While Mei Terumi was still picking up her shattered dignity from the floor.
Minato Namikaze was also waiting for the Daimyo's summons.
Unlike the previous times, Minato Namikaze wore the Hokage Robe that symbolized his identity as Hokage today.
His golden hair remained dazzling, while his azure eyes were utterly calm.
He did not even have the guards announce him. He simply stood quietly outside the study and waited.
His bearing was less like that of the Fourth Hokage, whose name shook the Shinobi World, and more like an ordinary minister awaiting his sovereign's audience.
When he entered, he stopped three steps away from the desk.
Then, he bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"Lord Daimyo."
The form of address had not changed.
Yet the restraint and distance that belonged to a Hokage had vanished completely from his tone.
Chiba Ran leaned against the back of his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
He neither told Minato Namikaze to rise nor spoke.
Silence was a ruler's finest weapon.
It exerted pressure and revealed the truth.
The study was utterly silent.
Minato Namikaze maintained his bow without moving. Loose strands of hair fell over his forehead, concealing his expression.
The sharp aura around him had long since been restrained.
Like a blade returned to its sheath.
After an unknown amount of time, Chiba Ran finally spoke.
"Have you thought it through?"
"Yes, I have."
"Rise. Tell me how you thought it through."
Minato Namikaze straightened, meeting Chiba Ran's gaze with open composure.
"Previously... I had always considered matters from Konoha's standpoint. My perspective was too narrow, and I failed Lord Daimyo's expectations."
"Oh?"
Chiba Ran's interest was piqued. He leaned forward slightly. "Then whose standpoint are you taking now?"
Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, his expression incomparably solemn.
"The Land of Fire."
The three words landed with resounding force.
He continued, "From now on, Konoha's interests will completely serve the overall interests of the Land of Fire."
"Konoha is Konoha of the Land of Fire."
Those words were a belated declaration of allegiance.
They represented the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, completely bowing to the Daimyo on a spiritual level.
The smile on Chiba Ran's face deepened.
This was even more perfect than he had expected.
A Hokage with a broken spine was nothing more than a puppet.
But a Hokage who voluntarily changed his mindset and embraced his ideals would become a truly useful blade.
"Very good."
Chiba Ran finally spoke, approval entering his voice.
"Sit, Minato."
"Tell me about your new plan."
"Yes."
Minato Namikaze sat down as instructed, took out a scroll, and presented it with both hands.
There was no longer the slightest equality of partners in his posture. It was entirely the report of a subordinate to his superior.
"Regarding the Genius Training Special Fund, I believe Lord Daimyo's approach is entirely correct."
"Concentrating resources to cultivate top-tier combat power is indeed the best way to raise the Land of Fire's deterrent strength in the short term."
"However, simple financial support can easily cause young ninja to lose themselves in power and wealth, making them forget the original purpose of fighting."
He raised his head, his eyes sincere and pleading.
"Therefore, I humbly propose upgrading the Genius Cultivation Plan into the Will of Fire Inheritance Plan."
"The Will of Fire?"
Chiba Ran savored the four words with amusement. "Go on."
Minato Namikaze continued, "The selected geniuses will not only receive preferential funding and resources, but must also undergo one-on-one instruction from mentors."
"The mentors will be the most experienced and resolute Jonin in the village."
"Their duty will be to teach these geniuses how to use their power correctly, guide them in establishing a belief in serving the nation, and make them understand the responsibilities that come with strength."
"This funding is meant to shape not only their strength, but also their souls."
Minato Namikaze glanced at Chiba Ran. Seeing no sign of opposition on his face, he felt slightly relieved.
"As for the selection of the Guardians of the Twelve, I suggest holding an open Selection Tournament for every ninja in the village."
"No questions about origin, no consideration of background. Only loyalty and strength."
"The final twelve winners will represent Konoha and become the sharpest swords in Lord Daimyo's hand, as well as the supreme glory of the Land of Fire."
