Autumn, Year 47 of Konoha.
Calendar annotation: Auspicious for sacrifices, prayers for blessings, and accession to the throne.
Before dawn had even broken, a thin veil of morning mist shrouded the Land of Fire Capital.
But the city had long since awakened.
Countless citizens flooded into the streets. Dressed in their finest clothes, their faces glowed with excitement as they merged into a human tide flowing toward the city center.
"Mom, hurry up! Brother Saburo said there'll not only be blessing cakes in the square today, but Daimyo Manor has also cooked huge pots of meat soup. Everyone gets some!" a half-grown child shouted, tugging at his mother's sleeve.
"Slow down, don't fall!" the woman grumbled, though her feet quickened. Looking at her son's new cloth clothes, her face was full of tenderness. "If not for Lord Daimyo abolishing those harsh taxes and the city workshops paying decent wages, forget new clothes—we wouldn't even know how to survive this winter."
"Heh, what's food and clothing compared to that? What matters is getting to see the Daimyo with our own eyes!" a bearded man beside them laughed loudly. "If not for Lord Daimyo, could we have the good lives we do now? Hahaha!"
"Exactly! My family eats meat every meal now. It's all thanks to Lord Daimyo's grace!"
Discussion and laughter converged amid the crowd.
Brand-new flame banners fluttered along the streets.
Armored guards stood at every intersection, heads held high and eyes sharp, yet their presence filled the citizens with reassurance.
Sunlight pierced the morning mist, spilling golden radiance over the city and gilding its edges.
Today was the day the new king ascended the throne.
The day the Land of Fire turned a new page.
In stark contrast to the fervor in the square, the atmosphere on the viewing platform was subtle.
The envoys from the four great nations had already taken their seats. Beneath their calm appearances lay silent probing.
The Land of Lightning's envoy sat with his arms crossed, his face full of impatience.
Looking at the densely packed commoners below, he made no effort to hide his contempt. "A bunch of lowborn peasants think they deserve to witness this grand ceremony? The Land of Fire has less and less decorum."
The Land of Earth's envoy narrowed his eyes, looking utterly composed.
The Land of Wind's envoy wore a weathered expression and said nothing.
The masked female ninja behind him vigilantly swept her gaze across the surroundings.
Within the Land of Water delegation, a gloomy young nobleman yawned.
Juzo Biwa stood behind him with his head lowered. No one knew what he was thinking.
From the corner of his eye, he would occasionally glance at another guard.
Mei Terumi.
She was dressed efficiently today, her outfit outlining her graceful figure. Her face carried both wariness and detachment.
But inwardly, she was far less composed than she appeared.
The heartfelt devotion and affection on those commoners' faces below left her baffled.
In her view, weren't daimyo and nobles supposed to be vampires who exploited commoners?
Why was the scene here completely different from what she had seen in the Land of Water?
On the other side was Konoha's viewing area.
Minato Namikaze sat in the foremost seat, his blond hair dazzling beneath the sunlight.
Looking at the sea of people before him and those hopeful faces, he felt deeply moved.
The people's support was the true foundation of the Land of Fire.
For the first time, he so directly felt the weight of the words "the people."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind him, remained silent throughout.
The old monkey was dressed simply, a pipe pinched in his hand but left unlit.
His clouded gaze passed over the impassioned citizens, then the sharp-eyed guards, before finally settling on the ninety-nine steps leading to the supreme throne.
That had once been a place he needed to look up to.
And now, he was about to lose even the right to look up at it.
In a corner, Shimura Danzō's single eye was icy cold.
His hand was hidden within his sleeve, clenched tightly into a fist.
Meanwhile, in the underground wine cellar of a tavern on the eastern side of the square.
It was dark and damp, filled with the sour scent of fermenting wine.
Nearly a hundred desperadoes were crammed inside. The stench of sweat mixed with the poison smeared over their weapons, making the air nauseating.
Chiba Xiu and Saionji Takashi stood at the front.
Through the cellar's narrow vent, they could hear the cheers outside rising louder and louder.
Those sounds were like red-hot iron needles stabbing into Chiba Xiu's heart.
"Uncle... outside... it's starting..." His voice trembled, and his lips had gone pale.
