While Mei Terumi was enduring her trial elsewhere,
Minato Namikaze was also waiting for the daimyo's summons.
Unlike previous times, Minato was wearing the Hokage's ceremonial robe today, symbolizing his status.
His golden hair was still bright, and his deep blue eyes were calm.
He didn't even have a guard announce him. He just stood quietly outside the study, waiting.
His posture was not like the Fourth Hokage, who was renowned throughout the shinobi world, but more like an ordinary subject waiting for his monarch's summons.
When he entered, he stopped three steps from the desk.
Then he bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"My lord."
The address hadn't changed.
However, the Hokage's usual reserve and aloofness in his tone were completely gone.
Shin leaned back in his chair, tapping his hand on the armrest.
He didn't tell Minato to rise, nor did he speak.
Silence was a monarch's best weapon.
It was both a way to apply pressure and to observe.
Inside the study, there was only silence.
Minato maintained his bowing posture, perfectly still, his hair falling over his forehead, hiding his expression.
The sharp aura that usually surrounded him had long since been pulled back.
He was like a sheathed sword.
After an unknown period, Shin's voice rang out.
"Have you come to your senses?"
"Yes, I have."
"Rise. Tell me how you came to your senses."
Minato straightened up, his gaze meeting Shin's with honesty.
"I previously... always thought about problems from Konoha's perspective. My thinking was narrow, and I failed to live up to your expectations, my lord."
"Oh?"
Shin's interest was sparked, and he leaned forward slightly. "Then what perspective are you taking now?"
Minato took a deep breath, his expression extremely serious.
"The Land of Fire."
Those words carried weight.
He continued, "From now on, Konoha village's interests will entirely serve the overall interests of the Land of Fire."
"Konoha village is the Land of Fire's Konoha village."
This statement was a belated pledge of allegiance.
It represented Minato, the Fourth Hokage, completely submitting to the daimyo on a spiritual level.
Shin's smile grew wider.
This was even more perfect than he had anticipated.
A Hokage with a broken spine was nothing more than a puppet.
But a Hokage who actively changed his views and embraced his ideals was a useful and effective tool.
"Very good."
Shin finally spoke, his voice filled with approval.
"Sit, Minato."
"Tell me your new plan."
"Yes."
Minato sat as instructed, took out a scroll, and presented it with both hands.
His posture no longer held any pretense of equality as a partner. It was entirely that of a subordinate reporting to a superior.
"Regarding the genius training special fund, I believe your approach is entirely correct, my lord."
"Concentrating resources to cultivate top-tier combat power is indeed the best way to enhance the Land of Fire's deterrence in the short term."
"However, simple financial assistance can easily lead young shinobi astray in power and wealth, making them forget the original purpose of fighting."
He looked up, his eyes sincere and pleading.
"Therefore, I dare to propose upgrading the genius training program to the Will of Fire legacy program."
"Will of Fire?"
Shin savored the words playfully. "Continue."
Minato continued, "Selected geniuses will not only receive financial and resource allocation but must also accept one-on-one mentorship."
"Mentors will be served by the most experienced and resolute jonin in the village."
"Their responsibility is to teach these geniuses how to use their power correctly, guide them to build a belief in dedicating themselves to the country, and make them understand the responsibility that comes with power."
"This fund is for shaping their strength, but even more so for shaping their spirit."
Minato glanced at Shin, and seeing no sign of opposition, his heart settled slightly.
"As for the selection of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi, I suggest holding an open selection competition for all shinobi in the village."
"Regardless of origin or background, only loyalty and strength will matter."
"The twelve ultimate winners will represent Konoha, becoming the sharpest swords in your hand, my lord, and also the supreme glory of the Land of Fire."
"This way, it will allow all shinobi to see a fair path to advancement, and also maximize their potential, selecting the strongest warriors for you."
He finished speaking, looking at Shin with eager eyes.
Shin did not immediately respond. He simply picked up the new plan and flipped through it page by page.
The handwriting was neat, the organization clear, and it even included detailed contingencies for the selection rules and mentor screening standards.
It was clear that Minato hadn't rested well recently for this plan.
All his struggles were poured into this scroll.
Minato's heart involuntarily tightened.
He didn't know if the daimyo would tolerate his hidden intentions.
Binding genius training with the Will of Fire.
This was the last bottom line he could hold onto as Hokage.
After a long time,
Shin finally closed the scroll and gently placed it on the desk.
"The plan is good."
He looked at Minato, his gaze deep, as if trying to see through him completely.
"Minato, you're very clever."
"You know what I want, and you also know what you want to preserve."
"You're trying to find a balance within my rules, a balance that you can accept."
Minato's heart sank heavily.
His little schemes, as expected, could not escape the eyes of this monarch.
"However..."
Shin's tone shifted, and a playful expression returned to his face.
"I like clever subordinates."
"Because working with clever people is the most efficient."
He picked up the imperial brush from the table, dipped it in cinnabar, and signed his name on the cover of the scroll with bold, flowing strokes.
"It will be done as you say."
"I only have one requirement."
Shin's voice suddenly grew heavier.
"The list of mentors for the Will of Fire legacy program."
"The final list of selected geniuses."
"And the selection results for the Twelve Guardian Shinobi."
"All of them must be personally reviewed and ultimately approved by me."
He paused, then said word by word,
"Their power is bestowed by me."
"Their loyalty can only belong to me, belong to the Land of Fire."
"As for that Will of Fire you mentioned..."
Shin leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, and calmly gazed at Minato.
"From today on, my will is the Will of Fire."
"Do you understand?"
Shin had agreed to the plan.
Minato should have been happy, but he couldn't bring himself to be.
Because the daimyo had, with a single sentence, extracted the soul of the plan.
The daimyo's will was the Will of Fire.
This was the final warning, and the ultimate declaration of power.
All his struggles, all his efforts, all his compromises—at this moment, turned to dust.
What he tried to protect was, in the end, merely given a new name.
A name belonging to the daimyo.
Minato slowly closed his eyes.
When he reopened them, the last flicker of light belonging to the Hokage in his deep blue eyes had completely faded.
He stood up again, then took off his ceremonial robe, revealing the shinobi uniform underneath.
He folded the ceremonial robe neatly and placed it aside.
Then he knelt on one knee, without a trace of hesitation.
This time, it was the etiquette of a subject to his monarch.
"I... understand!"
"From today onwards, Konoha will no longer have a Hokage."
"Only Minato Namikaze, the supreme commander of Konoha village under the daimyo of the Land of Fire."
At this moment,
An era had completely ended.
Shin's face finally showed a satisfied smile. "No, you're still the Hokage."
He generously returned the name of Hokage.
Because Hokage was just a name now.
"Thank you, my lord!"
[Ding!]
[Target: Minato Namikaze]
[Loyalty: 85 (Loyal and reliable)]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden quest: The Hokage's Submission! You have completely subdued the Fourth Hokage, and Konoha, this sharpest sword, is now in your hands.]
[Reward: National Luck + 500]
Very good.
Shin looked at the man kneeling before him, his mood pleasant.
"Rise, Fourth Hokage."
"From today onwards, you'll have a bigger stage."
He picked up the ceremonial robe that was placed aside and personally draped it over Minato's shoulders.
"The future of the Land of Fire needs your Flying Thunder God Technique."