The Land of Fire could be said to be divided between two powers: one half belonged to Konoha's Hokage, while the other half belonged to the Daimyo.
Unfortunately, the Daimyo did not hold much real power. All of Konoha's actual authority rested in the Hokage's hands.
The Daimyo's subordinates were not part of Konoha, but given their status, kneeling on one knee when they met was only proper.
However, these men seemed to have no such intention. They merely nodded indifferently in response to Ronglin.
Uchiha Diqin frowned slightly but said nothing, standing quietly to one side.
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, a trace of chill hanging on his shark-like face.
Yet these men failed to notice any of it.
"Kazuma of the Guardians Twelve greets Lord Hokage on behalf of the Daimyo."
One of them directly announced his identity. Ronglin looked at the arrogant group and thought for a moment. The name Kazuma sounded somewhat familiar...
Oh, wasn't he the guy who sealed the Chakra leaked by the Nine-Tails into his own son's body?
Ronglin suddenly remembered. This man, Kazuma, was one of the Guardians Twelve and had even been dealt with by Asuma. He was an extremist who believed that all real power in the Land of Fire should be handed over to the Daimyo. He was completely on the Daimyo's side.
The meaning of handing real power over to the Daimyo was simple: all of Konoha should be ruled by the Daimyo rather than by the Hokage.
"Heh heh~~~"
Ronglin rested both arms on the desk, propping up his chin as he narrowed his eyes at Kazuma and the others. Then he suddenly laughed, leaving Kazuma's group stunned and unable to understand what he was laughing about.
"Kneel!!"
The smile vanished from Ronglin's face in an instant, replaced by