Visiting the Daimyo

As the four filed out, the wooden door closed softly, and quiet returned to the Hokage Office.

Kagami Uchiha turned to Shikata Nara beside him. His expression was composed, and the solemn air he had worn before the Shadow Guard candidates eased somewhat.

"Shikata, I called you here because I'd like your opinion on something."

"Please, speak freely, Lord Hokage," Shikata Nara replied respectfully. "If I can help, I'll tell you everything I know."

Seeing Shikata's deferential manner, Kagami was privately pleased. It seemed the village was gradually accepting him as the new Third Hokage.

He went on at an unhurried pace. "Would you object to working in the Hokage Office?"

"What?" Shikata did not understand at first. Confusion filled his face. "Lord Hokage, what do you mean by working in the Hokage Office? I don't understand..."

"Heh. I want to appoint you my personal secretary and adviser. You have a clear mind, and no one else in the village can match your intelligence. I think highly of you," Kagami explained with a faint smile.

"Well... Lord Hokage, I..."

The Nara Clan had always hated trouble. A Hokage's secretary would surely be buried in tedious work. Shikata was about to refuse.

As though he had seen through Shikata's reluctance, Kagami said evenly:

"Do you think Konoha's Hokage should be tied down by trivial matters, unable to move?"

"Or do you still believe the Hokage's only purpose is to sit in a high office and preserve the peace?

He paused, then his tone turned stern. "You're wrong. To my mind, the Hokage must be the strongest person alive. The nations of the Shinobi World wage war without end. Peace is only a fleeting illusion. Once they recover their strength, another war will come sooner or later. That is the brutal truth!

Shikata held his breath and listened intently.

"In the Shinobi World, peace has never been won through negotiation alone. Take Kumogakure, which signed a treaty with us recently. Conflict between us may still break out again. Only overwhelming strength can keep Konoha standing firm in this turbulent world."

"When Lord Hashirama was still alive, everyone in the Shinobi World knew he had fought Madara Uchiha to the death at the Valley of the End. Even though Lord Hashirama returned victorious, outsiders speculated that he was gravely wounded, perhaps even dying."

"Yet despite all those rumors, who dared start a war? Did they lack the desire? No. They coveted everything this fertile land of the Land of Fire had to offer. But they did not dare. Why? Because Lord Hashirama was still alive. Until they could confirm his death, they had no choice but to bury their ambitions and wait."

"Then news of Lord Hashirama's death spread across the Shinobi World. Look at how the nations reacted. Apart from Sunagakure, which of the other three great nations did not go to war?"

"That is the deterrence one unrivaled fighter can impose on the entire Shinobi World. Lord Tobirama led everyone to end the First Shinobi World War, and Konoha won. But how many comrades' lives did that victory cost us?"

"With your insight, do you think another Shinobi World War will break out?"

At those words, Shikata straightened slightly. Every thought of shirking troublesome work vanished.

He understood Kagami's deeper meaning at once. Lowering his gaze, he answered with respectful sincerity, "Lord Hokage, in my humble opinion, the Second Shinobi World War is inevitable."

"Oh? Tell me why." Kagami raised his brows, genuine appreciation in his eyes as he waited for Shikata's analysis.

"First, during the First Shinobi World War, Kirigakure's Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, and Iwagakure's Second Tsuchikage Mu killed each other. The hatred between their sides runs deep. It won't disappear easily."

"Second, Sunagakure in the Land of Wind stayed out of this war, but their Second Kazekage, Shamon, has devoted himself to researching Puppet Technique and the development of Jinchūriki. His ambitions are plain to see. Once that research bears fruit, Sunagakure won't be content to remain in that impoverished desert. Konoha will undoubtedly be its first target."

Shikata glanced up at Kagami. Seeing him listen closely, he continued in a grave voice:

"Then there's Kumogakure. You're right, Lord Hokage. Their Third Raikage visited Konoha and signed a peace agreement, but promises on paper are fragile when interests are at stake. Kumogakure was also our main enemy in the First Shinobi World War. I refuse to believe they can forget that hatred and live in peace with us from now on!"

Clap, clap—

Crisp applause rang through the solemn Hokage Office.

Kagami smiled, approval clear in his eyes.

"Very good. Shikata, you can see the larger picture. That intelligence and vision are exactly what Konoha needs. Only a position of real importance will do your talents justice."

His smile faded. Looking Shikata in the eye, he asked warmly but earnestly, "Now, what do you think of becoming my secretary and adviser?"

Faced with Kagami's trust and expectations, Shikata took a deep breath and cast aside every excuse and trace of reluctance. He answered with firm resolve:

"I understand. Since you place your trust in me, Lord Hokage, I accept. I will do everything I can to assist you, manage official affairs, and plan for the future. I will give my all to Konoha's stability and never betray the trust you've placed in me!"

At last, complete satisfaction showed on Kagami's face.

"Excellent. Go home and get some rest. Report to the Hokage Building tomorrow morning to begin your duties."

Shikata stepped out of the Hokage Building into the afternoon sunlight. A thin layer of sweat had formed on his back.

The conversation in the office had stirred a fire in him.

