I, Starting as the Land of Fire's Daimyo

The night in the Land of Fire Capital still held a lingering scent of blood in the air.

Daimyo Manor, study.

Candlelight flickered.

Chiba Ran reclined on a soft couch, his fingertips tapping against the armrest.

Memories of his past life surfaced in his mind.

He was not a person of this world.

Sixteen years ago, he had transmigrated here, becoming an infant.

He was the most neglected illegitimate son of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, born to a lowly maid.

Within this palace, his status was no different from an ant.

The moment he was born and opened his eyes to see this world, a mechanical voice rang out in his mind.

[Ding!]

[Host situation detected: Binding conditions met.]

[Daimyo System, officially activated!]

[Mission: Clear all obstacles!]

[Mission Description: With a mortal body, clear all obstacles to the succession and ascend to the position of Daimyo of the Land of Fire!]

[Mission Restriction: Before the mission is completed, the host possesses no supernatural power.]

[Mission Reward: Six Paths Senjutsu Body! Nine-Tomo Sharingan!]

From that moment on, Chiba Ran began his sixteen-year journey of endurance and plotting.

He had no power and could not refine Chakra.

His only weapon was his mind.

He walked on thin ice, struggling to survive in the cracks of the imperial court.

He secretly befriended disgruntled retainers, supported down-and-out samurai, and used the knowledge from his past life to accumulate wealth.

He sowed discord, causing his legitimate older brothers to fight tooth and nail for the position of Heir Apparent.

Meanwhile, he stood on the sidelines, quietly devouring their influence.

Sixteen years!

Sixteen whole years!

He went from an illegitimate son who could be executed at any moment to the center of power, step by step.

Just two months ago, the previous Daimyo died of a sudden illness.

For the position of Daimyo, his brothers engaged in a bloody struggle.

Chiba Ran also bared his fangs at the opportune moment, ultimately having the last laugh as the sole candidate for the throne.

The moment he grasped the National Stone, the symbol of the Daimyo, the system voice that had been silent for sixteen years sounded once again.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host for completing the ultimate mission.]

[Rewards being distributed...]

At that moment, a vast divine power surged into his body.

His body was reshaped in an instant, every cell filled to the brim with Chakra.

His eyes also transformed into purple Nine-Tomo Sharingan.

"Sixteen years!"

Chiba Ran opened his eyes; the purple Nine-Tomo Sharingan flashed and vanished, returning to black pupils.

"Sixteen years as a mortal..."

He tugged at the corner of his mouth and smiled.

"Now, I am a god."

This immense contrast made even him feel that it was somewhat surreal.

But he adapted quickly.

Because he was still the same Chiba Ran who was accustomed to solving problems with schemes.

Only now, he had one more trump card.

Chiba Ran rubbed his temples and sat up straight.

On the desk in front of him lay the city defense repair budget he had just finished reviewing.

"My Lord, it is late; it is time to rest."

An aged voice sounded from outside the door.

"Come in."

Chiba Ran did not look up.

The door was pushed open gently, and an old man walked in carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.

The old man was named Minamoto, a veteran of the estate who had looked after Chiba Ran since he was a child.

"These are the audit reports for the post-war pensions that arrived this afternoon."

Placing the bowl on the corner of the desk, Minamoto pulled out several scrolls and stacked them neatly.

Chiba Ran reached out and took the one on top.

"The families in the north of the city—have they been dealt with cleanly?"

His voice was very flat.

"Reporting to my Lord, they have all been dealt with."

"Their assets have been confiscated, and the primary culprits along with their immediate relatives have all been charged with treason."

"As for the rest of the Branch Family, they have been exiled to the borders of the Land of Demons, forbidden from returning for three generations."

Chiba Ran opened the scroll, which was filled with dense rows of names, each marked with a red cross.

These were the people who had stood on the wrong side.

When it came to enemies, he was never soft-hearted.

"There is one more thing."

Minamoto paused.

"Konoha has sent a congratulatory gift, including a personal letter from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, congratulating you on your successful ascension."

Minamoto handed over a letter with the wax seal intact.

"Oh?"

Chiba Ran finally looked up, the corners of his mouth curling.

"Konoha moves quite quickly!"

Taking the letter, Chiba Ran did not open it immediately.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha.

A man depicted in the original story as gentle and kind, yet in reality, his political maneuvering and schemes were top-tier.

As for that old dog lurking in the shadows beside him, Shimura Danzō, he was an even more ruthless character who would stop at nothing.

These two men would be the first hurdle he had to overcome to truly control the Land of Fire after becoming the Daimyo.

The sword that was Konoha was too sharp—so sharp that it sometimes forgot who the master holding the hilt was.

"Minamoto, do you think the funding we provide to Konoha every year is a bit too much?"

Chiba Ran asked suddenly.

Minamoto bowed and said, "This servant is dull-witted and dares not comment on state affairs."

"But... the estate's finances are indeed somewhat strained."

