Fire Country Daimyo Residence.
"Daimyo-sama."
"Uzumaki Kyusei of Konoha requests an audience."
Inside the grand hall, a balding attendant knelt respectfully before a middle-aged man dressed in ornate robes.
The Fire Country Daimyo smiled.
"The Nine-Tails jinchūriki said to be unmatched on the battlefield?"
"Yes, Daimyo-sama."
"Then let him in at once."
"I wish to see this 'war god' for myself."
The attendant withdrew.
As he left, an armored man stepped forward.
"Daimyo-sama, Uzumaki Kyusei is ruthless. He wiped out the entire Kusagakure—no survivors."
"He may not come with good intentions."
Before he could finish, an elderly scholar in long robes stepped out.
"You worry too much, General."
"Since the First Hokage, Konoha has always respected the Daimyo."
"They defend us, we supply them. Peace has been maintained for decades."
"The Third Hokage has passed. Kyusei is likely here regarding the Fourth Hokage."
The general snapped back angrily.
"Then why isn't Mitokado Homura or Utatane Koharu here?!"
"They're still alive!"
"You brute!"
"They're old and should retire!"
"Should the next generation never rise?!"
The two argued fiercely.
The general fell silent.
Among the court—
He had the least influence.
Ninja handled war.
Others handled governance.
He… patrolled the palace.
"Enough."
The Daimyo waved his fan.
"…Have him remove his ninja tools."
"Daimyo-sama!"
The general protested.
Kyusei didn't need tools to kill.
"No more discussion."
The Daimyo dismissed it.
To him—
Konoha had brought unprecedented prosperity.
There was no reason for hostility.
Moments later—
Kyusei entered.
Red hair, Leaf uniform, steady steps.
"Good. Good. Good."
The Daimyo praised repeatedly.
"Konoha shinobi, Uzumaki Kyusei, greets the Daimyo."
Kyusei spoke calmly.
"I've long heard of your reputation."
"Indeed, worthy of the White Fang's disciple."
"Flattered."
Kyusei remained indifferent.
"How dare you show such disrespect!"
The general barked.
"It's fine."
The Daimyo waved it off.
Kyusei turned to the general.
"And you are?"
"I am Tokugawa Ieyasu, Great General of Fire Country!"
"I see."
Kyusei smiled faintly.
"Your name will be engraved on your tomb."
Before anyone could react—
A golden blade pierced the general's chest.
Instant kill.
Silence.
Shock.
"What—?!"
The Daimyo froze.
Several figures instantly appeared, shielding him.
Fire-marked waistbands.
"The Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
Kyusei chuckled.
"Why only five?"
"Kyusei!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Rebelling?!"
The leader's voice trembled.
Sweat ran down his face.
He knew—
This man was a monster.
"I could kill you anytime I want."
Kyusei said lightly.
"…Duty above all."
"Even in death."
The guard stood firm.
"Kyusei… what do you want?"
The Daimyo stammered.
"That general died in one strike."
Kyusei stepped forward.
"Konoha has protected Fire Country for decades."
"We have fulfilled our duty."
"It's time you recognize reality."
"Abolish the Daimyo system."
"Transfer authority to the Hokage."
The hall exploded.
"Traitor!"
"Villain!"
"You dare covet the Daimyo's power?!"
"You are merely tools!"
The elderly scholar rushed forward, shouting.
"And you are?"
"ISHIDA KAZUHIDE!"
A blade pierced his chest.
He fell.
"I'll repeat."
"I'm not taking the Daimyo's position."
"I'm abolishing it."
"Fire Country belongs to the Hokage."
Kyusei looked at the pale Daimyo.
"You have three seconds."
The hall trembled.
Not usurpation—
Erasure.
"You… you…"
The Daimyo shook uncontrollably.
"Die!"
One guard charged.
"Lightning Style—!"
A golden spear appeared—
Piercing his throat mid-jutsu.
Blood splattered across the hall.
"Annoying."
Kyusei glanced at him.
"Well?"
"I… agree…"
"Authority… transferred…"
"The Daimyo… abolished…"
The Daimyo collapsed into submission.
Kyusei nodded and tossed a prepared decree onto the table.
"Stamp it."
The Daimyo obeyed immediately.
"Now—"
"All ministers, sign as witnesses."
A man stepped forward angrily—
Only to be flung into the spear, impaled beside the corpse.
Silence.
One by one—
They pressed their handprints.
—
Outside the palace—
Tobirama waited.
"Don't make me do this again."
Kyusei tossed the decree to him.
Tobirama caught it, satisfied.
"I couldn't appear."
"You were the perfect choice."
"Your reputation instills fear."
"And draws attention."
"Other Daimyo will force their villages to oppose us."
"Saves us the trouble."
"And these ministers will govern for us."
Kyusei snorted.
"Don't tell Kaoru."
"We'll align our story."
Tobirama nodded.
Kaoru was too kind.
She wouldn't approve.
So—
They acted first.
Kyusei didn't disagree.
With Konoha's current power—
There was no need for a "figurehead ruler."
On the way back—
Kyusei asked casually:
"What about the Daimyo family?"
Tobirama smiled faintly.
"Who knows?"
"Perhaps… a fire will break out one night."
Kyusei smirked.
"Old fox."
"Likewise."
—
Hokage Office.
Kaoru reviewed documents.
Tobirama placed the decree before her.
"…What's this?"
"Take a look."
She read it fully.
No expression changed.
Then she sighed.
"You did this alone?"
"Yes."
"The Daimyo system is outdated."
"They've enjoyed a thousand years already."
Tobirama didn't mention Kyusei.
"Cleanup handled?"
Kaoru asked calmly.
"Three months."
"A fire."
"No survivors."
"Official cause: accident."
Kaoru nodded.
"Make it clean."
"Don't stain Konoha."
"And prepare administrators."
"No chaos."
Tobirama smiled.
"As you wish…"
"My Hokage."
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