The night in the Fire Capital still carried the scent of blood.
Inside the Daimyo Manor's study, candlelight flickered faintly.
Chiba Arashi was half-reclining on a soft couch, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the armrest.
Memories of his previous life flashed through his mind.
He was not from this world.
Sixteen years ago, he had transmigrated and become an infant.
He was the least favored illegitimate son of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, born of a lowly maid.
In this palace, his status was no different from that of an ant.
The moment he was born and opened his eyes, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Detecting host's situation: meets binding conditions.]
[Daimyo System, officially activated!]
[Mission: Clear obstacles!]
[Mission description: As a mortal, clear all obstacles to succession and ascend to the position of Daimyo of the Land of Fire!]
[Mission restriction: Before the mission is completed, the host will have no extraordinary power.]
[Mission rewards: Six Paths Sage Body! Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan!]
From that moment on, Arashi began sixteen years of patience and scheming.
He had no power and could not use chakra.
His only weapon was his mind.
He walked on thin ice, surviving in the cracks of the imperial court.
He secretly befriended disgraced retainers, supported destitute samurai, and used the knowledge of his past life to accumulate his own wealth.
He sowed discord while his legitimate elder brothers fought bitterly for the position of Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, he quietly eroded their influence from the shadows.
Sixteen years.
A full sixteen years.
He rose from an illegitimate son who could be executed at any moment to standing at the center of power, step by step.
Two months ago, the former Daimyo died of a severe illness.
For the throne, his brothers engaged in a bloody struggle.
Arashi revealed his fangs at the right time and ultimately had the last laugh, becoming the sole candidate to inherit the title of Daimyo.
When he held the national stone, the symbol of the Daimyo, the System's voice, silent for sixteen years, finally spoke again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, for completing the ultimate mission.]
[Rewards being distributed…]
At that moment, a vast divine power surged through his body.
His body was instantly reshaped, every cell filled with Chakra.
His eyes transformed into the purple Rinnegan with nine tomoe.
"Sixteen years."
Arashi opened his eyes, the purple glow flashing before reverting to black pupils.
"Sixteen years as a mortal," he murmured, a faint smile forming.
The overwhelming contrast made even him feel unreal for a moment.
But he quickly adapted.
He was still the same Chiba Arashi, used to solving problems with strategy and patience.
Now, he simply had an extra trump card.
Arashi rubbed his temples and sat upright.
On the table before him lay the recently approved budget for city defense repairs.
"My Lord, it's late, you should rest."
An old voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Arashi didn't look up.
The door was pushed open, and an old man entered, carrying a bowl of soup.
The old man, Gen, was a loyal retainer who had cared for Arashi since childhood.
"These are the verification reports for post-war relief funds that arrived this afternoon."
Setting the bowl on the corner of the table, Gen then took out several scrolls and neatly arranged them.
Arashi picked up the topmost one.
"Have the families in the north of the city been dealt with cleanly?"
His voice was calm.
"Reporting, My Lord, all have been dealt with cleanly," Gen said.
"Their family property has been confiscated, the principal offenders and their direct relatives charged with treason."
"The remaining branch families have been exiled to the border of the Land of Demons for three generations."
Arashi unrolled the scroll. It was filled with names, each marked with a red 'X'.
They had all chosen the wrong side.
He was never merciful to his enemies.
"There's one more matter," Gen hesitated.
"Konoha Village sent someone with a congratulatory gift, a personal letter from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, congratulating you on your ascension."
Gen presented a letter sealed with wax.
"Oh?"
Arashi finally looked up, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Konoha moves fast, doesn't it?"
He took the letter but didn't open it right away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha Village.
A man portrayed as gentle and benevolent, but in truth, his cunning and schemes were unmatched.
As for that old dog, Danzo Shimura, hiding in the shadows beside him, he was even more ruthless and unscrupulous.
Those two would be his first obstacles in controlling the Land of Fire.
The sword known as Konoha was too sharp, sharp enough to forget who held the hilt.
"Gen, don't you think the annual funds we allocate to Konoha Village are a bit excessive?"
Gen bowed slightly. "This servant dares not speak on state matters. But... the manor's finances are indeed a bit tight."
Arashi smiled. "Yes, tight."
He stood and walked to the window.
