DAIMYO: Chapter 27/30

Chapter 27: Heavy Punches

After leaving the Daimyo Manor, Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique and quickly returned to Konoha.

He did not go to the Hokage Building, but subconsciously walked toward Hiruzen's residence.

Since resigning, Hiruzen had stayed in his family compound and had not come out again.

The courtyard was very quiet.

Pushing open the door, a strong smell of tobacco hit him.

Hiruzen sat alone on the veranda.

He was cross-legged, with pieces scattered on the shogi board in front of him, untouched for a long time.

Hearing footsteps, he raised his eyelids. "Ah, Minato."

Minato sat down before him, feeling that the Third Hokage seemed even older.

He composed himself and said in a low voice, "Daimyo-sama rejected the plan."

Hiruzen was not surprised and took a puff from his pipe.

Smoke obscured his aged face.

He exhaled a smoke ring and spoke calmly. "What else did the Daimyo say?"

Minato recounted Arashi's proposal to concentrate resources so the strong would lead the strong to come.

Finally, he said, "The Daimyo also wants to restart the selection of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and personally oversee the candidates."

The room fell into a long silence.

Only the tapping of the pipe could be heard.

"Heh..."

After a long while, Hiruzen let out a soft chuckle. "Minato, do you not understand yet?"

He looked at Minato, his expression disheartened.

"From the moment Danzō died by my hand, the era belonging to the Hokage was already over."

"The Daimyo is not discussing with you."

"He is informing you."

Minato's expression grew solemn. "Third Hokage..."

Hiruzen waved a hand, weary. "I am just an old man waiting to die."

The pipe tapped the ashtray with a crisp sound.

"Remember, Minato," his voice lowered, "unless the Daimyo harms Konoha."

"Otherwise, do not try to second-guess him, and certainly do not resist him."

"You need only think about how to secure the greatest benefits for the village under the Daimyo's rules."

Minato nodded, puzzled. "But... is this plan not harming Konoha?"

"No. The Daimyo needs a strong Konoha, he will not harm it."

Hiruzen's tone was firm. "He is merely consolidating power. This blade called Konoha, the Daimyo must hold it in his hand."

He paused, a glimmer of light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Soon, among the Daimyo's consorts, there will surely be someone from Konoha. Uchiha, or Hyuga, or others."

"This is also part of his consolidation of power. When all obstacles disappear, Konoha will instead receive the Daimyo's full support."

Minato was bewildered. "Full support?"

"Yes." Hiruzen nodded emphatically, his voice very low. "Judging by the Daimyo's decisive actions, the Land of Fire is too small. He wants more."

"You mean, the Daimyo..." Minato's heart churned.

"Shh, quiet," Hiruzen cut him off at once. "Keep the rest of your words to yourself."

"But..."

"Say no more, Minato. Trust this old man's judgment. Do as I say."

With that, Hiruzen closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Looking at the Third Hokage, bereft of fighting spirit, Minato felt a deep loneliness and powerlessness.

He knew Hiruzen's heart had died with Danzō.

Leaving the Sarutobi compound, Minato stood in sunlight without warmth.

Taking a deep breath, the confusion in his eyes gave way to determination.

He summoned the Jōnin, the clan heads, and the two advisor elders for an emergency meeting at the Hokage Building.

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado arrived first.

Then the Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino–Shika–Chō, Inuzuka, Aburame, and other clans arrived.

The atmosphere in the conference room was oppressive.

Seeing everyone present, Minato spoke in a deep voice. "I have gathered you to convey an important matter concerning Konoha's future."

He did not state the proposal outright, but first announced that the Daimyo had rejected the village's plan.

"The Daimyo's intention is to concentrate resources so the strong become stronger."

Bang.

As soon as he finished, Utatane Koharu slammed her hand on the table.

"Absurd."

Her voice was sharp. "Special funding for genius cultivation, directly funded by the Daimyo Manor. This is a direct reach into our Konoha and the clans."

Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, gaze cold. "Exactly. This severely damages the village's autonomy. Will the geniuses chosen by him listen to the Hokage or the Daimyo in the future. This is digging at Konoha's roots."

The elders' strong reaction represented Konoha's conservative faction.

