Kurenai's eyes widened in surprise. "You want to become a daimyo?"
Before, when Hanekawa mentioned unifying the ninja world, she'd accepted it readily enough. After all, Hashirama Senju had done the same decades ago, and Hanekawa's strength was comparable. Unification made sense.
But there was a difference between controlling the ninja villages and replacing the feudal lords themselves.
Until now, Hanekawa had worked behind the scenes—secretly manipulating the daimyo of various countries while leaving them nominally in power. This new plan was something else entirely.
"Why not?" Hanekawa asked with a slight smile. "Can't a ninja become a daimyo?"
"We can, but..." Kurenai's expression turned serious. "We're ninjas. We don't know how to govern a Land."
"Then we'll learn." Hanekawa shook his head. "Besides, I'm not forcing all of you into administrative roles. Some of you aren't suited for it."
His plan was straightforward. Talented ninjas would fill key positions in the Fire Nation's government. Those without aptitude for governance would remain as ninjas—after all, Konoha alone maintained a five-thousand-strong ninja force, and the other four villages added thousands more. The shinobi system would continue.
"I see." Kurenai nodded slowly as understanding dawned. "So it's mostly the same structure, just with more ninjas in positions of power."
"Exactly. Though it's more of a complete overhaul than it appears." Hanekawa watched her process this. "The role of shinobi will expand dramatically."
"What do you think?" he asked.
Kurenai's eyes lit up. "It sounds incredible! Can I become the Grand Minister?"
The position was equivalent to a prime minister—the highest administrative office in the Land of Fire.
"If you prove yourself capable, there's no reason you couldn't be."
Kurenai met his gaze directly, puffing out her chest. "Am I not already excellent?"
"There's always room for improvement," Hanekawa said, his eyes drifting downward with deliberate slowness.
"You're terrible!" Kurenai's face flushed crimson. She crossed her arms defensively and took a step back. "I'm leaving to make preparations. Anything else?"
"Nothing urgent..." Hanekawa paused, considering. "Though I've been thinking about titles. 'Daimyo' seems insufficient now that I've unified the entire ninja world. What about... Emperor?"
Kurenai blinked. "Emperor? That does sound more impressive than daimyo."
"Thank you for your hard work, Kurenai." Hanekawa's voice softened. "I'll reward you tonight."
Her blush deepened. She glared at him with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, then spun on her heel and left, slamming the office door behind her hard enough to rattle the frame.
At least it's not Tsunade, Hanekawa thought, absently rubbing his chin. That door wouldn't survive.
He wondered if this ascension would trigger new entries. In theory, unifying the ninja world and becoming emperor were equivalent achievements, but there were subtle differences. The possibility felt significant.
---
By afternoon, Kurenai had already spread word throughout Konoha. The initial reactions ranged from surprise to confusion, but acceptance came quickly.
The reason was simple: the villagers and shinobi of Konoha held no particular loyalty to the Fire Nation or its daimyo. Their allegiance centered on the Hokage. With Hanekawa becoming daimyo, they saw only advantages—freedom from external restrictions, autonomy for their village.
The other villages had little choice but acceptance. They'd already been absorbed into Konoha's structure. Within a generation or two, their descendants might forget Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand ever existed as independent entities.
The office door opened without warning.
Tsunade strode in, her expression dark as a thundercloud.
"Teacher, please sit." Hanekawa stood, offering his chair.
She didn't hesitate, dropping into it with a satisfied sigh. Her graceful form settled back, and Hanekawa found himself drawn forward like a magnet. He bent down, burying his face against her chest without preamble.
"Are you a child?" Tsunade asked, exasperated.
"You said so yourself," came his muffled reply.
His warm breath fanned across her skin. Tsunade raised her hand to strike him, but the gesture was half-hearted at best. Instead of pulling away, Hanekawa pressed closer, his lips finding the sensitive curve where her neck met her shoulder.
Tsunade's breath caught. She tilted her head back, exposing the pale column of her throat, her breathing quickening.
"I have a question," she said after a few moments, her voice slightly unsteady. "Why do you want to be daimyo?"
She'd heard the news at the casino and rushed here immediately. The Fire Nation's daimyo and his family were familiar to her—though the daimyo himself had passed, his widow remained.
Hanekawa lifted his head slightly, his dark eyes meeting hers. "What do you think of Konoha now, Teacher?"
"Now?" Tsunade paused, considering. "It's... thriving. The best it's ever been."
She wasn't exaggerating. As Hashirama's granddaughter, she'd witnessed Konoha's growth from nothing. These were its most prosperous years—ninjas and villagers alike lived well, peace reigned both within and beyond the village walls. Everywhere you looked, there was growth and prosperity.
"Konoha's success comes from money," Hanekawa said, producing a scroll. "But the Fire Nation keeps trying to restrict our earnings."
Tsunade took it, her expression darkening as she read. The scroll detailed two problems: first, the rewards the Fire Nation's daimyo and nobles offered for Konoha's services; second, the obstacles the Ministry of Mineral Resources faced—the Fire Nation demanding an ever-larger share of profits.
She understood immediately. The Fire Nation was strangling their growth.
"After you become daimyo, will you move Konoha to the capital?" she asked.
Hanekawa's eyebrows rose slightly. Her question meant she'd accepted his plan.
"No. Most shinobi only know combat. They need time to learn governance through the academy system first."
"Fair point." Tsunade pushed him away gently, tugging her collar back into place as she stood. "Though I'll admit, leaving Konoha suddenly feels strange."
"The Hokage Building will move to the capital, but Konoha itself stays," Hanekawa explained. "I'll leave Hatake Sakumo and Jiraiya in charge of the ninja forces there. The village becomes a garrison, nothing more."
"And the distance?"
"The Flying Thunder God Technique works both ways. Plus, I'm planning to establish a permanent Flying Thunder God Formation between Konoha and the capital—a fixed teleportation array. No ninja required to operate it."
Tsunade's expression shifted to satisfaction. "That's... actually brilliant. The villages will be neighbors despite the distance."
She paused, seeming to contemplate the implications. The ninja world was about to transform in ways she couldn't fully predict. But one thing was certain: nothing would ever be the same.
"Well, you've clearly thought this through," she said finally. "I won't keep you. Though I should visit the casino while I still can. After the move, I'll need to find a new one in the capital."
"For you." Hanekawa handed her a stack of bills. "Based on your expression earlier, I'm guessing you lost everything."
"I lost some," Tsunade corrected, rolling her eyes as she took the money. "I'll win it back."
"Of course, Teacher."
She leaned down, her lips meeting his briefly. When she pulled away, she wiped the corner of her mouth with a slight smile and turned to leave.
"You light the fire but never put it out," Hanekawa called after her.
She didn't respond, but her shoulders shook with silent laughter.
After confirming the desk held no urgent documents, Hanekawa vanished.
---
He reappeared in the Raikage's office.
"Lord Raikage," Mabui and Samui greeted him immediately, standing at attention.
They'd grown accustomed to his sudden arrivals.
"How are things in the Hidden Cloud?" Hanekawa's gaze lingered on Samui's figure before moving to Mabui.
"Nothing unusual," Samui replied coolly, though Hanekawa caught the slight tremor in her voice.
"Mabui, prepare for relocation," Hanekawa instructed. "The Raikage Building moves to the Fire Nation capital next week."
Mabui's expression went blank. "I... what?"
"Speak with Kurenai about the details. Time is tight—you have seven days."
"Yes, Lord Raikage." Mabui took a breath and bowed, understanding the dismissal.
"I'll help with the preparations," Samui offered.
"Not necessary. I need to speak with you." Hanekawa shook his head.
Mabui's eyes widened slightly. She glanced between them, her face flushing as understanding dawned. She hurried from the office without another word.
Hanekawa approached Samui, lifting her effortlessly onto the Raikage's desk. Her black-stockinged legs dangled, suspended mere centimeters above the ground.
Samui's expression remained composed, though her eyes betrayed anticipation and nervousness.
He removed her high heels carefully, exposing delicate feet wrapped in black silk. The warmth of her skin registered against his palm as he held her foot.
Standing, he met her gaze and reached up, pressing his hand to her forehead.
A moment passed. The diamond-shaped Yin Seal mark appeared on her skin.
"Is this...?" Samui's eyes widened as knowledge flooded her mind. As a kunoichi, she understood the seal's value immediately. "Thank you."
"Words alone don't express sufficient gratitude," Hanekawa said, his hands settling on her black-silk-clad thighs.
A blush spread across Samui's face. She leaned forward, initiating a kiss, then pulled back slightly, breathing heavily as she wrapped her arms around him.
---
A week passed in a blur of preparation.
The Hokage Building and its departments relocated to the Fire Nation capital. It wasn't a physical move—the building itself remained—but rather a transfer of administrative functions and personnel.
July 1st, 9:00 AM.
The Fire Nation Palace's grand hall.
Tsunade, Kurenai, Sakumo, Mei, Pakura, Ōnoki, and representatives from all five villages stood assembled. Their eyes fixed on Hanekawa as he entered in formal imperial regalia.
He ascended the dragon throne.
"Your Majesty!" Kurenai led the chorus, and every person present knelt in unison.
Three lines of text materialized before Hanekawa's eyes:
[S-Rank Talent Entry: Ninja World Emperor]
[Trigger Condition: Ascend the throne and become emperor]
[Effect: Authority over the life and death of your subjects]
His first instinct was that the effect seemed absurdly powerful. But then again, with his current strength, he could accomplish this through raw power alone. The entry itself wasn't useless, though—it formalized something he could already do.
More importantly, it opened possibilities. He could use this authority to convince the Ōtsutsuki clan to join his empire.
The future of the ninja world had just fundamentally shifted.
---
---
Finally, the second book is live—many of you asked for it, and it's here.
Naruto: Don't Count Me In
Do check it out, you'll definitely enjoy it.
I've learned a lot from the first book—improving translations, fixing errors, and reducing inconsistencies to make this one much better overall. That said, I'm still growing, so if you notice minor mistakes, just let them pass and enjoy the story.
Most importantly, don't stay silent—comment on the moments you like. I'd love to know how it felt for you.