The relationship between a Daimyo and a Hokage is less like ruler and subordinate and more like employer and exclusive military contractor.
It's not that the Daimyo wants only one ninja village serving him. Rather, it's that the great shinobi villages monopolize their nation's military might so completely that no other force can compare.
That's why wars between the Five Great Villages rarely target the opposing Daimyo directly.
Still, in consideration of possible invasions or the occasional rogue shinobi, each Hidden Village dispatches a long-term protection detail to safeguard their Daimyo.
Such missions are typically led by a Jonin, accompanied by two or three Chunin—their duty purely protective. These shinobi answer to their village, not to the Daimyo, and they are forbidden from interfering in the palace's internal politics.
Of course, the Daimyo's court always has its share of private dealings—matters "inconvenient" to entrust to the Village. Konoha has long turned a blind eye to the Daimyo's discreet hiring of independent ninja.
But this time was different.
The Third Hokage had specifically instructed Roshi to pay close attention to the Guardian Shinobi Twelve for two reasons:
First, twelve ninja was far more than what Konoha could comfortably overlook.
Second, the Daimyo's palace had recently refused Konoha's routine request to rotate its guard squad.
Unable to extract more from Asuma, Roshi chose not to wander the palace. Instead, he waited quietly in his guest room.
As the night deepened, faint footsteps broke the silence of the corridor outside. Roshi's eyes opened. He rose soundlessly.
The shinobi world was vast, but ninjas moved fast—a day's journey from Konoha to the Fire Capital was nothing unusual.
If he'd been asked to stay overnight, it meant the Daimyo had business he couldn't discuss under daylight.
The door slid open.
The Daimyo entered quietly, wrapped in a dark cloak, flanked by four guards bearing waist sashes embroidered with the character "Fire."
"I apologize for disturbing you so late, Jonin Roshi," he said softly. His tone remained courteous, but tension lingered beneath it. "The matter is urgent."
"You flatter me, Daimyo-sama," Roshi replied evenly. "For you to come in person at this hour, it must be something that cannot wait."
The Daimyo exhaled slowly, gesturing for one of his guards to stand watch outside while the remaining three secured the room.
"Things have come to this… I can no longer conceal it," he said quietly. "The problem lies with the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. Their situation has spiraled far beyond my control."
"When I first established them, they were meant only to supplement my guards—to handle trivial matters the Village preferred not to involve itself in."
He hesitated. "My brother, Masamune, has always assisted me with domestic affairs, so I allocated some of the Twelve to him as aides."
Roshi nodded. He could already guess where this was going.
"At first," the Daimyo continued, "everything seemed normal. Masamune was diligent, and the Twelve carried out their duties well. But lately, my brother's dealings with some of them have become… too close. Their actions grow suspicious."
"Worse, several of my own Guardian Shinobi have grown evasive, often delaying or ignoring my orders."
He sighed. "When Konoha's new guard rotation failed to arrive last month, I intended to send an inquiry. But Masamune insisted the Twelve were sufficient—that there was no need for Konoha's interference."
"Soon after, Kazuma of the Guardian Shinobi personally petitioned me, swearing their loyalty and capability. He commands great respect among them, and most side with him… so I relented."
And naturally, Roshi thought grimly, that was when the seeds of rebellion were sown.
His gaze flicked toward the three Guardian Shinobi stationed inside the room—they must be the Daimyo's remaining loyalists.
"Why not secretly contact Konoha?" Roshi asked.
The Daimyo hesitated, but before he could answer, a mohawked shinobi stepped forward. "Because of Asuma."
Roshi's brow furrowed.
"Even as the Third Hokage's son, he maintains close ties with Kazuma," the man said. "His attitude toward this conflict is… unclear. Even Chiriku, his ally, can't be trusted."
"Under these circumstances, the Daimyo couldn't risk dispatching any of us without confirming Konoha's stance."
A kunoichi added quietly, "Our presence is the only reason Kazuma hasn't moved yet. He knows our jutsu too well."
Roshi fell silent.
So Asuma's ambiguous position had already shaken the Daimyo's faith in Konoha.