Uchiha Fugaku's expression was calm. He sat upright, seemingly in thought, a sharp glint in his eyes.

After a moment, he spoke, voice even.

"I think the elders are overthinking."

"The Daimyo's willingness to fund talent cultivation is an affirmation of Konoha."

"We should consider how to use this fund to cultivate more excellent shinobi, not adopt a hostile stance from the start."

Utatane Koharu was momentarily speechless. She could sense Fugaku's subtext.

Hyuga Hiashi, however, frowned deeply, his face even more serious than when he arrived.

"I agree with the elders' concerns."

"Direct support for individuals from the Daimyo Manor does not align with the rules."

"If a genius from the branch family is selected, my Hyuga will surely be impacted."

For a time, everyone argued their positions.

"Enough." Minato pondered, then raised his hand to stop them.

His gaze fell on Nara Shikaku.

The Jōnin Commander sat quietly, tapping his cheek lightly with a finger.

"Shikaku, what do you think?" Minato asked.

Everyone looked over.

Nara Shikaku calmly scanned the room and said, "We have no choice."

His voice was not loud, but it silenced the room.

"This proposal, we cannot refuse."

"This money is both an opportunity and a seed that will tear Konoha apart."

"If we accept, new conflicts will inevitably arise over quotas, and the authority of both clans and the Hokage will be challenged."

"If we refuse, we will be the sinners who stifle the village's geniuses and will lose the hearts of the young."

He looked around and concluded, "And we can only accept, or we isolate ourselves from the Land of Fire."

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado fell silent, faces ashen.

Having been in power for decades, they were accustomed to holding authority.

The thought of bowing to the Daimyo made their faces even uglier.

When Minato put forward the second proposal, the room grew noisy again.

"Twelve Guardian Ninja."

This time there was no table slapping, no angry shouts.

The two advisor elders almost deflated at once.

A chill rose in their hearts.

They exchanged glances, seeing deep powerlessness on each other's pale faces.

The first proposal was about money, about division.

The second was about power, about absorption.

One pulling, one striking. One internal, one external.

It was not a conspiracy. It was an open display of force.

It was the force of crushing a military village with the resources of the entire Land of Fire.

Homura's throat was dry, his voice hoarse.

"The Daimyo is forming an elite unit, completely loyal to him."

"A unit strong enough to counterbalance Konoha."

Utatane Koharu's hands trembled uncontrollably.

She looked at Minato, her words filled with sorrow.

"Hiruzen is gone, Danzō is dead. Minato, Konoha's autonomy is being stripped away piece by piece."

"What else can we do?"

Uchiha Fugaku slowly rose.

His expression was solemn, without agitation, and he spoke declaratively.

"Elders, the Twelve Guardian Ninja have historically been the Daimyo's direct guards. This is tradition."

"Now the Daimyo is reactivating them to demonstrate the Land of Fire's prestige."

"If we refuse, are we not telling other countries the Land of Fire is divided."

He paused, then looked at Minato. "Since it is the Daimyo's will, for the Land of Fire's prosperity, my Uchiha bear an undeniable responsibility."

The words were grand.

He submitted to the Daimyo while placing himself on the moral high ground of serving country and village.

Koharu and Homura were speechless.

The meeting ended in suffocating silence.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 28: Uchiha’s Stairs, Hyuga’s Abyss

Uchiha Fugaku walked in front, his face expressionless, but a fire burned in his heart.

Money, power, and one more thing.

The Daimyo Manor was recruiting a new concubine.

If he could send an Uchiha woman to bear a child with the Sharingan, Fugaku suddenly realized the Hokage position he had clung to in the past had become insignificant.

Hyuga Hiashi followed not far behind, his face gloomy.

He also thought of the Daimyo taking a concubine.

This was a more difficult problem for the Hyuga than the Twelve Guardian Ninja. The Byakugan could not be leaked.

But to refuse the Daimyo was to openly defy him.

Hiashi felt he was at a dead end no matter which way he turned.

Nara Shikaku leisurely followed behind.

He glanced at Fugaku's back, then at Hiashi.

Genius cultivation, the Twelve Guardian Ninja, these were all out in the open.

