Want more chapters right now? 🔥
Get access to 220+ bonus chapters across all my stories.
👉 patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
_______________
Chapter 106: Reform
The ascension of a new Daimyō was no small matter across the Shinobi Continent, especially when it occurred under mysterious circumstances. The sudden death of the previous Daimyō of the Land of Fire and both his heirs during a routine prayer journey had left the country stunned.
But since no direct evidence linked George to their deaths, and the succession had followed legal precedent, his rise to power was official.
Still, between the burial rites and the looming succession ceremony, the Land of Fire was gripped by quiet unrest. The capital's noble families sent envoys under the guise of mourning to gauge George's character.
Foreign merchants delayed major shipments, fearing instability. And from the shadows, various information networks, both legal and clandestine, ran at full capacity, trying to uncover the truth behind the fatal lightning strike.
In contrast, George's camp remained completely still. Calm. Silent. Unbothered.
With absolute control over the flow of information inside the capital, George didn't waste time responding to rumors. His plan was straightforward: wait for the official ceremony, let the nation's system validate his legitimacy, and then begin his real work.
As protocol demanded, representatives from the other great nations would arrive soon to offer formal congratulations. For now, all George needed to do was stay still and let the world come to him.
Konoha – Hokage's Office
Inside the conference chamber of the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of a long wooden table, arms crossed, pipe resting beside him.
"The Land of Fire's succession ceremony is two days from now," he said. "We must send a delegation. As the leading military power under the Daimyō, our presence is essential."
"You say that," muttered Danzō, his expression sharp, "but you're ignoring the obvious. The deaths of the Daimyō and his sons were too… tidy. A lightning strike, no witnesses, and the one remaining successor happens to be engaged to this so-called businessman from the Land of Waves?"
Homura leaned forward. "We already sent the Hyūga and Yamanaka. Both came back empty-handed."
"The Hyūga saw no lightning chakra or sealing remnants at the scene. The weather that night showed a thunderstorm. The Yamanaka examined Princess Miyuhana and found no signs of genjutsu or mind interference," Hiruzen added.
"But something is off," Danzō said coldly. "The man called George appeared out of nowhere five months ago. Since then, he's gained control of Wave, Flamebird Publishing, trade along the southern corridor, and now the most powerful court in the country. We are letting a ghost take the throne."
Hiruzen exhaled deeply. "We need to be careful. The balance between shinobi and the court is delicate. Aggravating the new Daimyō could isolate us. Kumo and Iwa would be thrilled to see Konoha lose its financial backing."
"Hmph. Fine. But Root will continue investigating," Danzō replied, the threat beneath his words clear.
"Do it quietly," Hiruzen said. "We don't know how he operates yet."
Koharu Utatane adjusted her shawl. "Has the Daimyō's office responded to this year's budget proposal?"
"Not yet. All contact has been deferred until after the ceremony. They claim they're still observing mourning protocol," Hiruzen answered. He took a slow sip of tea. "In the meantime, we still need to choose someone to lead our delegation."
"If there are no objections," Homura said, "I recommend Lady Tsunade. She has distant blood ties to the royal line, and the court still respects the Senju name."
"But she's not even in the village," Koharu said.
"She's in Tanzaku Town again," Hiruzen said with a sigh. "I'll handle it."
Tanzaku Town – Casino Lounge
Tsunade slammed down her tiles. "Tch. Another loss."
Across the table, the dealer didn't even blink.
"My Lady," Shizune whispered, "this scroll just arrived from Konoha. From the Hokage himself."
Tsunade unsealed it lazily, skimmed the message, then crumpled it and tossed it into her sake cup. "Let's go. I'm done for today."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Capital City – Daimyō's Mansion
The ceremony came and went with orchestrated precision. Delegates from the other great nations attended, each delivering their compliments with diplomatic smiles. By the end of the day, all twelve of the Daimyō's personal Guardian Shinobi had pledged loyalty to George in front of the entire capital.
Later, George met with Tsunade in a private study. As she stepped into the room, he found her even more striking than he remembered from anime. Her beauty wasn't exaggerated; it was sharp. Mature. Regal.
"Greetings, my Lord," Tsunade said formally.
"Hm. Alright, Tsunade. There's no need for formality when we're alone. Call me George, we're both of the same generation."
Tsunade didn't react. "This is Konoha's fiscal application. Please review it."
"How dull," George replied, taking the scroll with a yawn. "You get straight to business, don't you?"
She gave a faint shrug. "I was summoned, not courted."
George chuckled. "Very well. I'll look over it tonight. But I also had a separate task in mind."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "A mission?"
He leaned forward. "I want you to protect Princess Miyuhana for the next three months. Call it a personal request. The last few months have shaken her deeply. She needs someone steady around her, especially someone with family ties."
"That's hardly a mission fit for a Sannin," she replied.
