Throughout history, the Daimyō of the various lands in the shinobi world had always ruled their nations.
Since Hashirama Senju established the Hidden Village system, the scale of warfare had exploded, yet the nations found themselves forced to employ these villages to face invading foes.
The military might of the nations was rapidly supplanted by the Hidden Villages.
The villages served the nation; the nation provided for the villages.
The Daimyō originally believed this mutually beneficial model of cooperation would last forever. But now, Kakashi's actions had clearly shattered that balance.
If even the political affairs of the Land of Fire required the Hokage's approval, then what exactly was he—the Daimyō—supposed to be?
Hearing this, the Daimyō could no longer maintain his previous facade of hypocrisy. He stared with a dark, brooding expression at the man before him, who appeared as calm as a gentle breeze.
With a few casual words, this man had stripped away the power that rightfully belonged to him. The most pathetic part was that he didn't even possess the strength to resist.
"Do you have an objection?"
"Lord Daimyō?"
Listening to Kakashi's words, the Daimyō's heart surged with fury.
Lord... Daimyō?
He wasn't even trying to act anymore!
"Lord Hokage, don't you think this proposal is a bit much?"
The Daimyō's fists clenched tightly. He wanted to resist—to fight back against all of this. But looking into those eyes, the indignation rising in his heart could only wither away into dejection.
Resistance? For a shinobi, that was a luxury.
"A bit much?"
"My suggestion would effectively increase the strength of this nation. Yet, Lord Daimyō, not only did you disagree, but you also arranged for your subordinates to detain and execute my people to test my attitude."
"That is what's 'a bit much.'"
Kakashi ignored the Daimyō's rage entirely, walking toward the exit step by step. He didn't want to linger here.
"Since Lord Daimyō is so wary of Konoha, why bother with these empty pleasantries?"
"I am a straightforward person. If Lord Daimyō hadn't done anything unnecessary, perhaps none of this would have happened."
Kakashi paused and looked toward Itachi Uchiha.
"Itachi, kill this clown."
Without a moment's hesitation, Itachi's hand rose and his blade fell. A large head rolled to the Daimyō's feet, startling him so much that he scrambled backward in a panic.
"Lord Daimyō, please rest assured. I won't kill you. After all, you still share a bit of blood with Konoha's Elder."
As Kakashi spoke, Asuma, standing to the side, looked at him with hesitation. He felt that the current Kakashi, as Hokage, was far more decisive than he had been three years ago. He wanted to say something but didn't know how to begin.
As if seeing through Asuma's heart, Kakashi spoke calmly:
"Asuma, can you summon all of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve?"
Asuma looked at the man before him. Perhaps because of the other's status as Hokage, Asuma, as a Konoha shinobi, subconsciously replied in the affirmative.
But only after speaking did he react. Why was Kakashi calling for all the Guardian Shinobi Twelve?
Asuma didn't believe for a second that Kakashi was simply bored and wanted to get to know them. Having just ruthlessly executed the leader of the Guardian Twelve, his purpose in calling the rest was self-evident.
"Kakashi... among them... there are those who weren't in league with Kazuma."
Asuma wanted to fight for a chance for the comrades he had spent three years with.
"Oh?"
"So you're saying some of them were in league with Kazuma?"
Asuma's words made Kakashi look back at him. This sent a shiver through Asuma's heart.
He knew then that the Guardian Shinobi Twelve were finished.
Others might not know, but as the son of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he knew full well. The mastermind who, three years ago, showed no mercy in using a Water Style jutsu to submerge half the Land of Frost wasn't Jiraiya—it was the Fifth Hokage standing right in front of him.
To expect him to let off a group that contained those who opposed him was a pipe dream.
"Kakashi..."
Asuma stared blankly at him. It was only now that he truly understood the man he had grown up with. Asuma wanted to dissuade Kakashi, as there were innocent people among the Twelve.
But he had essentially witnessed Kakashi's entire growth with his own eyes. The genius ninja who once lost everything had grown, step by step, into this iron-blooded Hokage.
Asuma knew that in private, it was fine to joke with Kakashi—the man might even tease him back. But in this setting, on this issue...
No one could stop Kakashi's will.
"I... understand."
Asuma lowered his head.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Looking at Asuma, who had been away from Konoha for three years and now looked rather unkempt, Kakashi gently patted his shoulder.
"Kakashi, could you... spare the Daimyō's life?"
In the end, Asuma abandoned the issue of the Guardian Twelve and looked back with some pity at the Daimyō, who stood rooted to the spot, lost in thought.
"I can do that."
Looking at Asuma, Kakashi wasn't surprised by the request. If Asuma could discard three years of loyalty between master and servant just like that, he wouldn't be Asuma.
"Go back. The old man is getting on in years."
Kakashi didn't say much more to the man. He simply gave a low murmur and cast a look toward Itachi Uchiha.
Itachi understood immediately and left with Asuma to find the remaining Guardian Shinobi Twelve.
Kakashi had no interest in meeting such insignificant people. Even their so-called leader, Kazuma, was no match for a single strike from Itachi, let alone the others.
