The news spread through Konoha like wildfire.
"The Daimyo's envoy has arrived!"
"Really?"
"Come on! Let's go see!"
"Wait for me, Kaito!"
Villagers rushed toward the village entrance.
Many of them had never seen a noble in their entire lives.
They had only heard stories about the powerful people who governed the Land of Fire alongside the Daimyo.
After all...
A high-ranking noble held authority comparable to the Hokage in matters of governance.
It wasn't every day someone like that visited Konoha.
Outside the Uchiha Clan.
Several Hawk shinobi also heard the commotion.
They exchanged glances.
"I'll inform the Grand Elder."
One of them immediately turned to leave.
Another looked toward a nearby Uchiha kunoichi.
"You go inform the elders and the Clan Heads."
She nodded.
"I'll be back soon."
With that, she disappeared into the clan compound.
The same scene was happening throughout Konoha.
The Hyuga.
The Aburame.
The Nara.
One after another, messengers hurried toward their clan compounds.
The clan heads and elders quickly prepared themselves.
No matter what had happened yesterday...
The Daimyo's envoy still represented the ruler of the Land of Fire.
Ignoring them wasn't an option.
At the Hokage's Office.
An ANBU suddenly appeared.
"Hokage-sama."
"The Daimyo's envoy has entered Konoha."
"The villagers and the clan heads have already started gathering at the entrance to welcome them."
The moment he saw the envoy enter the village, he rushed here without stopping.
Koharu's expression changed.
"So soon..."
She frowned.
Only yesterday, they had learned about the Root agents hidden inside the Daimyo's residence and throughout the capital.
She had expected the Daimyo to take several days before responding.
She looked toward Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen."
"This was planned."
Her voice became serious.
"The Uchiha knew the envoy was coming."
"They used this opportunity to begin dividing their clan while our attention would be focused on the Daimyo."
Her eyes narrowed.
"The same strategy..."
"They're diverting the village leadership again."
Homura immediately shook his head.
"We don't have time to worry about that now."
His expression remained calm.
"Our priority is welcoming the envoy."
He turned toward Hiruzen.
"Come, Hiruzen."
"Forget everything else for now."
For a moment, Hiruzen simply sat there.
His thoughts were still in complete disorder.
Then he slowly came back to his senses.
He placed his pipe on the desk.
Picked up the Hokage's hat.
"...Let's go."
Hiruzen stood up without another word.
Koharu and Homura followed behind him.
The three quickly left the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile...
Inside the Daimyo's envoy carriage.
Elder Kiyo quietly looked out of the window as the village streets slowly passed by.
The closer they got to the Hokage Tower...
The heavier his expression became.
He couldn't help but remember the discussion that had taken place before leaving the capital.
"I still can't believe we're really going to ask him that..."
He muttered under his breath.
After a few seconds, he slowly shook his head.
"No..."
"There is no way he'll simply agree."
Before leaving the capital...
The Fire Daimyo and Advisor Kiyomori had personally discussed what questions should be presented to the Hokage.
To make the final decision, they had invited Elder Kiyo as well.
When he entered the meeting room...
He was surprised to find Uchiha Koji already standing there.
The Fire Daimyo sat at the head of the room.
Advisor Kiyomori stood beside him.
The discussion had already begun.
"Are you certain this is a good idea?"
Kiyomori asked.
"Won't this put too much pressure on the Hokage?"
Koji remained calm.
He first looked at the advisor.
Then his gaze shifted toward the Daimyo.
"No."
His answer was immediate.
"This is the best opportunity."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"It will remind Konoha, where the Daimyo's authority truly stands."
"Help them understand who the true ruler of the Land of Fire is."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"And at the same time..."
"It will test Konoha's stand."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"It will show us whether the Daimyo's words still carry any weight in the village."
Silence filled the room.
The Fire Daimyo quietly looked at Koji.
He didn't interrupt.
Just then, Elder Kiyo entered the room.
The first thing he heard was Koji's final sentence.
He froze for a brief moment.
'Audacity of this man...'
He thought inwardly.
"Haha..."
The Fire Daimyo suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha!"
He looked at Koji with interest.
"What you're saying... actually has a point."
His gaze shifted toward Advisor Kiyomori.
"Then we'll treat this as the Hokage's punishment for allowing something like this to happen."
Advisor Kiyomori gave a respectful nod.
"As you command, Daimyo-sama."
He then turned toward Elder Kiyo.
Only now did Elder Kiyo fully understand what the Daimyo intended.
His expression changed little by little as he looked at Koji once again.
For the first time...