George didn't argue. He simply reached into his sleeve and set a banknote on the table. "The reward is 200 million ryō. Paid monthly."
Tsunade blinked. Her mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.
Shizune, standing behind her, nearly gasped.
George smiled. "Think of it as both a mission and an opportunity. Stay by her side. Observe. And perhaps, eventually, help her find peace."
Tsunade looked at him long and hard.
"…Alright," she finally said.
He poured tea for them both. "Welcome aboard, Lady Tsunade."
Once Tsunade accepted the mission to guard Princess Miyuhana, George wasted no time initiating sweeping reforms.
He issued a flood of low- and mid-level public infrastructure projects, paving roads, repairing irrigation canals, building bridges, and establishing markets.
More importantly, he formally introduced the Great Capital Relocation Plan, a decades-long vision to shift Konoha's core away from its secluded valley and toward a central hub designed to house one million people.
It was more than just urban planning. It was a strategy. George's blueprint showed not only streets and buildings but resource distribution grids, defensive formations, educational institutions, and Shinobi logistics centers, none of which could be realized without enormous capital.
To back it, George approved a 1 billion ryō initial funding allocation from the national treasury.
The orders were clear: contracts would be given to all participating clans and civilian firms, but every coin spent must be accounted for. Receipts, ledgers, and independent auditors would follow. The Daimyō's office would tolerate no corruption.
That clause alone made more than a few hearts in Konoha skip a beat.
Konoha – Council Room
"The money's been transferred," said Koharu Utatane, reading from a scroll. "It arrived this morning via certified ledger seal."
"The full billion?" asked Homura.
Koharu nodded. "Every last ryō."
"Then we need to discuss this 'relocation plan,'" Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
He glanced around the table. Danzo, Koharu, Homura, Mito — all present.
"George's ambitions are enormous," he continued. "He's treating the Daimyō's seat like a corporate board. Infrastructure plans, oversight systems, audit trails…"
"Hmph," Danzo scoffed. "Oversight is just another way to restrict autonomy. The Land of Fire has never dictated Konoha's internal operations. If we obey this blueprint, what is next? Civilian oversight of Jutsu libraries?"
"I agree," said Mito, the Uchiha elder. "This is unprecedented. Konoha's history cannot be uprooted with a single document."
Homura added, "Besides, the plan is vague. It mentions relocation but offers no details on the timeframe or exact logistics. We can delay implementation under the pretense of needing further analysis."
Koharu smiled thinly. "And in the meantime, the funding can be redistributed to strengthen internal security, Root surveillance, clan investments…"
"In short," Danzo said, "we nod our heads and drag our feet."
Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes. He had seen this before. Bureaucratic sabotage disguised as cooperation. But his grip on power had weakened. The council had grown more autonomous over the years. If he objected too strongly, they might turn against him entirely.
"I want written reports from every department by week's end," he said finally. "If we do not respond with a formal plan, the court will see it as insubordination."
"Then we give them a plan," said Danzo. "A beautifully crafted, entirely unworkable one."
Everyone nodded.
Capital – Hidden Study, Daimyō's Mansion
While Konoha's elders played their political games, George prepared for the next phase of his own.
In a secluded chamber lit only by a single flame-crystal, a hooded figure entered and sat across from George. His pale face and serpent-like eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Welcome, Lord Orochimaru," George said, raising his teacup.
"I wonder," Orochimaru murmured, "why would the Daimyō of the Land of Fire risk invite a rogue ninja to his home? One whose hands are stained with forbidden arts and condemned by every village?"
"Because I don't care for the politics of the past," George replied smoothly. "I care for results. And you, Lord Orochimaru, produce them."
He leaned forward slightly. "Besides, you're not truly a rogue. If Konoha wanted you dead, you'd be dead. No one's hunted you seriously. They fear what you know."
Orochimaru gave a slow, amused chuckle. "You're clever. So, what is it you desire?"
"The truth," George said simply. "And the means to ensure I never lose control of this country."
"Be more specific."
"I want the Edo Tensei, Impure World Reincarnation."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked. "A forbidden technique that defies death itself. And what will you offer in exchange?"
"Complete research freedom. Funds. Test subjects. Secrecy. Protection from Konoha's interference. I'll even let you keep your labs."
Orochimaru studied him. "And what's in it for you? You already sit at the peak of political power."
George smiled. "I want more than politics. I want permanence. Systems die. Empires crumble. But if I control memory, lineage, and resurrection… I control legacy."
"…Fascinating," Orochimaru whispered. "You're not like the others. Not like Sarutobi. Not like Danzo. You want to build, not the rule."
George poured him tea. "I want both. Shall we begin our cooperation?"
Orochimaru raised the cup and grinned. "To new alliances."
_____________
Well, a new week is here, so let's start with Bonus, shall we