The meeting began quickly and ended just as quickly.
In less than two hours, the wheels of history crushed an old order that had endured for centuries.
No one resisted.
No one dared resist.
An oppressive silence hung in the air, like the lingering smoke of a battlefield, making every breath feel tight.
The meeting's agenda was concise and cold, like ironclad laws:
-Establish the Yemu Empire, with the Land of Iron as its capital;
-Eliminate every nation's Daimyo, completely eradicating the symbols of the old order's power;
-Establish state-owned banks, placing the economy's lifeblood in the Empire's hands;
-Abolish the ninja village system, replacing it with a Guard Army directly subordinate to the Empire.
Each decree severed the foundations of the old world like a sharp blade.
The map hanging on the wall cast long shadows beneath the lamplight, as though whispering of the upheaval to come.
Inside Konoha.
Beyond the windows of the Hokage's Office, night had already fallen. Heavy clouds seemed to press down on the rooftops, making it hard to breathe.
Tsunade stood before the window with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing down at the streets dotted with lights as an indescribable mix of emotions rose within her.
She took a deep breath and turned toward the elite Konoha ninja who had gathered.
"That is the situation." Her voice was steady, but tinged with exhaustion.
"Who should we send to eliminate the Land of Fire's Daimyo?"
Silence immediately filled the room.
Even the experienced Jonin felt the weight and irreversibility of that order.
A flicker of reluctance crossed Tsunade's eyes.
She was the princess of the Senju Clan. Having grown up among Konoha's leadership, she was no stranger to the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
Several years earlier, she had gambled away everything in