The Fire Daimyo swallowed hard, forcing a calm tone. "There must be some misunderstanding between us. Give me time, and I'll investigate everything personally."
In truth, he had long disliked the Third Hokage's conduct. He had ordered Sarutobi's removal multiple times, and when the Fourth Hokage took office, the daimyo willingly stepped aside. But after the Nine-Tails incident and Minato's death, the Third reclaimed the position—and the daimyo could do nothing.
Though a daimyo, he seldom interfered in ninja village affairs. As for approving the Allied assault on Nanmo, he had only done so because he believed it was a guaranteed victory.
But reality had proven otherwise. And now, this man—a demon incarnate—stood in his courtyard demanding answers.
Despite the guards surrounding him, the daimyo knew that if Shigeo wished to take his life, nothing could save him.
The daimyo's authority meant nothing in the face of a man who could crush nations. If he failed to answer properly today, there would be no end to this.
"Investigate?" Shigeo's cold voice cut through the air. "Fine. Let's all investigate together."
He reached toward the daimyo, who screamed in panic as his guards surged forward.
Jinshi and Honglin intercepted them. In the same instant, they grabbed Shigeo and vanished with Kamui (Divine Authority).
Only one message remained, echoing through the wind:
"If you want your daimyo returned safely, tell the Third Hokage to meet me in the Iron Country, at Seaside Town, on the southern coast."
And so it was with all the other nations.
The Water Daimyo was found hiding behind layers of barriers—Shigeo captured him only after subduing his closest attendants.
The Lightning Daimyo resisted fiercely, but one slap from Shigeo silenced his defiance.
The Wind Daimyo, on the other hand, was reasonable and came along quietly.
Five Great Daimyos—gathered in one place.
The scene was almost surreal. Among them, the Wind Daimyo even had attendants, as if this were a formal summit rather than an abduction.
On the western hillside of Seaside Town, inside a small earthen hut, five figures sat around a crude wooden table. Their faces were pale with exhaustion and fear.
"Honorable lords," Honglin said evenly, "perhaps before the Kage arrive, you should discuss how to resolve this situation."
"Resolve?" The Lightning Daimyo snarled. "You kidnapped us! Once we're free, we'll start a war and wipe Nanmo off the map!"
The others remained silent.
"Oh?" Shigeo's cold laughter came from the doorway. "If you wish for war, no need to go to Nanmo. We're close enough to your lands. I could destroy your capital right now—turn your ninja village into Nanmo territory."
"You dare?"
"Try me."
With a flick of his wrist, three Tailed Beasts materialized outside. Their colossal eyes gleamed through the window as they glared at the terrified daimyo.
The five rulers froze. Each beast radiated blue chakra, their presence suffocating. Even the loudest, the Lightning Daimyo, shrank back and fell silent.
"I'm a bit tired," Shigeo said lazily. "You can discuss among yourselves. If you still want war, I'll grant your wish and begin the Fourth Great Ninja War."
He paused, then smirked. "Oh, and one more thing—I still have six more Tailed Beasts."
In truth, he could merge them into the Ten-Tails. If he became its jinchūriki, with Naruto and Sasuke still immature, the entire ninja world would be his to command.
But he didn't want that. He still valued the human world—the warmth of peace and daily life. Unless pushed, he would not go that far.
Yawning, he motioned to Honglin and Jinshi and turned to leave.
The two bowed slightly to the five lords. "Please, begin your discussion."
For two long days, the proud rulers of the ninja world endured humiliation. They ate soldier rations, drank cold water, and slept slumped over the table. Guards watched even when they went to relieve themselves.
When the Lightning Daimyo finally tried to rebel, Honglin silenced him coldly:
"We're all people. What's so unbearable about this? You still have food, family, protection. Do you know how your commoners live? They fight over half a bun to survive. Would you like to try that life? You're a daimyo only because others let you be. Strip that away, and you're just another man on the street."
Here, their titles meant nothing.
Two days later, the Kage of the Five Great Villages arrived.
When they saw the three Tailed Beasts crouching outside the hut, their faces turned ashen.
If Shigeo had unleashed them during the Nanmo battle, would the entire ninja world have been destroyed?
Back then, ten thousand ninja from the Five Villages had marched against Nanmo—yet within an hour, they were routed completely.
After that, Shigeo declared the Nanmo Nation's rise, conquered two smaller countries in a day, and turned River Country into a vassal.
Now, with the five daimyos captured and guarded by Tailed Beasts, no one could negotiate from a position of strength.
But one question haunted the Five Kage: why were the Tailed Beasts so obedient?
In their experience, such creatures brought only devastation. Yet Shigeo's three beasts stood motionless—snarling, but not attacking. They seemed… tamed.
The Fourth Raikage, A, stepped forward first, locking eyes with the Nine-Tails. His glare must have been too direct—because in an instant, the beast lunged, pinning him beneath a massive paw. Its claws pressed lightly against his shoulder—just a twitch away from slitting his throat.
The One-Tail and Two-Tails turned their gaze on the remaining leaders.
Inside, the five daimyos stood trembling, barely able to breathe.
Outside, the ninja accompanying the Five Kage could hardly believe what they were seeing. Those were Tailed Beasts—and yet, they were calm. Controlled.
Above them, Shigeo sat cross-legged on the hut's roof, his gaze cold and steady. Before him stood the Five Kage:
The Fourth Raikage A, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, and the Mist Village's one-eyed Ao—those who had led the assault on Nanmo.
(End of Chapter)
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