The Daimyo Ascends the Throne, Killing Intent Arrives!

Autumn, year 47 of Konoha.

Calendar annotation: Auspicious for sacrifices, prayers, and enthronement.

The sky had yet to lighten, a thin layer of morning mist blanketing the Land of Fire Capital.

But the city had long since awakened.

Countless citizens surged onto the streets, dressed in their finest clothes, their faces alight with excitement, forming a human tide flowing towards the city center.

"Mom, hurry! Brother Saburo said there will be lucky cakes in the square today, and the Daimyo Manor is cooking a big pot of soup for everyone!" a pre-teen boy tugged at his mother's sleeve, shouting.

"Don't run too fast, you'll fall!" the woman chided, but quickened her pace. Looking at the new cloth clothes on her son, her face was full of affection. "If it weren't for Lord Daimyo waiving the heavy taxes, and the workshops in the city paying good wages, let alone new clothes, I don't know how we'd get through the winter."

"Hey, what's food and clothes matter! The important thing is to see Lord Daimyo with our own eyes!" a burly man with a beard nearby laughed heartily. "If it weren't for Lord Daimyo, could we have the good life we have now? Hahaha!"

"Yes, yes, now my family eats meat every meal, it's all thanks to Lord Daimyo's grace!"

Discussions and laughter mingled within the crowd.

Brand new flame banners fluttered along the streets.

Armored guards stood at the intersections, heads held high, chests out, their gazes sharp, yet they brought a sense of security to the citizens.

Sunlight pierced the morning mist, golden rays descending, gilding the city's edges.

Today was the day of the new king's enthronement.

It was the day the Land of Fire would turn a new page.

Unlike the fervor in the square, the atmosphere on the viewing platform was subtle.

Envoys from the four great nations were seated, and beneath the calm, there was silent probing.

The envoy from the Land of Lightning stood with his arms crossed, an impatient look on his face.

He glanced at the dense crowd of commoners below, unashamedly expressing his disdain. "A bunch of lowlifes, fit to witness a ceremony? The Land of Fire is becoming more and more unruly."

The envoy from the Land of Earth squinted, appearing calm and unruffled.

The envoy from the Land of Wind had a weathered face and remained silent.

The masked female ninja behind him scanned their surroundings vigilantly.

In the Land of Water delegation, a young noble with a gloomy expression yawned.

Juzo Biwa stood behind him, his head bowed, no one knowing what he was thinking.

The corner of his eye occasionally flickered towards another guard.

Mei Terumi.

Her attire today was sharp, outlining her fine figure, her face a mask of vigilance and detachment.

But her inner turmoil was far from calm.

The genuine support and affection on the faces of the commoners below puzzled her.

In her view, weren't Daimyo and nobles all vampires who squeezed the commoners dry?

Why was the scene here so different from what she saw in the Land of Water?

On the other side, in Konoha's viewing area.

Minato Namikaze sat at the very front, his blond hair dazzling in the sunlight.

Looking at the sea of people before him, at the faces filled with hope, he felt a surge of emotion.

The hearts of the people were the foundation of the Land of Fire.

For the first time, he felt the weight of the word "citizen" so directly.

Behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent throughout.

The old monkey wore simple clothes, holding a pipe, but not lighting it.

His cloudy gaze swept over the fervent crowd, over the sharp-eyed guards, finally resting on the ninety-nine steps leading to the highest throne.

That place, once, was what he had to look up to.

And now, he was almost losing even the qualification to look up.

In a corner, Shimura Danzo's single eye was cold.

His hand, hidden within his sleeve, clenched tightly.

Meanwhile, on the east side of the square, in the underground cellar of a tavern.

It was dark and damp, filled with the sour smell of fermenting alcohol.

Nearly a hundred desperadoes were crammed in here, the stench of sweat and the smell of poison smeared on their weapons mingling, sickening.

Chiba Xiu and Saionji Takashi stood at the forefront.

Through the narrow ventilation shafts of the cellar, they could hear the cheers outside growing louder and louder.

Those sounds were like red-hot iron needles, piercing Chiba Xiu's heart.

"Uncle... Outside... It's started outside..." his voice trembled, his lips pale.

