In the Fire Capital, the Konoha delegation's guesthouse.
This was the residence prepared by the Daimyo Manor for Konoha's high-ranking officials.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the main hall was terrifyingly oppressive.
All Konoha high-ranking officials who had accompanied the delegation were present.
Hiruzen and Minato had just returned from the Daimyo Manor.
Advisors Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado sat with calm expressions, their fingers tapping on the table, revealing their inner anxiety.
Clan Chiefs Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and others sat upright, each with their own thoughts.
In the shadows of the corner, Danzō showed only one eye, remaining silent.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the main seat.
The man who seemed to have aged ten years.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His face was ashen, and his hands, placed on the table, trembled incessantly.
"Cough, cough."
He cleared his throat and scanned the crowd.
Everyone he looked at felt a pang in their heart.
The Third no longer had his usual prestige, only emptiness remained.
"From today onwards, I am no longer the Hokage."
With that single sentence, the hall erupted.
"What?!"
"How can this be so sudden? What happened at the Daimyo Manor?"
Koharu and Homura stood up abruptly, their faces filled with disbelief.
Hiruzen raised his hand, and the clamor gradually subsided.
His voice was hoarse, devoid of any emotion.
"This is the Daimyo's order."
"My resignation has been approved by the Daimyo."
He then looked at the silent Minato beside him.
"At the same time, the Daimyo personally appointed…"
"Minato Namikaze, as Konoha's Fourth Hokage."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's heads turned in unison toward Minato.
Envy, jealousy, scrutiny. Minato felt the immense pressure of these complex gazes.
He stood up, bowed deeply to everyone, and said nothing.
This appointment was too heavy.
So heavy that he felt no joy in becoming Hokage.
"Hmph."
In the shadows, Danzō let out a cold snort.
"Hiruzen, you lost the battle and now you want to just walk away?"
His voice was chilling.
"Leaving a mess for a mere youngster?"
Hiruzen's body stiffened for a moment, but he did not retort.
Because what Danzō said was true.
"There is one more thing."
Hiruzen ignored Danzo's provocation and continued.
"The Daimyo Manor has issued a new financial budget plan."
He pushed an official document to the center of the table.
"Starting next quarter, the Village's annual budget will be cut by twenty percent."
Dead silence.
You could hear a pin drop.
If changing the Hokage was a shift in high-level power, then cutting the budget was like cutting the flesh of everyone present.
"Twenty percent?!"
A Jōnin representative finally could not hold back and cried out in surprise.
"What a joke!"
"The war just ended, the compensation has not been fully paid out. The injured are still lying in the hospital. Why are they cutting our budget?"
"Exactly. We shed blood and sacrificed for the Land of Fire, and this is how the new Daimyo treats us?"
"He is trying to force us to our deaths."
The crowd was furious.
Their anger was directed at the new Daimyo they had never met.
It also targeted Hiruzen, who had brought back this news.
"Silence."
Minato slammed the table, a flash of Chakra instantly suppressing the entire room.
Only then did everyone remember that the Yellow Flash before them was already the Fourth Hokage.
The main hall became quiet again, but everyone's faces were filled with unwillingness and anger.
"This is an order."
Hiruzen repeated the sentence.
"The Daimyo sympathizes with the people and believes that the national treasury should prioritize the post-war reconstruction for civilians."
"Konoha should set an example."
"Hahahaha."
Danzō laughed.
His laughter was full of sarcasm.
"Hiruzen, you are truly senile."
"Ninja are the foundation of the country. Without us, this sword, those civilians are nothing but lambs to be slaughtered."
"That Daimyo is destroying his own Great Wall."
He stood up, his single eye gleaming with a terrifying light.
"I disagree."
"This order is an insult to all Konoha ninja. I will never accept it."
His words echoed the sentiments of most people present.
For a moment, many people cast hopeful glances at Danzō.
Perhaps only this strong Root leader would dare to say no to the Daimyo.
Hiruzen watched this scene, neither pleased nor angry.
"This is the Daimyo's order."
He repeated it a third time, then stood up, no longer looking at anyone, and walked out with faltering steps.
His back view was desolate.
Daimyo Manor.
Inside the sleeping quarters, sandalwood incense wafted.
Arashi reclined on a soft couch, in a languid posture.
Before him, Yui knelt on the carpet, using a small silver knife to peel a crystal pear for him.
Her movements were slow and meticulous.
After the pear was peeled, it was cut into small pieces, skewered with a silver pick, and offered to Arashi's mouth.
Arashi opened his mouth and took a bite.
It was very sweet.
He looked at the lifeless face before him and suddenly felt a bit bored.
His hand, passing through her soft long hair, gently stroked her neck.
Yui's body stiffened, but quickly relaxed again.
"Look up."
Arashi commanded.
Yui obediently raised her head.
"Smile."
Yui tried to force a smile, which looked worse than crying.
Arashi frowned and released his hand.
"Forget it, it is boring."
He waved his hand.
"You may withdraw."
"Yes."
Yui, as if granted a great pardon, bowed and retreated, her steps somewhat hurried.
[Ding!]
[Main Mission: Land of Fire Financial Reform, Phase One. Completed!]
[Mission Evaluation: Perfect!]
[Mission Reward: Talent Scan function, unlocked!]
[New Mission Issued!]
[Main Mission: Lord of the Land of Fire, Phase Two]
[Mission Objective: During the coronation ceremony, establish the supreme monarchical authority of the Land of Fire, awe envoys from all directions, and let the world know that in the Land of Fire, the Daimyo is supreme!]
[Mission Reward: Economic Policy Sandbox!]
"Economic Policy Sandbox?"
What is that?
Never mind, I will figure it out after completing the mission.
His attention shifted to the newly unlocked Talent Scan function.
[Enable?]
"Enable."
Instantly, a three-dimensional map covering the entire Fire Capital unfolded in his mind.
On the map, countless light dots appeared.
White represented civilians, red represented ninja.
The depth of the light dot's color directly indicated the strength of their power.
Among them, several light dots were crimson, almost purple.
[Minato Namikaze, Fourth Hokage, awaiting appointment. Loyalty 65, wavering. Threat Rank: Low]
[Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Clan Chief. Loyalty 50, unstable. Threat Rank: Low]
[Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Clan Chief. Loyalty 55, observing. Threat Rank: Low]
The new function was so useful. The previous System could also display people as light dots.
But it did not show loyalty.
Now with the new function, it was clear who was loyal and who was a traitor.
Arashi's consciousness finally lingered on a familiar name.
[Danzō Shimura, Root Leader. Loyalty 10, rebellious. Threat Rank: Low]
"Only ten points of loyalty?"
Arashi ignored him and continued to move his thoughts, scanning the area where the four nations' delegations were staying.
Land of Earth, Land of Wind, Land of Lightning. The delegations' guards were formidable, all with elite Jōnin in charge.
What interested him most was the location of the Land of Water delegation.
There, in addition to the overt envoy and the guard Biwa Jūzō, was a crimson, almost purple light dot.
[Mei Terumī, undercover. Hidden Mist Village genius ninja. Loyalty -20, hostile. Threat Rank: Low]
Mei Terumī?
Why would she be here?
Arashi's mind immediately brought up information about this woman.
The future Fifth Mizukage.
"What is she doing here?"
(To be continued.)
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