted his Hokage and overstepped his station. That is treasonous."

The room fell into dead silence.

Even the sound of the floor tiles cracking under Tsunade's fist had faded.

Then—laughter.

Hahahahahahahahahaha!

The mocking laughter echoed off the walls, arrogant and cutting.

Uchiha Hikaru stood slowly, his voice colder than ice as he looked down at Minister #2 and his sons as if they were insects beneath his heel.

"I saw every little sign you gave. Every little twitch. Every word passed behind the scenes."

"You thought you were clever. That you could manipulate this meeting like a chessboard."

"How bold of you... and how foolish."

He took a step forward, his chakra beginning to rise.

"Let me explain something very clearly."

"I do not take orders from anyone here."

"And if you try that shit again—I'll make you regret it."

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