"This… what is this?"
The Daimyō of the Land of Wind stood frozen in disbelief.
What in the world was he looking at?
The samurai beside him were equally stunned — none of them had ever seen anything so enormous, so divine, and so terrifying as the Thousand-Armed Great Buddha that towered before them.
On the side of Sunagakure, even the shinobi were dumbstruck. Only when they looked closer did they truly grasp how fearsome Ryoma was.
Without comparing it to the city walls, they would never have realized the sheer scale of the statue. Against its vastness, even the once-proud fortress city of the Wind Country looked paper-thin — fragile and meaningless before the might of Ryoma's True Thousand Hands.
Chiyo turned to her brother.
"Elder Ebizō, I'll go take a look. You stay here."
Ebizō nodded, his heart heavy.
If Ryoma managed to make the Daimyō of the Wind Country submit, then Sunagakure would become little more than a subordinate village under Konoha's rule.
Such a fate would be unbearable — not just for him, but for tens of thousands of Sand shinobi.
Meanwhile, the citizens and merchants within the city fled in panic at the sight of the enormous golden Buddha looming over them. The samurai rushed to the gates in a desperate attempt to defend their lord.
At their head, the strongest among them — the nation's greatest swordsman — looked up at Ryoma and shouted,
"Who are you, stranger? Why have you come to the Land of Wind to wreak havoc?"
Ryoma's voice was calm, yet carried effortlessly through the howling wind.
"It isn't I who seek trouble. It's your gatekeepers who refused to let us in. Summon your Daimyō."
"Presumptuous—!"
BOOM!
Before the swordsman could finish, a massive hand of the Thousand-Armed Buddha descended. In an instant, he was crushed into nothing but blood and dust.
The surrounding samurai recoiled in horror as the ground shook. Even the bravest among them trembled — their instincts screaming at them to flee from this godlike being.
Moments later, a clamor rose from behind them.
The Daimyō of the Land of Wind approached, flanked by his retainers. Yet the closer he came to the city gates, the more the fear in his heart grew. The Thousand-Armed Buddha was… impossibly vast.
"Who are you?" the Daimyō asked, voice steady but trembling at the edges.
The surrounding guards immediately formed a defensive ring around him.
"Daimyō-sama, it's dangerous! Please step back!"
But the Daimyō only shook his head. "You there — won't you come down and speak with me face to face?"
Ryoma looked down at him in mild surprise. For a noble of his standing, the man's composure was impressive. Though powerless, he had the aura of one born to command — someone who had won loyalty through character, not strength.
BOOM!
With a deep rumble, the colossal Thousand-Armed Buddha began to fade away, its chakra dispersing into motes of golden light. Ryoma descended slowly to the ground.
Behind him landed Hatake Sakumo and Minato Namikaze, both keeping watch for any sudden movements from the Wind Country's samurai.
The guards immediately drew their blades, eyes fixed on the newcomers.
"What are you people!?" one samurai shouted, hand gripping his sword's hilt.
Minato stepped forward, his tone calm but resolute.
"We're shinobi of Konohagakure. This man—" he gestured toward Ryoma, "—is our Fourth Hokage."
"Fourth Hokage?!"
The Daimyō's heart skipped a beat.
So young… yet commanding such overwhelming power. Truly, a hero born for turbulent times.
"I see," the Daimyō said with newfound respect.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, may I know your name?"
"Ryoma," he replied evenly. "I've come to speak with you regarding a matter between our nations."
The moment he finished speaking, a crushing aura poured out from him. The samurai and attendants trembled as if the very air had turned to lead.
So powerful… so terrifying!
Panicking, several samurai slashed toward him in unison — their blades flashing like lightning.
But Ryoma moved faster.
Roots burst from the ground beneath their feet, entangling their legs and slamming them face-first into the dirt. Teeth cracked. Swords clattered away.
The others stared in shock — this was no ordinary shinobi. This was a monster.
The strongest swordsman among them finally steeled his resolve and lunged — only for Sakumo and Minato to blur into motion. In the next instant, two kunai gleamed at his throat.
He froze.
An elite swordsman of the Wind Country, completely helpless before two Konoha shinobi.
The Daimyō's brow glistened with cold sweat. Even his most formidable warrior was nothing before these three.