Saionji Takashi's face was equally pale.

He gripped Chiba Xiu's trembling shoulders and growled, "Steady yourself! Remember our plan! Wait for the bells! When you hear the ninth chime, that's our signal to move!"

Chiba Xiu gritted his teeth, staring at the sliver of light filtering through the ventilation shaft, his eyes bloodshot.

The throne...

Qing Yueye...

Wealth...

It should all be mine!

He roared in his heart, over and over.

The clamoring crowd outside was a death knell to him, and also the fire that ignited his ambition.

"Dong—!"

A long, drawn-out bell chime rang out from the highest point of the Daimyo Manor, spreading throughout the city.

The noisy square instantly fell silent.

In the wine cellar, all the desperate men tightened their grip on their blades.

Chiba Xiu's breathing almost stopped.

One chime, two chimes, three chimes...

When the ninth bell chime resounded through the heavens, Saionji Takashi's eyes snapped open, filled with madness.

He didn't speak, merely waved his hand violently, letting out a suppressed roar.

"Move out!!"

On the square, all was silent.

Tens of thousands of citizens, the envoy delegations from the four great nations, Konoha's high-ranking ninja...

All eyes converged on the end of the ninety-nine steps.

Under the gaze of everyone, the heavy vermilion gate, symbolizing the highest authority, slowly opened.

Chief Ceremonial Officer Yamano, clad in the most elaborate sacrificial attire and holding a written prayer, walked out step by step.

He reached the top of the stairs, facing the sky, facing all the people, and announced in a booming voice.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

"We welcome—"

"The Land of Fire's new Daimyo, Lord Chiba Ran!"

The moment his voice fell, stirring court music soared into the sky.

A figure appeared behind the vermilion gate.

He wore a twelve-layered robe embroidered with golden flame patterns and a purple-gold crown symbolizing the monarch's position.

Just standing there, an indescribable majesty enveloped the entire square.

The impatience on the Land of Lightning envoy's face vanished, his fat body instinctively leaning forward.

A sharp glint flashed in the Land of Earth envoy's eyes.

Minato Namikaze's mind was profoundly impacted.

This bearing, this presence...

He suddenly realized that the gap between the Hokage and the Daimyo might be even greater than he had imagined.

Chiba Ran moved.

His left foot led.

He stepped onto the first stair.

His pace was not fast, but it was incredibly steady.

Each step echoed dully on the silent square.

The people in the square unconsciously held their breath, their faces filled with fervor and reverence.

One step...

Two steps...

Chiba Ran ascended the ninety-nine steps.

He arrived at the platform carved from a single giant stone.

In the center of the platform, on a jade tray, lay a crystal, entirely crimson.

The National Stone.

Symbolizing the supreme power of this nation.

Ceremonial Officer Yamano's voice rang out again, filled with emotion.

"My Lord Daimyo, please accept the National Stone, bring solace to heaven and earth, and peace to all people!"

Chiba Ran strode forward slowly.

He extended both hands, his movements slow and solemn.

The entire plaza was deathly silent.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, witnessing this moment that would surely be recorded in history.

Chiba Ran's hands were about to touch the National Stone.

At this very moment—

"Kill!!"

A heart-rending roar suddenly erupted!

"Kill the usurping tyrant! Avenge the previous Daimyo!!"

The corner tower on the east side of the plaza exploded with a bang!

A terrifying shockwave sent the surrounding civilians flying!

Dozens of dark figures rushed out from the explosion's smoke and dust!

Wielding long swords, their eyes bloodshot, they charged towards the high platform with utter disregard!

The crowd instantly descended into chaos!

Screams and cries echoed to the heavens!

"Protect Lord Daimyo!!"

The guards roared, forming a human wall to meet the desperate attackers!

But this was only the beginning!

"Act!"

From the west, north, and south sides of the crowd...

Another hundred hidden assassins simultaneously sprang into action!

From all directions, they formed a massive encirclement, their target directly at Chiba Ran!

Glinting blades, flashing swords, and blood instantly stained the sacred plaza red!

An assassination attempt on the new King!

A long-planned killing spree, unfolding under the watchful eyes of thousands!

The prelude had begun!

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