He stopped and looked back at the imposing building.

From this day forward, the Nara Clan would stand behind Lord Hokage, offering him counsel and facing the coming storm in the Shinobi World alongside the new Hokage.

Shikata exhaled softly, straightened his back, and headed toward the Nara Clan's grounds.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

The sweeping reforms Kagami had introduced were implemented one by one.

The intelligence system was reorganized, the Medical Department expanded and recruited new staff, the ninja education curriculum was revised, and reforms to the five great ninja forces gradually got on track. Pile after pile of complicated work was brought into order. The unrest that had gripped Konoha after the Second Hokage's death gave way to growing stability.

One day, several senior leaders gathered in the Hokage Office.

Among them were Utatane Koharu, head of the Medical Department; Shimura Danzō, head of the Intelligence Department; Hiruzen Sarutobi, who led Root; and Torifu Akimichi.

After the routine reports were finished, Koharu took half a step forward, her expression solemn.

"Lord Hokage, the new policies are progressing steadily, and the village is settling down. But you still haven't held an official succession ceremony. Many clans and villagers remain uneasy. Without your position formally confirmed, our policies lack authority. We've discussed it and have come to ask you to choose an auspicious day for the ceremony."

Danzō stood to one side, his lone arm at his side and his gaze steady. "Koharu is right. The ceremony isn't just for show. It sends a clear message to all of Konoha and the Shinobi World: Konoha's new Hokage has taken up the mantle."

Hiruzen nodded. "Kagami, we all want what's best for the village. Once your position is formally established, everything else will go more smoothly. We can't put off the ceremony any longer."

Torifu added, "Yes. Plenty of villagers and ninja have been talking about it. The sooner it's done, the more at ease everyone will feel."

Every eye turned to Kagami, waiting for his answer.

Kagami stood before the floor-to-ceiling window at the back of the Hokage Office, gazing outside.

The weather was growing colder. Autumn winds swept yellowed leaves over the rooftops, and winter was nearly here.

Houses spread across Konoha below. Hokage Rock stood quietly in the distance, while ninja passed through the streets amid the bustle of daily life.

He heard every word behind him, but did not turn at once. His gaze traveled across the village before he finally spoke.

"You've all done good work these past few months. The village has stabilized."

"The year's end is approaching. We can't delay this any further."

"In that case, make the arrangements as soon as possible. Let's give the village something to celebrate and put everyone's minds at ease. We can also show the Shinobi World that Konoha is still Konoha. Losing someone has not made us weak."

Kagami turned and looked over those gathered.

Everyone quietly breathed a sigh of relief at his agreement.

Hiruzen stepped forward. "Kagami, there's something I should remind you of. When Lord Hashirama and our teacher took office, they each made a special trip to the Land of Fire Capital to meet the Daimyo."

"I think you should go as well. Konoha and the Land of Fire are bound together, but officially, the ninja village falls under the Land of Fire. The Daimyo's Office provides us with substantial funding every year. His formal approval is a step we can't skip."

Kagami listened to Hiruzen and fell briefly into thought.

Hiruzen was right. Under the One Country, One Village System, the village and the nation depended on each other while remaining wary of one another.

Formally, the Daimyo ruled the nation. Konoha was its ninja force.

By law, Konoha chose its Hokage internally, but the appointment only became legitimate once the Daimyo formally approved it. In theory, the Daimyo also had to be notified of the succession ceremony, giving the appointment his official seal.

The Daimyo controlled the nation's tax revenue, and much of Konoha's funding, including its military budget, came from the Daimyo's Office. In return, the Daimyo had no substantial military force of his own and relied on Konoha to protect the country.

That was the agreement Hashirama Senju had reached with the Daimyo when he founded Konoha.

In practice, however, the Daimyo rarely interfered in Konoha's internal affairs, and the village enjoyed broad autonomy. The Hokage needed to consult him only on major matters such as war, important diplomacy, or enormous budgets.

After a while, Kagami collected his thoughts and looked at the others.

"Very well. I'll visit the Capital and meet the Daimyo first. He has long supported Konoha, and it's only right that I pay him a visit. Once I return, we'll settle on a date for the succession ceremony."

Hiruzen asked, "Kagami, what about your escort? Will you draw personnel from Anbu, or would you like me to select some of Root's best?"

Danzō was about to step forward and speak when Kagami raised a hand.

"There's no need for a large escort. The Shadow Guard will be enough. We'll still be within the Land of Fire. Nothing too serious should happen."

Danzō frowned, alarmed. "Kagami, have you forgotten how our teacher was ambushed and wounded? Taking only four guards is too risky!"

"That's enough, Danzō. Those four are among the village's finest. They can handle any ordinary trouble. And if someone does try a trick, no scheme will escape these eyes."

Kagami spoke with quiet certainty. His Sharingan slowly began to turn.

Hiruzen gave Danzō a discreet tug, stopping the objection he was about to make.

Kagami was in his prime and possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. Few in the entire Shinobi World would dare provoke him.

After all, the last man whose Mangekyō had become feared throughout the Shinobi World was Madara Uchiha.

The legendary ninja known as the Asura of the Ninja World.