The entire city seemed to hold its breath.
The samurai felt shame burn through them; they couldn't even see their opponents move.
Finally, the Daimyō exhaled and lowered his head slightly.
"Fourth Hokage… please, come inside. We can discuss whatever you wish. There's no need for bloodshed."
Ryoma smiled faintly. "That's more like it."
The Daimyō personally led them to his mansion at the heart of the city. Along the way, civilians peered from windows and alleyways, whispering in awe and confusion.
Who was this man the Daimyō treated with such respect?
A prince from another land? A warlord?
No one knew. But even the children could sense — this young shinobi was someone not to be trifled with.
Upon arriving, the Daimyō turned to his retainers.
"You all, wait outside."
"Daimyō-sama, that's far too dangerous!" a samurai protested.
The Daimyō shook his head.
"No need. The Fourth Hokage has come to talk, not to kill. Leave us."
He knew full well that if Ryoma had wanted him dead, none of his guards could have stopped it. The Thousand-Armed Buddha had already shattered any illusion of resistance.
Reluctantly, the samurai closed the door behind them.
Outside, Minato and Sakumo took position at the entrance. They exchanged glances with the Wind Country's swordmasters — silent acknowledgment passing between warriors.
Even Minato couldn't help but feel a quiet awe.
Ryoma had truly done it — he'd fought Sunagakure, won, and now stood here, face-to-face with the Daimyō himself.
When only the two of them remained, Ryoma sat down calmly.
The Daimyō studied him with quiet curiosity.
Such a powerful shinobi… daring enough to walk into the heart of another nation.
And to think, he'd been escorted here by Sunagakure's own elite.
That could only mean one thing — the Sand Village had already fallen.
It was almost absurd, sitting here — calmly sharing tea with the man who ruled an entire nation.
"Tea, please," Ryoma said.
The Daimyō of the Land of Wind bowed slightly and gestured to his servants. "Your Excellency, this is our country's special Sand Tea — a local delicacy."
Ryoma took a sip, nodded once. "Not bad."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Daimyō finally asked, trying to mask his anxiety, "I do not know, Lord Ryoma, what brings you to the Land of Wind this time?"
Though his expression was steady, the faint tremor of his hand betrayed his unease.
Ryoma spoke lightly, his tone calm but resolute. "It's simple. I want the Land of Wind to allow Sunagakure to return to the authority of Konohagakure."
The Daimyō nearly choked on his tea.
"What? You want me to approve Sunagakure's submission to Konoha?"
Ryoma nodded.
"Yes. A wise man knows when to adapt to the times. I trust you'll make the right choice."
The Daimyō wiped the sweat from his brow and said carefully, "Then… if I agree, does that mean Konoha will take responsibility for protecting the Land of Wind?"
He frowned slightly, probing further.
"Forgive my bluntness, Hokage-dono, but can Konoha truly manage affairs this far beyond its borders?"
Ryoma chuckled softly.
"You misunderstand. Konoha has no intention of interfering in your governance. We simply wish for Sunagakure to acknowledge Konoha as its superior — a subordinate village. The internal administration and protection of the Land of Wind will remain your own."
He continued, voice steady as a blade.
"All we ask is that Sunagakure not turn its blades toward us again. We'll only station a small liaison force here — nothing that interferes with your military or internal affairs."
The Daimyō was silent for a long moment, then finally exhaled and nodded.
"I understand. Then… I will allow it. But to be frank, Hokage-dono, the authority of the Daimyō over Sunagakure today is merely ceremonial — much like how your own position in the Fire Country is approved, but not dictated, by your Daimyō. Ultimately, your word carries more weight."
He smiled wryly.
"Still, since you have come personally to ask, I, as the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, will formally approve Sunagakure's return to Konoha's protection."
Inwardly, he sighed. If I refuse, the Land of Wind might not survive this day.
"A wise man knows the times." How elegantly put. This Fourth Hokage, for all his power, was indeed a cultured man.
Ryoma was mildly surprised by how readily the Daimyō agreed. Clearly, he valued his life more than pride — as any pragmatic ruler would. After all, no amount of politics mattered to a dead man.
When Ryoma left the Land of Wind's capital, scroll in hand — signed and sealed — even the Sunagakure shinobi guiding him was in disbelief.
