Only two days remained until the Coronation Ceremony.
Fire Capital, a city that had just undergone a bloody purge, was not in chaos. Instead, it was orderly.
The streets were spotless, and the nobles and ronin who used to roam freely were nowhere to be seen.
In their place were teams of sharp-eyed guards clad in armor.
They patrolled every street corner in groups of three.
A carriage adorned with the Uchiha Clan fan crest slowly entered the city.
Inside the carriage, Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and the Clan Chiefs of the Ino–Shika–Chō families rode together, conversing merrily.
However, due to Akimichi Choza's presence, it felt a bit crowded.
Just then, Hiashi's expression changed slightly, and veins bulged around his eyes.
"Hiashi, what's wrong?"
Nara Shikaku, who was beside him, noticed the change and quickly asked.
The others also cast inquiring glances.
Hiashi did not answer immediately. His Byakugan penetrated the carriage, scanning the surrounding buildings, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Something's not right…"
After a long while, he slowly spoke. "The defenses of this Capital are more than just the guards we see."
"Oh?" Shikaku's interest was piqued.
"There are ninja hidden at every critical intersection," Hiashi said in a solemn tone.
Fugaku snorted. "Are they the Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
Hiashi shook his head. "Their Chakra fluctuations are unfamiliar, and there are about thirty-odd of them, but…"
"Of all the people I've detected, the weakest are at least Chūnin level. Some of their Chakra are even on par with ours."
The carriage instantly fell silent.
The relaxed expressions on everyone's faces vanished.
A ninja force of over thirty individuals, at least Chūnin level, and with experts of elite Jōnin level?
This power was enough to instigate a coup in a small country.
Moreover, this force did not belong to Konoha. It seemed to be the doing of that Daimyo.
"This is troublesome…"
Shikaku rubbed his forehead, muttering to himself. "This young Daimyo is very assertive."
In another carriage, two figures sat within it.
It was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Minato Namikaze behind him.
"Minato, do you feel it?"
Hiruzen scanned the surrounding streets, his tone deep.
Minato nodded, looking at the orderly streets. "Yes, this Daimyo is very capable."
Hiruzen sighed, his gaze directed toward the distant, majestic Daimyo Manor.
"Indeed. I just wonder if this Daimyo still remembers the blood Konoha shed for the Land of Fire."
After speaking, he looked serious and turned to Minato.
"During this great war, we suffered heavy losses, and the Village, both internally and externally, needs an explanation. As the Third Hokage, it's time for me to take responsibility for all of this."
His words were full of self-reproach, but Minato understood the deeper meaning beneath them.
Take responsibility. How to take responsibility?
By resigning from the position of Hokage to take responsibility.
This was both a gesture of accepting responsibility and a tactical retreat.
Daimyo Manor, in a side hall.
The delegations from the Daimyo Manors of the Land of Lightning, Land of Wind, Land of Earth, and Land of Water had already been arranged to wait here.
The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
The envoy from the Land of Lightning was a burly noble, dressed lavishly, his face full of arrogance, with two Kumogakure ninja guards behind him, exuding an intimidating aura.
The envoy from the Land of Earth was short, appearing to be a civil official, stroking his beard silently, also with two Iwagakure ninja guards behind him.
The envoy from the Land of Wind was a middle-aged official with a weathered face, and behind him stood a masked female ninja with dangerous eyes.
Most striking was the delegation from the Land of Water.
The envoy was a pale-faced, gloomy young noble, and the guard standing behind him was Biwa Jūzō, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Hmph, making so many of us wait here, this is hardly proper hospitality."
The envoy from the Land of Lightning was the first to break the silence, his voice rough and tone displeased.
Although the others did not speak, their faces showed dissatisfaction.
Just then, the door of the side hall was pushed open, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
The person who walked in was a young woman.
The woman carried a tray with exquisite pastries on it.
She lowered her head, moving with light steps, placing the pastries one by one on everyone's tables.
The gloomy noble whistled with interest, the sound not loud but particularly jarring.
"Oh, the Land of Fire's maid, she's quite pretty."
The woman seemed not to have heard. After placing the last pastry, she bowed and retreated to the side, standing with her hands clasped.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door again.
This time, it was the Daimyo Manor's old butler, Gen.
"My Lords, thank you for waiting," Gen bowed. "Daimyo has specially ordered this old man to arrange lodging for you, My Lords."
The envoy from the Land of Lightning snorted. "The Land of Fire's hospitality leaves much to be desired."
Gen's smile remained unchanged.
"Daimyo said that since you, My Lords, have traveled a long way and endured hardships, you should rest well. Tomorrow evening, Daimyo Manor will host a banquet to welcome you, My Lords."
With words spoken to this extent, the envoy from the Land of Lightning found it difficult to make a scene.
---
Daimyo Manor.
Arashi stood by the window, looking down at his Capital.
In his consciousness, on the interface of the [Daimyo System], points of light representing powerful individuals lit up one by one.
Uchiha, Hyuga, the Ino–Shika–Chō families. Inuzuka, Aburame. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze. And the ninja guards in the delegations of the Four Great Nations. "They've almost all arrived."
"Are all the arrangements made?"
"Yes, My Lord, all have been properly arranged," Gen's voice came from behind him.
"Very good."
Arashi turned around, his gaze falling on an invitation.
This was sent by Hiruzen, arranging to pay a visit tomorrow.
His finger tapped on Hiruzen's name.
He was somewhat looking forward to tomorrow's arrival.
(To be continued.)
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