Cherreads

Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: The Approaching Daimyo

"As expected, not just anyone can activate the Tenseigan." 

Looking at the report, Satori Hyūga wasn't particularly taken aback. 

He had sown the seeds, but whether they would bloom and bear fruit depended on each individual's destiny within the clan. 

Reincarnated into the Hyūga Clan and having benefited from its vast resources and privileges, he felt driven to do something meaningful for the clan. 

Now that this task was done, it was time to focus on other matters— 

such as expanding his business ventures, pushing forward modernization, and eradicating feudal remnants. 

The Hyūga Clan's activities inevitably drew attention from the village and other shinobi clans. 

However, due to the Hyūga Clan's historically enigmatic nature and reluctance to engage with outsiders, most people remained clueless. 

Inside the Hokage's office— 

Danzo Shimura pushed the door open and slowly entered, leaning heavily on a golden dragon-headed cane. 

Once a ruthless and cold-blooded leader of Root, he had grown immensely wealthy after entering the world of commerce, and his entire demeanor had transformed. 

From once iron-willed and merciless, sinister and aloof, he had gradually evolved into a smoother talker and a man of wealth. 

All of this was made possible by the steady influx of money. 

With Konoha's backing and Root—an organization originally linked to the Anbu—as his network, his business flourished far beyond his peers'. 

"Hiruzen, I'm here," Danzo casually said, grabbing a stool and plopping down without hesitation. 

"The Hyūga Clan has been causing quite a stir lately. I wonder what exactly they're plotting. We must send someone to investigate." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't argue. Instead, he picked up his pipe and took a slow puff. 

The Hyūga Clan had indeed stirred things up, making it feel like festive season. 

As Hokage, not even a whisper had reached his ears—he found that troubling. 

"Danzo, the Hyūga are among Konoha's top-ranked ninja clans. You may investigate, but keep it discreet. 

After all, the First Hokage promised them the right to self-govern internally." 

His words were subtle, but Danzo, who had grown up alongside Hiruzen playing in the dirt, understood perfectly. 

You're allowed to investigate, but don't make it obvious. 

And if things blow out of proportion, you take the blame. 

This was the burden—and privilege—of the Kage known as the "Shadow of the Kage." 

In times past, Danzo would have readily accepted such a dirty task without hesitation. 

But now, a flicker of reluctance stirred within him. 

Still, he quickly suppressed it. 

Through relentless self-conditioning, he convinced himself that everything he did was for Konoha, and therefore justified. 

Whenever conflicting convictions arose, Danzo would ruthlessly suppress them within himself. 

Besides, this time involved the Hyūga Clan and, reportedly, Satori Hyūga and his Umbrella Corporation. 

As his fiercest business rival, Danzo was determined to bring Satori Hyūga down. 

That brat Satori Hyūga, so young yet brimming with unconventional ideas and plans, seemed unstoppable in the business world. 

Danzo, leveraging his [Great Imitation Jutsu], had amassed fortune after fortune.

The amount of money that Satori Hyūga had earned was beyond what he dared to imagine.

If he could take down Satori and seize control of his factories and projects, wealth would pour in like water.

Whether it was showing "love" for Konoha or taking on the Four Great Ninja Villages, he now had a solid foundation.

As he lost in this fantasy, Hiruzen Sarutobi brought up another matter.

"Danzo, have you heard? The Fire Daimyo is coming to Konoha. Word has it he's already on his way."

Danzo's expression shifted instantly. His eyes narrowed into thin slits as a cold aura gradually surrounded him.

"So the Daimyo is coming, huh? Then we should definitely welcome him properly."

In the past, he had shown deep respect toward the Daimyo. But everything he did was for Konoha—for securing more funds.

The One Country, One Village system proposed by Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, had been effective during its time—countries provided funding while villages trained ninja to complete missions.

That system had worked well even just a few years ago.

But now, Danzo had developed new ideas.

Other than being rich, the Fire Daimyo didn't seem particularly impressive.

Yet with that position alone, the Fire Daimyo constantly meddled in Konoha's affairs.

Danzo saw all this clearly—and was deeply dissatisfied.

He had established countless factories and enterprises, earning vast sums daily. It seemed Konoha no longer needed the Daimyo.

Plus, he had learned that after the death of the Great Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields, unknown ninja had seized control of the entire country.

The nation had completely fallen under ninja rule—who now managed governance and taxation.

Initially, Danzo thought those ninja were reckless fools with wild ambitions.

But unexpectedly, their actions had brought him great shame.

Instead of descending into chaos and war, the Land of Rice Fields had become peaceful and prosperous.

This precedent shattered Danzo's previous belief that ninja were nothing more than tools.

Ninja were supposed to be weapons—tools capable of sacrificing their lives to accomplish missions.

But now things were different. Times had changed. Ninja could become masters of nations, rulers of states.

Under various influences, Danzo Shimura's inner thoughts had already begun shifting.

A faint smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

"I wonder what the Daimyo intends to do here. Not that it matters. I'll be sure to treat him very well."

Hiruzen glanced at Danzo, took a puff of his pipe, and his eyes flickered with subtle amusement.

How could he not understand his close friend's thinking?

Konoha had grown significantly, gradually freeing itself from dependence on the Land of Fire.

The Daimyo probably realized this and wanted to test the waters—to give Konoha a firm reprimand.

Yet Konoha—or rather, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi himself—held similar intentions.

With Konoha at its peak, flush with resources and wealth, it was the perfect opportunity to give the Fire Daimyo a stern lesson and force him to hand over even more benefits.

Of course, he couldn't say this openly. That was why he would let his trusted friend Danzo handle things while he remained the noble and righteous Hokage.

Their silent struggle unfolded behind the scenes, unnoticed by the villagers of Konoha.

They still believed that the Fire Daimyo's only purpose in coming was to commend Konoha for its rapid growth.

When the news spread, the people immediately began preparing for an elaborate welcome ritual.

The roads were strewn with fresh flowers of every kind, and even the stray bits of garbage that once littered the streets were now entirely cleared away.

To the common villagers of Konoha, the Fire Daimyo occupied the highest rung of existence, blessed with unmatched status and a noble bloodline.

This belief was deeply entrenched in the centuries-old feudal system, meticulously cultivated and embedded in the minds of the common folk through relentless propaganda by the nobility.

As a result, most commoners grew up with an unshakable conviction deep in their hearts—that the Daimyo and nobles were born inherently superior beyond all comparison.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>

More Chapters