"Then kill them all and promote new people from the next tier down."
Uchiha Yuzuru snorted coldly. "There's no shortage of people eager to claim the status of nobles and aristocrats."
After hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's words, all the ministers present couldn't help but reveal expressions of terror.
None of them had imagined that this seemingly harmless young man before them could be so ruthless and merciless.
The quick-witted ministers immediately dropped to their knees, shouting loudly: "We pledge our loyalty to you from now on, my lord! Please spare our lives!"
Watching the once high-and-mighty ministers kneel on the ground, anxiously awaiting their judgment, Uchiha Fugaku, Hatake Sakumo, and Ai all felt deeply conflicted.
Had they truly been ruled by people like this in the past?
To sacrifice so many lives for people like these—what an injustice to their fallen comrades!
"Fugaku, place seals on them. If they dare harbor other thoughts, wipe out their entire families!"
Seeing the ministers submit voluntarily, Uchiha Yuzuru didn't pursue total annihilation.
After all, this was merely a transitional period of power. Letting them live for now was fine.
Once everything stabilized in the future, these ministers would no longer be necessary.
Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's order, Uchiha Fugaku immediately nodded in agreement.
He then began placing seals on the ministers' bodies.
While Uchiha Fugaku was busy with his work, Hatake Sakumo spoke up: "Yuzuru, what should we say about today's events?"
Uchiha Yuzuru replied without hesitation: "Say the daimyo slipped and drowned, and the new daimyo received a divine revelation in a dream instructing them to cede authority to the shinobi!"
"Not one word changed?"
"Not one word!"
After arranging the subsequent series of matters, Uchiha Yuzuru found a place to train.
Though he had killed the daimyo today and brought the Land of Lightning under control, once word spread that the daimyo was subordinate to shinobi, it would surely cause massive upheaval throughout the shinobi world.
The daimyo of other nations would never allow this to stand unchallenged in order to maintain their own rule.
A hard battle was very likely coming next.
Under Uchiha Yuzuru's overwhelming power, the shinobi supremacy plan progressed exceptionally smoothly.
Those pampered nobles chose submission the moment they faced the bloody blade.
In just one week, Uchiha Yuzuru had completely taken control of the entire capital, Kyoto.
The newly appointed daimyo personally promoted the ideology of authority granted to shinobi.
The smooth progress left Ai, Hatake Sakumo, and Uchiha Fugaku all somewhat dumbfounded.
Their illusions completely shattered, and they became even more resolute in their convictions.
Not knowing before was one thing, but now that they understood—allowing these cowardly people to continue riding roughshod over them was absolutely intolerable!
However, as events unfolded, the entire Land of Lightning became turbulent.
Daimyo's residence.
Uchiha Yuzuru sat in the seat of honor while the newly appointed daimyo knelt beside him in attendance.
She was the eldest princess of the previous daimyo—gentle in temperament and clearheaded.
After recognizing reality, she had actively cooperated with Uchiha Yuzuru's plan.
The current smooth progress of the plan was partly thanks to her efforts.
"Yuzuru, a message from the Raikage."
Uchiha Fugaku entered, and seeing the daimyo kneeling to the side, his heart filled with emotion.
Whether it was back in Konoha or now facing the lofty daimyo...
Situations that seemed completely unsolvable—yet Yuzuru always managed to brute-force his way to unexpected outcomes.
It seemed he'd need to adopt a bolder approach in his own actions from now on.
Uchiha Yuzuru ate a grape and said casually: "Fugaku, what did the Third Hokage say?"
"Military Police Forces have been established in various locations, centered in small towns and radiating out to surrounding villages, responsible for public security matters."
"It's just that we may not have enough shinobi. The Raikage wants to hear your opinion on personnel selection."
"Also, the Raikage said some local nobles are being uncooperative, claiming we murdered the daimyo."
After hearing Uchiha Fugaku's report, Uchiha Yuzuru said indifferently: "Let the Third handle the Military Police Force matter himself. The shortage of shinobi can be shelved for now—with the transformation of shinobi status, there will be no shortage of people wanting to become shinobi in the future."
"As for those who resist...
Just kill all the stubborn ones."
"Those who can't keep up with the times are destined to be eliminated."
Hearing this, the daimyo kneeling nearby trembled involuntarily.
How fortunate she had not chosen to oppose this person—otherwise, she'd probably be a corpse by now.
At that thought, the daimyo lowered her head even further.
From now on, she must work hard to please Uchiha Yuzuru.
As for revenge...
Don't be ridiculous. Overwhelming power was enough to erase all hatred.