"The Daimyō… actually agreed?"
Ryoma handed the document to Hatake Sakumo.
"Deliver this to Sunagakure's leadership. Konoha will permit their council to retain full control internally. Our only request is that they establish a Konoha Branch Office within the village — a small department responsible for maintaining open communication and observation."
He smiled faintly.
"That way, the shadow network buried for decades can finally step into the light. Whatever Sunagakure does from now on, they'll never move without us knowing."
Ryoma added casually, "Also, reopen that old man's tavern in Sunagakure. The shinobi there enjoy his brews, and he's lived in the village for years. I think he'd prefer to stay."
Sakumo nodded firmly.
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
He recognized immediately that Ryoma was handing him the credit for the entire negotiation — a gesture that would clear his past mistakes. Moved, Sakumo bowed deeply, silently vowing to serve Ryoma with unwavering loyalty.
Soon after, Sakumo and Minato Namikaze departed for Sunagakure with the treaty, while Ryoma lingered, taking in the desert's vast, burning horizon.
Then—
A sudden surge of heat distorted the air.
A massive fireball shot toward him from behind!
"Huh?"
Ryoma didn't even flinch. The fireball exploded — and where he'd stood, only a shattered log remained.
Substitution Jutsu.
A soft gasp escaped the attacker.
In the next heartbeat, Ryoma appeared behind her, voice calm. "There are still those in Sunagakure foolish enough to try assassinating me?"
He turned, eyes locking onto a tall, striking kunoichi.
She leapt back immediately, creating distance between them, the air shimmering with heat.
"So it's true," she said, narrowing her eyes. "You're the Fourth Hokage — the man who defeated the One-Tail's jinchūriki with ease. No wonder you dodged my attack."
Ryoma's gaze sharpened. "Scorch Release user… Pakura of Sunagakure?"
"You know me?" she asked coldly. "Then you should know that breaking into our village and threatening our Daimyō means you die here, Hokage-dono."
"Is that so?" Ryoma smiled faintly.
Pakura — the pride of Sunagakure, a legendary kunoichi of the Scorch Release. Renowned for her valor, only to be later betrayed by her own village.
To meet her alive — in the flesh — was unexpected.
And, Ryoma admitted privately, she was even more beautiful than he'd imagined. Fierce, graceful, deadly.
But still… far too confident.
Within seconds, roots burst from the ground, binding Pakura's limbs and lifting her effortlessly off her feet. The wood wrapped around her in intricate coils, almost artful in its cruelty.
"Let me go!" she shouted, struggling violently.
Ryoma smirked. "You're the one who tried to kill me, and now you're asking for mercy? Unlikely."
"Then kill me!"
He chuckled. "No need. You're too interesting to waste. Though, honestly… not the brightest, are you? No wonder you were betrayed so easily."
Her eyes widened. "What did you just—?! Are you insulting me?"
"Not at all. Just stating facts."
With that, Ryoma turned and walked away.
"Hey! Let me go!" she shouted, twisting against the vines.
"Not happening," he replied over his shoulder.
"Ryoma! You bastard, you wait!"
She seethed, face flushed with fury and embarrassment. Stranded deep in the wilderness, tightly bound and unable to move — the humiliation was unbearable.
By the time an hour passed, Ryoma was long gone, and the vines finally withered without his chakra.
Pakura tore herself free, incinerating the remains into ash.
"Ryoma… I'll make you pay for this humiliation!" she hissed.
By then, Ryoma had already returned to Sunagakure.
Sakumo and Minato stood with the Sand elders — Chiyo, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, and others — the signed agreement displayed on the table.
They had no choice but to accept.
Especially since Ryoma had also brought with him a thousand elite Konoha shinobi, led by the famed Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Even they were stunned.
"Lord Hokage," said Nara Shikaku, eyes wide, "you conquered Sunagakure alone?"
Ryoma shrugged.
"In the end, it was Sakumo who handled the negotiations. He'll serve as Konoha's branch envoy here. Any developments are to be reported directly to us."
He looked at the gathered group.
"We'll also reopen trade routes between Konoha and Sunagakure — strengthen cooperation, not conflict."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just then, a blood-soaked Hyūga messenger stumbled in, voice hoarse.
