The Daimyo's Stance!

Konoha.

Hokage Office.

"Lord Fujiwara."

"Chiba is just an ordinary Chunin."

"He probably isn't qualified to attend a high-level meeting like this, is he?"

Utatane Koharu could not help speaking up.

She could not tolerate some brat climbing over their heads.

"Rules?"

"In the Land of Fire, the Daimyo's Imperial Decree is the greatest rule!"

"Advisor Utatane, are you questioning the Daimyo's decision?"

Fujiwara's expression darkened as he heavily slapped his folding fan against his palm.

An immense political pressure bore down on them.

Utatane Koharu's face turned pale, and she immediately dared not say another word.

No matter how strong a shinobi village was, it was still the Daimyo's subject.

At least in name.

Offend the Daimyo, have the funding cut off, and Konoha would collapse without a fight.

"Please calm your anger, Lord Fujiwara. Koharu did not mean that."

"This old man will have it handled immediately."

"Within half an hour, every Jonin will be brought here."

Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.

Yet the smile on his face was somewhat stiff.

"It had better be."

Fujiwara snorted coldly.

With that said.

Surrounded by his attendants, he strode proudly toward the VIP reception room.

Watching Fujiwara's departing back.

The atmosphere in the Hokage Building's corridor was so oppressive that no one could breathe.

"Hiruzen!"

Utatane Koharu shrieked in a low voice.

"The Daimyo is going to back that beast!"

"We've been set up!"

Mitokado Homura also panicked.

"What do we do?"

"If the Daimyo forcibly appoints Chiba as Hokage, do we accept it?"

Accept?

That would be cutting their flesh!

Refuse?

That would be treason!

In a world that valued legitimacy.

No one could bear the charge of treason.

"What are you panicking for!"

"The Daimyo has no authority to directly appoint a Hokage!"

"The rules set down by the Second Hokage state that the Hokage must be elected from within the village!"

"The Daimyo has, at most, the right to make recommendations and sign the letter of appointment!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen gripped his pipe tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Though he said that, he had no confidence at all.

Tsunade's uncle, the current Daimyo of the Land of Fire, was no easy opponent.

"Go."

"Notify all the clans, and Chiba as well."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around, his back seeming somewhat hunched.

"This old man would like to see what kind of waves Chiba can stir up!"

Half an hour later.

Konoha's grand conference room.

The spacious room was already packed with people.

A glance around revealed nothing but Konoha's elite.

Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Fugaku Uchiha.

The heads of the major shinobi clans, along with every notable Jonin, had all arrived.

Everyone wore strange expressions.

Whispers filled the room.

"Did you hear? The Daimyo's envoy came in person."

"It must be related to what happened the day before yesterday."

"Chiba awakened Wood Style, and even Danzo died. The higher-ups can't sit still now."

"Shh, keep it down. The Third generation is here."

At the head of the room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu took their seats one after another.

The three of them looked so grim it seemed water could drip from their faces.

Danzo alone was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone understood that the leader of Root had completely become history.

Just then.

The conference room doors were pushed open once more.

A tall, straight figure stepped inside.

His black hair was long, and his features handsome.

His eyes were calm as water, while a faint yet palpable pressure radiated from him.

The vitality bestowed by the Perfect Sage Body made him shine among the crowd like the sun.

Senju Qianye!

Whoosh!

Everyone's gazes instantly converged on him.

Amazement, fear, wariness, delight.

All kinds of complicated looks intertwined.

Fugaku Uchiha gave a slight nod, considering it a greeting.

Shikaku Nara lowered his head, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Aburame Shibi adjusted his dark sunglasses, making his expression impossible to read.

Facing everyone's gazes.

Chiba did not care in the slightest and simply walked over to an empty seat.

That attitude made Utatane Koharu on the platform grit her teeth in fury.

That brat did not take them seriously at all!

"Lord Fujiwara has arrived!"

The attendant at the door announced loudly.

Immediately afterward.

