Choosing a king! The arrogant candidates!

Dong—

Dong—

The ancient bells rang out, resonant, deep, and majestic.

Atop Lugunica Cathedral, they tolled in unison.

Their peals became rings of tangible sound waves that swept across the entire Royal Capital.

They signaled the official opening of the Royal Selection ceremony, a tradition passed down for a thousand years.

In an instant, the atmosphere throughout the royal city froze.

"Have you heard? The Royal Selection begins today."

"I wonder.

"Who will inherit the kingdom's supreme authority this time?"

Outside the palace square, on the broad flagstone pavement.

Countless aristocrats from distinguished families stood in lavish formal attire, their expressions arrogant.

By now.

Under the guards' guidance, they had begun gathering into factions outside the square.

Rival powers staked out their ground.

Every candidate's supporters clenched their fists.

Suffocating, oppressive fluctuations of mana filled the air.

"Hmph. Whoever it is, we must make a choice today."

"Indeed.

"That silver-haired lord who descended upon the Royal Capital is still watching."

Along the avenue.

Countless powerful nobles trembled with fear.

They whispered among themselves, cold sweat betraying their unease.

Their faces were deathly pale, and they occasionally cast fearful glances at the sky.

Meanwhile, deep within the Void Palace.

Inside an exceedingly luxurious bedchamber filled with a warm fragrance.

Tobirama Uchiha reclined in a soft, comfortable black-and-gold chair.

His silver hair stirred gently in the breeze, his expression utterly indifferent.

He held Rem, one of the twin maids, tightly in his arms, her face flushed with bashfulness.

"Master... is Rem pressing hard enough?"

Rem's little face was red.

Her warm little hands gently kneaded Tobirama's chest.

The lethal pure yang attraction of his perfect sage body.

Made Rem's temperature rise.

"The pressure is right. Very good."

Tobirama's expression remained indifferent.

His Nine-Tomoe Tenseigan Rinnegan calmly surveyed the square below.