Later that day, Yuhara was summoned before Fifth Hokage and prospective Daimyo Lady Tsunade. For Tsunade, this was finally her first time meeting him in person... Although Yuhara had previously carried out a mission to find Tsunade, the two had never actually come into contact during the process.
"Regarding the Daimyo's death, is there anything you'd like to explain?" Tsunade asked first after meeting Yuhara.
It was a perfectly normal question. Anyone who wasn't an idiot could see that the sudden tragedy that had befallen the Daimyo and his clan was highly suspicious. On top of that, with the "will of the people" now making Tsunade the new Daimyo, it was obvious that someone had been pushing things along. The invisible hand behind it was practically visible now. Who could fail to notice it?
Under normal circumstances, even if the Daimyo's heir couldn't be found, the Land of Fire's capital would only descend into endless arguments over the new Daimyo. The various factions would fight among themselves, and it would probably take months for the matter to be settled. But what about now? On the second day after the Daimyo's death—or, strictly speaking, within twenty-four hours—someone had already unified everyone's opinions in the capital and confirmed the current Hokage as the next Daimyo.
In reality, if a new Daimyo were to be selected from across the country, the Hokage basically wouldn't be a candidate. Fifth Hokage Tsunade, however, would very likely be one. Even so, she could never truly ascend to the position... A Hokage becoming the Daimyo would be far too powerful. As subordinates or subjects, no one wanted to see such a strong-willed ruler.
So why had Yuhara happened to be in Minor Name City at such a critical moment?
"It may have something to do with the