The incident at the Daimyō's estate sent shockwaves through the officials and nobles of the Land of Fire.
However...
Looking at the sycophantic officials and nobles before him, a trace of disdainful mockery appeared on Kakashi's face. Despite his disgust for these people, he couldn't deny that he currently needed their power to stabilize the country.
Kakashi stayed at the Daimyō's estate for three days. He handpicked five hundred shinobi to be stationed there. Among them were members from all the great clans of Konoha, capable of sustaining a small-scale battle. Additionally, he selected two rare Uchiha members with three-tomoe Sharingan.
Should the Daimyō show any abnormal behavior, they were to use genjutsu to control him without hesitation.
The captain of these five hundred men was a member of the Nara clan named Suzaku Nara.
"Lord Hokage."
Inside the empty great hall, Kakashi sat in the seat formerly occupied by the Daimyō, holding a memorial as he looked at the man kneeling before him.
"You understand the task I've called you for, don't you?" Kakashi asked indifferently, glancing at the report regarding the construction of warships.
"This subordinate understands!"
Suzaku Nara bowed his head, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. This mission seemingly involved monitoring and house-arresting the former master of the Land of Fire, but in reality, under the Hokage's orders, it meant taking control of the nation's entire political administration!
This was the Land of Fire—the strongest and wealthiest nation in the shinobi world! Such a heavy responsibility was like a golden opportunity falling straight into his lap.
While Suzaku felt the excitement, he also knew exactly who had given this to him: the Hokage before him.
Looking at the compliant man, Kakashi's expression showed no change. He wouldn't let Suzaku Nara hold onto this power forever. After all, power breeds ambition in the human heart.
While Kakashi didn't fear it, dealing with it case by case was a hassle. It was better to save himself the trouble. Every four years, he planned to rotate someone else in to manage the country on his behalf.
This way, those who stepped down from the position would have extensive administrative experience and could manage specific regions within the Land of Fire. This would slowly replace the sycophants Kakashi so loathed.
Of course, that was provided they remained loyal to him.
"Since you understand, go and prepare. Neither I nor you have experience in this; you need to understand everything thoroughly. That is the priority."
Kakashi walked up to Suzaku and handed him the memorial concerning the warships.
"Yes! By your command!"
Suzaku's hands trembled slightly as he took the document, as if he were taking hold of the Land of Fire itself.
"Dismissed."
Watching the man leave with his head bowed, a strange light flickered in Kakashi's eyes.
As expected... for a man, power is the greatest motivator.
After sending Suzaku to prepare, Kakashi also intended to depart. He looked back at the throne that symbolized the Daimyō's status, a flash of contempt crossing his eyes.
No matter how great the power, one must have the strength to back it up. Otherwise, without power equal to one's status, the fate of the currently confined Daimyō was the inevitable end.
No, it would be worse. At least this Daimyō was still alive, wasn't he?
Under the absolute strength of the shinobi, while the Land of Fire was still nominally led by the Daimyō, it was actually controlled by Kakashi, the Hokage.
With a single order, all mechanical talents within the administrative system arrived at the Land of Fire's ports to dismantle and study the steel warships. Blueprints for various parts were sent to mechanical factories across the country to begin mass production.
At the same time, heavy industries like shipyards and steel mills were given prioritized support, running twenty-four hours a day without pause. Whenever difficulties arose, the Land of Fire's treasury immediately released funds.
Furthermore, a large number of Konoha shinobi were dispatched to clear out bandits and outlaws within the borders. All wandering shinobi were required to be registered to ensure a stable working environment for the mining and steel industries.
If any unknown shinobi were discovered and refused to cooperate, Konoha shinobi were authorized to hunt them down until they were driven out of the Land of Fire.
Suddenly, the Land of Fire was a whirlwind of activity.
This drew the attention of other powers, and the Daimyō of the Wind, Lightning, Water, and Earth nations sent letters of inquiry. Kakashi brushed them off in the name of the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
The internal affairs of the Land of Fire were no business of outsiders.
While the movements within the country were significant, most people didn't actually care. In their view, the Land of Fire was simply wasting energy. So-called technology was nothing in the face of a shinobi's power.
It was just like Hizashi Hyūga's assessment of the diesel engine years ago: nothing but clever trivialities.
Kakashi sat in the Hokage's office, flipping through documents, his gaze sweeping over the nervous young man before him.
"Lo—Lord Hokage, what do you think?"
Katasuke Tōno looked at Kakashi, filled with unease. He was just an insignificant desk-bound chunin in the village. Though he held the idea—considered naive by his colleagues—that even those without enough talent as a shinobi could use ninjutsu through other means, he had never given up.
He thought he would spend his life being mocked by others. Who could have known that one day, a shinobi claiming to be from the ANBU would tell him the Hokage wanted to see him?
The Hokage wanted to see a low-level clerk in charge of a logistics warehouse?
Katasuke didn't dare delay and arrived at the office as fast as possible.
"The idea is good. Do you have any leads?"
