The Daimyō of the Land of Fire, Lord Toku, sat opposite Ryoma, wearing a deeply respectful expression.
"The Hokage's intentions are clear to this Daimyō! I fully understand—and I will give Konoha my complete support!"
Ryoma's proposal passed without resistance.
After all, the gates of the Fire Capital had already been shattered.
Ryoma had merely shown his strength—and the Daimyō had bowed without a fight.
In truth, with power at the level of a Kage, shinobi far surpassed samurai. Facing one was no longer a matter of courage—it was suicide.
A single shinobi like Hashirama Senju could bury an army of a hundred thousand.
Under such circumstances, the Daimyō of Fire understood all too well—Ryoma was not someone he could defy.
Still, Ryoma had given him a little face, sparing his pride.
The Fire Capital remained under the Daimyō's rule in name, and the Land of Fire still bore his title—but that was merely symbolic.
Just as the future Emperor of the Land of Iron would be—a figurehead.
When Ryoma returned from the Fire Capital, he carried with him a personal decree from the Daimyō himself:
"The Fourth Hokage, Ryoma, is granted full authority over Konoha's military operations. The Land of Fire will offer its total support!"
As for the former pacifist faction within the village—those men had already been rounded up.
Under the quiet efficiency of the ANBU, things began to move swiftly.
Investigations led by Hatake Sakumo and Minato Namikaze revealed that many of these so-called "peace advocates" had been secretly dealing with Sunagakure.
That was the real reason they pushed for peace—profit.
Without war, they could continue to reap benefits from both sides, protecting their own wealth and influence.
But this time, they had met a Hokage like Ryoma.
Their ambitions were crushed to dust.
Just like the Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans—disbanded and sent to the frontlines.
Ryoma didn't even need to act personally. The ANBU handled it.
Overnight, the balance of power in Konoha shifted once again.
There had once been thirty-eight great clans.
After the downfall of the Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane families, only thirty-five remained.
Now, five more would fall.
It was a clear message—a warning to the rest.
No one had expected Ryoma to move so decisively, to strike with such precision.
Five powerful clans—wiped out in a single night.
And no one could defend them.
Because Sunagakure, desperate to please Konoha, had handed over all the evidence.
The charges were undeniable.
The next morning, hundreds of people were tied up in the village square.
All of them from those five families.
The villagers awoke to find a special edition newspaper, sanctioned directly by the Hokage.
It detailed every crime—collaboration, bribery, treason.
That single word—"collaboration"—was enough to damn them all.
For a shinobi village, loyalty was absolute.
Their crimes were no different from rebellion.
Among the condemned stood the Kuriarare family, once among the most vocal critics of Ryoma.
Ryoma had once thought them loyal advisors—brave enough to speak their minds.
Now, he saw them for what they were: traitors, greedy and cowardly.
By dawn, the square was packed with villagers, whispering as they stared at the bound clan leaders.
"So these 'peace advocates' were working with the enemy all along?"
"No wonder they opposed Hokage-sama! They were taking Sunagakure's money!"
"Traitors! Village thieves! They deserve to die!"
"Kill them!"
The cries grew louder, echoing through the streets of Konoha.
At the front of the line, Lord Kuriarare trembled, pale-faced.
"Hokage-sama, we've been wronged!"
Regret consumed him. If he could go back, he would never have defied Ryoma.
He hadn't expected the Hokage to move this fast—to arrest them without hesitation, without a hint of mercy.
The fall of three noble families had already shaken Konoha to its core—yet Ryoma pressed on.
It was madness.
The Kuriarare patriarch had believed he stood on the moral high ground, condemning Ryoma's "warmongering."
Especially when the Third Raikage had marched with tens of thousands from Kumogakure to attack Konoha, he thought victory was certain.
But Ryoma had appeared on the battlefield—alone—and turned the tide.
And with just three allies, he had forced Sunagakure to its knees.
Even the Daimyō of the Land of Wind had been made to bow, signing a full surrender.
Sunagakure's leaders had confessed everything.
And so, the five "noble families" of Konoha were finished.
Still, Lord Kuriarare tried to argue:
"Hokage-sama, we were misunderstood! Our cooperation with Sunagakure was merely a façade—to gather intelligence for Konoha! Our loyalty has always been to the village!"
His words spread unease through the crowd.
Some villagers hesitated—was that possible?
But then Ryoma raised his hand.
ANBU operatives stepped forward, carrying boxes of gold bars, stacks of ryo, and chests of jewels, placing them before the crowd.
Ryoma said nothing.
The heads of the five clans went pale.
They recognized the treasures—they had been seized from their own homes.
A full raid.
Still silent, Ryoma let the head of the Interrogation Division speak instead.
"You claim this was for Konoha? Then tell me—why did you smuggle the gold and wealth into your estates, instead of turning it over to the village treasury?"
The words struck like a blade.
The square fell silent.
And the villagers' eyes, once uncertain, hardened once more.
