"Impossible! When I left the daimyō's residence five days ago, the daimyō was still perfectly fine."
"He's just… gone?"
"And there was a ninja unit there. Their strength might not have been that amazing, sure, but there's no way someone could kill the daimyō right under their noses, right?"
Gekko Chizan didn't understand. He really didn't understand.
The daimyō's ninja unit was led by Kazuma and the others. They weren't as strong as him, but even in Konoha they would easily qualify as standard jōnin.
How could people like that fail to protect the daimyō?
"It was a mercenary. According to Minister Yukimura from the daimyō's residence, it was someone in a black robe."
"His techniques were bizarre. In the blink of an eye, all the guards surrounding him were blasted away."
"That included many of the skilled members of the ninja unit."
"The daimyō was assassinated right inside the daimyō's residence."
Blasted away?
This term was extremely rare in the ninja world.
In Gekko Chizan's mind, only one person fit the description.
Someone with the strength of the Six Paths—Nagato. Shinra Tensei?
Impossible. Nagato had already been captured by Uchiha Madara. How could he possibly be the one killing the daimyō?
"Chizan, did you think of something about the culprit?"
"You've been to places like the Exchange House. You should know something about mercenaries."
"At this time, anyone capable of assassinating the Fire Country's daimyō—aside from the other four great nations—I really can't think of anyone else."
Namikaze Minato felt his head was about to explode.
He had only just taken office for a few days, so why were so many problems piling up?
First the daimyō's residence targeted the village. Now? The guy was just dead.
"I've got zero clues. Among the strong mercenaries I know, the first one is Kakuzu."
"I've even fought him, but he definitely doesn't have abilities like this."
"But right now the panic should be coming from the daimyō's residence. The daimyō's death is catastrophic for the Fire Country."
"Did they ask us for assistance?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him exhaled a puff of smoke, his face equally serious.
"Chizan, you've been to the daimyō's residence, you understand."
"For the village to gain the daimyō's support, we must contribute. Given the situation now, we have no choice but to send people."
"The selected members have already departed for the daimyō's residence."
Minato nodded. They had held meetings for several days just to finalize that list.
Even the son of the former Hokage, Sarutobi Asuma, had been dispatched.
Sure enough, when Gekko Chizan saw the list, he froze.
"Oh? Fire— ehem, Former Hokage-sama, you even sent your own son?"
"Hmph. That kid has always wanted to prove himself. He insisted on going. It has nothing to do with me."
Hiruzen was helpless when it came to his youngest son.
There really is no comparison without contrast—look at his eldest son and daughter-in-law, such easy children to deal with.
Then look at the younger one… nothing but trouble.
"Right now, we wait for the daimyō's residence to stabilize again. Shikaku."
"Yeah yeah, I know. It's already being handled."
Nara Shikaku looked half-asleep, clearly exhausted.
Ever since the news came, his brain felt like it was going to explode. Way too tiring.
"Given the current situation, the village has mobilized over twenty teams to be on full alert. The defensive lines around the Fire Country have also gone into lockdown."
"But I think the chances of finding the culprit are low."
The daimyō was dead. If Konoha failed to take action, it would look terrible.
"Tsk tsk, fate is cruel."
"The daimyō-sama treated me pretty well. Who knew that farewell would be our final goodbye."
"Don't stop me, let me cry for a bit. Obito, let's go. Take me home. I need to mourn daimyō-sama."
Gekko Chizan dragged Uchiha Obito toward the exit, completely ignoring everyone's strange looks.
"Chizan, wait."
"You interacted with the daimyō's ninja unit recently. Speak."
He wanted to leave but couldn't. Minato called out again.
After all, Chizan had carried out the mission. He was obligated to report.
"What's there to say? They weren't as strong as us."
"We fought. Everyone except Shisui lost, and the rest we crushed."
What? You fought them...
So you basically went to the daimyō's residence to challenge them?
Feeling everyone's speechless stares, Gekko Chizan chuckled.
"Since everything's settled, I'm leaving."
"I've been away from the village too long. I need a proper rest."
...
At the same time, outside Konoha of the Fire Country—
Two figures stood in the distance, quietly staring at the village.
"Nagato, let's go. One day, we'll destroy this place."
"I'll give you your chance for revenge, but not yet."
"If we're late getting back, Black Zetsu will start nagging again."
The two were Nagato and Uchiha Makito.
"I know. Let's go."
Their dōjutsu activated, and both vanished instantly.
They were the ones who carried out the assassination of the daimyō.
Black Zetsu had received the news first and sent them.
For their plans, time was crucial. The Fire Country becoming unstable after the daimyō's death would only benefit them.
And just as expected—
The daimyō's death caused massive shock. The entire Fire Country was on high alert.
Konoha mobilized large numbers of personnel to patrol the Fire Country.
But for Gekko Chizan, ever since returning from his mission, he really had been resting just like he said.
Along with Pakura.
Until Nara Shikaku came knocking and dragged him to the Hokage building.
"So the new daimyō is keeping the ninja-unit policy?"
"Tsk tsk, interesting."
Gekko Chizan looked at the new daimyō's photo. Yes, he recognized him.
The daimyō with the perpetually sleepy face—the man who created the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"That's the situation now. The village budget is still being cut."
"Not as heavily as before, but our situation remains grim."
"The proposals Chizan gave earlier have already started implementation."
Minato looked at the report, exhaustion flashing across his face.
Everyone understood the village's current predicament and had no objections.
Gekko Chizan also understood. This meant the village would enter a long, stable period.
Which suited him perfectly.
Time passed quickly. Until the day Gekko Chizan and Pakura met their two best friends at the hospital.
"Eh? You guys came to the hospital too?"
"Hmph. Seeing your stupid face ruins my entire day."
"Chizan, you've really been slacking lately."