"Heh heh~~~"
The Third Hokage's first reaction was how to salvage the situation. Ronglin could only smile helplessly at that.
"This is my decision. I will not compromise—not with anyone."
Looking at the Third Hokage's increasingly aged face, Ronglin raised his right hand and slowly drew it across his throat.
"..."
The Third Hokage looked utterly horrified, unable to believe it. Ronglin actually wanted to kill the Daimyo—was that something to joke about?
Since the founding of the great nations, nothing like this had ever happened.
"Since ancient times, military and political affairs have not interfered with one another. But now politics has climbed onto the military's head. That is something I cannot tolerate. Since that is the case, why can't military and political power be merged?"
Ronglin calmly voiced his thoughts. They were shocking—something ordinary people would never even imagine.
"Is this your final notice?"
The Third Hokage wore a bitter smile. He knew Ronglin had not come to discuss this with him. Perhaps he might have in the past, but not now.
Ever since the previous incident, his place in Ronglin's heart had completely changed. Though he had been sidelined, the Third Hokage had no regrets. If he had to do it again, he would still make the same choice.
Ronglin had come here only to tell him what he intended to do, not to discuss it with him.
After smiling bitterly for a while, the Third Hokage realized that he had underestimated Ronglin, despite having watched him grow up.
"Must you really do this? It could plunge the entire Land of Fire into chaos. Do you want the Sengoku era to return?"
"No!"
Ronglin shook his head, slowly rose to his feet, and looked down at the bitterly smiling Third Hokage as he said in a deep