Three days after the coronation ceremony, order in the capital quickly resumed.
The heads hanging on the city gates had not yet been removed, and the wind-dried bloodstains spoke of that iron-blooded day.
Yet the streets had already regained their prosperity.
The fear on the faces of the common people was replaced by fierce adoration for the new daimyo.
In their simple minds, the young lord executing the rebellious nobles meant he protected them.
That was enough.
The majesty of the daimyo manor spread to every corner of the Land of Fire.
The old order was breaking, and new rules were growing.
The three-day period had arrived.
Minato Namikaze once again stepped into the daimyo manor.
This time, he was alone.
He wasn't wearing his Hokage robes, but merely a Konoha uniform, appearing efficient and ready.
On the way to the study, he saw many unfamiliar faces.
The new maids and guards looked at him without the respect they once had.
He also saw several young women, elegantly dressed and beautiful.
These women, in groups of three to five, seemed to be admiring flowers, but their gazes toward the depths of the inner courtyard were filled with open ambition.
With a new king on the throne and an empty harem, this was a heaven-sent opportunity for any ambitious family.
Minato Namikaze understood that everything here had changed.
He withdrew his gaze and continued forward.
Inside the study, Shin was leaning by the window, flipping through a commercial report, completely uninterested in the competition for attention outside.
The afternoon sun fell on him, making him look more like a young master from an influential family who lived a life of ease.
"You're here."
Hearing the footsteps, Shin didn't even lift his head. He responded casually.
"My lord."
"Sit."
Minato Namikaze bowed and sat to the side, presenting a scroll.
"This is what you requested—the results of handling Konoha's internal affairs, and the preliminary plan for the genius training special fund."
Shin gestured for him to place it on the desk, his tone casual. "Has everything been handled cleanly?"
"Yes." Minato Namikaze's reply was a bit strained. "All Root members involved in the rebellion have been cleared out, and the remaining personnel have all been disbanded, awaiting further review."
"Mm."
Shin finally put down the report and sat up straight.
He didn't look at the report regarding Root's handling, as if it were just a minor matter.
His gaze fell on the plan and he asked, "Tell me your thoughts."
"Yes."
Minato Namikaze steadied his mind and began to explain.
His plan was thorough and fair.
The funds were divided into three parts: subsidizing outstanding graduates of the shinobi academy, rewarding young chunin who performed exceptionally in missions, and serving as a research fund to support the development of new ninjutsu.
The entire scheme was based entirely on the long-term development of the village, aiming to fully enhance the strength of Konoha's new generation, without any personal motives.
He spoke in detail and very seriously.
Shin listened quietly, his expression calm.
It wasn't until Minato Namikaze finished speaking that he picked up the plan, casually flipped through it, and let out a soft chuckle.
"Minato, your plan is very good and very well thought out."
Minato Namikaze felt a slight relief in his heart.
But Shin's next words made his heart tighten.
"But it's still too conservative and too scattered."
Shin gently placed the scroll on the table. His movements were gentle, yet he dismissed all its value.
"What I want is not to spread the benefits evenly."
He looked at Minato Namikaze, patiently guiding him.
"Minato, think about it. The Land of Fire's resources are limited."
"If nutrients are distributed equally to everyone, the result is universal mediocrity."
"The correct approach is to concentrate resources, allowing a portion of the most promising individuals to grow as quickly as possible."
"When they become strong enough to create a safe haven for others, only then can the weaker ones obtain a secure and stable environment for growth."
"The strong lead the strong."
"Only by first allowing a portion of people to become true powerhouses can they protect more people."
"This is the best way to make the entire Land of Fire prosper quickly."
These words stunned Minato Namikaze.
He instinctively felt something was wrong.
But the other party's theory of the strong protecting the weak sounded very reasonable, making him unable to argue against it.
"Therefore," Shin concluded, "this investment should be more strategic. We need to pour the best resources onto the most exceptional talents."
He extended his finger, lightly tapping the air.