What was truly deadly was what could not be seen.

For example, taking a concubine.

The Uchiha saw a shortcut.

The Hyuga saw an abyss.

"Things are about to change."

Shikaku muttered to himself in a low voice.

Without turning his head, he gently waved to the people behind him.

"Inoichi, Choza, come to my house for a drink."

"Okay."

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza responded in deep voices without hesitation.

Three figures detached from the crowd, tacitly walking toward the Nara compound.

In the Nara courtyard, deer grazed on green grass in the backyard, unaware of the turmoil outside.

On the stone table, warmed sake emitted a rich aroma.

Choza grabbed a cup and downed it in one gulp, placing it heavily on the table with a thud.

His voice was hoarse, his tone stifled.

"What kind of situation is this. The Daimyo wants to reach into our minds."

"Not just our minds." Inoichi gently swirled his cup, his eyes sharp. "I can feel the village's morale already wavering."

Shikaku leaned against the veranda pillar, watching the deer, and spoke slowly.

"Because this is not a conspiracy, it is an open scheme."

"Money, giving civilian shinobi without background a chance to rise, they will only be grateful to the Daimyo."

"Power, the glory of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, can drive any clan that wants to prove itself mad."

"Look at Fugaku just now. He could not wait to package and offer the entire Uchiha."

Choza and Inoichi fell silent.

"Then, what about taking a concubine."

Inoichi's voice was a bit dry.

A child with the Daimyo's bloodline would immediately elevate that clan above the Hokage.

"This is the cruelest part."

Shikaku sighed, helpless. "The Uchiha see a ladder to heaven, the Hyuga see an abyss. And us..."

"We cannot do anything."

Choza said, "What if we refuse."

"Refuse. With what. Do we dare refuse."

"Even if our three clans are tied together, can we stop the fanaticism of all Konoha. If it goes wrong, we will be isolated."

Choza's fists clenched, joints cracking. "So we just watch."

"What else." Shikaku shot back. "Choza, go to the Hokage Building now and tell Minato our Ino–Shika–Chō clans firmly oppose the Daimyo's decision."

"Then tomorrow, the Uchiha will receive double cultivation funds, and our three clans' children might even have their Academy subsidies cut."

"This is an open scheme. The Daimyo puts fragrant bait before everyone. If you do not eat it, you starve."

"If you eat it, you listen to him."

A long silence fell over the courtyard.

Finally, Shikaku broke it.

"Do not participate, do not oppose, do not take a stance."

"We just need to watch."

At the same time.

Uchiha territory, Naka Shrine.

Fugaku sat in the main seat, with dozens of clan members below. The atmosphere was solemn.

"The situation is as it is."

His voice was steady, though excitement lurked beneath.

"The Daimyo is willing to bypass the Hokage and directly support the geniuses of our great clans. This is an unprecedented opportunity."

An old man with white hair and beard frowned. "Clan Head, the Daimyo's move clearly aims to divide Konoha."

"Divide."

Fugaku sneered. "Elder, when has Konoha ever been united. When Danzō suppressed us, why did he not think of unity."

"Now there is a chance for our Uchiha to bypass the Hokage and communicate directly with the Land of Fire's highest authority. Why should we refuse."

His gaze swept the room, noticing hesitation.

He suddenly stood, arms spread, his voice full of temptation.

"Money. Power. All can make us stronger. But these are not the most important."

"The most important is, the Daimyo is taking a concubine."

"Clan members, think about it."

He emphasized each word, striking their hearts. "If an Uchiha woman can bear a child with the Sharingan for the Daimyo."

"What would that mean."

The air in the shrine ignited.

An elder crushed his teacup in excitement.

Another elder breathed heavily, staring at Fugaku.

Hokage.

Compared to a future monarch with the Daimyo's and Uchiha's blood, what was a village's Kage.

"By then, our Uchiha will surely become the true number one clan in the Land of Fire."

"I have decided."

Fugaku's voice echoed through the shrine. "Immediately select three outstanding women of the clan, shinobi or not, as long as they are beautiful, virtuous, and firm of mind. Send them to the Daimyo Manor as candidates."

"This matter is decided by me. No further discussion."

Hyuga territory.

