The Capital

The Capital's relationships were complicated, but its power structure was fairly simple.

The Daimyo held the most power. He governed every affair in the Land of Fire, military and political alike.

Even the Hokage was nominally under the Daimyo's authority. Each new Hokage needed his approval, though in practice it was little more than a formality.

But the Daimyo was heavily guarded, with the Twelve Guardian Ninja stationed at his side year-round.

Pressuring Konoha through the Daimyo was hardly realistic.

The most powerful man beneath the Daimyo was the Chancellor, Terauchi Shinichi.

Then came the Finance Minister, who controlled money and grain, and the Logistics Minister, who oversaw Supplies.

All these Capital officials had the Daimyo's ear. They could put in a bad word for Konoha.

A night passed. Fugaku did not rush to approach the officials. He planned to learn what the people of the Capital thought first.

At noon, in a bustling tavern, an ordinary man sat drinking in a corner while listening intently to the conversations around him.

Most people were discussing local gossip. Almost no one mentioned the Ninja Village or Ninja.

When they did, they talked about the Twelve Guardian Ninja at the Daimyo's side, not Konoha or the Land of the Moon War.

Disguised as an ordinary villager, Fugaku slowly surveyed the Capital residents who had already had plenty to drink.

His dark eyes turned crimson with the Mangekyo Sharingan. One man met his gaze and was instantly drawn in, falling under Fugaku's Genjutsu.

In that instant, the man was deeply hypnotized and under Fugaku's control.

The man took a long swig of wine and said loudly, "A Traveling Merchant from Konoha told me that just a few days ago, Ninja from Kumogakure ambushed and killed Konoha's Elder Genki while he was escorting Supplies