Nara Shikaku finished organizing the documents and had the Anbu quickly deliver them to the capital's manor for the Fire Daimyō.
The Daimyō received the documents and read through them in detail. He was shocked to find that it wasn't the Uchiha Clan taking power, but rather Tsunade of the Senju Clan. He found this quite puzzling. The Uchiha Clan had caused so much trouble that even he, the Daimyō, had been deeply shaken and worried. While the Senju Clan preferred to reason, the Uchiha Clan tended to resort to force. He had worried whether the cooperation between the Leaf Village and the Land of Fire would change, or if the Uchiha Clan would even move against the Land of Fire itself.
But now, those worries were unnecessary. Tsunade had been elected through the normal process, and the Uchiha Clan had voluntarily stepped aside. If Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, she would likely continue the policies of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, maintaining the previous cooperation with him. He would provide the funding, and the Leaf Village would provide protection.
However, other thoughts were now surfacing in his mind. He had previously received news that the Third Hokage was a traitor. This not only brought shame to the Leaf Village but also deeply embarrassed him as the Fire Daimyō. Nevertheless, he could use this incident to his advantage. Years of constant warfare meant the Daimyō's manor had to provide massive funds to the Leaf Village. Naturally, this left less money for the Daimyō to use for himself and for the country. During the Third Great Ninja War, he had no choice; he had to provide the Leaf Village with vast resources so they could focus on the war without worrying about money. This was the only way to protect the Land of Fire.
But now, the Third Great Ninja War had basically come to an end. So, shouldn't the so-called military expenditures given to the Leaf Village be reduced? If the Uchiha Clan had taken power, he wouldn't have dared to have such thoughts; even if he did, he would have thought twice. But if it was Tsunade, he felt he could reason with her. He didn't know if it would work, but he had to try.
The cut funds would make his life more lavish. He could build houses, and his wife could have more money to spend. He could even expand his own military strength and consolidate his rule over the Land of Fire. Thus, he summoned a middle-aged man named Sasaki. He was the strongest among his subordinates.
"Sasaki, take this document to the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, in the Leaf Village. While you're at it, convey my intentions to their high-ranking officials. I have recognized Tsunade's position as the Fifth Hokage. However, I also hope to reduce the military funding provided to the Leaf Village. The reasons are already prepared. The former Consultant Elder, Danzō, conducted shameful human experiments, which threatened the prestige and reputation of the Land of Fire. Furthermore, the fact that the Third Hokage was a traitor gives us even more reason to change our cooperative relationship with the Leaf Village. Besides, the Third Great Ninja War is over, and a long period of peace will begin. I must use these funds for the civilians of the Land of Fire."
Sasaki looked at the Daimyō and understood his meaning. He had never been happy about the Leaf Village receiving such massive funding. He hadn't brought it up before, but now the Daimyō had the idea himself. He naturally supported it wholeheartedly. If the Leaf Village's funding was cut and the Daimyō had more money, then his treatment as a Daimyō Guardian Ninja would naturally improve.
"Very well, Daimyō. I will certainly convey your meaning to Tsunade."
On the other side, within the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Ryōsuke was undergoing his 'One Punch Man' style training to improve his physical attributes. Over the past few days, his physical attributes, mental energy, and chakra capacity had all increased once again. He felt that opening the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates should come naturally now. There wouldn't be the dangerous state of having to force a breakthrough like before. As soon as the thought occurred, he acted on it.
The small forest was so quiet that the chirping of insects and birds could be heard. With the Uchiha Clan gaining power in the Leaf Village, the Anbu no longer came here to monitor them. Tsunade had likely reined in those Anbu members; after all, she was now the Fifth Hokage. He stopped thinking about those trivial matters and prepared to open the Eight Inner Gates. Improving his strength was the ultimate truth. Without strength, many things were impossible, and one would only suffer grievances. Opening the Sixth Gate would definitely give him strength rivaling those with the Rinnegan.
Of course, he didn't mean a fragile Rinnegan user like Nagato. Nagato was physically weak; even as an Uzumaki, he couldn't fully support the use of the Rinnegan because his body lacked transplanted Hashirama cells. Only those like Obito and Madara, who could merge with Hashirama cells, could use the Rinnegan without major side effects.
Feeling a trace of fear from the last time, he adjusted himself slightly. He intended to open the Sixth Gate. His body was stronger than before; even if he suffered a backlash, it would only result in minor injuries. It wouldn't be as dangerous as last time. Following the correct chakra circulation path, he continued to push toward the Sixth Gate.
With a bang, his overall momentum surged even more violently. Even the steam radiating from him turned blue. The strong wind even blew the surrounding soil into the air, and the trees swayed. He carefully felt the state of his body. It was undoubtedly more powerful. Although there was still a bit of pain during the breakthrough process, it could be entirely ignored. Now, his body began to stabilize.
Ryōsuke was in high spirits. He had finally completed the Sixth Gate. It was at least equivalent to Guy's Seventh Gate, as the color was already a deep blue. Such formidable strength. He would be more durable than Guy because his base physical body was stronger. Thus, he was now at least in the top tier of the ninja world.