The atmosphere was the exact opposite of the Uchiha.

Hiashi's face was ashen as he listened to several main family elders argue heatedly.

"Absolutely no daughter of the main family can go."

"The purity of the Byakugan is the foundation of the Hyuga. It must never be allowed to leak."

"But if we refuse, it is open defiance of the Daimyo."

"Then choose one from the branch family and send her."

"No." Hiashi slammed the table, his voice cold. "The branch family also has Hyuga blood. The Caged Bird cannot lock down the legacy of the bloodline. Once a child is born, the Hyuga will have no more secrets."

The secret room fell silent.

All eyes turned to Hiashi, the young clan head bearing immense pressure.

On one side was the clan's iron rule of a thousand years. On the other was the Daimyo's irresistible authority.

Either choice could lead to ruin.

He closed his eyes, veins rising on his forehead, the weight of the entire clan crushing him.

"Stall..."

After a long time, he squeezed out a word.

"As long as we can stall, we will..."

He opened his eyes. Only despair remained.

Hokage Building.

Minato stood by the window, overlooking Konoha.

The village seemed the same, people coming and going, peaceful.

But beneath the calm, undercurrents surged.

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado sat behind him, faces pale, as if aging ten years in an instant.

"The Uchiha have already begun selecting women to send to the Daimyo Manor." Koharu's voice was dry.

"Smaller clans like Inuzuka and Aburame have also sent people to inquire about the allocation of genius cultivation funds and the selection criteria for the Guardian Ninja." Homura added, his tone weary.

"And the civilian shinobi..."

Koharu closed her eyes, unable to continue.

Without her saying it, Minato knew.

For shinobi without background who had struggled up, the Daimyo's decision was a godsend.

Their support for the Daimyo even surpassed their respect for the Hokage.

In just a few days.

Konoha, once united by the Will of Fire, had been clearly split in two.

One half were the beneficiaries and those eager to benefit, fanatically supporting the Daimyo.

The other half were them, remnants of the old era clinging to the village's autonomy.

"We lost."

Homura's voice was full of powerlessness.

Minato did not turn around, his golden hair dim in the setting sun.

His mind raced, dissecting every move of the Daimyo.

First, use money to buy the lower ranks, dividing civilians and clans.

Second, use power to tempt the upper ranks, worsening conflict between great clans and the Hokage.

Third, use intermarriage to bind the ninja clans, making them his blades.

Each step was open and aboveboard, each step targeted the weakest desires of the human heart.

Impeccable.

He frantically deduced all countermeasures, but every path led to the same end, civil war, division, Konoha's collapse.

Unless he bowed to the Daimyo.

He recalled the Third Hokage's words.

Do not speculate, do not resist.

Only consider how to gain the greatest benefit for the village under the Daimyo's rules.

But would such a Konoha still be Konoha.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 29: Black Zetsu’s Evil Plan

A dark cave.

This was the Akatsuki's temporary base.

White Zetsu, Tobi, emerged from a pile of dirt overhead.

He gesticulated wildly, shouting in an exaggerated tone.

"Obito! Obito! Great news!"

The man he called Obito wore a tiger-striped mask.

Uchiha Obito sat silently on a rock, seemingly meditating with his eyes closed.

The swirling Tobi circled around him.

"It's incredible. The new Daimyo of the Land of Fire has clashed with your Konoha's Hokage."

"I heard that Root leader, Danzō, tried to cause trouble at the inauguration ceremony, but the Third Hokage personally ripped out his heart. Pfft, blood splattered everywhere, it was so exciting."

"I wonder if a person whose heart is ripped out still poops, if..."

"What happened to Konoha?" Obito interrupted Tobi's rambling, his voice icy.

"Oh, oh, the entire Konoha is in chaos now." Tobi immediately got back on topic, gloating. "The Hokage's orders aren't being followed outside the Hokage Building anymore."

"Also, also, the Uchiha are scrambling to send beauties to the Daimyo, the Hyuga's faces are pale with worry, and even the Ino–Shika–Chō are starting to waver."

Listening to Tobi, the single eye beneath Obito's mask instantly filled with crimson.

"A chance. This is a chance." Obito suddenly stood up, his voice hoarse and frantic. "I will go destroy that hypocritical village right now."

