Upon receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's report, Fumori Masaki immediately breathed a sigh of relief, a smile gracing his face. The Guardian War had ended in victory in less than half a month, which was undoubtedly good news.
Kokuya Uchiha had fled in disarray, and the obstructive local lords within the Daimyo's army had all died at the hands of Kokuya Uchiha and his chakra samurai, effectively clearing the obstacles to reorganizing the nation's political landscape.
In this regard, Fumori Masaki truly had Kokuya Uchiha to thank for removing a major worry from his mind.
"My long-cherished wish can finally be realized at this moment," Fumori Masaki sighed softly.
As someone who had lived in a modern nation, he had always been dissatisfied with the feudal state of the Land of Fire.
Due to different national conditions, he could only implement gradual changes, starting from the Konoha Ninja Village in his eyes, slowly expanding Konoha Ninja Village's influence, and now, being able to extend it to the entire nation.
Fumori Masaki immediately summoned Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, informing them of the good news.
Both were overjoyed, repeatedly expressing their approval.
"It's a pity that fellow Kokuya Uchiha got away," Homura Mitokado said, shaking his head with some regret.
"This person's strength is not to be underestimated; Hiruzen and the others, fighting together, couldn't even take him down.
And according to the report, this person also obtained a Mangekyo Sharingan, just like Madara Uchiha?" Koharu Utatane said with a solemn expression.
"Given time, he might become a threat on par with Madara Uchiha back then.
We must find him and eliminate him as soon as possible," Homura Mitokado said.
"I think so too.
Danzo has already led a reconnaissance team and elite troops in pursuit.
With his strength, he should be able to lead the troops to retreat safely without a full-scale conflict.
However, Kokuya Uchiha's abilities are peculiar, and Kagami also expressed doubts, so I told Danzo to prioritize locating him first," Fumori Masaki said, nodding.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also agreed.
The power Kokuya Uchiha had displayed so far had always been perplexing.
Shimura Danzo's intelligence gathering and combat abilities were both top-notch, but whether he could retreat safely in front of Kokuya Uchiha was truly hard to say.
"Therefore, for Danzo's safety, I plan to have Hiruzen and Kagami assist from the side," Fumori Masaki said.
"As for matters in the capital, I will go personally to handle them, assisted by Torifu."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado frowned slightly, silently considering it.
Although it was somewhat risky for the Hokage to leave the village for the capital, given the current situation, it seemed permissible.
Previously, there was concern that northern nations might take advantage of the civil war, and Fumori Masaki, as Konoha Ninja Village's strongest, naturally couldn't act rashly.
But now that the civil war had ended and the situation was favorable, even if Fumori Masaki went to the capital, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kagami Uchiha, while responsible for tracking Kokuya Uchiha, would also be on standby between the capital and Konoha Ninja Village, ready to deploy at any time.
Moreover, with the civil war over, it was best for the Hokage to personally handle matters in the capital.
They understood how Fumori Masaki intended to establish the new order of the Land of Fire.
"This time, my trip to the capital, in addition to handling the situation there, also has another purpose: to act swiftly once Kokuya Uchiha's whereabouts are found.
I have already arranged someone to lure Kokuya Uchiha out, just waiting for him to take the bait." Seeing Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado agree, Fumori Masaki nodded slightly and said.
"That would be excellent," Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado said with smiles.
Kokuya Uchiha was also a thorn in their side.
Although Kokuya Uchiha was a stray dog now, his continued existence was like a bone stuck in their throat, making them very uncomfortable.
As long-time comrades, both were very familiar with Fumori Masaki's strength, and according to their judgment, what they knew might not even be his full power.
It wasn't that Fumori Masaki intentionally hid his strength, but rather that no one in the entire village could make him use his full power.
They all knew that Fumori Masaki possessed Sage Mode.
During the research into popularizing Sage Mode, Fumori Masaki gained a deeper understanding of natural energy by utilizing Tailed Beast Chakra and Dragon Vein Chakra, even being able to harness the power of heaven and earth.
Although they had never seen Fumori Masaki use his full power, based on the information revealed in his words and their own judgment, they believed that in a place rich in natural energy, his strength would likely be comparable to that of Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage, Hashirama, in their prime.
It was precisely because of this that even knowing Kokuya Uchiha had a Mangekyo Sharingan on par with Madara Uchiha, they didn't consider it a big problem—even if you, Kokuya Uchiha, have it, can you compare to Madara Uchiha?
You don't even have a Nine-Tails to assist you!
