Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 57: Angry Daimyo
"What? You agreed with them?" Danzo raised his voice.
"Yes, Danzo," Hiruzen replied with a weary sigh.
"Are you stupid? This was the perfect time to pressure them!" Danzo snapped.
"Do you think it is easy to pressure three clans at once? Lady Mito supports whatever Raiken, the Uzumaki leader, decides," Hiruzen answered, his frustration showing.
"But you should...." Danzo began, only to be cut off.
"Should what? Deny them? Fight them to the end?" Hiruzen shot back. "Don't you see there is no way for us to win this? If we push any further, everyone will see us as disrespectful toward the wife of the First Hokage."
"Rude or not, you are the Hokage!" Danzo rebuked.
"Are you out of your mind, Danzo? Do you think I can simply act like a tyrant? Just because you treat me that way, you assume there will be no consequences," Hiruzen said coldly. Then a thought struck him, perhaps Danzo behaved this way precisely because he had gotten away with it so many times in the past, always keeping his position secure. A decision formed in Hiruzen mind. "From this moment forward, you are stripped of your position as leader of Root and removed from the council of elders."
"What? Are you insane? You don't have the authority to remove me from my post!" Danzo roared.
"Yes, I do," Hiruzen replied firmly. "I am the Hokage."
"You will regret this…" Danzo hissed before storming out, shoving the door so hard it slammed against the wall.
Hiruzen immediately summoned the Anbu. His orders were clear, dismantle everything connected to Root and ensure every remaining member was absorbed into the official Anbu forces and Danzo he won't have any power anymore.
When the room finally fell silent again, Hiruzen slumped into his chair, deep in thought.
He was fortunate that, when he had entrusted Danzo and the other elders with their roles, he had set a ten-year probation period. If they made no grave mistakes within that time, their positions would become permanent. This was the final year of that probation, his last chance to remove them if necessary.
Looking back at Danzo, behavior, Hiruzen realized just how dangerous the system was. What if Koharu or Homura began acting like Danzo? he wondered grimly.
"Should I change to a voting system?" Hiruzen murmured to himself.
---Daimyo---
The next day, Hiruzen finally left the village to meet the Daimyo. He brought Shikajin and twenty jōnin as his escort. They moved quickly, and within just a few hours they arrived at the Daimyo castle.
After the necessary registration, they were finally granted passage to meet the Daimyo.
"Hokage… I trust you have come with an answer to my letter," the Daimyo began, his fingers drumming on the armrest.
Hiruzen said respectfully. "Your Highness, my answer may disappoint you."
"What do you mean? Speak now," demanded the Daimyo.
"I am sorry, but it is impossible to impose a tax on the Uzumaki scrolls. They are classified as military tools and are protected under the agreement that binds Konoha," replied Hiruzen.
The Daimyo stiffened, his tone sharpening with irritation. "Impossible? Hokage, I do not want excuses. I asked for results. My nobles are in uproar. Their charcoal businesses are crumbling while your Uzumaki allies profit. Even my household expenses suffer. You dare stand before me and call this matter impossible?"
Hiruzen did not flinch. "It is not reluctance, Your Highness, but law. The agreement that founded Konoha was written by the First Hokage and signed by the Daimyo of that era. Military goods, jutsu, scrolls, sealing tools are exempt from taxation. That pact cannot be altered without the consent of four signatories, the Hokage, the Senju clan leader, the Uchiha clan leader, and the Daimyo himself. I have spoken with both the Senju and the Uchiha. They rejected the change. Lady Mito herself firmly declared that the pact would not be broken unless the Uzumaki clan accepted it. Uchiha Hikaku, too, insists no alteration will be made unless the Uzumaki agree. The law, Your Highness, binds us all."
The Daimyo hands clenched. His voice rose, echoing across the chamber. "Law? Hokage, I am the Daimyo of this land! The law bends to my will, not the other way around. Do you take me for a fool? Are you saying the will of a single clan outweighs my authority?"
Hiruzen tone grew firmer, though never disrespectful. "Your Highness, it is not the will of a single clan... it is the foundation upon which this alliance was built. If we break it now, we invite discord and possibly rebellion. The Uchiha and Senju would see it as betrayal, and the Uzumaki would take it as a violation of trust. Konoha cannot endure such division, not while we remain the guardians of your land."
The Daimyo leaned forward, his expression dark. "Then what do you propose, Hokage? Shall I sit idly by while my revenue crumbles? While noble families lose their standing? No. I will not have it. You are Hokage.... find me a solution!"
The demand thundered through the hall. Even the Daimyo guards shifted uneasily, though their eyes remained fixed forward.
For a moment, Hiruzen closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. Then he lifted his head. "Your Highness… there may be another way. The Uzumaki clan has agreed to extend an offer. They are willing to sell their fire stove scrolls to your household and your allies at a reduced price, ten percent lower than the market cost."
The Daimyo froze, blinking in surprise. "Lower the price? Why would they do that?"
Hiruzen allowed the faintest of smiles. "Because they understand the value of peace. Clan Leader Raiken has studied the market. He knows coal carries only a modest tax, ten percent. By offering the scrolls at a lower price and selling directly to you and the other nobles, the revenue can be stabilized again. This is not taxation.. it is cooperation. A way forward without breaking the First Hokage pact."
The Daimyo eyes narrowed as he considered the proposal. Silence hung heavy for a long moment.
Finally, he spoke, his tone begrudging. "Hmph. So the Uzumaki seek to placate me with generosity rather than obedience. Outrageous… very outrageous." He leaned back in his chair, still frowning. "I will consider this arrangement. But mark my words, Hokage… if their offer fails to satisfy, I will demand more. And I will not be so patient again."
"Your wisdom is appreciated, Your Highness. I will convey your words to Clan Leader Raiken," replied Hiruzen.
After Hiruzen left, the Daimyo turned to his advisor.
"What do you think of the Uzumaki proposal?" he asked.
"Your Highness, first allow me to describe Uzumaki Raiken, the current clan leader," replied the advisor.
"Interesting… tell me what you think of him," pressed the Daimyo.
This advisor had served since the reign of the former Daimyo and had been present in meetings when Hashirama and Tobirama still held the Hokage seat. His experience was vast.
"He has a genius mind like Senju Tobirama, but unlike Tobirama, his loyalty lies not with Konoha, but with the Uzumaki clan," said the advisor. "The way he shifted from taxation to market strategy is proof that he is shrewd, calculating and not easily been manipulated by outside forces. The troubling part is this, he has no loyalty toward you, Your Highness."
The Daimyo huffed angrily, his face darkening.
"Your Highness, unlike Hiruzen, Uzumaki Raiken comes from Uzushiogakure. It is only natural that his loyalty is to his clan, not to you," the advisor added carefully.