Kakashi set down the initial research data on Scientific Ninja Tools and rubbed his temples. He had been so busy lately that he felt a bit exhausted.
"Currently, due to the lack of a lab and specialized shinobi to assist, I haven't... I haven't been able to start actual practice."
Katasuke scratched his head and gave a shy, embarrassed smile.
"I see. I'll authorize a research lab for you and find various types of shinobi in the village to cooperate with your experiments. I hope you won't let me down."
Kakashi nodded, not questioning the man's ideas in the slightest.
"Th—Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Katasuke looked at Kakashi in disbelief and immediately dropped to one knee, speaking with deep emotion. For the longest time, his ideas had been rejected by everyone. His colleagues laughed at him, his family said he was neglecting his duties, and even his friends drifted away.
Now, he had actually gained the Hokage's favor. This wasn't just an endorsement of his vision; it was proof of his talent!
He, Katasuke Tōno, wasn't a fool—he was a genius! A genius recognized by the Hokage!
"Go now. If you need anything, just ask."
Kakashi waved his hand, signaling Katasuke to leave. After he was gone, Kakashi sat in his chair, his brow furrowing slightly.
The mass production of warships was underway. Within three years, the Land of Fire could field four fleets. Four fleets were enough for the Land of Fire's current needs. At present, only the Land of Water excelled at naval warfare, so four fleets were more than sufficient.
Manufacturing warships wasn't just about a bunch of steel boats; it was about the various technological weapons on those ships. It would be a waste to use these only for naval power. As a transmigrator, Kakashi naturally knew the importance of an army.
At this thought, Kakashi's eyes opened slightly, and he ordered the ANBU Commander, Yamato, to come in.
Having finished his rest, Hayate Gekkō, who had been on standby, immediately left the office. Within moments, Yamato appeared before Kakashi in a hurry.
The hunt for wandering shinobi in the Land of Fire had cost him a great deal of mental energy lately. Many wandering shinobi had left their villages precisely because they didn't want to be restrained. Now that Konoha wanted them registered and under the jurisdiction of the Land of Fire, they couldn't stand it. Thus, a game of cat and mouse ensued.
Except for those monitoring the village, almost the entire ANBU had been deployed across the Land of Fire to capture people. Yamato was incredibly busy because of it.
"Lord Hokage, you summoned me?" Yamato said respectfully.
"There's something I need you to handle." Kakashi beckoned Yamato closer. "The Daimyō of the Land of Snow, Dotō Kazahana. Bring him to see me."
Only after Yamato approached did Kakashi speak, but the coldness in his words made Yamato's expression shift slightly.
A Daimyō. Even the Daimyō of a small nation was still a Daimyō. Yamato knew about the Land of Fire Daimyō's situation, but seeing the cold light in Kakashi's eyes, he lowered his voice and said:
"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. Within five days, his head will be on your desk. Please trust me on this; I'm a professional. No news will leak out."
Hearing Yamato's bloodthirsty response, Kakashi stared blankly for a moment.
Well, this guy had the wrong idea.
"No, I want him to appear before me completely unharmed."
Kakashi corrected Yamato's overly extreme notion.
"Ah, I see." Yamato scratched his head, realizing he had misinterpreted the intent.
"I'll give you a bit more time. Complete this mission within seven days."
Yamato immediately took the order and withdrew. Seven days to take the Daimyō of the Land of Snow.
Once Yamato left, Kakashi breathed a small sigh of relief.
Warship production was in full swing. Soon, Dotō Kazahana would be brought back to Konoha by Yamato without a sound. The sky fortress, Ancor Vantian, was already stationed in the mountains behind Konoha. Now, he just had to wait for Jiraiya to find the Gelel Stone vein to begin preparations for the mass production of Ancor Vantian.
As for ground forces, with Katasuke Tōno, Dotō Kazahana, and the chakra technology blueprints from Ancor Vantian and the warships, research could begin.
Kakashi rubbed the space between his eyebrows and looked out the window at Konoha, which seemed no different than usual. He felt a sense of poignancy. Not just himself, but the entire Land of Fire was moving forward step by step.
As the window was opened, the breeze carried a blue butterfly, which fluttered down onto Kakashi's finger. Watching the butterfly, a thought struck him.
The Sage Modes of the Three Great Sage Regions belonged to toads, slugs, and snakes. But could the Sage Mode he inherited from Hashirama Senju—the one belonging to humans themselves—be taught to more people through some means?
From start to finish, Kakashi never forgot that the strength of one person was just individual power. While the sea, land, and air systems he was currently building were enough to raise the Land of Fire's power to a new level, his ultimate goal wasn't the Five Great Nations.
It was the Ōtsutsuki Clan from outer space.
These so-called conventional forces were just a means to consolidate the strength of the shinobi world. To truly face the Ōtsutsuki, he needed masters. True masters.
Flicking the butterfly away, Kakashi felt the natural energy around him and rubbed his fingers together. Before anything else, he needed to gather the experts in the village to research Sage Mode together.
He wanted a way for even those without the natural talent, or with insufficient talent, to be able to practice Sage Mode.
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