That he hadn't eradicated the roots was something she should be grateful for.
While the daimyo was lost in thought, Uchiha Fugaku said with some concern: "Yuzuru, quite a few people oppose this. If we kill them all, won't it affect our image?"
Though he had just decided to be bolder in his actions, killing all dissenters still seemed a bit too extreme.
They would be the nation's rulers in the future—shouldn't they be concerned about their reputation?
After hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, Uchiha Yuzuru chuckled: "Fugaku, don't worry. Just do as I say."
"Once we succeed, people will naturally speak in our defense."
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru's confident manner, Uchiha Fugaku said no more and turned to leave.
After he departed, Uchiha Yuzuru said to the daimyo beside him: "Bring me a map of the Land of Lightning."
To get rich, first build roads.
Now that he had become the Land of Lightning's controller, the infrastructure fanatic within him was becoming impossible to suppress.
While the Land of Lightning's revolution proceeded in full swing, this transformation triggered massive upheaval throughout the shinobi world.
The daimyo of various nations denounced the Land of Lightning's act of placing shinobi status above the daimyo, claiming that Kumogakure's shinobi had staged a coup, and that they would clear out these bandits on behalf of the Land of Lightning's daimyo.
Land of Wind.
Sunagakure.
Looking at the funds and supplies provided by the Land of Wind's daimyo, the Third Kazekage's face was full of smiles.
Since taking office, the village's finances had always been extremely tight.
This was the first time he'd seen so much money.
Chiyo, standing to the side, saw the Third Kazekage's money-obsessed expression and couldn't help reminding him: "Third, what do you plan to do about this matter?"
"Kumogakure has always coveted our Kekkai Genkai. Last time, the Uchiha clan killed so many of our shinobi. Now that they're courting death themselves, this is the perfect opportunity for revenge."
"Moreover..."
The Third Kazekage sneered: "The Land of Lightning is rich in all kinds of resources. After we invade, we can seize some mineral deposits and never worry about financial shortages again."
"Failure?"
The Third Kazekage snorted disdainfully. "This time, the four nations' daimyo spoke simultaneously, ordering us to form a shinobi alliance. No matter how strong Kumogakure is, can they defeat all four of our great shinobi villages?"
Seeing that Chiyo wanted to say more, the Third Kazekage slammed the table: "Enough. The matter is settled."
"We'll dispatch three thousand shinobi and loot to our heart's content!"
Land of Earth.
Iwagakure.
Kitsuchi placed a scroll before Onoki and asked gravely: "Father, the daimyo has ordered us to join forces with Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure to attack Kumogakure. What do you think?"
Onoki floated in mid-air, hands behind his back, gazing out the window: "Kitsuchi, we'll send a thousand shinobi this time just as a token gesture."
Kitsuchi was somewhat surprised and couldn't help asking: "Is that really wise?"
"If the daimyo punishes us afterward..."
"Hmph!"
Onoki turned back and looked at Kitsuchi. "You have no idea how terrifying the Uchiha clan's Mangekyo Sharingan truly is."
"If Senju Hashirama hadn't stopped Uchiha Madara back then, whether there would even be daimyo in the shinobi world is questionable."
"Now that the Uchiha have produced another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, I think it's best not to provoke them deliberately."
"Besides, what Kumogakure can do, Iwagakure may be able to do as well."
Kitsuchi was stunned by Onoki's words.
Did his outwardly honest and straightforward father also want to emulate Uchiha Yuzuru and move against the Land of Earth's daimyo?!
Indeed, compared to his father, he was still too naive.
At that thought, Kitsuchi couldn't help saying: "Truly worthy of you, Father. You're so cunning."
"Cough, cough..."
Onoki nearly spat blood from Kitsuchi's words.
What do you mean cunning? This is called far-sighted planning!
"Kitsuchi, don't use idioms if you're uneducated."
"Also...
During work hours, use my title."
"You...!!"
Crack!
"Ow..."
"Title-holder, what's wrong?"
"Stop shouting. I threw out my back!"
Land of Water.
Kirigakure.
Yagura Karatachi sat behind his office desk while the Elder stood beside him.
After processing documents for a while, Yagura Karatachi asked the Elder: "Elder, do you think we should obey the daimyo's order and attack Kumogakure?"
Looking at this youngest Mizukage in history, the Elder thought for a moment before speaking: "I believe we should go."
Hearing this, Yagura Karatachi raised an eyebrow, his face showing a trace of curiosity.
"Elder, what's your reasoning?"
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