If too much time passed, other unforeseen circumstances might arise, but since Fumori Masaki had already arranged the bait, they felt it was only a matter of time before Kokuya Uchiha appeared.
And even if Fumori Masaki couldn't take him down alone, with Shimura Danzo and others present, they could surely capture him, right?
There's no way so many people couldn't take down Kokuya Uchiha.
No matter how good he was at escaping, there was a limit!
"During your trip to the capital, we will manage the village well," Homura Mitokado said.
"I hope you can properly handle the situation in the capital."
"You know what I intend to do.
This will minimize harm to the nation and prevent others from causing trouble," Fumori Masaki smiled.
"For this trip, I need to bring Princess Chihime."
During the previous breakout battle in the capital, Fumori Masaki had to bring Princess Chihime with him no matter what, precisely for this moment.
Now, the Daimyo had lost his virtue.
Regardless of whether he was under genjutsu control, the fact that he had appointed Kokuya Uchiha as a confidant was undeniable.
In other words, the Daimyo was bound to step down.
Fumori Masaki did not intend to eliminate the entire Daimyo family.
Now was not the time for the entire nation to ignite.
Destroying the monarch's family was indefensible, especially with a new-thinking woman like Princess Chihime, who was also a member of the Daimyo's family.
At the very least, she deserved some respect.
Princess Chihime had a wonderful time living in Konoha Ninja Village.
The atmosphere of the New Ninshu in Konoha Ninja Village was even stronger than in the capital, after all, in the capital, the Daimyo had always been aloof towards the New Ninshu, with the monarch's subtle rejection.
Konoha Ninja Village, however, had neither the scale nor the resistance of the former, making its implementation naturally easier.
Fumori Masaki's series of measures further promoted this situation, and after Konoha Ninja Village's territory expanded later, this atmosphere not only did not diminish but increased.
Princess Chihime often met with Kana and Satomi, and was also very worried about the civil war, wondering what the situation would be like after it ended.
At this time, Kana and Satomi were there to persuade her.
They were both close to Fumori Masaki and understood his ideas.
After the civil war broke out, Fumori Masaki also revealed more of his thoughts to them, asking them to help with the ideological work.
Since Princess Chihime could be chosen, she naturally had the potential for understanding.
She had always been promoting the New Ninshu with Kana.
Although Kana and Satomi hadn't fully revealed everything, Princess Chihime was mentally prepared.
Princess Chihime arrived at the Hokage's office, saw Fumori Masaki, bowed slightly, and said, "Hokage-sama, is there something you needed me for?"
"Princess Chihime, I am here to tell you a piece of news—the Daimyo's army has been defeated, and our forces will proceed directly to the capital to take over," Fumori Masaki said.
"Ah!" Princess Chihime exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this, but she had more or less anticipated it.
The Daimyo's army had no moral justification, and the mandate was in the hands of Konoha Ninja Village.
Aside from Konoha Ninja Village's allied forces, not a single one of the most elite border troops supported the Daimyo's army.
Defeat was inevitable; she just couldn't be sure when it would happen.
Princess Chihime felt a sense of relief at the defeat of the Daimyo's army, because she understood that the longer the war dragged on, the greater the harm to the nation, and ending it quickly could swiftly stabilize the situation in Konoha Ninja Village.
Although she was the Daimyo's sister, Princess Chihime was truly very disappointed in her brother, and her stance was not with the Daimyo's government.
"I wonder what the war losses are like?" After accepting the fact of the Daimyo's army's defeat, Princess Chihime began to inquire about the war losses.
If the losses were too severe, even a quick end to the civil war would not be good for the nation.
Fumori Masaki told Princess Chihime the general situation.
Princess Chihime was astonished to learn that Kokuya Uchiha had practically eliminated all the local lords of the Daimyo's army and had also massacred a large number of town residents and samurai.
"Kokuya Uchiha, that scoundrel!" Princess Chihime was furious.
Although she had no fondness for the local lords within the Daimyo's army, the town residents were innocent, and many low-ranking samurai had also been deceived by the Daimyo's army, yet they met such a fate.
"It was our Konoha Ninja Village's mistake to let that person survive back then," Fumori Masaki sighed.
"Hokage-sama couldn't have known that person would survive, and the main reason is my brother's poor judgment in bringing a wolf into the house.
Ultimately, it stems from his distrust of Hokage-sama and the village," Princess Chihime said, shaking her head in pain.
"...Princess Chihime, the civil war has now ended.
We need to stabilize the political situation as soon as possible, so I would like to go to the capital with you," Fumori Masaki said.
"It's my duty," Princess Chihime nodded, then hesitated for a moment and asked, "Hokage-sama, how do you plan to treat my brother?"
