The night in the Fire Capital still carried the scent of blood.
Daimyo Manor, study.
Candlelight flickered.
Shin Kurogane was half-reclining on a soft couch, his fingertips tapping on the armrest.
Memories of his previous life flashed in his mind.
He was not from this world.
Sixteen years ago, he transmigrated and became an infant.
He was the least favored illegitimate son of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and his mother was a lowly maid.
In this palace, his status was no different from an ant.
The moment he was born, opened his eyes, and saw this world, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Detecting host's situation: meets binding conditions.]
[Daimyo System, officially activated!]
[Mission: Clear obstacles!]
[Mission description: As a commoner, clear all obstacles to succession and ascend to the position of Daimyo of the Land of Fire!]
[Mission restriction: Before the mission is completed, the host will have no extraordinary power.]
[Mission rewards: Six Paths Sage Body! Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan!]
From that moment on, Shin began his sixteen years of patience and planning.
He had no power and could not refine chakra.
His only weapon was his mind.
He walked on thin ice, surviving in the cracks of the imperial court.
He secretly befriended disgraced retainers, supported down-and-out samurai, and used knowledge from his previous life to accumulate wealth for himself.
He sowed discord, and his legitimate elder brothers fought tooth and nail for the position of Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, he quietly eroded their influence from the sidelines.
Sixteen years!
A full sixteen years!
He went from an illegitimate son who could be executed at any time to the center of power, step by step.
Just two months ago, the former Daimyo died of a severe illness.
For the position of Daimyo, his brothers engaged in a bloody struggle.
Shin also revealed his fangs at the right moment and ultimately had the last laugh, becoming the sole candidate to inherit the position of Daimyo.
The moment he held the national stone, a symbol of the Daimyo, the system's voice, which had been silent for sixteen years, sounded again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, for completing the ultimate mission.]
[Rewards being distributed...]
At that moment, a vast divine power surged into his body.
His body was instantly reshaped, every cell filled with chakra.
His eyes also transformed into the purple Rinnegan with nine tomoe.
"Sixteen years!"
Shin opened his eyes, his purple Rinnegan flashed and then reverted to black pupils.
"Sixteen years as a mortal..."
He smiled slightly.
"Now, I am a god."
This huge contrast made even him feel somewhat unreal.
But he quickly adapted.
Because he was still the same Shin who was used to solving problems with schemes and strategies.
It was just that now, he had an extra trump card.
Shin rubbed his temples and sat upright.
On the table in front of him lay the recently approved budget for city defense repairs.
"My lord, it's late. You should rest."
An old voice sounded from outside the door.
"Come in," Shin said without looking up.
The door was gently pushed open, and an old man walked in, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.
The old man, named Takeshi, was an old retainer of the manor who had looked after Shin since he was young.
"These are the verification reports for post-war relief funds that just arrived this afternoon," Takeshi said, placing the bowl on the corner of the table. He then took out several scrolls and arranged them neatly.
Shin reached out and took the topmost one.
"Have the several families in the north of the city been dealt with?" His voice was calm.
"Yes, my lord. Everything has been handled," Takeshi reported with a bow. "Their family property has been confiscated, the principal offenders and their direct relatives all charged with treason. The remaining branch families have been exiled to the border of the Land of Demons. They're forbidden to return for three generations."
Shin unrolled the scroll, which was densely covered with names, each followed by a red 'X'.
These people had all chosen the wrong side.
He was never soft-handed with enemies.
"There's one more thing, my lord," Takeshi said after a pause. "Konoha Village sent someone with a congratulatory gift. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sent a personal letter congratulating you on your successful ascension."
Takeshi presented a letter with an intact wax seal.
"Oh?" Shin finally looked up, a smile playing on his lips. "Konoha moves quickly."
Taking the letter, Shin did not open it immediately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha Village.
A character depicted as gentle and benevolent in the original work, but in reality, his cunning and strategies were top-notch.
As for that old dog, Danzo Shimura, hiding in the shadows beside him, he was an even more ruthless character who would stop at nothing.
These two would be his first hurdle in controlling the Land of Fire after becoming Daimyo.
The sword that is Konoha Village is too sharp, so sharp that sometimes it forgets who holds the hilt.
"Takeshi, don't you think the annual funds we give to Konoha Village are a bit too much?" Shin suddenly asked.
Takeshi bowed. "This retainer is foolish and wouldn't dare comment on state affairs. But... the manor's finances are indeed a bit tight."
Shin smiled. "Yes, tight."
He stood up and walked to the window.
From here, he could overlook most of the Fire Capital's night view.