"The total amount of illegal income seized from these five major families — gold, silver, and other valuables — exceeds one hundred million ryō!"
The moment the words were spoken, the crowd erupted in disbelief.
"A hundred million ryō?!"
The annual administrative income of Konohagakure was barely that amount — yet these five clans alone had hoarded the same sum in secret.
Shock turned to fury. Villagers and shinobi alike began shouting.
"Kill them!"
"Traitors! Execute them all!"
The head of the Kuriarare Clan went pale.
"Lord Hokage! I—I know nothing about this! I've been framed!"
Ryoma looked at him coldly, his voice calm but cutting.
"Whether you've been wronged or not, the interrogations will reveal the truth.
This trial will be public. The Administration Department will issue daily reports in the Konoha News for all to see."
The condemned clansmen froze. Some collapsed to their knees, faces drained of color.
Then Ryoma continued, his words steady and resolute:
"These assets were stolen from the people of Konoha. Therefore, every coin will be returned to the village. This wealth will be used to support our injured shinobi and provide for the orphans of Konoha."
"These traitors traded Konoha's safety for their own luxury—causing countless shinobi to die, countless families to be torn apart. This gold will at least begin to make amends."
A silence fell—and then came thunderous applause.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Long live Hokage-sama!"
"Our Hokage is righteous and mighty!"
The final verdict was swift: the clan heads and their core members were imprisoned or exiled to the borderlands.
Ordinary family members, deemed innocent, were released—but stripped of noble status.
They would live on as ordinary citizens of Konoha.
The aftermath of the purge rippled through the entire village.
The fall of the five major families, combined with the earlier downfall of the Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans, sent a clear warning:
No one was untouchable.
Panic spread among the remaining great clans. Behind closed doors, they debated in whispers.
"What should we do?"
"If Ryoma investigates us, will our family share the same fate?"
The truth was, many clans had secretly dealt with other villages in the past.
Such gray dealings were part of the shinobi world.
But now, with Ryoma enforcing absolute justice, even the faintest stain from the past could destroy a legacy centuries old.
Ryoma had already anticipated their fear.
So he proposed a single solution:
"Any clan that willingly declares and surrenders its illicit gains will be pardoned. All previous offenses will be forgiven—provided they never repeat them."
Faced with no alternative, the clans complied.
By the end of the week, Konoha had collected another hundred million ryō in assets.
Ryoma quietly closed the matter there, turning a blind eye for the sake of peace—so long as the corruption never returned.
The storm soon passed. The purge of the five families was shocking—but short-lived.
For Ryoma, new responsibilities awaited.
As the Hokage prepared for his wedding, news arrived from Kumogakure.
Uchiha Fugaku's diplomatic mission had returned—alone.
Every other member of his team had perished.
Fugaku, wounded and weary, kneeled before the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage… I failed you. I could not complete the mission to Kumogakure."
Ryoma sighed.
"It isn't your fault. I misjudged the situation."
He now realized he had been too optimistic.
The Hidden Cloud Village was far more defiant than Kirigakure or Sunagakure.
Even though the Third Raikage was gravely injured, he refused to yield.
In the Hokage's Office, Ryoma tapped his desk thoughtfully.
"Set this matter aside for now," he said.
"I'll handle Kumo personally."
The Shinobi World would not remain peaceful forever.
Even if he unified the nations, there still existed threats lurking in the dark.
Black Zetsu—that shadow born from ancient lies—might still be alive.
Ryoma had struck him down once, but could not confirm his destruction.
Still, that concern could wait.
For now, there was something far more important—his wedding in two days.
He smiled faintly.
"Time to focus on what truly matters."
...
Two Days Later
Konoha Village — Uzumaki Residence, 9:00 AM
The morning sun bathed the courtyard in gold.
The sky was a clear, endless blue—flawless and bright.
Ryoma stood at the door, gently holding Kushina Uzumaki's hand.
"Kushina, it's time."
She wore a pure white wedding kimono, her crimson hair tied up elegantly, her expression radiant and serene.
She smiled, giving his hand a soft squeeze.
"Let's go, Ryoma."
"Yeah."
A cheerful chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host and Kushina Uzumaki on your wedding! After the wedding night, the system will upgrade and grant a super gift pack! Keep up the good work!]
Ryoma blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned.
A system upgrade from a wedding? That was… unexpected.
And oddly exciting.
Pushing open the gates of the Uzumaki Residence, the couple was greeted by their closest friends and comrades:
Uchiha Mikoto, Minato Namikaze, Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Fugaku, the Hyūga brothers, Terumi Mei, Teak and Teakmon, and even Team 7 stood waiting.
When they saw Ryoma in his black formal robe and Kushina in her white gown, cheers broke out.
"Hokage-sama is so handsome!"
"Lady Kushina is beautiful!"
As they walked through the village, villagers lined the streets, showering them with petals and blessings.
"Congratulations, Hokage-sama!"
"Long live the Fourth Hokage and Lady Kushina!"