"Lord Daimyo was controlled by Kokuya Uchiha's genjutsu.
Even so, his actions have incurred public wrath.
Abdication is the best outcome; it will provide an explanation to everyone.
We will not pursue his past responsibilities and will allow him to live a good life within his family," Fumori Masaki said.
Princess Chihime understood that Fumori Masaki meant he did not intend to kill the Daimyo, which made her very grateful.
Konoha Ninja Village's actions could be said to be very merciful.
Although the Daimyo might currently be under genjutsu control, he was not under genjutsu control when he accepted Kokuya Uchiha in the past.
She believed that he was probably conscious before he started acting strangely.
Konoha Ninja Village not pursuing the Daimyo's responsibility was certainly partly because, given Konoha Ninja Village's status, taking extreme measures against the Daimyo—such as killing the monarch—would be detrimental to its reputation externally.
However, Konoha Ninja Village could have secretly eliminated the Daimyo, and others might not have had too many objections.
But the fact that Konoha Ninja Village chose not to do so, as the Daimyo's sister, Princess Chihime also felt a sense of relief.
"I will make my brother abdicate, but Hokage-sama, is that all you wish for?" Princess Chihime asked.
She understood that Fumori Masaki surely had other conditions; Kana and Satomi had told her quite a bit.
"I believe, Princess Chihime, you must have heard from Miss Kana and my wife these past few days," Fumori Masaki knew they were getting to the main point.
He stood up from the table and slowly paced, saying, "The reason for such turmoil is the Daimyo's suspicion of his subordinates.
And with the monarch's power, he can often recklessly implement suppressive measures, even leading to this civil war.
The root cause of everything is the uncontrollable excessive personal power of the monarch!"
Princess Chihime nodded slightly.
She, of course, knew the problem.
It was precisely because the Daimyo's power was excessive, allowing him to act according to his own will, that once suspicion arose towards his subordinates, he would adopt various suppressive measures, even taking the lives of his subjects, sometimes under fabricated charges!
"This isn't always a bad thing; it can quickly integrate the nation's power.
However, it relies on the personal qualities of the leader.
If a situation like Lord Daimyo's arises, it turns into a bad thing—being exploited by those with ulterior motives, and suppressing loyal subordinates instead!" Fumori Masaki said.
Princess Chihime listened quietly.
"Such situations also occur within our Konoha Ninja Village, but from the time of the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, we have tried to establish a sense of trust throughout the village, enabling cooperation and preventing mistakes.
Therefore, Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama established the policy that 'the Hokage must be dually approved by the Daimyo and the trust of the jonin before taking office,' and also implemented measures such as the Jonin Representative Council.
I have also established restraining mechanisms like the Hokage's Inner Cabinet.
These measures, while deepening mutual trust, also restrain the Hokage from making erroneous judgments.
However, all of this has not yet been codified into law; it is merely an agreement, still relying on the Hokage's personal qualities—although the system ensures that the chosen Hokage is unlikely to deviate from the collective will, such a hidden danger still exists," Fumori Masaki said.
"So, Hokage-sama, you intend to fully implement this agreement as legal statutes?" Princess Chihime asked.
"Precisely.
Our internal agreement in Konoha is merely a prototype (rudimentary form).
To truly achieve the restraint of power, we must first establish a clear law that everyone can understand—just as the Hokage must be approved by the Daimyo and receive a vote of confidence from the jonin to be legitimate.
At the same time, we must strengthen the authority of the law and ensure its implementation.
Therefore, corresponding institutions to uphold the dignity of the law must also be established, and a complete supervisory mechanism must be put in place.
No one, no matter who, can rely solely on their own power or will to override the law.
Whoever violates the law will be collectively attacked and overthrown.
My hope is to replace rule by man with rule of law," Fumori Masaki said.
Princess Chihime clearly understood Fumori Masaki's thoughts and showed a surprised expression, but she approved of it.
She had recognized the dangers of excessive individual authority and believed that restraining the Daimyo's power was not a bad thing.
"After establishing such a supreme law, all measures must be carried out in accordance with it.
The Daimyo will no longer act unilaterally; his power will be restricted, and decisions will be made collectively with Konoha Ninja Village and numerous local lords, ensuring that individual errors will no longer affect the entire nation," Fumori Masaki said.
Then, Fumori Masaki asked, "Princess Chihime, are you willing to help us?"
Princess Chihime paused, then smiled slightly and said, "Hokage-sama, I strongly agree with your ideas, and I will certainly cooperate with you."