"We have to suppress bandits for the Land of Lightning to develop properly."
Neji took a sip of tea.
Bandits were cannon fodder for newly graduated Genin to practice on.
None of the great ninja villages would wipe them out completely.
And so a strange phenomenon arose: the ninja suppressed bandits year after year, yet the bandits never disappeared.
Mabui stared at Neji in astonishment, then slapped her forehead before asking, "The Land of Lightning's development? That's not something we ninja should interfere with."
Neji nodded. "I know. The daimyo is the country's actual ruler, and ninja have to obey him. But that was before. Now that I've taken this position, everything has to change."
Mabui's gaze sharpened. "Neji, that way of thinking is far too shocking. If word gets out, you might be accused of treason—"
Neji raised a hand to stop her, then continued, "Mabui, I know what you're worried about. Everything I'm doing is for Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning."
After a pause, Neji asked tentatively, "Mabui, do you think I could become the daimyo?"
"This?"
Mabui was startled. A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "The daimyo's position is hereditary. Becoming one would be very difficult—unless..."
Her answer was much more agreeable than Neji had expected.
Ninja had rigid ways of thinking.
If Neji had said he wanted to eliminate the daimyo, the ninja would have considered it treason.
But if he said he wanted to take the daimyo's place, they might find the idea absurd, yet they could accept it.
In truth, there was no fundamental difference between the two.
Perhaps the daimyo whom ninja respected was little more than a symbol.
To the ninja, it didn't matter who held the title.
Of course, the daimyo Neji meant was the ruler of the entire Shinobi