"Calm down, Obito."

Black Zetsu emerged from the ground at his feet, stopping him. "You are too impulsive."

The Sharingan in Obito's eye spun wildly, slowly converging into a Mangekyō. His tone was grim. "Konoha's internal strife, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do you dare stop me?"

"A chance?"

Black Zetsu let out a mocking laugh. "You underestimate Konoha too much."

"Hiruzen may be old, but his strength remains."

"More importantly, Minato..."

"That man's Flying Thunder God Technique has already surpassed the Second Hokage."

"As long as he is in Konoha, it is impossible for you to come and go as you please."

Seeing Obito's eagerness for revenge and undiminished killing intent, Black Zetsu's speech quickened.

"And Uzumaki Kushina."

"Do not forget, she is not only the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, but she is also an Uzumaki with powerful sealing techniques."

"If you go now, it is meaningless except to die."

At the words to die, Obito did not grow angry, but laughed instead, his laughter filled with madness.

He murmured, "Die? Dying is good. If I die... I can go see Rin."

Black Zetsu was silent for a moment, realizing that simple threats had no effect on him.

"Have you forgotten our plan?" Black Zetsu grew anxious.

"The Eye of the Moon Plan? I have not forgotten." Obito remained stubborn. "It does not matter without me, you can find someone else."

Black Zetsu's voice suddenly grew sharp. "What about your revenge for Rin? Are you going to die miserably with empty hands and go see her? Tell her you could not do anything for her?"

"Rin's death, the fault of this world, is that just going to be forgotten?"

The name Rin, like a dagger, pierced deep into Obito's heart.

He trembled all over, and the killing intent around him grew heavier.

Watching Obito ignite with hatred again, Black Zetsu knew the time was right.

His tone shifted, cold and seductive.

"Forcing your way in is the lowest form of revenge."

"I have a better plan, one that will make Minato taste the same despair as you."

Obito suddenly turned his head, his crimson Sharingan staring at Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu spoke unhurriedly. "Minato and Uzumaki Kushina are husband and wife, right?"

"They will have a child sooner or later."

"And when a jinchūriki gives birth, the sealing formula within her body weakens to its extreme."

"At that time, the Nine-Tails' seal will be at its weakest."

The air in the cave seemed to freeze.

Obito's breathing grew heavy.

He understood Black Zetsu's intention.

"At that time..."

Black Zetsu's voice was like a devil's, dripping malice. "We will extract the Nine-Tails from Uzumaki Kushina's body, then let that tailed beast of hatred and destruction roar freely in Konoha, in front of his wife, and in front of his newborn child."

"Let him watch everything he wants to protect be crushed to dust on the same day."

"Let him taste the pain of watching his beloved die helplessly."

"This is the most perfect revenge against Konoha and Minato."

Obito's body began trembling uncontrollably with excitement. "And Kakashi..."

Black Zetsu added, "That's right, and Kakashi. They will all experience the same despair as you from losing what is precious, and all of Konoha will be buried with you."

"Hehehehehehe."

Obito let out a low laugh, louder and louder, turning into a maniacal Uchiha laugh.

"Hahahahahahaha."

"Good. Good plan."

"Let's do it."

Beneath the tiger-striped mask, the Mangekyō Sharingan spun wildly.

Obito's last shred of humanity was completely burned away by the flames of revenge.

He looked toward Konoha, full of anticipation.

Evening.

Konoha.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the Hokage Rock red.

Minato left the Hokage Building and walked aimlessly through the streets.

The banners of the izakaya fluttered in the evening breeze, the aroma of barbecue drifted from the grill, and the clear laughter of children chasing and playing stayed crisp.

Everything was as usual.

But everything had also changed.

All that liveliness and laughter, all that Konoha spirit, felt out of place to him.

He saw a few civilian Genin who had just graduated, faces filled with excitement, huddled together in heated discussion.

"Did you hear? Daimyo-sama is personally allocating funds to support the geniuses in our village. We will not have to work so hard on missions to save money for ninja tools anymore."

"More than that. My second uncle's cousin said if you get selected as a Twelve Guardian Ninja, you get a huge sum every month, even higher than an A-rank mission reward."

