The addition of the Root ninjas was like a sharp blade, tearing through the Anbu's defenses.
The tide of battle instantly reversed.
The desperadoes who had been suppressed below the platform surged upward again under the leadership of the Root ninjas, engaging in a bloody struggle with the Anbu.
"Kill!"
Seeing the path to the high platform open, Shu's suppressed roar erupted into a bellow.
He gripped his blade, his bloodshot eyes locked on the richly dressed figure standing on the platform, and led his last dozen loyal retainers in a charge.
The few remaining City Guards blocking the way could only fight while retreating.
There were no more obstacles ahead.
Victory was within reach.
"Arashi!"
Shu, like a madman, roared as he charged.
"You thief! Bastard!"
"Do you see this? This is the will of the people! This is divine will! No one will obey a tyrant like you!"
"Today, I will drag you down from that position that doesn't belong to you, in front of the entire world!"
His roar echoed across the square, clearly reaching the ears of everyone in the viewing stands.
In the viewing area, Danzō stood up, his single eye staring past the chaos ahead, directly at Hiruzen.
"It's all over, Hiruzen."
His voice was calm and resolute.
"For the future of Konoha, sacrifice is necessary."
"This new Daimyo is too strong, and his ambition already threatens the village. Above the Hokage, there should be no one else giving orders."
Hiruzen trembled all over, pointing at Danzō, his lips shaking, unable to utter a word.
He had never imagined Danzō's audacity would reach such heights.
No warning, no testing.
This was a direct killing blow.
It was regicide.
"Mad... You madman..." Hiruzen's voice was hoarse.
"I am doing this for Konoha."
Danzō repeated, his tone unshaken.
He looked at Arashi, who was surrounded by assassins, as if he were already dead.
"After he dies, Shu will take his place."
"A weak and incompetent Daimyo best suits Konoha's interests."
"Then, I will personally explain to the entire ninja world that this was a righteous act to restore order."
"And you, Hiruzen, all you need to do is watch."
On the high platform, Shu finally reached Arashi.
He and his last few loyal retainers surrounded Arashi and several City Guards, their blades pointed at his calm, dignified face.
Shu panted heavily, sweat and blood mixing together, running into his eyes and stinging them painfully.
But he didn't care.
He stared at Arashi, who stood just an arm's length away, then glanced greedily at the National Stone in Arashi's hand, his eyes filled with jealousy and venom.
"Why aren't you speaking?"
Shu sneered, pointing his blade at Arashi.
"Weren't you so eloquent? So impressive?"
"Now, your guards, your army, can't even protect themselves!"
"Your throne, your wealth, your woman, they'll all be mine soon!"
"Speak!"
But Arashi stood there quietly.
There was no fear, no anger, not even the slightest trace of emotion on his face.
His deep eyes looked at Shu as if watching a clown.
"Are you done talking?"
He finally spoke, his tone calm and indifferent.
"You..." Shu's fury flared even stronger at that unshakable composure.
"My dear third brother."
Without waiting for Shu to reply, Arashi's lips curved slightly.
"Do you really think that with these desperadoes, you can kill me?"
"Do you also think that the position Danzō promised you is one you can actually hold?"
Arashi stepped forward, brushing aside a City Guard, completely ignoring Shu's raised blade.
The invisible pressure made Shu instinctively take a step back.
"A useless fool who sold out the family's interests for a chance at inheritance."
"A stray dog I personally threw out of the Fire Capital."
"A pitiful worm who could only crawl in the gutter, waiting for scraps and empty promises before daring to bare its fangs."
With each sentence, Shu's face grew paler.
Each word cut into him like a knife, stabbing deep into his fragile pride.
"Are you even worthy of coveting my throne?"
The final question completely shattered Shu's sanity.
"Ahhh!"
He let out a beastlike roar, his long blade raised high, bringing it down toward Arashi's head with all his might.
"Die for me!"
But just as the blade was about to fall, Arashi merely lifted his eyelids slightly.
Then, the world went silent.
Swish. Swish. Swish. Swish.
Countless sounds of rushing wind echoed from every direction.
One.
Ten.
Fifty.
Over a hundred dark figures appeared silently on the roofs of the main hall, in the clock towers around the square, and from the shadows of nearby buildings.
They were dressed in black combat uniforms, their faces covered by pure black masks, each holding a standard long blade.
A wave of killing intent swept across the entire square.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The heavy sound of armor rang out from the four entrances of the square in perfect rhythm.
Squads of City Guards poured in like a tide.
Their steps were uniform, their shields forming an iron wall, their spear tips pointed outward, sealing off every escape route.
"Traitors, kill without mercy!"
The cold command was given.
The City Guard formations began contracting inward, their long spears thrusting like a forest of iron, mercilessly crushing all remaining rebels.
In Konoha's viewing area, Nara Shikaku suddenly looked up, his face pale with shock.
Hiashi's Byakugan activated to its fullest, veins bulging on his temples.
Not an illusion, not Shadow Clones.
Those were over a hundred shinobi, each with chakra levels comparable to a Jonin.
Fugaku's Sharingan spun wildly, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Minato was frozen in place.
Hiruzen stood stunned.
In the area of the four nation delegations, the mocking smiles on the faces of the Kumo and Kiri envoys froze.
The Iwa envoy's hand, which had been stroking his beard, stopped midway.
The female ninja behind the Suna envoy's pupils contracted sharply.
Even Biwa Jūzō, who had already sworn loyalty, couldn't help but gasp at the sight of this power.
And Danzō, the muscles on his face twitched uncontrollably, his single eye filled with disbelief, horror, and despair.
A deception.
This had been a deception from beginning to end.
What weak defenses.
What an unguarded Daimyo Manor.
It was all a trap.
On the high platform, Shu's descending blade froze in midair.
Not because he wanted to stop, but because a black blade had already pressed against his wrist.
He turned stiffly to the side, seeing a person in a black mask standing beside him.
Looking around, he found that each of his loyal retainers now had a cold blade resting against their throats.
In the square, the Root ninjas and desperadoes who had been wreaking havoc were now completely surrounded.
The entire plaza fell silent once again.
Only the wind blew across the high platform, rustling the luxurious fabric of Arashi's robes.
Everyone understood.
This was a play.
A grand performance personally orchestrated by the new Daimyo, allowing every schemer to step onto the stage and act to their heart's content.
Now, everyone meant to be on stage was here.
It was time for the curtain to fall.
Arashi didn't even glance at Shu.
His gaze swept over the countless astonished, terrified faces, finally landing on the Chief Ceremonial Officer, who was crouched in the corner, pale and trembling.
Arashi beckoned him forward, then spoke calmly.
"Yamano."
"The ceremony continues."
(To be continued.)