"Hokage-sama… urgent news from Konoha!"
Ryoma's expression hardened.
The room fell silent. Even Chiyo and Rasa turned sharply toward the messenger.
Something had happened — and from the look on his face, it was dire.
"Speak," Ryoma said.
The messenger coughed up blood. "Konoha… is under attack!"
The moment those words left his lips, every shinobi in the room froze.
Chiyo's eyes narrowed. "So… it's begun."
Rasa's voice was grim. "It must be Kumogakure."
Ryoma's eyes darkened, his chakra flaring ever so slightly.
"So, the storm reaches home."
Konoha had sent thousands of its elite shinobi to aid the Hidden Sand Village. The village's defenses were left dangerously thin—and that was when the Third Raikage launched his third assault on Konoha with the forces of the Hidden Cloud!
A young ninja stumbled into the camp, his body drenched in blood.
Ryoma's expression froze for a moment. After hearing Hinata's report, he immediately understood the situation.
"You'll rest and recover here in the Sand Village," Ryoma ordered calmly.
"These thousand elite shinobi will remain here for now—and begin constructing Konoha's branch outpost."
Then, Ryoma turned toward the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, Chiyo, and the Sand elders. His voice dropped into a chilling calm.
"Kazekage… elders… I suggest you don't do anything foolish. If even one of my Konoha shinobi dies here, ten of your Sand shinobi will be buried with him."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Ryoma vanished.
The entire hall fell silent.
"So fast!"
"Naruto-sama is incredible!"
"Of course—this is Naruto-sama!"
Even Minato was stunned. If his guess was correct, Ryoma had just used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But where had he left his mark?
Meanwhile, the Sand leadership was still reeling. They had thought Konoha's forces would be forced to retreat home due to the crisis—but instead, Ryoma had left his elite forces behind and departed alone, leaving behind a threat that made even the Kazekage uneasy.
They now had to consider their every move carefully. Was it really worth offending Ryoma?
Back in Konoha, a deafening boom shook the Hokage building—the doors were blasted open!
Standing at the entrance was a massive man—the Third Raikage, Ai. His towering frame radiated power and fury, his eyes locked on the defenders before him. At his side stood his son, the future Fourth Raikage, and around them lay the fallen members of the Uchiha Police Force.
Fortune truly smiled on the Hidden Cloud this day.
Konoha's strength was hollowed out; thousands of its best shinobi were away. His son, who had been held in Konoha as a diplomatic hostage, had escaped and returned safely to the village.
Now, the Cloud could attack without restraint.
"Then," the Third Raikage growled, raising his hand, "let's slaughter them!"
Boom!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened in horror.
"Third Raikage! What are you doing?!"
Ai sneered. "Fourth Hokage, you dare to ask?!"
He roared, "We're here for revenge! Attack! Kill everyone—and capture Uzumaki Kushina!"
The Third Raikage knew this had to be a swift strike. If Ryoma returned, it would all be over. But if they captured Kushina, the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, they could use her to threaten him.
No matter how strong Ryoma was, he couldn't risk her life.
At that moment, the chaos spread through the village.
The once-proud elders, who had been held under watch by the ANBU, now stepped out and began whispering venomously.
"See? Ryoma's too young! Now look what's happened to us!"
"I told him not to start another war! He wouldn't listen!"
"All this talk about unifying the ninja world—nonsense! We'll be lucky just to surrender to the Cloud now!"
"He's just a child playing Hokage! He ignored the advice of his elders—now we'll pay the price!"
"Supporting Hatake Sakumo's son and his ideals… what a mistake! I bet Ryoma's already dead or fleeing for his life!"
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't stand it any longer.
"You call yourselves elders? The village is under attack, and all you can do is spew poison? If you've got any pride, go fight! Otherwise, shut your mouths—you sound like traitors!"
Without waiting for a reply, he charged forward into battle.
"You—!"
"The Uchiha are traitors too!"
Fugaku ignored them completely, his Sharingan blazing as he joined the frontline.
At the gates, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Uzumaki Mito stood side by side—the last line of defense and the strongest force Konoha had left.
Across from them loomed the Third Raikage and his warriors, lightning sparking across their armor as the storm of battle erupted once more.
...
TN:
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