While Hiruzen was busy preparing for his journey, a conversation was taking place in the Uchiha Clan compound.
Shikaku sat opposite Mikoto. "Madam, forgive my unannounced visit."
"It's about the mysterious person who used the Sharingan that day..."
"Clan Head Shikaku, you're too polite. Fugaku is currently on a mission at the border of the Land of Lightning," Mikoto replied calmly. "I assure you, the Uchiha Clan knows nothing about this."
"This..."
Even so, Shikaku hesitated.
His gaze drifted toward Arashi, who was standing on the veranda.
Everyone knew that Uchiha Ragyō was now a consort by the Daimyo-sama's side.
With that relationship, some questions were difficult to ask.
Arashi noticed his hesitation and stepped forward.
"Shikaku."
"Daimyo-sama." Shikaku immediately stood.
"Do what needs to be done, ask what needs to be asked," Arashi said flatly. "Business is business."
Upon hearing that, Shikaku immediately felt reassured. He bowed before sitting again.
"Madam Mikoto, when the mysterious person attacked the village, where were the Uchiha clansmen?"
"They were outside, evacuating civilians," Mikoto replied. "You can ask the villagers."
Shikaku nodded, neither agreeing nor doubting.
The situation had been so chaotic then that even if he asked the villagers, they wouldn't remember clearly.
"Then..." Shikaku asked the most crucial question. "Does the Sharingan possess the ability to become intangible?"
"Impossible. Although the eye techniques of each Uchiha differ slightly after awakening, I have never seen any clan member awaken an ability as absurd as intangibility."
Mikoto denied it outright, then paused as if recalling something. "However, if it were the Mangekyō Sharingan, perhaps such an ability could exist."
"Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Yes." She nodded lightly. "But since that person left Konoha, no one in the clan has awakened the Mangekyō again."
"That person? Are you referring to..."
Seeing Mikoto's silent acknowledgment, Shikaku fell quiet.
Everyone present knew who she meant.
After asking a few more routine questions and confirming several details, Shikaku said, "Thank you for your cooperation, Madam Mikoto."
"It's my duty. Clan Head Shikaku, you've worked hard."
"It's nothing. It's all for Konoha."
After exchanging polite farewells, Shikaku departed.
Mikoto then turned to Arashi and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Daimyo-sama."
Arashi waved his hand, signaling her not to be so formal.
He already knew who had done it.
But Danzō was dead, and the Uchiha had marital ties to the Daimyo, so no one in Konoha dared accuse them carelessly.
Just as Arashi was about to continue his visit through the Uchiha compound, an Anbu appeared and reported, "Daimyo-sama, Tanaka Shigeru and several other ministers are already waiting at the manor."
Arashi immediately halted his steps and turned to leave.
"Tell them to wait for me at the high wall."
...At the pavilion on the hundred-meter-high wall.
Finance Minister Tanaka Shigeru and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were giving reports.
Tanaka said respectfully, "Reporting to Daimyo-sama, all matters in the Land of Hot Water have been properly arranged."
"The Daimyo of the Lands of Earth, Wind, and Water, along with their entourages, are already en route and will arrive within a few days."
"How are our troops prepared?" Arashi asked calmly.
Another official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied at once, "Reporting to Daimyo-sama! The Twelve Guardian Ninja have all assembled."
"The accompanying civil officials and ceremonial officers are also ready."
"We're only awaiting your command to depart!"
"Good." Arashi turned to the Anbu beside him. "Bring the Raikage and the others. We depart immediately."
"Yes!"
"Depart."
With that single command, Arashi was the first to descend the high wall.
Below, in the square before the great gate of the Land of Fire, a solemn and luxurious procession had already gathered.
Meanwhile, the Raikage, Killer B, and Mabui were roughly shoved into a prison cart behind the imperial carriage, looking like captives awaiting judgment.
Under the eyes of all, Arashi stepped into the carriage.
This time, he brought no women, for it was not a pleasure trip.