"Kurenai Yuhi, her talent in genjutsu is a once-in-a-century occurrence."
"Might Guy, a pure taijutsu fanatic. As long as he's given enough support, no one can predict his limits."
"And Shiranui Genma, Ebisu... these people are all treasures of our Land of Fire."
Finally, his finger paused.
"Oh, and the Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi."
Hearing this name, Minato Namikaze's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Asuma was in his rebellious phase, even having a tense relationship with the Third Hokage, yet the daimyo would pay attention to him?
"This young man is very interesting." Shin's smile held appreciation.
"He yearns to protect, yet he's confused by the existing order. Such an unpolished gem is the most worth shaping."
"We should guide him, make him understand that what he truly should protect is the entire Land of Fire."
Minato Namikaze felt a chill rise from his spine.
He finally caught that feeling of unease.
Every word from the daimyo stood at the moral high ground of national righteousness, filled with care for the younger generation.
But when these words were combined, they directly reached for Konoha's next generation.
"My lord!"
Minato Namikaze couldn't help but speak, his tone urgent. "Asuma and the others are still young. Their hearts are not yet settled."
"The way of the shinobi requires more tempering of will."
"Giving them too many external things too early, I'm afraid it will..."
"Will what?"
Shin interrupted him, gently countering. "Will it make their path to growth smoother? Or will it allow them to serve the country earlier?"
"Minato, you're a genius, but sometimes, your ideas are too idealistic, just like Sarutobi's."
"Willpower is certainly important, but can the willpower of someone who can't eat enough block an enemy's kunai?"
"How long can a shinobi's willpower last if he can't even provide abundantly for his family?"
"Times have changed."
"What I want to cultivate are the sharpest blades of the nation, capable of representing the strongest fighting force of our Land of Fire."
"They must not only have unwavering willpower, but also the strength worthy of that willpower, and... absolute loyalty to the nation."
Minato Namikaze's lips moved, but he found himself speechless.
Every word from the other party was flawless.
"Of course, I'm not forcing you either." Shin seemed to see his struggle, and his tone shifted.
"You can view this plan as a reserve for another program."
"The Twelve Guardian Shinobi—you're not unfamiliar with that title, are you?"
Minato certainly knew.
They were the strongest guards directly under the daimyo, the highest honor a shinobi of the Land of Fire could achieve!
Minato Namikaze instinctively spoke, "But my lord, aren't your shadow guards already responsible for your safety?"
That mysterious and powerful unit on the day of the ceremony had left a deep impression on him.
"Well asked, Minato."
Shin was not displeased. Instead, he looked at him with appreciation. "This shows you're thinking."
"The shadow guards—their duty is to protect the entire Land of Fire, to be the sharp blade hanging over the enemy's head, the scalpel for dealing with internal threats to the nation. They should not be confined to my side, merely serving as personal bodyguards."
Shin's voice carried a powerful force.
"I'm selecting new Twelve Guardian Shinobi precisely to free the shadow guards from my personal safety."
"To allow them to wholeheartedly carry out more important missions. Do you understand?"
"This isn't for me alone, but to optimize the top-tier fighting power of our entire Land of Fire."
Minato Namikaze fell completely silent.
The other party's logic was flawless.
He framed the formation of a private guard as being for the better protection of the nation.
Minato felt as if he was caught in a net woven with righteousness, interests, and honor.
He couldn't see the full extent of this net, but he could feel it slowly tightening.
Refuse?
How could he refuse?
Refuse a huge sum of money that could greatly ease the village's finances?
Refuse an opportunity that could allow Konoha geniuses to rise to greatness in one step?
If he refused, even without the daimyo speaking, the families and shinobi in the village would tear him to shreds.
"...I understand."
After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse and dry.
"I'll revise the plan according to your wishes."
"Very good." Shin nodded in satisfaction, settling back into his chair. "I hope to see a brand new plan that reflects the strategic vision of the Land of Fire."
"Go and do it."
"...Yes."
Minato Namikaze bowed again, then turned and left.