"This will allow every ninja to see a fair path to advancement while maximizing their potential and selecting the strongest warriors for you."
After he finished, he looked at Chiba Ran with eager expectation in his eyes.
Chiba Ran did not immediately state his position. He merely picked up the new plan and read through it page by page.
The handwriting was neat, the structure clear, and there were even detailed proposals for the tournament rules and mentor selection standards.
It was clear that Minato Namikaze had not rested properly lately for the sake of this proposal.
All his struggles had been poured into this scroll.
Minato Namikaze's heart involuntarily tightened.
He did not know whether the Daimyo would tolerate the personal agenda he had slipped into it.
Binding the cultivation of geniuses to the Will of Fire.
This was the final bottom line he could preserve as Hokage.
After a long while.
Chiba Ran finally closed the scroll and gently placed it on the desk.
"The plan is good."
He looked at Minato Namikaze, his eyes unfathomably deep, as though he could see straight through him.
"Minato, you are very clever."
"You know what I want, and you know what you want to preserve."
"You are trying to find a balance within my rules, one that you can accept."
Minato Namikaze's heart sank heavily.
His little scheme truly could not be hidden from this sovereign.
"However..."
Chiba Ran changed the subject, amusement once again appearing on his face.
"I like clever subordinates."
"Because working with clever people is the most efficient."
He picked up the Imperial Brush on the desk, dipped it in cinnabar ink, and signed his name across the scroll's cover with sweeping strokes.
"We'll do as you say."
"I have only one requirement."
Chiba Ran's voice suddenly grew heavier.
"The mentor list for the Will of Fire Inheritance Plan."
"The list of geniuses ultimately selected."
"And the results of the Guardians of the Twelve selection."
"All of them must be personally reviewed and finally approved by me."
He paused, speaking each word distinctly.
"Their power will be bestowed by me."
"Their loyalty can belong only to me, to the Land of Fire."
"As for that Will of Fire you mentioned..."
Chiba Ran leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and calmly watched Minato Namikaze.
"From today onward, my will is the Will of Fire."
"Do you understand?"
Chiba Ran had agreed to the plan.
Minato Namikaze should have been happy, yet he could not bring himself to feel happy at all.
Because with a single sentence, the Daimyo had stripped the soul from this plan.
The Daimyo's will was the Will of Fire.
This was the final warning, and the ultimate judgment of power.
All his struggles, all his efforts, all his compromises, turned to dust at this moment.
What he had tried to protect had merely been given a new name in the end.
A name belonging to the Daimyo.
Minato Namikaze slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, the last trace of light belonging to the Hokage had completely gone out from those azure eyes.
He stood once more, then removed the Hokage Robe, revealing the ninja uniform beneath.
He folded the Hokage Robe and placed it to one side.
Then he dropped to one knee without the slightest hesitation.
This time, it was the etiquette of a subject toward his sovereign.
"This subordinate... understands!"
"From this day onward, Konoha will have no Hokage."
"There will only be Minato Namikaze, Supreme Commander of Konoha under the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
At this moment.
An era came to a complete end.
At last, a satisfied smile appeared on Chiba Ran's face. "No, you are still the Hokage."
He generously returned the Hokage's title to him.
Because only the title of Hokage remained.
"Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"
Ding! Target: Minato Namikaze Loyalty: 85 (Loyal and Reliable) Congratulations, Host, for completing the hidden mission: The End of the Hokage! You have completely subdued the Fourth Hokage. Konoha's sharpest sword is now entirely in your hands. Reward: National Fortune +500.
Very good.
Chiba Ran looked at the man kneeling before him, feeling delighted.
"Rise, Fourth Hokage."
"From today onward, you will have a greater stage."
He picked up the Hokage Robe set aside nearby and personally draped it over Minato Namikaze.
"The future of the Land of Fire needs your Flying Thunder God Technique."
Before you continue