"Set off."
"Farewell, Daimyo-sama!"
Above the city wall, Minato and several Konoha officials bowed deeply.
"Wooo—"
A deep and solemn horn echoed.
The grand procession began to move slowly.
Wheels turned, banners fluttered, and the convoy set forth.
All Konoha villagers who saw it lowered their heads respectfully, not daring to look directly.
At the same time.
In the depths of the Daimyo Manor of the Land of Lightning.
In a secluded courtyard cut off from the world, time seemed frozen.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning hurried through the corridor, his face full of anxiety.
In the courtyard, a middle-aged woman in a kimono knelt before a low table, quietly pruning a bonsai.
Her appearance was not particularly striking, and faint crow's feet marked the corners of her eyes.
But her movements were elegant and deliberate, exuding quiet nobility.
Her name was Chiba Tsuru.
"What have you decided about the matter I asked you to help me with last time?" the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning demanded hoarsely.
The scissors in her hand snipped, cutting off a fully bloomed orchid.
"Daimyo-sama, I already told you," she said softly without turning, her tone light but tinged with mockery. "I no longer have any connection to the Land of Fire."
"You!"
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning's face flushed at her biting words. He circled around to face Tsuru, his expression caught between anger and desperation.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Arashi! He's your nephew, your own nephew!" he shouted.
"The reports have arrived. The Raikage and the Jinchūriki were captured alive, and three thousand elite troops were taken prisoner!"
"The Land of Lightning stands on the brink of ruin!" His tone softened, almost pleading. "This is our... this is the Land of Lightning's last chance!"
Tsuru finally looked up, her cold eyes silently studying her nominal husband.
Her face remained calm, but her heart was full of scorn.
A chance?
Yes, it was a chance.
But not the Land of Lightning's chance—hers.
In Konoha Year 37, as a symbol of peace, she had been married into the Land of Lightning with great honor.
At that time, her nephew Arashi had only been six years old.
But her days of glory lasted only two years before everything changed.
In Konoha Year 39, the Third Ninja World War broke out.
As a princess of the Land of Fire, she had quickly become a political burden in the Land of Lightning. Her former glory became her original sin.
It was then that the man before her had ruthlessly cast her aside, confining her in isolation.
This elegant courtyard was her gilded cage for ten long years.
Ten years of humiliation and loneliness had eroded every trace of affection, leaving behind nothing but hatred engraved in her bones.
Now, when desperation had cornered him, he remembered her again, this discarded tool?
How laughable.
Looking at the panic and pleading on his face, Tsuru suddenly felt her mood lighten.
She rose slowly, her eyes fixed on him.
"Daimyo-sama."
"Are you referring to the man who climbed onto the throne over the corpses of all his brothers?"
"Do you truly think someone who could discard even kinship would care about me, an aunt he hasn't seen in ten years?"
"If you're willing to go, I'll agree to anything!"
"As long as you go!" The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning clutched at this lifeline. "If you can persuade the Land of Fire to withdraw its troops..."
"I'll immediately annul our marriage and restore your status as a princess of the Land of Fire!"
"I'll send an honor guard, prepare rich gifts, and personally escort you back to apologize to the Land of Fire!"
"I'll give you whatever you want!"
Tsuru sneered inwardly.
Freedom?
I don't need you to give it to me.
I'll take it back with my own hands, along with the ten years you owe me—a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
On her face, however, she showed only a weary expression.
She remained silent for a long time, so long that the Daimyo thought she had refused.
Then, a faint sigh broke the silence.
"...I understand."
"I'll go with you."
"But Daimyo-sama, do not harbor any hope."
Hearing this, the Daimyo's face lit up with joy. "Good! Good! We'll depart immediately!"
He hurried off to arrange the trip.
The courtyard fell silent once more.
Tsuru looked down at the cut orchid on the ground.
She walked over and crushed it beneath her foot.
When she lifted her gaze toward the Land of Fire, there was no weakness in her eyes.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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