Saionji Takashi was equally pale.
He pressed down on Chiba Xiu's trembling shoulder and growled, "Steady yourself! Remember our plan! Wait for the bells! When you hear the ninth bell, that's our signal to act!"
Chiba Xiu clenched his teeth and stared at the sliver of light filtering through the vent, his eyes bloodshot.
The throne...
Qing Yueye...
Wealth...
It should all be mine!
He roared those words over and over in his heart.
To him, the uproar of the crowd outside was both a death-knell curse and the blazing fire that ignited his ambition.
"Dong—!"
A long bell toll rang out from the highest point of Daimyo Manor, echoing throughout the entire city.
The noisy square fell silent in an instant.
In the wine cellar, every desperado tightened his grip on his blade.
Chiba Xiu's breathing nearly stopped.
One toll, two tolls, three tolls...
When the ninth bell resounded through the sky, Saionji Takashi abruptly opened his eyes, madness filling them.
He said nothing. He merely swung his hand sharply and let out a suppressed roar.
"Move!!"
Above the square, all sounds had fallen still.
Tens of thousands of citizens, the delegations from the four great nations, Konoha's upper ranks...
Everyone's gaze converged upon the end of those ninety-nine steps.
Under the watchful eyes of all, the heavy vermilion gates symbolizing supreme authority slowly opened.
Chief Ceremonial Officer Yamano emerged step by step, dressed in his most solemn sacrificial robes and carrying the ceremonial proclamation.
Reaching the top of the stairs, he faced the heavens and the people, then announced in a booming voice.
"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
"Welcome—"
"The Land of Fire's new Daimyo, Lord Chiba Ran!"
The instant his words fell, stirring court music surged into the sky.
A figure appeared behind the vermilion gates.
He wore a twelve-layer robe embroidered with golden flame patterns and a purple-gold crown symbolizing the ruler's position.
Merely standing there, he exuded an indescribable majesty that enveloped the entire square.
The impatience vanished from the Land of Lightning envoy's face, and his fat body unconsciously leaned forward.
A sharp glint flashed through the Land of Earth envoy's eyes.
Minato Namikaze was deeply shaken.
That bearing, that commanding 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 went first.
He stepped onto the first stair.
His pace was not fast, yet it was incomparably steady.
Each step rang with a heavy echo across the silent square.
The citizens in the square unconsciously held their breath, their faces filled with fervor and reverence.
One step...
Two steps...
Chiba Ran passed all ninety-nine steps.
He arrived atop the high platform carved from a single massive stone.
At the center of the platform, a jade tray held a crimson crystal resting quietly upon it.
The National Stone.
It symbolized the nation's highest authority.
Ceremonial Officer Yamano's voice rang out again, tinged with excitement.
"Lord Daimyo, please receive the National Stone, honor heaven and earth, and bring peace to the people!"
Chiba Ran slowly stepped forward.
He extended both hands, his movements slow and solemn.
The entire square was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Everyone widened their eyes, witnessing this moment destined to be recorded in history.
Chiba Ran's hands were about to touch the National Stone.
At that very moment—
"Kill!!"
A heart-rending roar suddenly exploded through the air!
"Kill that tyrant who usurped the throne! Avenge the former Daimyo!!"
The watchtower on the eastern side of the square exploded with a deafening boom!
The terrifying blast wave flung the surrounding citizens into the air!
Dozens of black-clad figures rushed out of the explosion's smoke and dust!
Holding long blades, their eyes bloodshot, they charged toward the high platform without regard for their lives!
The crowd instantly descended into chaos!
Screams and cries rang out into the heavens!
"Protect Lord Daimyo!!"
The guards roared, forming a human wall as they met the desperadoes head-on!
But this was only the beginning!
"Move!"
Among the crowds to the west, north, and south...
More than a hundred hidden assassins sprang into action at the same time!
They formed an enormous encirclement from every direction, their target pointed straight at Chiba Ran!
Flashing blades, sword shadows, and blood instantly stained this sacred square red!
An assassination attempt against the new king!
A long-planned killing trap, carried out beneath the eyes of the masses!
Had begun!
At the request of many readers, an ad-free VIP membership feature is now available.
Click to view
Before you continue