"Pass on my order. Tell the Minister of Finance to come to my study tomorrow morning."
"Yes, my lord."
Takeshi acknowledged but did not immediately retreat.
"My lord, that young lady of the Kiyotsuki family..."
"Kiyotsuki Saki?" Shin turned around. A cold and proud face appeared in his mind.
The Kiyotsuki family was one of the main noble forces that supported his eldest brother and was uprooted in this struggle.
Kiyotsuki Saki was the only daughter of the Kiyotsuki family head, famous for her beauty and talent.
A true favored daughter of heaven.
"Still on a hunger strike?"
"Yes, my lord. Not eating or drinking for two days now." Takeshi's tone carried worry. "She said that even if she dies, she will never serve her enemy."
"She has backbone," Shin remarked. Those three words were his only evaluation.
He paced back to the desk and opened the letter.
The content was nothing more than congratulations and expressions of loyalty.
It also mentioned that the Third Shinobi World War was about to end, Konoha Village suffered heavy losses, and hoped that the Daimyo Manor could provide an additional special military budget for the village's post-war reconstruction and shinobi relief.
"They're really good at calculations," Shin muttered. He casually threw the letter onto the candlelight, watching it turn to ash. "They want both money and reputation. How can there be such a good thing in this world?"
Takeshi remained silent.
"How are the preparations for the coronation ceremony?" Shin asked.
"Preparations are being expedited. The first of next month is an auspicious day, my lord."
"Good. I understand." Shin waved his hand. "Go, bring Kiyotsuki Saki here."
"My lord..." Takeshi hesitated. "Her emotions are very unstable right now. What if she offends you..."
"It's fine." Shin waved his hand again, sitting back down. "I want to see how stubborn a young lady can be."
A quarter of an hour later.
The study door was pushed open again.
Two guards escorted a woman in a plain white kimono inside.
The woman was slender, her face pale, but her back was perfectly straight.
Her long black hair was somewhat disheveled.
She was Kiyotsuki Saki.
"You may leave," Shin said, waving his hand.
The guards respectfully withdrew.
Kiyotsuki Saki stared intensely at the man behind the desk, her eyes fierce.
It was this man who had destroyed her family and taken everything from her.
"I heard you want to die," Shin said casually as he finished the last sip of ginseng soup and put the bowl down.
Kiyotsuki Saki did not speak, expressing her defiance through silence.
"If you die, you'll have nothing left," Shin said as he stood up and slowly walked in front of her, looking down at her. "Your father, your brothers... they all regretted it before they died."
His voice was very calm.
"You're lying!" Kiyotsuki Saki finally snapped. "My father would never beg for mercy from a despicable person like you!"
"Despicable?" Shin smiled, reaching out and gripping her chin. "It's just that the winner takes all. My brothers were far more despicable when they tried to kill me. When your Kiyotsuki family handed them the knife, did you ever think this day would come?"
Kiyotsuki Saki tried to break free, but couldn't.
"Kill me!" she hissed through gritted teeth.
"Kill you?" Shin shook his head, released her chin, turned, and sat back down. "That would be such a waste. You're so beautiful. Be my bed-warming maid. I think you're very suitable."
"You're dreaming!" Kiyotsuki Saki screamed. "I'd rather die than suffer your humiliation!"
"Die?" Shin laughed heartily and immediately threw a dagger at her feet. "Here, kill yourself then."
Kiyotsuki Saki was both shocked and angry, staring at the dagger but not moving.
Seeing this, Shin said, "Don't you want to die? What's wrong? Afraid?"
"I..."
"Guards," Shin called out, sneering at her hesitation.
The guards outside pushed the door open and entered.
"Take Lady Kiyotsuki to wash up. Make sure she's cleaned thoroughly."
"Yes, my lord."
The emotionless guards walked towards Kiyotsuki Saki.
Despair instantly engulfed her.
Shin no longer paid attention. He still had a use for this noble young lady.
Keeping her by his side would be perfect for luring out some rats.
The guards grabbed Kiyotsuki Saki's arms, one on each side, and dragged her out.
Her struggles were weak and futile.
Silence returned to the study.
The brush in Shin's hand hovered over the scroll, not yet falling.
His consciousness sank into his mind, and a blue interface, visible only to him, appeared.
[Daimyo System]
[Current Mission: Land of Fire Financial Reform (Phase One)]
[Mission Objective: Reduce Konoha Village's annual budget by 20%, and achieve preliminary control over the Land of Fire's economic lifeline.]
[Mission Reward: Unlock Talent Scan function.]