Fujiwara, the Daimyo's envoy, strode into the conference room.

Holding the golden Imperial Decree, he walked to the center of the platform.

"Lord Fujiwara."

"All of Konoha's Jonin have been assembled."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood and bowed slightly.

Fujiwara did not even look at him, directly unrolling the Imperial Decree.

His gaze swept across the room before finally stopping on Chiba in the corner.

A trace of respect flashed through his eyes.

It was not respect for a shinobi, but respect for a blood relative of the royal family.

Tsunade's mother had been a princess of the previous generation.

As a descendant of the Senju Clan, Chiba could likewise receive special treatment.

Therefore.

In the eyes of Land of Fire nobles who worshipped bloodlines, Chiba was no commoner shinobi.

He was a genuine distant relative of the royal family!

"The Imperial Decree of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!"

Fujiwara read aloud.

The conference room instantly fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"Since its establishment, Konoha has protected the nation and defended its people, earning outstanding merit."

"However, the higher-ups have recently neglected their duties, and internal strife has become severe."

"Root leader Shimura Danzo conducted unauthorized human experiments and harmed his comrades. His crimes are heinous!"

Boom!

The moment those words fell, shocked cries erupted throughout the conference room.

The Daimyo had actually passed direct judgment!

And before all the Jonin, he had completely torn away the higher-ups' facade!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face instantly turned deathly pale.

How did the Daimyo know so much?

Human experimentation, harming comrades.

Once those charges were confirmed, the entire Konoha High Command's credibility would utterly collapse!

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu fared even worse, their bodies beginning to tremble faintly.

Fujiwara ignored the small movements on the platform and continued reading.

"The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, failed to discipline his subordinates and indulged treacherous officials. He cannot escape blame."

"On behalf of the Daimyo, this official delivers a severe condemnation of Konoha's high command!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head without saying a word.

His hands gripped the edge of the podium so tightly that his nails nearly sank into the wood.

Utter humiliation!

After forty years in office, when had he ever suffered such disgrace?

To be scolded by the Daimyo to his face before all his subordinates!

"In light of this."

Fujiwara raised his voice again.

"The Daimyo believes that Konoha needs a new atmosphere and a more dynamic leader."

"Senju Clan descendant, Senju Qianye."

"He has awakened Wood Style, possesses extraordinary strength, and has upright character."

"The Daimyo hereby recommends Senju Qianye as a candidate for the Fifth Hokage!"

"Furthermore, beginning today, Konoha's funding allocation for the next quarter will be reduced by thirty percent until a new Hokage takes office!"

What?

The entire conference room completely erupted!

If the previous sentence was merely a recommendation for Chiba, everyone could still accept it.

But the latter sentence was a naked threat!

If they did not let Chiba take the position, their funding would be cut off!

A thirty-percent reduction in funds!

For the current Konoha, that was practically a fatal blow.

Only a few years had passed since the Third Shinobi World War ended, and the village needed money everywhere.

With thirty percent of its funding gone, Konoha's operations would immediately fall into paralysis.

The Daimyo's move was too ruthless.

He was directly using money to force Konoha to lower its head!

"Lord Fujiwara!"

"This violates the rules!"

"The Hokage election is Konoha's internal matter. How can the Daimyo use funding to threaten us?"

Utatane Koharu could no longer hold herself back and abruptly rose to her feet.

Her voice was sharp, carrying a trace of terror.

"A threat?"

"Advisor Utatane, watch your words."

"The Daimyo's money can be given to whoever he wishes. If he doesn't want to give it, no one can force him."

"Since Konoha can't even maintain internal security, how can the Daimyo rest easy entrusting you with his money?"

"This official is merely conveying the Daimyo's will."

"As for how you choose, that is your concern."

Fujiwara sneered and flicked his folding fan.

With that said.

He placed the Imperial Decree on the podium, then turned his gaze to Chiba with a smile on his face.

"Lord Chiba."

"The Daimyo awaits your good news in the capital at any time."

"..."