The Daimyo Collapses

Konoha

Hokage Office

Tsunade sat in the Hokage's seat, reviewing documents with a brush. Behind her, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha Uchiha Nara, massaged Tsunade shoulders with a fawning expression.

"Tsunade, why don't you go back to the manor to rest and focus on your pregnancy?"

Tsunade's renewed pregnancy has greatly excited Naraku, Tsunade has been attending to her attentively lately.

"It's only the first month, don't be so nervous, silly."

Tsunade, with an expression of enjoyment on her face, continued:

"Ten months of recuperation is a really boring thing. If you don't want me to come, then I'll go to the entertainment district."

Konoha Entertainment Street, hot springs, and casino entertainment venues are mostly located in Konoha Entertainment Street.

Since Tsunade got married, her personality and image have changed a lot. She pays more attention to her image as the Hokage's wife and rarely goes to places like gambling in entertainment districts.

Their attire mostly consisted of loose green robes, or black tight-fitting combat suits and ninja vests; they no longer wore their usual green shirt embroidered with the word "gambling."

"Anything is fine, as long as you're happy."

Naraku realized he had been too concerned and acted rashly. His excitement from the past few days subsided somewhat.

Given Tsunade's personality, she couldn't possibly stay cooped up in the mansion.

"Weren't you going out to seduce vixens? What are you still doing here?"

Tsunade put down her pen, rolled up the scroll she had reviewed, placed it on the tray beside her, and suddenly uttered this sentence.

Naraku was utterly bewildered by Tsunade's words. He wondered if it was a common ailment among married women that they would suspect something whenever their lover disappeared for a while.

"There's no fox spirit involved. I've been busy with Konoha's affairs. Besides, you've drained me dry; I don't have the energy to think about these things."

"After years of recuperation, the villages of the Shinobi World have regained their vitality, and I'm now focusing my attention on the major powers."

Naraku quickly explained and reported on his work priorities.

There were three major wars in the Shinobi World. The major powers realized the damage the ninja wars had done to their villages and did not, as they had after Second Shinobi World War, provoke conflict and intend to start a major war as soon as they recovered their strength.

"Hmph, you pass."

Tsunade knew that Naraku many things to worry about, so she answered softly. Then she stood up, stretched, turned around to look at Naraku, and reached out her right hand to lift Naraku's chin.

"My dear child, Konoha is a village that Grandpa and your teacher cherish dearly. I hope you can treat Konoha the way you treat me..."

Tsunade had always admired and revered Naraku's gentleness and kindness. Although the couple always pretended to be strong, they could both clearly feel the tenderness in each other's hearts.

Naraku sensed the teasing, his eyes widened, he slowly moved the stool away, and then slapped Tsunade hard on the butt.

"Hmph, are you a man or am I?"

The atmosphere in the office suddenly became somewhat ambiguous.

Bang! Bang!

A knock sounded at the door, and the two of them immediately regained their composure upon hearing the noise.

Tsunade straightened Naraku's sleeves and whispered her advice:

"This is the Hokage Office, let's be serious..."

Naraku somewhat speechless, but did not refute, instead twisting his neck authoritatively and saying:

"Please come in!"

The door opened, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura entered together.

Inside the office, Naraku sat comfortably in the Hokage's seat, while Tsunade stood beside him, holding a scroll in her hand.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura noticed something odd about the two men's faces and frowned.

Both of them were experienced, Utatane Koharu, said calmly:

"Fourth generation, I hope you can be more serious on this occasion."

Naraku frowned slightly. Although Utatane Koharu was right and it was exactly what Naraku like that.

"I know, you two have come together for a visit. Is there something important that has happened?"

Naraku looked at the two of them and asked with some confusion.

Mitokado Homura nodded slightly and said in a deep voice:

"Fourth generation, the Daimyo passed away last night. When do you plan to depart for the Capital City to offer condolences?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura received news of Daimyo Daimyo's death last night, but Naraku hadn't summoned them. Puzzled, they went to the Hokage Office together early this morning to inquire.

Konoha's diplomatic affairs were handled by the two of them, especially the dealings with the Daimyo of the Capital City. Konoha's contact with the Capital City was mostly facilitated by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura acting as a bridge.

As the de facto ruler of the Land of Fire, the Hokage of Konoha generally does not get involved with the Capital City.

When the Hokage faces the Daimyo, being too respectful or too casual is not advisable. Having two highly respected advisors handle the communication is the safest approach.

"The Daimyo has passed away?"

Naraku was somewhat surprised that he hadn't known about this; it was only after the two advisors reminded him.

Naraku glanced at the letters and scrolls on his desk. Some of them hadn't been read yet, and perhaps the information lay within those unread scrolls.

The Intelligence Division and the foreign ministry couldn't possibly fail to report something like this; it's just that the Hokage Office is a bit slow in processing matters and hasn't yet found out about it.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, surprised that the Fourth Hokage seemed to have only just learned of such a momentous event as the Daimyo's passing.

"Ahem, this is of great importance. Please prepare yourselves and we will depart in an hour."

Naraku a little embarrassed, covered his mouth and coughed, then said softly.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura didn't expose the truth, and nodded slightly in reply:

"Alright, we'll wait at the Konoha Gate. The situation is urgent; as the Hokage of Konoha, it's best to depart as soon as possible."

After Utatane Koharu finished speaking, she turned and left. Mitokado Homura glanced at Naraku, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and left with Utatane Koharu.

"His Daimyo was not even forty years old, and he has already passed away..."

Seeing the two advisors leave, Tsunade asked Naraku with some confusion.

The high-ranking Daimyo of Konoha Land of Fire all aware of the Daimyo's age. This Daimyo had reigned for a little over ten years, passing away at the height of his power.

"This Daimyo held extraordinary significance for me; I never imagined he would die so young. Alas."

Naraku sighed with some emotion, then his expression turned serious as he said:

"I heard about the recent unrest among the Capital City's Guardian Ninja. I wonder if it's related to this matter."

"You mean the Daimyo was assassinated?"

Tsunade looked at Naraku with some surprise, unable to believe this guess.

The Daimyo, a figure of Demigod- like stature, is the nominal ruler of the Land of Fire, revered by its subjects. Of course, he is also hated by enemy nations.

The Hokage is incredibly powerful and resides at the very heart of Konoha. Resenting the Hokage is pointless, as there's nothing you can do about him.

Although the Daimyo has Guardian Ninja, they are much easier to deal with than the Hokage.

"Tsunade, I'm heading to the Capital City. I'll leave the affairs of Konoha in your care."

Naraku up, wanting to go to the Capital City to find out what really happened with the Daimyo's death.

"Don't worry, with me here, nothing will go wrong."

Tsunade looked at Naraku, whose face was somewhat serious, and answered gently.