In the VIP area of Phoenix Tower in Konoha, sunlight streamed through the exquisitely carved wooden windows into the spacious restaurant, filling the air with the aroma of various breakfasts. A group of retired Konoha High Command elders sat around a rustic round table, enjoying the Konoha Phoenix Tower's exquisite, delicious, and complimentary breakfasts. This was their daily gathering place, a venue for them to discuss current events.
They were all over fifty years old. Life expectancy in the Shinobi World is generally low. These people, who once held high positions in Konoha and were influential figures in the Shinobi World, have now retired behind the scenes, but they still maintain a strong interest in the situation in Konoha and the Land of Fire.
Chozan Akimichi put down his chopsticks, frowned, and said, "I don't quite understand the situation in the Land of Fire. It feels like the Ten Family is getting stronger and stronger. Look! The Lord Hokage is Tsubasa, and now the Hokage's wife, Tian Flying Swallow, has become the Queen of the Land of Fire. Their son, Tenbutsu, who is not even two years old, has become the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Dean of the highest academy, the Kage Academy, is Tian Yueqing. Doesn't that mean that the entire highest level of the Land of Fire is made up of the Ten Family?"
Momiji Yamanaka sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "The most amazing thing is that no one objects, and everyone in the Land of Fire's life has improved. The Ten Family seems to be selfless, which makes it hard to find fault with them, yet there's always a feeling that something is amiss. In all my years, I've never seen anything like this."
Masataka Hatake nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "That's because both the Lord Hokage and the Queen are people who wholeheartedly care for the people. Their achievements are genuine. Look at the common people of the Land of Fire now; they worship Tsubasa and Tian Flying Swallow as gods."
Vincent Mitarashi sighed, "Queen Tian Flying Swallow has displayed High Immortal Level strength on the battlefield of the Land of Rice Fields. There are even rumors among the Azure Dragon Army that her strength is not much less than that of the Lord Hokage. This is simply unbelievable."
Asuka Nobumoto shook his head, his face full of doubt. "I'm just curious how the sons of the daimyo could be so stupid, killing each other to this extent, and in the end, the throne was even snatched away by the little princess, Tian Flying Swallow. And the various nobles didn't even have any reason to object. What exactly happened?"
Shikaboshi Nara smiled slightly and said slowly, "The main fool is the Second Prince. It's also because the Ten Family's fortune and strength are strong enough. Originally, our ninja village was not allowed to participate in the affairs of the Land of Fire's Daimyo. This was a rule established by the First and the Daimyo. Because if any ninja were involved in the selection of the Daimyo, it would be easy for the Daimyo's power to be controlled by someone else. It is precisely because of this that the Daimyo has absolute power and strength to control any force outside the ninja village. However, the Shimura Clan secretly participated in the struggle for the Land of Fire's Daimyo and killed five princes and crippled one of them, which gave Queen Tian Flying Swallow an opportunity."
Nanrei Inuzuka's eyes widened, her face filled with shock. "Explain in detail, how come the Shimura Clan is a lucky star? Aren't they jinxes?"
Shikaboshi Nara chuckled awkwardly, "You could say the Shimura Clan is the lucky star of the Ten Family! Lord Tsubasa originally had no interest in the Hokage Position; he was someone who only wanted to train. The Hiruzen Sarutobi's Four-Person Faction had already been placed on the Hokage throne of Konoha by the Senju Clan clan! But then, Shimura Danzō appeared, advocating a scheme to seize the wealth of the Senju orphans. This forced the 12-year-old Hokage Tsubasa, to step in and oust them. At that time, we old folks were stunned. The perfect situation collapsed instantly. Lord Tsubasa single-handedly forced the entire Konoha to bow down. He even dragged the deceased First and Second Hokage out of the Pure Land to support him. But even now, the Hokage I see, Lord Tsubasa, is selfless and devoted to the people."
Kotobuki Kujo nodded and said with emotion, "We all know that. It was indeed that little brat Shimura Danzō who forced out the Tsubasa. We all have to thank him."
