Chapter 176: The Arrogant Radicals
"What a joke! You fools don't even recognize the Eight-Tails—you have no idea how terrifying that creature is!"
The guards on the walls trembled as they gazed at the monstrous beast outside the city. Its height surpassed even the city walls, each movement sending ripples through the ground beneath their feet.
"How are we supposed to investigate that?" one guard muttered weakly. "This is the work of ninja… only they could handle something like that."
They weren't wrong.
And before long, their words came true.
After the Konoha shinobi disembarked from the crimson giant's hand, a portion of them immediately sprinted toward the capital. The wall guards didn't even attempt to stop them—how could they? These weren't unknown invaders.
When they saw the leaf symbol engraved on the ninja headbands, their fear melted away, replaced by confusion and awe.
"Konoha shinobi? Why have they come here… in such numbers?"
No one could answer.
The Konoha ninja moved with purpose, following a clear objective. Their lines were tight, precise, and disciplined—cutting through the city like twin black rivers of chakra. Within moments, they had reached and surrounded the Daimyō's Residence.
At the forefront were Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shihu, leading the mission team. Their orders were clear: locate and secure the Daimyō.
They began methodically searching the halls—until they were halted by a group of armed men blocking the main entrance.
The radical faction of the Guardian Twelve.
These were the same men who sought to abolish the Hokage system entirely, believing that all shinobi power should serve only the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. To them, the Hokage was nothing but a glorified servant who had overstepped his place.
And so, when they saw the Konoha shinobi approach, their hostility flared.
"Stop right there!" one of the radicals barked, stepping forward. "This is the Daimyō's Residence—unauthorized entry by Konoha shinobi will not be tolerated. Get out!"
The Konoha jōnin at the front narrowed his eyes. None of them had been spoken to like that in years. The insult stung—but Fugaku's instructions were clear.
No unnecessary conflict until the Daimyō was confirmed.
After a brief exchange of looks, the jōnin silently withdrew to report.
Seeing this, the radicals burst into laughter, mistaking restraint for fear.
"Hah! So these are the Hokage's men? Pathetic!" sneered Toma, one of Kazuma's men. "It seems the so-called Fifth Hokage is as weak as his lackeys. They flee after a few harsh words!"
The Daimyō, hiding behind them with his ornate fan, chuckled lightly.
Now that he knew these were Konoha shinobi, his fear had evaporated completely.
To him, the Hokage was his subordinate, and Konoha was merely the military arm of his government.
"What you said makes sense," he said coolly. "Bring me their leader. I'd like to know what business Konoha has barging into my city without permission."
Kazuma bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Daimyō." He turned. "Toma, go."
"With pleasure," Toma replied smugly, puffing out his chest. "I'll have him kneeling before you in no time."
He swaggered out of the main hall toward the gate.
---
Across the room, the moderate faction of the Guardian Twelve exchanged uneasy glances.
Chiriku leaned toward Nauma (Bei Zi) and whispered, "Something feels wrong."
Nauma nodded gravely. "They entered the capital without notice. Not even the formal request for audience was sent. That's… not like Konoha."
"Exactly," Chiriku murmured. "And if they're moving in formation like that, something serious is about to happen."
Xidu, another of the moderates, frowned. "What should we do?"
"Wait," Nauma said quietly. "And watch."
---
Meanwhile, high above, atop the towering spire, Nagato sat in his mechanical chair, the Rinnegan glowing faintly. Through the eyes of his Six Paths of Pain and his summoned bird, Yatagarasu, he observed everything below.
"Uchiha Fugaku…" he muttered, frowning. "He still hasn't entered the city?"
Konan stood beside him, arms folded, the breeze tugging gently at her blue paper wings. From her vantage, she could see the neat black lines of Konoha ninja cutting through the capital, encircling the Daimyō's estate like a tightening noose.
"Perhaps he's waiting," she said thoughtfully. "If we strike now, he might sense us and retreat. Better to wait—let them gather. Then we strike all at once."
Nagato nodded. "Agreed."
---
At the gate of the Daimyō's Residence, Toma strode out arrogantly—just in time to meet Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shihu, who approached with a squad of elite Konoha ninja. Among them were the same jōnin he had mocked earlier.
"Stop right there!" Toma barked, spreading his arms wide.
But unlike before, the Konoha shinobi didn't stop. They continued forward, calm and silent, their expressions unreadable.
As they passed through his line of sight, Toma's bravado faltered.
Those eyes—cold, merciless, unwavering.
A chill ran down his spine. For the first time, he felt genuine fear. Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
---
Outside the city walls, Jiraiya stood beside Fugaku, watching the crimson Susanoo fade into motes of chakra across the skyline.
He frowned. "Fugaku—no, Fifth Hokage—what exactly do you intend to do?"
Fugaku's Sharingan glowed faintly, reflecting the burning city lights. Jiraiya's choice of address hadn't gone unnoticed; the acknowledgement was subtle, but real.
"What do I intend to do?" Fugaku's lips curved slightly. "Destroy the Daimyō's royal line."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. "Destroy the Daimyō? Why?"
"The Daimyō's existence shackles Konoha's growth," Fugaku replied calmly. "For too long, we've been forced to bow to his will—our Hokage chosen only with his approval. That era ends today."
Jiraiya fell silent. As much as he wanted to argue, part of him knew Fugaku wasn't entirely wrong. The Daimyō's political control over Konoha had always been a lingering chain around its neck.
He sighed heavily, gazing at the city below. "You've changed, Fugaku… but maybe the world forced you to."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics