1100 PS
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While Mei was still gathering her shattered dignity,
Minato was also waiting for the Daimyo's summons.
Unlike before, Minato wore the Hokage's ceremonial robe today, symbolizing his position.
His golden hair was still striking, and his deep blue eyes were calm.
He did not even have a guard announce him. He simply stood quietly outside the study, waiting.
His posture was not like that of the Fourth Hokage famed across the Ninja World, but like an ordinary subject awaiting his monarch's call.
When he entered, he stopped three steps from the desk.
Then he bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"Daimyo-sama."
The address had not changed.
However, the usual reserve and aloofness of the Hokage in his tone were gone.
Arashi leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest.
He did not tell Minato to rise, nor did he speak.
Silence was a monarch's best weapon.
It applied pressure and revealed much.
The study was silent.
Minato maintained his bow, perfectly still, his fringe shadowing his eyes, hiding his expression.
The sharp aura that usually surrounded him had been reined in.
He was like a sheathed sword.
After an unknown time, Arashi spoke.
"Have you come to your senses?"
"Yes, I have."
"Rise. Tell me how you came to your senses."
Minato straightened, meeting Arashi's gaze openly.
"I previously… always considered matters from Konoha's perspective. My thinking was narrow, and I failed to live up to Daimyo-sama's expectations."
"Oh?"
Arashi leaned forward slightly, interest piqued. "Then what perspective are you taking now?"
Minato drew a deep breath, his expression solemn.
"The Land of Fire."
The three words landed heavily.
He continued, "From now on, Konoha's interests will fully serve the overall interests of the Land of Fire."
"Konoha is the Konoha of the Land of Fire."
This statement was a belated pledge of allegiance.
It meant Minato, the Fourth Hokage, had completely submitted to the Daimyo in spirit.
Arashi's smile widened.
This was better than he expected.
A Hokage with a broken spine was a puppet.
A Hokage who actively embraced his ideals was a useful tool.
"Very good."
Arashi finally spoke with approval.
"Sit, Minato."
"Tell me your new plan."
"Yes."
Minato sat as instructed, took out a scroll, and presented it with both hands.
There was no pretense of equality now, only a subordinate reporting to a superior.
"Regarding the Genius Cultivation Special Fund, this subordinate believes Daimyo-sama's approach is entirely correct."
"Concentrating resources to cultivate top-tier combat power is indeed the best way to enhance the Land of Fire's deterrence in the short term."
"However, simple financial assistance can easily lead young ninja astray with power and wealth, making them forget their original intention to fight."
He looked up, eyes sincere and pleading.
"Therefore, I propose upgrading the Genius Cultivation Program to the Will of Fire Legacy Program."
"Will of Fire?"
Arashi savored the words. "Continue."
Minato continued, "Selected geniuses will not only receive funds and resources, but must also accept one-on-one mentorship."
"The mentors will be the most experienced and resolute jonin in the village."
"Their responsibility is to teach these geniuses how to wield power correctly, guide them to dedicate themselves to the country, and make them understand the responsibility that comes with power."
"This fund is for shaping their strength, but even more, for shaping their spirit."
Minato glanced at Arashi. Seeing no objection, his heart eased slightly.
"As for the selection of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, this subordinate suggests an open competition for all ninja in the village."
"Regardless of origin or background, only loyalty and strength will matter."
"The twelve final winners will represent Konoha, becoming the sharpest swords in Daimyo-sama's hand, and the supreme honor of the Land of Fire."
"This will let all ninja see a fair path to advancement and maximize potential, selecting the strongest warriors for you."
He finished and looked at Arashi expectantly.
Arashi did not answer immediately. He picked up the plan and flipped through it page by page.
The handwriting was neat, the organization clear, with detailed contingencies for selection rules and mentor screening.
It was evident Minato had not rested much while drafting this.
All of his struggle had gone into this scroll.
Minato's heart tightened.
He did not know if the Daimyo would tolerate his hidden intention, to bind genius cultivation to the Will of Fire.
It was the last line he could hold as Hokage.
After a long time, Arashi closed the scroll and set it on the desk.
"The plan is good."
He looked at Minato, his gaze unreadable, as if to see through him.
"Minato, you are very clever."
"You know what I want, and what you want to preserve."
"You are trying to find a balance within my rules, one you can accept."
Minato's heart sank.
As expected, his intentions could not escape this monarch.
"However…"
Arashi's tone shifted, a playful expression returning.
"I like clever subordinates."
"Working with clever people is efficient."
He picked up the imperial brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and signed the cover with bold, flowing strokes.
"It will be done as you say."
"I have only one requirement."
Arashi's voice grew heavier.
"The mentor list for the Will of Fire Legacy Program."
"The final list of selected geniuses."
"And the selection results for the Twelve Guardian Ninja."
"All must be reviewed and ultimately approved by me."
He paused, then spoke clearly,
"Their power is bestowed by me."
"Their loyalty can only belong to me, to the Land of Fire."
"As for that Will of Fire you mentioned…"
Arashi leaned back, arms folded, calmly watching Minato.
"From today, my will is the Will of Fire."
"Do you understand?"
Arashi had agreed to the plan.
Minato should have been pleased, but he was not.
Because with one sentence, the Daimyo had taken the soul of the plan.
The Daimyo's will was the Will of Fire.
It was a final warning, the ultimate declaration of power.
All his struggle, effort, and compromise turned to dust in that moment.
What he tried to protect would exist only under a new name.
A name belonging to the Daimyo.
Minato slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them, the last flicker of Hokage's light in his blue eyes had gone out.
He stood again, removed the ceremonial robe, revealing his ninja uniform.
He folded the robe neatly and placed it aside.
Then he knelt on one knee, without hesitation.
This time, it was a subject's etiquette to his monarch.
"From today, Konoha will no longer have a Hokage."
"Only Minato Namikaze, supreme commander of Konoha under the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
In that moment.
An era ended completely.
Arashi finally smiled with satisfaction. "No, you are still the Hokage."
He generously returned the title.
Because Hokage was just a name now.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama."
[Ding!]
[Target: Minato Namikaze]
[Loyalty: 85, Loyal and reliable]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden quest: The Hokage's Demise. You have completely subdued the Fourth Hokage, and Konoha, this sharpest sword, is now in your hands.]
[Reward: National Luck +500]
Very good.
Arashi looked at the man kneeling before him, mood light.
"Rise, Fourth Hokage."
"From today, you will have a bigger stage."
He picked up the ceremonial robe and personally draped it over Minato.
"The future of the Land of Fire needs your Flying Thunder God Technique."
(To be continued.)