Chiba Ran smiled. "Yes, strained."

He stood up and walked to the window.

From here, he could overlook the night view of most of the Land of Fire Capital.

"Pass on my order: tell the Minister of Finance to come to my study tomorrow morning to discuss matters."

"Yes, my Lord."

Minamoto acknowledged the order but did not retreat immediately.

"My Lord, that young lady from the Qingyue Clan..."

"Qing Yueye?"

Chiba Ran turned around, a cold and aloof face appearing in his mind.

The Qingyue Clan was one of the main noble factions that had supported his older brother, and they had been uprooted during this struggle.

Qing Yueye was the only daughter of the Qingyue Clan head, famous for her beauty and talent.

A true daughter of heaven.

"Is she still on a hunger strike?"

"Yes, she has not touched food or water for two days now."

Minamoto's tone was somewhat worried.

"She says that even if she dies, she will not serve an enemy."

"She has backbone."

Chiba Ran's evaluation consisted of only three words.

Pacing back to the desk, he unfolded the letter.

The contents were nothing more than congratulations and pledges of loyalty.

It also mentioned in passing that the Third Shinobi World War was nearing its end, that Konoha had suffered heavy losses, and that they hoped the Daimyo Manor would provide an additional special military budget for the village's post-war reconstruction and ninja pensions.

"Their abacus is clicking quite loudly."

Chiba Ran tossed the letter into the candlelight, watching it turn to ash.

"They want the money and the prestige; there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Minamoto remained silent.

Chiba Ran asked, "How are the preparations for the coronation ceremony coming along?"

"They are being stepped up; the first of next month is an auspicious day!"

"Good, I understand!"

Chiba Ran waved his hand. "Go, bring Qing Yueye here."

"My lord, this..."

Minamoto hesitated.

"She is in a very unstable state of mind; if she were to offend you..."

"It is of no consequence."

Chiba Ran waved him off and sat back down.

"I want to see just how stubborn the bones of a young lady can be."

A quarter of an hour later.

The study door was pushed open once more.

Two guards escorted a woman dressed in a plain white kimono into the room.

The woman was slender and pale, yet her spine was held perfectly straight.

Her long, raven-black hair was somewhat disheveled.

She was Qing Yueye.

"You may leave."

Chiba Ran waved his hand.

The guards retreated respectfully.

Qing Yueye stared fixedly at the man behind the desk, her eyes fierce.

It was this man who had destroyed her clan and taken everything from her.

"I hear you want to die?"

Chiba Ran finished the last of his ginseng soup and set the bowl down.

Qing Yueye did not speak, using silence to express her defiance.

"Once you are dead, you will have nothing left."

Chiba Ran stood up, walked slowly to her, and looked down at her from his height.

"Your father and your brothers were all full of regret before they died."

His voice was indifferent.

"You lie!"

"My father would never beg for mercy from a despicable person like you!"

"Despicable?"

Chiba Ran laughed and reached out to pinch her chin.

"It is merely a matter of the victor and the vanquished. When my brothers moved to kill me, they were far more despicable than I. When your Qingyue Clan handed them the knives, did you ever think this day would come?"

Qing Yueye tried to break free, but she could not.

"Kill me!"

She gritted her teeth, squeezing the words out through the gaps.

"Kill you?"

Chiba Ran shook his head and turned to sit back down.

"What a waste that would be."

"You are so beautiful; be my bed-warming maid. I think you are quite suitable."

Qing Yueye let out a roar, "In your dreams!"

"Even if I die, I will never suffer your humiliation!"

"Die?"

Chiba Ran laughed, a hearty, unrestrained sound, and immediately tossed a dagger onto the floor. "Well? Go ahead and kill yourself."

"You..."

Qing Yueye was both shocked and furious, staring at the dagger without making a move.

Seeing this, Chiba Ran sneered, "Didn't you want to die? What's the matter? Too afraid?"

"I..."

"Someone come in."

Seeing her cowardice, Chiba Ran let out a cold laugh and called out.

The guards outside the door pushed their way in.

"Take Miss Qing away to wash up. Make sure she's scrubbed clean!"

"Yes, my lord."

The guards walked toward Qing Yueye with expressionless faces.

Despair washed over her in an instant.

Chiba Ran paid her no further mind; this noble young lady still had her uses.

Keeping her by his side was the perfect way to lure out a few rats.

The guards grabbed Qing Yueye by the arms, one on each side, and dragged her out.

Her struggles were weak and futile.

The study returned to silence.

The brush in Chiba Ran's hand hovered over the scroll, yet he did not let it fall.

His consciousness sank into his mind, and a blue interface, visible only to him, materialized.

[Daimyo System]

[Current Mission: Land of Fire Fiscal Reform (Phase 1)]

[Mission Objective: Reduce Konoha's annual budget by 20%, achieving initial control over the economic lifeline of the Land of Fire.]

[Mission Reward: Unlock Talent Scan function.]