"That is the strongest guard beside the Daimyo. If we are chosen, we civilian shinobi will really make a name for ourselves."

"Really? Then I have to hurry and sign up. I do not want to pick up trash and look for stray cats anymore."

These uncontrollable bursts of joy and longing pricked Minato's heart like needles.

Once, becoming a member of the Hokage's personal guard was every shinobi's glory.

Once, fighting for the village was a natural belief.

Now, the Daimyo had merely lifted a finger.

The village's hearts no longer belonged to the Hokage.

Minato clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

The sting, however, was not as great as the bitterness in his heart.

He abruptly turned, no longer walking home.

He was going to find the Third Hokage.

He was going to ask what all of this meant, and what should be done.

But then, he suddenly stopped.

In his line of sight, the ramen shop on the corner glowed with warm light.

A red-haired woman with a ponytail sat inside.

It was Kushina.

She was happily chatting with Teuchi, a steaming bowl of ramen before her.

Feeling watched, Kushina turned her head, and her beautiful eyes lit up.

"Minato. Here. Here."

She waved vigorously, a bright, happy smile on her face.

That smile cut through the bustling street and lit his heart, which was almost swallowed by gloom.

In an instant, all the frustration, anger, and confusion vanished.

Looking at his wife's smiling face, Minato's clenched fists slowly relaxed.

It turned out.

What he had to protect had always been here.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 30: Kushina's Smile

Minato walked across the street, pushed aside the curtain, and entered the ramen shop.

Under the dim yellow light, her red hair was especially striking.

He slowed his steps, looking at his wife, a smile unconsciously curving his lips.

"Is this all you are eating?"

Kushina was slurping noodles, her mouth still stained with green onions and soup.

"Minato."

"Come sit. Teuchi's ramen is the best."

Her voice was full of energy, and as she ate her noodles, she called out to Minato.

"I just love it. It is the best in the whole world." Kushina replied righteously, holding up her bowl like a treasure.

Teuchi, behind the counter, poked his head out with a proud look.

"Lord Fourth, young Miss Kushina is a true connoisseur. Her tongue does not lie."

"My ramen is definitely the most delicious in Konoha... no, in the entire Land of Fire."

Minato chuckled. The vexation that had weighed on his heart for days was diluted by the lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.

He took off his Hokage robe, carefully folded it, and set it aside, then sat next to Kushina.

"Then I will have a bowl too, the same as hers, Uncle."

"Alright. Please wait a moment."

Soon, a steaming bowl of ramen was served, creamy white broth and a fragrant aroma rising.

Minato stirred his noodles, but his mind wandered.

"What is wrong?" Kushina picked up a piece of chashu and, without asking, placed it in his bowl. "Try this. Uncle stewed it especially tender today, it melts in your mouth."

He took a bite. It was indeed delicious, but his thoughts drifted.

He quietly watched Kushina.

Watching her narrow her eyes, take a bite of noodles, then a sip of soup, eating with relish...

That pure joy made guilt rise in his heart.

After finishing their ramen, the two walked side by side on their way home.

It was late, and the streets were empty.

The moonlight spilled down, casting their shadows long.

Kushina hummed an off-key tune, her steps light, but after a few steps she noticed the person beside her was unusually silent.

Minato walked beside her, the smile on his face gone at some point, worry clouding his features.

Kushina stopped and looked up at him.

"Minato."

"Hm?"

"You have something on your mind, do you not?"

Kushina's eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

She reached out and gently smoothed Minato's furrowed brow.

"I have heard about what has been happening in the village recently."

"The Daimyo's matter must be very difficult for you, right?"

Minato fell silent.

He did not want to bring these troubles to Kushina.

He wanted her to always be as carefree and happy as she had been eating ramen just now.

"It is nothing, just some village matters..."

"Minato Namikaze."

Kushina interrupted him, her tone more serious than ever.

"We are husband and wife, are we not?"

"Your troubles are my troubles. I will not allow you to bear them alone, understand?"

Looking at her persistent gaze, the softest part of Minato's heart was touched, and he finally sighed helplessly.

"Alright."

He explained in detail the two decisions from the Daimyo Manor and the severe internal division they had caused in the village.