Shikaboshi Nara continued, "Let's talk about Queen Tian Flying Swallow. She had an extremely strong desire for power from a young age, and she was exceptionally capable. Everyone has witnessed her political achievements over the years. She wasn't valued by the eldest lord when she was young, so she was politically married off to the seven-year-old Tsubasa of the Ten Family when she was only ten years old."
Shikaboshi Nara looked around at everyone and continued, "However, our Queen has an immense desire for power and is exceptionally intelligent. She studied business management at the Ten Family Phoenix Tower, and later expanded the Phoenix Tower throughout the Land of Fire. This was all her idea, coming from a young girl, and she has always been in charge of the management. While the Ten Family was only thinking about protecting their businesses in Konoha, she was already laying the groundwork for the entire Land of Fire. Moreover, her abilities are outstanding; she manages the Phoenix Tower branches very well."
Shikaboshi Nara stood up and continued, " First Shinobi World War, she once again stepped forward and personally commanded the effort, based on the Phoenix Tower, to rescue civilians. Refugees from various countries were resettled, and her reputation for kindness spread throughout the Shinobi World. The population of the Land of Fire even surged by fifty percent due to the war. It was also during that time that she began to build an armed force of over 30,000 and established the logistics and security department, headed by the Phoenix Tower of the Ten Family."
Shikaboshi Nara said with admiration, "Later, she was even appointed by the Lord Hokage as the Minister of the Administrative Department, a true high-ranking figure in Konoha. The key point is, she was only fifteen years old at that time! Under her management, Konoha was harmonious and efficient. Whatever political task the Lord Hokage assigned, she could complete it perfectly, even better. All departments in Konoha never made a mistake under her coordination. This allowed Tsubasa to be freed up to train. Without her managing Konoha, our training fanatic Hokage Tsubasa would probably have resigned long ago!"
Chozan Akimichi was stunned, muttering to himself, "So that's how it is. No wonder Queen Tian Flying Swallow could so easily control the entire Land of Fire. She truly is an extraordinary person."
Masataka Hatake was also shocked. "I used to think she was just a capable woman, but after hearing your analysis, I realize how capable she really is. She was able to start planning at the age of ten and manage the Phoenix Tower so well."
Asuka Nobumoto was filled with disbelief. "She was able to save civilians from various countries during the First Shinobi World War, causing the population of the Land of Fire to surge by fifty percent. That's simply a miracle!"
Momiji Yamanaka sighed, her face full of emotion. "We really can't underestimate our Queen. She not only has ambition, but also the ability to achieve it."
Shikaboshi Nara smiled slightly and said, "So, the Shimura Clan's scheming and plotting actually fueled the Queen's ambition. If the Shimura Clan hadn't participated in the struggle for the title of Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Queen Tian Flying Swallow would have had no reason or opportunity to seize the position. Now, she not only controls the entire Land of Fire, but also the political affairs of Konoha, the Phoenix Tower branch, and her logistics and security forces. She hasn't relinquished any of these either; in fact, she still manages the finances of Konoha and the Land of Fire. Her ambition and ability are truly admirable."
Everyone fell silent after hearing Shikaboshi Nara's words. They realized that the situation in the Land of Fire had undergone a dramatic change, and the Ten Family was now the absolute ruler, with everyone having to submit. These former elders of Konoha High Command could only lament the changing times and the Ten Family's power.
Chozan Akimichi looked up at the blue sky outside the window and murmured to himself, "It seems we really are getting old. Now it's the era of the Ten Family."
Masataka Hatake nodded, a slight smile appearing on his face, "Yes, the era of the Ten Family has arrived. As long as we follow them closely, we can hope they can lead the Land of Fire to a more prosperous Mirai."
Everyone nodded, their faces showing relieved smiles. They knew that the Mirai of the Land of Fire was now completely in the hands of the Ten Family, and that they, the elders, could only reminisce about the past glories and discuss the Mirai of the world in the VIP area of Phoenix Tower.