Ryoma and Kushina entered the grand auditorium, hand in hand.
Under a sky of fluttering streamers and applause, they stood before the crowd.
"The Fourth Hokage is truly dashing!"
"Lady Kushina looks divine!"
"Ahh, Hokage-sama's getting married!"
Among the cheering voices, many young kunoichi looked on with wide eyes—half in awe, half in envy.
After all, every girl in Konoha dreamed of being the heroine of such a wedding.
And now, as the vows were exchanged and the music swelled, Ryoma and Kushina became one—bound not only by love, but by destiny.
The ceremony concluded in celebration, followed by a grand feast filled with laughter, toasts, and the promise of a brighter future.
It began with the exchange of sake between Ryoma and Kushina Uzumaki.
Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, her brilliant eyes hazy yet full of warmth as she leaned closer to Ryoma and took a sip. From this moment onward, she—Kushina Uzumaki—was his wife, officially and openly.
The wedding was the grandest celebration Konoha had seen in years. Lanterns lined the streets, laughter filled the air, and even the most stoic shinobi joined the festivity. Whether they knew Ryoma well or not, everyone came to celebrate his union with Kushina.
The banquet lasted until late into the night. Cups clashed, sake spilled, and cheers echoed beneath the stars. When the last of the toasts were made, Ryoma wrapped an arm around Kushina's waist and whispered his goodbyes to the guests—there were more important things waiting tonight.
Kushina hadn't drunk much, but her face was rosy and her steps unsteady. She stumbled into Ryoma's arms, eyes fluttering as her hair shimmered under the lantern light.
The onlookers—especially the kunoichi—couldn't help but sigh in envy and admiration. Uchiha Mikoto, watching from a short distance away, bit her lip softly, her gaze lingering longer than it should have.
"Let's go, Kushina," Ryoma murmured with a faint smile.
He carried her to their room, gently laying her down on the bed.
"Kushina, are you tired?" he asked quietly, leaning close enough to feel her warmth.
"Mhm…" Her red lips parted slightly as she nodded.
Ryoma chuckled. "Then rest."
But before he could pull back, Kushina's slender hands reached up, hooking around his neck. Her voice came out in a soft, breathy whisper.
"…Mhm."
That night, spring's warmth filled the air.
When the first rays of sunlight slipped through the window, Ryoma stirred. Kushina was curled up in his arms, sleeping peacefully like a kitten.
And then—
Ding!
A crisp electronic tone rang in his mind.
System Update Complete!
[Name]: Ryoma Senju
[Power Level]: Super Kage
[Title]: Fourth Hokage
[Character Cards]:
SSS Rank – Hashirama Senju (100% Fusion)
S Rank – Mei Terumi (10% Fusion)
S Rank – Ashina Uzumaki (100% Fusion)
[Unfused Cards]:
S Rank – Tobirama Senju
SSS Rank – Itachi Uchiha
SSS Rank – Madara Uchiha (Edo Tensei)
[Bloodline Limits]: God-level Wood Release, Six Paths Power (10%)
[Ninjutsu]:
Flying Thunder God – Lv.3
Edo Tensei – Lv.3
Chidori – Lv.3
Rasengan – Lv.3
Multi Shadow Clone – Lv.3
Harem Jutsu – Lv.3
Shuriken Shadow Clone – Lv.3
System Update Completed!
Reward: Super Starter Package!
New Feature Unlocked: Main Quest Selection!
"Main quest selection?" Ryoma blinked.
Still holding the sleeping Kushina, he opened the new menu.
[Main Quest Options]
Option 1: Rule as Hokage, protect Konoha, and unify the ninja world.
Reward: Anywhere Door – One Piece World (Permanent, freely accessible)
Option 2: Become a shadowy mastermind, create Akatsuki, and dominate the ninja world from the shadows.
Reward: Anywhere Door – Bleach World (Permanent, freely accessible)
Option 3: Live as a 'gentleman,' form a harem of 10 or more, and enjoy the pleasures of peace.
Reward: Anywhere Door – Date A Live World (Permanent, freely accessible)
Ryoma's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding me… this is broken!"
Permanent portals to three different worlds? That's beyond overpowered. He could practically conquer anime itself!
Then his gaze landed on the last option, and his expression twitched.
"System… you're not a good influence," he muttered. "I just got married, and you already want me to start a crystal palace?!"
He crossed his arms, pretending to be resolute. "No way. I'm definitely not choosing the third one."
Then, after a pause…
"Wait a second," he murmured, eyes narrowing. "These options aren't mutually exclusive…"
He grinned. "Be a Hokage on the surface, control everything from the shadows, and… quietly be a gentleman on the side?"
Ryoma chuckled to himself. "Now that… sounds perfect."
Kushina stirred in his arms, snuggling closer.
"Mm… baka…" she murmured in her sleep.
Ryoma smiled, brushing a strand of red hair from her face.
"Well," he said softly, "let's sleep a bit more. The world can wait."
...
TN:
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