The Daimyo spoke again, his tone softer now. "I don't believe Asuma is a traitor. He's fought bravely to protect me before. But this matter is too grave—I must act with caution."
His eyes met Roshi's. "Jonin Roshi, you are one of Konoha's finest, and the Third Hokage has entrusted you to represent him. I must ask—does Konoha still stand by its promise? To protect the Daimyo and preserve the nation's stability?"
"What is Konoha's position on my brother Masamune and Kazuma's actions?"
Roshi understood the deeper implication.
Technically, the politics of the Daimyo's court were outside Konoha's jurisdiction—just as the Daimyo's approval of a new Hokage was largely symbolic.
But there were lines that could not be crossed.
A coup led by rogue ninja—especially those beyond Konoha's authority—was unacceptable.
And a regime that turned its back on the Village was even worse.
Roshi's answer was firm. "You are the rightful ruler of the Land of Fire—recognized and protected by Konoha. That has not, and will not, change."
The Daimyo's expression finally eased into relief. "Then I am reassured. Roshi, return to Konoha at once and report this situation to the Third Hokage. Request immediate reinforcements to secure the capital."
He bowed slightly. "I entrust this matter to you. Please, act with care."
Roshi inclined his head. "Understood."
He knew enough—staying any longer would be meaningless.
As for Asuma… that was a matter only the Hokage himself could resolve.
Not far from the Fire Capital, deep within a moonlit forest, Roshi came to an abrupt stop.
Two figures stepped out from the shadows, both wearing the Guardian Shinobi's emblem at their waists. Roshi hadn't seen either in the palace earlier.
One wore a mask. The other, long-haired and sneering, looked him up and down.
"So this is Konoha's representative? Just a brat," the long-haired one scoffed. "No wonder the Land of Fire's gone soft—promoting kids to Jonin over a few diplomatic errands."
The masked ninja's tone was cold. "The Daimyo ordered you to remain in the palace until tomorrow. Leaving without permission is disrespectful. Return—or we'll make you."
Meanwhile, in a lavish chamber elsewhere in the palace, Maru Masamune paced nervously, the hem of his embroidered robe brushing against the floor.
"What should I do?" he muttered under his breath. "Konoha's representative has arrived. My brother sent me away during the day, and now that envoy is staying overnight… what should I do?"
Four people stood before him—the Guardian Shinobi who had pledged their loyalty to him.
At their head was Kazuma, his sharp eyes gleaming with conviction.
"Lord Masamune," Kazuma said firmly, "it's too late for hesitation. I've already stationed Tetsuhei and Yanshi outside the city—the jonin won't escape."
"The four of us will move tonight. We'll seize control of the Daimyo's residence, and you'll assume leadership. With legitimacy on your side, Konoha will be powerless to object."
Masamune's face blanched. "Tonight? You only have four men! If Asuma and Chiriku side with my brother, we're finished!"
Kazuma's lips curved into a thin smile. "They won't interfere."
"You've convinced them?"
"No," he said calmly, "but we have something far stronger."
Masamune frowned. "Stronger?"
Kazuma's eyes gleamed with fanatic light. "Tell me, Lord Masamune—have you heard of the Nine-Tails?"
Masamune froze. "Of course…"
"That power destroyed Konoha—even the Fourth Hokage perished because of it. I was there, years ago. Amid the chaos, I gathered some of the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Masamune's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I sealed it—preserved it. The vessel containing that chakra lies now in the Fire Temple. My allies there await my command. Once it's unleashed, chaos will erupt. Chiriku will return to the temple, and Asuma will surely follow."
Masamune's lips trembled. "That's the Nine-Tails' power… If it goes out of control—"
"I can contain it," Kazuma declared, his eyes burning. "This is our only chance, Lord Masamune! If Konoha sends reinforcements, your brother will reclaim control—and you'll be executed."
He dropped to one knee. "You must decide now."
The other Guardian Shinobi followed, bowing deeply.
"For the future of the Land of Fire," Kazuma said solemnly, "we must end the rule of the weak Daimyo and the Hokage alike. Only you can lead us to true strength."
Masamune's chest heaved, sweat soaking through his robes. Then, finally, he nodded.
"…Do it."
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