From there, he could overlook most of the Fire Capital's night view.
"Pass on my order. Tell the Minister of Finance to come to my study tomorrow morning for a discussion."
"Yes, My Lord."
Gen answered but didn't immediately leave.
"My Lord, about the Young Miss of the Kiyotsuki Family…"
"Kiyotsuki Yui?"
A cold, proud face appeared in Arashi's mind.
The Kiyotsuki Family had been one of the main noble factions supporting his eldest brother and was annihilated in the struggle.
Yui was the only daughter of the Kiyotsuki head, renowned for her beauty and talent.
"Still on a hunger strike?"
"Yes, My Lord. She hasn't eaten or drunk for two days now," Gen said with concern.
"She swore that even if she dies, she will never serve her enemy."
"She has backbone," Arashi said simply.
He returned to the desk and opened the letter.
Its contents were the usual congratulations and declarations of loyalty.
It also mentioned that the Third Ninja World War was nearing its end, that Konoha had suffered heavy losses, and hoped the Daimyo Manor could allocate a special budget for reconstruction and ninja relief.
"They're good at calculations," Arashi muttered, tossing the letter into the candle flame and watching it burn to ash.
"They want both money and reputation. How can there be such good fortune in this world?"
Gen stayed silent.
"How are preparations for the coronation ceremony?" Arashi asked.
"They are being expedited. The first of next month is an auspicious day."
"Good, I understand."
Arashi waved his hand. "Go, bring Kiyotsuki Yui here."
"My Lord, this…" Gen hesitated.
"Her emotions are unstable right now. What if she offends you…"
"It's fine."
Arashi waved dismissively. "I want to see how strong a noble lady's resolve can be."
A quarter of an hour later, the study door opened again.
Two guards escorted a woman in a plain white kimono inside.
She was slender, pale-faced, but her back was perfectly straight.
Her long black hair was slightly disheveled.
She was Kiyotsuki Yui.
"You may leave," Arashi said.
The guards bowed and exited.
Yui glared at the man behind the desk, her eyes filled with hatred.
It was this man who had destroyed her family and taken everything from her.
"I heard you want to die?"
Arashi finished the last sip of ginseng soup and set the bowl down.
Yui stayed silent, her defiance clear.
"If you die, you'll have nothing left."
Arashi stood and walked toward her, looking down from above.
"Your father and brothers all regretted it before they died."
His voice was calm.
"You're lying! My father would never beg for mercy from someone as despicable as you!"
"Despicable?" Arashi smiled and pinched her chin.
"The winner takes all. My brothers were far more despicable when they tried to kill me. When your family handed them the knife, did you ever think this day would come?"
Yui struggled, but couldn't break free.
"Kill me!" she spat.
"Kill you?" Arashi shook his head and returned to his seat.
"That would be such a waste."
"You're beautiful. Be my maid. I think you're quite suitable."
"Dream on!" Yui screamed. "I'd rather die than suffer your humiliation!"
"Die?" Arashi laughed loudly, then tossed a dagger toward her. "Here, kill yourself."
"You…" Yui froze, trembling with anger and shock, staring at the dagger but not moving.
Seeing her hesitation, Arashi sneered. "Didn't you want to die? What's wrong? Afraid?"
"I…"
"Someone."
At his call, the guards entered again.
"Take Young Miss Kiyotsuki Yui to wash up, and make sure she's properly cleaned."
"Yes, My Lord."
The expressionless guards stepped forward.
Despair washed over Yui as they seized her arms and dragged her away.
Her struggles were weak and futile.
Silence returned to the study.
Arashi's brush hovered above the scroll, yet to touch the paper.
His consciousness sank inward, and a blue interface only he could see appeared.
[Daimyo System]
[Current Mission: Land of Fire Financial Reform (Phase One)]
[Mission Objective: Reduce Konoha Village's annual budget by 20%, and achieve preliminary control over the Land of Fire's economic lifeline.]
[Mission Reward: Unlock Talent Scan function.]
(To be continued.)
Quick Note: The MC is someone that schemes a lot. Even now that he's basically God-tier, he will rarely use his power. I mean, if he does use it to solve all problems, there's barely anything left to read. Also, he's a straight-up villain and dark-hearted, so don't complain later. If you don't mind, proceed reading : )
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