From the Genius Cultivation Program to the selection of the Guardian Ninja Twelve.

From the fervor of the Uchiha to the despair of the two advisor elders.

His voice grew lower, filled with powerlessness.

"Konoha is being torn apart. The Will of Fire I was proud of is being corrupted by money and power."

"I do not know what to do to stop this."

"As Hokage, I feel like a puppet, hands and feet tied, only able to watch the village slide into an unknown abyss."

After speaking, he irritably ran his hands through his hair, pain on his face.

For days, this problem had tormented him, leaving him restless.

Kushina listened quietly, without interrupting.

Only after he finished did she ask seriously, "Minato, what exactly are we protecting Konoha for?"

Minato was startled.

"Of course, to protect everyone in the village, to guard our shared home."

"Then," Kushina asked again, "now, is the life of most people in the village getting better or worse?"

This question left Minato speechless.

He remembered the excited, flushed faces of those civilian shinobi when they received their first extra subsidy.

He remembered the joy of those small families spreading the news, celebrating their children having a better future.

"But the village's autonomy... the Hokage's authority is being weakened."

Kushina did not let him evade, pressing on. "Are those ninja clans wrong?"

"They want their family stronger, they want their children to have a better future. Is that wrong?"

Minato shook his head with difficulty.

"What about those civilian shinobi?"

"Are they wrong too? They do not want to spend their whole lives doing D-rank missions. They want to become stronger, make a name for themselves, earn more, and give their families a good life. Is that wrong too?"

Minato shook his head again.

He could not refute it.

Because it was not wrong at all.

"I can understand." He closed his eyes in pain. "But they have all forgotten that everyone used to fight for Konoha as a collective. Was the selfless dedication of the Will of Fire wrong?"

"That is because there were no other options before."

Kushina's voice suddenly rose, clear in the quiet night.

"Before, all resources were controlled by the Hokage and a few large clans, so of course they could only fight for the village."

"Because if they did not, they would get nothing. That is not dedication, that is having no choice."

"Now, the Daimyo has given them another choice, one that lets them live better through their own efforts."

"Everyone is striving for a better place. Why should we stop them?"

Minato's mind was in chaos.

Every word from Kushina struck hard at the beliefs he had held since childhood.

The things he had upheld, the Hokage's responsibility and Konoha's traditions, were crumbling inch by inch.

Seeing the lingering confusion and pain on her husband's face, Kushina's heart ached. She stretched out her arms and gently embraced him.

Her cheek rested against his broad, warm chest. Her voice became incredibly gentle, yet full of strength.

"Minato."

"Do not forget."

"You were once a civilian shinobi too."

Boom.

This sentence, like a thunderclap, exploded in Minato's mind.

He froze, his body trembling violently.

Yes.

He had forgotten.

How could he have forgotten?

He had forgotten that he too was once the most ordinary civilian, desperately taking missions to save money for a C-rank ninjutsu scroll, eating only the cheapest military rations for a month.

He had also hidden in the corner of the training ground, enviously watching shinobi from great clans.

They possessed innate bloodline limits, seemingly endless resources, and could effortlessly learn the ninjutsu he yearned for but could not attain.

He had reached where he was thanks to the Third Hokage's recognition, Jiraiya-sensei's guidance, and his own exceptional talent and hundredfold effort.

But in the village, how many could have his luck and talent?

More people struggled at the bottom, never touching the edge of their dreams in their lifetime.

The Daimyo's appearance gave them a chance.

A chance he too had once yearned for.

He had always stood from the Hokage's perspective, high above, thinking about maintaining the village's balance and traditions.

Yet he had forgotten that, for the shinobi struggling at the bottom, this so-called balance was the greatest injustice.

Was the Konoha he wanted to protect truly the Konoha everyone desired?

Under the clear moonlight, Minato's gaze shifted from confusion, to struggle, and finally, to clarity and determination.

He slowly lowered his head and held his wife tightly.

Kushina's smile returned, still gentle.

"Kushina."

"Thank you."

His voice was gentle and firm, no longer confused.

"I... know what to do now."

"For a... Konoha that truly belongs to everyone."

(To be continued.)