Chapter 140: Three Kage Aren't Enough, Time for Five
Originally, the Daimyō wasn't going to approve Hiruzen's request just because Li Yao might one day become the next "God of Shinobi."
But the Third Hokage truly was a seasoned politician.
Exaggerating Li Yao's strength was only to get the Daimyō's attention — the real trump card was revealing Li Yao's terrifying ability to possess and reincarnate endlessly.
When the Daimyō read Hiruzen's letter stating that Li Yao had mastered the Third Raikage's unique Lightning Release technique — Black Lightning — as well as Konoha's secret art, Super Beast Imitating Drawing, and that his current body, Mukura Yao, had been possessed…
The image of an immortal being — immensely powerful and capable of perpetual rebirth — instantly formed in the Daimyō's mind.
"A demon!"
"That's a demon!!!"
His hands holding the letter trembled violently, and he shouted the word "demon" without concern for decorum, deep terror flashing in his eyes.
"My Lord!"
"My Lord!"
Hearing the panic in his voice, the guards immediately burst into the hall. These personal bodyguards, all elite shinobi loyal only to the Daimyō, formed a protective circle and gripped their weapons, glaring warily at Mitokado Homura.
The two ANBU who had accompanied Homura also stepped forward protectively, eyes locked on the Daimyō's guards.
These guards were part of the "Twelve Guardian Ninja," trained and recruited solely to protect the Daimyō. Konoha's ANBU only secured the exterior — the inner defenses were these elite retainers.
If anyone posed a threat to the Daimyō, even if they were from Konoha, the guards wouldn't hesitate to kill.
The ANBU were no different — loyal only to the Hokage. Any threat to the Hokage, even from the Daimyō's men, would be eliminated without question.
The room instantly fell into a deadly silence, teetering on the edge of a battle.
Mitokado Homura, still confused, quickly composed himself and addressed his ANBU:
"Stand down. This is the Daimyō's residence, not a battlefield. No one will harm him while I'm here."
With that, Homura clarified his position — Konoha and the Daimyō were on the same side. He also reassured them that the ANBU were only trying to protect the Daimyō.
A seasoned political advisor indeed.
"Yes, sir."
The ANBU withdrew, though still on alert, ready to act if necessary.
"Stand down, all of you."
The Daimyō took a deep breath and waved his retainers away.
"My Lord…"
Homura bowed slightly, still confused. His eyes flickered with curiosity and doubt.
He genuinely didn't understand what had just happened.
What exactly had Hiruzen written in that letter to scare the Daimyō this much?
Was it some veiled threat to force more funding?
He speculated endlessly.
But the Daimyō ignored him and ordered his secretary to bring paper and ink. He dictated while the secretary wrote.
"I approve the proposal to unite against Li Yao — but an alliance with only Earth and Lightning isn't enough. I will write to the daimyō of the Earth, Lightning, Wind, and Water countries. Their respective Kage must personally lead their forces. Li Yao must be killed. He cannot be allowed to live."
"If this fails… the Daimyō's office will no longer recognize Konohagakure as a legitimate shinobi village. Nor will it receive a single coin in funding."
He meant it. He was done playing games. He even went so far as to threaten Konoha's status and funding.
This alone showed how deeply he feared Li Yao — far more than he had ever feared Hashirama Senju.
To ensure Li Yao's death, he felt that even a three-village alliance wasn't enough. All five great nations had to strike together.
It all revealed one underlying truth:
The daimyō feared Li Yao more than they had ever feared Hashirama.
Hashirama, for all his power, would eventually die. Time always wins. The daimyō's families would continue to rule for generations.
But Li Yao was different — a true immortal possessing the might of a Shinobi God and the ability to reincarnate endlessly.
No one wanted a god watching them forever — especially not someone who could squash them like ants on a whim.
And what if, one day, that god possessed the heir of a Daimyō's house, replacing them as the ruling lineage?
Just the thought made the Daimyō desperate. He wanted Li Yao dead immediately.
Still, he knew he needed ninja to make that happen.
"Advisor Homura of Konoha, come in."
"This is a confidential message for the Third Hokage."
Once the letter was sealed with the Daimyō's official crest, he summoned Homura to deliver it personally back to Konoha.
The next day.
Hiruzen sat in his home, eyes wide in disbelief as he finished reading the Daimyō's reply.
"...What?"
He was stunned. The Daimyō seemed even more eager than him to kill Li Yao.
"Is Li Yao's reincarnation ability really that terrifying?"
"Well... maybe it is, a little."
"But still…"
He had only mentioned Li Yao's rebirth technique to emphasize the threat Li Yao posed to Konoha, the Fire Nation, and the entire shinobi world.
He had hoped the Daimyō would feel pressured to act quickly to prevent Li Yao's growth.
He hadn't expected the Daimyō to interpret it as an even greater threat and respond so aggressively.
Not only had he called for alliances with Earth and Lightning — he demanded all five nations join forces.
He even insisted that all five Kage be personally involved.
And if they failed to kill Li Yao — Konoha would lose its recognition and funding.
This… was way beyond what Hiruzen had expected.
But... heh heh.
Hiruzen grinned.
This overreaction worked in his favor.
Originally, the plan relied on Sarutobi Tsukishi opening the Eight Gates Formation to guarantee Li Yao's death — a necessary sacrifice.
But now, with all five Kage joining forces, that might not be needed.
With Dan Kato's soul possession, Hiruzen didn't need to worry about genjutsu.
The Third Raikage had already fought Li Yao — his genjutsu probably wouldn't work on him either.
The Third Tsuchikage wielded Dust Release, a Kekkei Tōta — chakra even more advanced than standard Kekkei Genkai. Li Yao's illusions likely wouldn't affect him either.
The stronger the chakra's nature, the higher the resistance to genjutsu.
Hiruzen's own chakra — though not derived from a bloodline — had been refined for years and was far stronger than average.
That alone made him resistant to normal illusions.
But unless it reached the strength of Black Lightning, developed by the Third Raikage, it couldn't reliably block high-level genjutsu.
That's why Hiruzen didn't trust himself alone to withstand Li Yao's illusions.
Luckily, Dan Kato made that a non-issue now.
As for the other two Kage… Hiruzen frowned slightly.
The Third Kazekage was promising — he possessed the powerful Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai and could control all forms of metal. His chakra strength and elite willpower likely made him resistant to Li Yao's genjutsu.
But the Third Mizukage…
After the last shinobi war, the Land of Water — or more accurately, Kirigakure — had closed itself off completely.
It had been over a decade. Hiruzen had no idea what the Mizukage's current strength was.
(END CHAPTER)
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