He truly understood why the Daimyo valued this young Uchiha so highly.
...
"Elder, we've reached the Hokage Building."
A samurai's voice pulled him back to reality.
Elder Kiyo looked out of the wagon.
The entrance was already crowded.
Clan Heads.
Village Elders.
Shinobi.
Even many villagers had gathered to welcome the Daimyo's envoy.
The wagon slowly came to a stop.
Elder Kiyo stepped down.
Standing before him were Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.
"Welcome, Elder Kiyo."
Koharu stepped forward and greeted him politely.
Elder Kiyo merely glanced at everyone.
His expression remained unreadable.
After a brief pause, he spoke.
"Let's skip the formalities."
"I carry a message from the Fire Daimyo."
"We'll discuss it inside the Hokage's office."
The smiles on Koharu's and Homura's faces stiffened.
They immediately sensed something was wrong.
Still, Hiruzen nodded.
"This way, Elder."
The group began walking toward the Hokage Building.
Behind them, the various Clan Heads exchanged puzzled glances.
They had expected a public greeting.
Instead, the envoy had gone straight to business.
Homura stopped and looked toward the gathered crowd.
He cleared his throat.
"Cough."
"Cough."
"Clan Heads, please wait here."
"The Hokage and the elders will first discuss the Daimyo's message with the envoy."
"Once the meeting is over, we'll inform everyone."
The Clan Heads nodded, though many were already curious.
At that moment, Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived.
Behind them, Orochimaru walked with an annoyed expression after being dragged here by Jiraiya.
Homura noticed them immediately.
"Tsunade."
"Come inside with us."
He gestured for her to follow.
Her status as Hashirama's granddaughter might help if the discussion became difficult.
Just as everyone was about to enter the Hokage Building—
A loud voice echoed across the entrance.
"Have the people of Konoha forgotten who the true ruler of the Land of Fire is?"
Everyone froze.
The entire entrance fell silent.
Elder Kiyo slowly turned around.
His sharp eyes swept across Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura who was just standing at the door.
"Or..."
His voice became even colder.
"Are you plotting a rebellion against the Fire Daimyo?"
Homura entered the office with the three Sannin following behind him.
He immediately looked toward Elder Kiyo.
"Elder Kiyo."
His expression was serious.
"We weren't aware of any of this."
"This was a conspiracy meant to drag Konoha down."
Elder Kiyo looked at Homura without any change in expression.
"It doesn't change the facts."
His voice was calm.
"Konoha's shinobi were caught spying on the Daimyo and the noble houses."
Silence filled the room.
"It doesn't matter whether the Hokage knew about it or not."
"The noble houses have already reached the same conclusion."
"They believe Konoha crossed the line."
"And now..."
He looked directly at Hiruzen.
"Konoha must pay the price."
The room became even quieter.
"The noble houses have advised the Fire Daimyo."
"They have unanimously requested that Konoha's ten-year budget be suspended."
"No exceptions."
"They have also demanded that the person responsible be punished."
"A strict punishment."
Elder Kiyo's words echoed through the office.
Hiruzen...
Homura...
Koharu...
The three quietly exchanged glances.
They had already expected something like this.
At least this part could still be blamed on Danzo.
Or on Root acting without permission.
Hiruzen slowly nodded.
"Elder Kiyo."
"Please assure the Fire Daimyo."
"We will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Even if the Daimyo hadn't demanded an explanation..."
"We would still have given him one."
Elder Kiyo quietly looked at Hiruzen.
Then...
He asked a single question.
"Do you believe..."
"...that this is all?"
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Everyone in the room looked at him.
Elder Kiyo slowly unfolded another scroll.
His eyes settled on Hiruzen.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"During your tenure as Hokage..."
"There have been too many incidents that have brought disgrace upon the Land of Fire."
His voice remained steady.
"Repeated negligence."
"Repeated failures."
"And repeated decisions that have damaged the dignity of both the Hokage's office and the Fire Daimyo."
Nobody interrupted.
Then...
Elder Kiyo took a slow breath before reading the next order.
"By the Fire Daimyo's decree..."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"You are to personally destroy your own monument upon the Hokage Mountain."
The room froze.
Even the breathing inside the office seemed to stop.
But Elder Kiyo wasn't finished.
He looked directly into Hiruzen's eyes.
"And from this day onward..."
"Your title shall be revoked."
"You shall never again be addressed as Hokage."
Silence.
Absolute silence filled the office.
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If anyone wants to join P@treon, they're welcome to.
Right now, P@treon chapters are available up to (Chapter 148: Fractured Trust).
P@treon - Hear_tteeth [18 +]
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