Catching a Turtle in a Jar

On the high platform, the wind howled with an ominous air.

The Root ninjas' arrival was like a blade, viciously tearing through the Hidden Guard's defensive line.

The battle's tide reversed in an instant!

The desperadoes, once pinned below the platform, surged up again under the Root ninjas' lead, locking into a bloody melee with the Hidden Guard.

"Kill!"

Seeing the path to the high platform opened, Chiba Xiu's suppressed roar turned into a bellow.

Clutching his blade, his bloodshot eyes locked onto the robed figure on the platform, he led his last dozen loyal death warriors in a charge.

The final few City Guards blocking the way could only retreat as they fought.

No more obstacles ahead!

Victory was within reach.

"Chiba Ran!"

Chiba Xiu charged like a madman, screaming as he ran.

"You thief! You bastard!"

"See this! This is the people's will! This is heaven's decree! No one will accept you, a tyrant!"

"Today, before the whole world, I'll drag you down from that seat that was never yours!"

His roar echoed across the square, clearly reaching every ear on the viewing platform.

In the spectator area, Shimura Danzō stepped forward, his single eye cutting through the chaos ahead to fix on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It's all over, Hiruzen."

His voice was calm, resolute.

"For Konoha's future, sacrifices are necessary."

"This New Daimyo is too strong-willed. His ambition has already threatened the village. There should be no one above the Hokage, meddling in affairs."

Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled all over. He pointed at Danzō, his lips quivering, but not a word came out.

He had never imagined Danzō's audacity would reach this level.

No warning, no probing.

His opening move was a killing blow!

This was regicide!

"Mad... you're mad..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was hoarse.

"I do this for Konoha."

Danzō repeated himself, his tone unchanged.

He looked at Chiba Ran, already surrounded by assassins, like a man staring at a corpse.

"After he dies, Chiba Xiu will take power."

"A weak, incompetent Daimyo is what best serves Konoha's interests."

"When the time comes, I will personally explain to the entire shinobi world that this was a righteous act to set things right."

"And you, Hiruzen, need only watch."

On the high platform.

Chiba Xiu finally reached Chiba Ran's presence.

He and his last death warriors encircled Chiba Ran and a few City Guards, their blades aimed at that handsome, dignified face.

He panted heavily, sweat and blood mingling, streaming into his eyes, stinging fiercely.

But he didn't care.

He glared hatefully at Chiba Ran, so close, greedily eyeing the National Stone in his hand—the symbol of the Land of Fire's supreme authority—his gaze brimming with envy and venom.

"Cat got your tongue?"

Chiba Xiu sneered, his blade tip pointing at Chiba Ran.

"Aren't you good with words? Aren't you so imposing?"

"Now, your guards, your army—they can't even save themselves!"

"Your throne, your wealth, and your women—they'll all be mine soon!"

"Say something!"

Yet.

Facing all this, Chiba Ran simply stood still.

On his face, there was no fear, no anger, not a trace of emotion.

Those deep eyes merely watched Chiba Xiu calmly, like a man observing a clown.

"Are you done talking?"

He finally spoke, his voice indifferent, betraying no emotion.

"You..." The other party was always so calm, infuriating Chiba Xiu to the extreme.

"My dear third brother."

Not giving Chiba Xiu a chance to speak, Chiba Ran's lips curled up as he continued, "Do you really think that with these desperados, you could kill me?"

"Do you also think that the seat Shimura Danzō promised you is one you can actually sit on securely?"

Chiba Ran pushed past the City Guard and took a step forward, completely ignoring the blade of Chiba Xiu's sword.

That intangible pressure made Chiba Xiu instinctively step back.

"A waste who can't even secure his inheritance rights without selling out his family's interests."

"A stray dog I drove out of the Land of Fire Capital."

"A pitiful wretch who can only hide in the gutter, daring to bite only when propped up by others' charity and promises."

With every word Chiba Ran spoke, Chiba Xiu's face paled another shade.

These words were like sharp daggers, stabbing precisely into his most fragile pride.

"You, are worthy of coveting my throne?"

The final accusation shattered Chiba Xiu's mental defenses completely.

"Aaaah!!"

He broke down utterly, letting out a beastly roar, raising his longsword and swinging it with all his might toward Chiba Ran's head!

"Die!!"

But just as the blade was about to fall—

Chiba Ran merely lifted his eyelids slightly.

And then.

The entire world fell silent.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Countless sounds of slicing air erupted from all directions at once!

One!

Ten!

Fifty!

Hundreds of black figures!

They appeared silently on the palace roof, on the bell towers around the plaza, in the shadows of every building!

All were clad in black tight suits, wearing pure black masks, gripping standard-issue longswords.

Killing intent swept across the entire plaza!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The heavy clatter of armor came from the four entrances to the plaza, perfectly synchronized.

Squad after squad of City Guards poured in like a tidal wave.

Their steps were uniform, shields forming an iron wall, spear tips pointing outward, sealing off every escape route.

"Rebels, kill them all without mercy!"

The cold order was given.

The City Guard phalanxes began to tighten inward, spears like a forest, each thrust mercilessly crushing any remaining insurgents.

In Konoha's viewing area, Shikaku Nara suddenly raised his head, shock written across his face.

Hyuga Hiashi activated his Byakugan to its limit, veins bulging on his forehead.

Not genjutsu, not shadow clones!

That was...

A full hundred-plus shinobi with Chakra fluctuations rivaling jonin!

Fugaku Uchiha's Sharingan spun wildly, unable to believe what he was seeing!

Minato Namikaze stood frozen stiff.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was struck as if by lightning, rooted in place.

In the four nations' envoy area.

The sneers of the Land of Lightning and Land of Water envoys froze on their faces.

The envoy from the Land of Earth froze, his hand stroking his beard suspended midair.

The kunoichi behind the envoy from the Land of Wind had her pupils violently constricted.

Even Juzo Biwa, who had already sworn allegiance, couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath at the sight of this power.

As for Shimura Danzō, the muscles on his face twitched wildly, and his exposed single eye was filled with disbelief and despair beyond comprehension.

A deception!

This was a deception from beginning to end!

What weak defenses!

What an empty Daimyo Manor!

All of it was a trap!

On the high platform, Chiba Xiu's fiercely swung blade stopped in midair.

Not because he wanted to stop.

But because a black blade had somehow already locked onto his wrist.

He turned his head stiffly and saw a person wearing a pure black mask standing beside him.

He looked around—the dozens of loyal death warriors who had charged up with him now each had a cold blade pressed against their necks.

In the square.

Those Root ninja and desperadoes who had been slaughtering wildly moments ago were now completely surrounded.

The entire square fell into dead silence once more.

Only the wind blew across the high platform, lifting the splendid hem of Chiba Ran's robes.

Everyone understood.

This was a performance.

A grand play personally directed by the new Daimyo, allowing all those with hidden agendas to step onto the stage and act to their hearts' content.

Now, those who needed to take the stage had done so.

The play was also ready to end.

Chiba Ran didn't even glance at Chiba Xiu.

His gaze passed over countless shocked, terrified, and dazed faces, finally landing on the Chief Ceremonial Officer, who had shrunk into a corner, his face drained of all color, collapsed and limp on the ground.

He beckoned.

Then, in a calm tone, he slowly spoke.

"Yamano."

"Continue the ceremony."