On the high platform, the wind howled like the cries of cranes.
The arrival of Root ninja was like a sharp blade, viciously tearing open the Hidden Guard's defensive line.
The tide of battle instantly reversed!
The desperadoes who had been suppressed below the platform surged up again under the Root ninja's lead, locking blades with the Hidden Guard.
"Kill!"
Seeing that the path to the high platform had opened, Chiba Xiu's suppressed growl turned into a roar.
With sword in hand and bloodshot eyes fixed on the richly dressed figure atop the platform, he led his last dozen or so loyal death warriors in a charge.
The last few City Guards blocking the way could only fight as they retreated.
There were no more obstacles ahead!
Victory was within reach.
"Chiba Ran!"
Chiba Xiu looked utterly mad as he roared while charging.
"You thief! You bastard!"
"Do you see it?! This is the will of the people! This is the will of heaven! No one will submit to a tyrant like you!"
"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 everyone on the viewing platform.
In Konoha's viewing area, Shimura Danzō stepped forward. His single eye crossed the chaos ahead and stared directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"It's all over, Hiruzen."
His voice was calm and resolute.
"For Konoha's future, sacrifices are necessary."
"This New Daimyo is too overbearing. His ambitions already threaten the village. No one should be above the Hokage, giving orders and interfering."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was trembling all over. He pointed at Danzo, his lips quivering, yet he could not utter a single word.
He had never imagined Danzo's audacity would reach such heights.
No warning, no probing.
The moment he acted, he went straight for the kill!
This was regicide!
"Mad... You madman..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was hoarse.
"I'm doing this for Konoha."
Danzo repeated himself, his tone unchanged.
He looked at Chiba Ran, who was already surrounded by assassins, as though looking at a dead man.
"After he dies, Chiba Xiu will take the throne."
"Only a weak and incompetent daimyo will best serve Konoha's interests."
"Then, I will personally explain to the entire Shinobi World that this was a righteous act of restoring order from chaos."
"And you, Hiruzen, need only watch."
On the high platform.
Chiba Xiu finally reached Chiba Ran.
He and his remaining death warriors surrounded Chiba Ran and several City Guards, their blades pointed straight at that handsome, imposing face.
He panted violently. Sweat and blood mixed together and ran into his eyes, stinging painfully.
But he did not care.
He glared hatefully at Chiba Ran so close before him, greedily eyeing the National Stone in his hand, the symbol of the Land of Fire's supreme authority. His eyes were filled with jealousy and venom.
"Why aren't you talking now?"
Chiba Xiu grinned viciously, his sword tip aimed at Chiba Ran.
"Weren't you so good at talking? Weren't you so impressive?"
"Now, your guards and your army can barely save themselves!"
"Your throne, your wealth, and your women will all be mine soon!"
"Say something!"
However.
Faced with all this, Chiba Ran merely stood there quietly.
There was no fear on his face, no anger, not the slightest trace of emotion.
Those deep eyes merely watched Chiba Xiu calmly, as though he were looking at a clown.
"Are you finished?"
He finally spoke, his voice indifferent and devoid of emotion.
"You..." Chiba Xiu was enraged by the other man's perpetual calm.
"My dear third brother."
Without giving Chiba Xiu a chance to speak, Chiba Ran curled his lips and continued, "Did you think these desperadoes would be enough to kill me?"
"Did you also think that the position Shimura Danzō promised you would truly be secure?"
Chiba Ran brushed past the City Guards and took a step forward, completely ignoring Chiba Xiu's blade.
That invisible pressure made Chiba Xiu unconsciously take a step back.
"A piece of trash who needed to sell out his family's interests just to gain support for his succession rights."
"A homeless cur I drove out of the Land of Fire Capital."
"A pitiful wretch who can only hide in the gutter, relying on others' charity and promises before daring to come out and bite people."
With every sentence Chiba Ran spoke, Chiba Xiu's face grew a shade paler.
Those words were like sharp blades, precisely stabbing into the most vulnerable part of his self-esteem.
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"And you think you're worthy of coveting my throne?"
That final question utterly shattered Chiba Xiu's mental defenses.
"Aaaahhh!!"
He completely broke down, roaring like a beast as he raised his long sword and brought it down at Chiba Ran's head with all his strength!
"Die!"
However, just as the blade was about to fall.
Chiba Ran merely lifted his eyelids slightly.
Then.
The entire world fell silent.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless piercing sounds rang out from every direction at once!
One!
Ten!
Fifty!
More than a hundred black figures!
They appeared soundlessly atop the palace roofs, in the bell towers around the square, and in the shadows of every building!
All of them wore fitted black outfits and pure black masks, with standard-issue long blades in their hands.
Killing intent swept across the entire square!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The heavy clash of armor came from the square's four entrances, orderly and uniform.
Squad after squad of City Guards poured in like a tide.
Their steps moved in unison, shields forming an iron wall and spearheads facing outward, sealing every route of escape.
"Traitors! Show no mercy!"
The icy order was given.
The City Guard formations began closing in. Their spears stood like a forest, and every thrust mercilessly crushed all rebels still resisting.
In Konoha's viewing area, Shikaku Nara abruptly raised his head, horror appearing on his face.
Hyuga Hiashi pushed his Byakugan to its limit, veins bulging at his temples.
Not genjutsu. Not shadow clones!
That was...
More than a hundred ninja whose Chakra fluctuations rivaled those of Jonin!
Fugaku Uchiha's Sharingan spun wildly as he stared in disbelief at what he was seeing!
Minato Namikaze froze completely.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood rooted to the spot as though struck by lightning.
In the Four Nations Delegation's area.
The mocking smiles on the faces of the Land of Lightning and Land of Water envoys froze.
The Land of Earth envoy's hand, which had been stroking his beard, stopped in midair.
The female ninja behind the Land of Wind envoy's pupils constricted violently.
Even Juzo Biwa, who had already sworn loyalty, could not help drawing a sharp breath when he saw this force.
As for Shimura Danzō, the muscles in his face twitched wildly. His exposed eye was filled with incredulous terror and despair.
A trap!
This had been a trap from beginning to end!
What weak defenses?!
What an empty Daimyo Manor?!
They were all traps!
On the high platform, Chiba Xiu's full-force downward slash stopped in midair.
It was not because he wanted to stop.
A black blade had somehow already pinned his wrist.
He stiffly turned his head and saw someone wearing a pure black mask standing beside him.
He looked around. Every one of the several dozen loyal death warriors who had charged up with him now had a cold blade pressed to his neck.
In the square.
The Root ninja and desperadoes who had just been slaughtering everyone in their path were now completely surrounded.
The entire square fell silent once more.
Only the wind blew across the high platform, lifting the hem of Chiba Ran's magnificent robes.
Everyone understood.
This was a performance.
A grand performance personally directed by the New Daimyo, allowing everyone with hidden schemes to step onto the stage and act to their hearts' content.
Now, all those meant to take the stage had done so.
And the play had reached its end.
Chiba Ran did not even glance at Chiba Xiu.
His gaze passed over countless stunned, terrified, and horrified faces before finally settling on the Chief Ceremonial Officer, who was cowering in a corner, pale as death and collapsed on the ground.
He beckoned.
Then, in a calm voice, he slowly said,
"Yamano."
"The ceremony will continue."
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